Spring Break Stay-cation

We had the most amazing spring break! The kids loved having a vacation from school, and on the days I didn't work, we explored a little more of our beautiful surroundings. Every time we go on a new hike, I feel like we have barely scratched the surface of all the things we want to see here in Oregon!

First we went to see some waterfalls. Sahalie and Koosah Falls are on the McKenzie River Trail. The water was such a breathtaking light blue in some spots, and as clear as glass in others. The power of a waterfall never ceases to remind me of how incredible mother nature is.  Here are some of my favorite shots:

After seeing the falls, we drove to another section of the McKenzie River Trail. We felt like we had stepped onto the set of The Hobbit! It is a lava field that has been covered with moss and trees and mushrooms...we crossed cute little bridges and tried to avoid holes in the ground were trees used to be. It was strange and peaceful at the same time.

Just when everyone's legs started to get a little bit tired, and we decided we were hungry, we realized we had finally made it to our destination! Tamolitch Pool. It is also called the blue pool. I can't describe what seeing it in person was like. It truly took my breath away. It was so neat to see the looks on the kid's faces as they came around the corner and saw it! It is this perfectly still little pool that looks like someone dumped blue food coloring into it. Then at the edge of the pool, it turns back in to the river. I wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen it firsthand. Put it on your bucket list-you won't be disappointed!

On the way back to the car, everyone was happy and worn out. The kids still had enough energy to build themselves a human totem pole, though! It was a great adventure with great friends. Can't wait to see where we end up next...

Coos Bay 2015

Isabelle's swim meets took us to a lot of beautiful places last year, and it has been fun to re-visit them this year. We recently made our second trip to Coos Bay (where Izzy got her best times in every single event she swam!), only this time we stayed at the Oregon Dunes KOA instead of the casino. We had a really pretty view outside of our cabin. Izzy took this photo from the front porch:

It was amazing weather again this year. 65 degrees! Isabelle and her friends even swam in the ocean. Here's a shot of her and Gigi right as they were getting in...I think they almost abandoned ship, but they powered through. There was a darling little seal that wanted to swim with them, but he always stayed about 15 feet away. It was adorable!

The coast never ceases to amaze me. Absolutely breathtaking.

Izzy had a lot of fun with her friends. It always amazes me that they have any energy at all after their meets. Those girls work so hard! Here's a shot of them being goofballs at the old lighthouse (all that is left is the foundation):

When the sun started to go down, Isabelle took the opportunity to take some pictures. She is really good! I am not as good, so I just took a picture of her taking pictures. I wish you could see how high above the ocean she is in this photo...it was making me nervous that she was standing on the edge of the foundation.

And I can't leave out the best supporters on the planet. As far as little brothers go, I think these two are pretty exceptional! Two peas in a pod for sure :)

We tried to mix things up a little this year, so we stopped at the John Dellenback Dunes Trail. It started like this...

and ended like this:

It was just a short 2 mile walk to the beach where there were sea lion pups! We didn't have much time to explore, so we will definitely go back next year. Our last stop on the way home was the Dean Creek elk viewing area. It is right off the highway near Reedsport, and we weren't disappointed! This little guy hopped the fence which made for some great photos...I guess the grass really is greener on the other side ;)

All in all, another great road trip! 

Christmas 2014

It was so fun to finally be in our house for Christmas! The kids loved cutting down our own Christmas tree...

and they were so excited when they came downstairs on Christmas morning!

It was so nice to be able to stay home all day in our pajamas, do puzzles, play games, relax, and just be together. 

Hope you all had a great holiday!

Winter Solstice Baby

Dylan had an awesome birthday this year. Being the supportive brother he is, he spent most of the day at Izzy's swim meet cheering her on. After the meet, we came home and opened presents...thank you to everyone who thought of him and sent him presents, cards, and birthday messages! He chose to go to dinner at Pastini at the Old Mill, and all in all, I think he had a great day. It's hard to believe my baby is 11!

Early Thanksgiving

We met the entire Larsen crew the week before Thanksgiving for a little get-away in Hammond, Oregon. It's a darling little coastal town near Astoria. We hadn't seen the family in a while, and hadn't met Brooklyn yet, so it was a ton of fun.

We saw a lot of neat things, including the shipwreck of the Peter Iredale. It ran ashore on October 25, 1906. 

We found treasures on the beach, 

and smiled big for Auntie April. Is he the cutest or what?

We climbed 164 steps to the top of the Astoria Column. Jake bought everyone wooden airplanes to fly off the top...

I think Kelly won the contest on longest flight...hers went forever! The kids went on a hunt for downed planes once we were out of the column so they could bring one home.

We went on a spectacular hike in Oswald West State Park. 

The kids climbed over,  

under, and through Mother Nature's playground. 

We passed a lot of giant old-growth Sitka Spruce on our way to Smuggler Cove.

It didn't disappoint! We lucked out on weather constantly...it had been raining most of the day, but when we got to the cove, the sun peeked out until we were ready to head back up the trail, then it started to drizzle a bit. It didn't bother us though, because by that time, we were under the cover of all the trees. It was absolutely breathtaking!

Cannon Beach was next on the list, which has been on my bucket list for over a decade. I have to admit, I got a little emotional when I saw Haystack Rock. Photos just don't do it justice! 

We got there at the perfect time to see Sea Anemone and Starfish. Isabelle and Dylan found hermit crabs and tidepool sculpin. It was so much fun to explore...completely hands on learning. It's something I don't think my kids will ever forget.

The sun started to set, and I will be forever grateful that I got to see Cannon Beach in person. It was amazing. 

And let's be honest...who can go to Astoria and not stop by the Goonie House? One or more of my kids may have done the truffle shuffle, but that's another post for another day. 

Thanks to Fred and Kelly for an amazing trip! We made some great memories. It was so fun to see the family and spend some quality time together. 

Pumpkin Patch

This weekend was a little chilly, but the sun was shining and we were surrounded by beautiful scenery and great friends. We went to Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne (just a few minutes out of town) to the pumpkin patch and corn maze. It was so much fun!

We entered the corn maze...

Made time for a quick selfie...

(Corie and Patrick also made the leap of faith and moved to Bend-you can read Corie's post by clicking here: Moving Home. She is an amazing writer!)

Made our way to the pumpkin patch...

Waited patiently while the kids chose the perfect pumpkin...

Then went home, ate some good food, and got creative!

We are so blessed to have found such amazing friends here in Bend. When we left Utah, we knew we would miss the Robbins and the Brogs terribly. We look forward to seeing them whenever possible and think about them every day! The only thing that softened the blow of leaving them was knowing that we will be friends for the rest of our lives, no matter what. We are so lucky that we have found that here, too. Here's to good friends, old and new!

Have a happy and safe halloween!!