Oregon {Redmond & Portland} {Final Post}

Marcus served in Redmond so the first thing we did was explore the town a little and find his old apartment.  There were definitely nice areas here and Marcus said it was similar to a Park City, but his apartment did not seem that way.

Everywhere we had been so far was so green and beautiful.  Suddenly though, we were in the desert.  It was still beautiful, but in a completely different way.  We decided to do some hiking and hiked to Monkey Face, a well known rock climbing destination in Smith Rock State Park.  We took a trail called "Misery Trail" and it seriously was one of the most miserably hard hikes I have ever done.  It was so steep and it definitely didn't help that it was nearly 100 degrees!

From there were drove to Salem to spend the night so that we didn't have to drive all of the way to Portland.  On our way we stopped at Silver Falls to explore some more waterfalls, but when we got out to hike we realized how exhausted we were and that Asher may be a little bit sick of being carried about in the backpack.  We hiked to one fall and then quickly changed plans and went swimming in the river there instead.  Asher was so happy with this change of plans.  

Portland was amazing and so much fun to visit.  I loved the feel of the city.  We wandered around downtown and walked a lot.

We tried the ice cream at Salt & Straw and it was amazing.  They had such unusual flavors - goat cheese marionberry habanero - olive oil - birthday cakes with blueberry - and you could try as many as you wanted.  Marcus was much more daring with the flavors he chose to try but he settled on cinnamon snicker doodle (which tasted just like cookies) and sea salt with caramel ribbon.  My favorite was almond brittle with salted ganache.  

We kept walking and ended up at the International Rose Test Gardens which were absolutely beautiful. 

We loved walking through some beautiful neighborhoods.  The houses were smaller but so cute and had so much charm.  And just like everywhere else in Oregon, the hydrangeas were simply amazing.

and I absolutely fell in love with this house.

I'm sorry if this is your house and I'm posting it on my blog.

It was kind of just the perfect night - ice cream, walking, flowers, beautiful houses and exploring. 

Saturday morning we wandered around the market, ate some free Ben & Jerry's, did a little shopping, and just hung out before our flight left that afternoon.

Asher loves trying on hats and looking at himself in the mirror at H&M.  Look at his pouty little lips.

And then, sadly, it was time to come home.  Asher did great on both flights -- he had his own window seat on the way there, and sat on my lap for the flight home.  He loved watching out the window and seeing the other planes, trucks, tractors, and then once we were in the air the trees, water and clouds.  He read the skymall magazine and ate and organized peanuts and pretzels on the way there.  On the way home he read some books and lined his toys up across the tray.  

Until next time Oregon!

Oregon {Part 3}

We had finally arrived to Medford and were so happy to hang out with Mike and Elise.  Asher is absolutely in love with these two and was so happy to get so much attention from them.  Day one we mostly hung out in Ashland - we went to Lithia Park and drank the most disgusting mineral water from the Lithia Fountains.  It was pretty bad and Marcus even had Asher try it...who was not thrilled!  

The parks there are nothing like the parks here.  They remind me more of hiking trails.  Lithia Park has a cute river that runs through it and is completely enclosed by tall trees.  There are trails for hiking or running, and there was of course a playground.  They also had the cutest Japanese Gardens that were fun to check out.  Asher found a deer friend and was convinced he could ride it.

We had lots of fun swimming in the cold water at Emigrant Lake that afternoon and stopped to show Asher the Medford Temple after finding Marcus' old apartment here.

The next day we got a delicious biscuit breakfast at Buttercloud Bakery and then headed towards Crater Lake.  On our way we stopped to hike to three waterfalls: Mill Creek, Barr Creek and Pearsoney Falls.  The moss growing around the falls completely covered the rocks and was so gorgeous.  It was a bright green and looked so lush.

Crater Lake was incredible.  I could not believe how absolutely gorgeous it was here.  

This picture kills me.  He's so happy he is shaking as he squeezes his little toy.  haha.  I was so incredibly happy that I got to visit Elise and spend a few days with her.  Let alone in such a beautiful, amazing place.

Here are a few facts about Crater Lake:

-It was formed 7,700 years ago when the volcano Mount Mazama collapsed

-It is the deepest lake in the United States

-There are no rivers that flow into or out of it - it is filled purely by rain and snow - because of that it is a beautiful blue color and so incredibly clear

We took the one and only trail that takes you down to the water and had lots of fun soaking our feet in the clear water and catching crawfish.

From Crater Lake Mike and Lise headed home and we headed north to Redmond/Bend for the night.

We had such an amazing time with Mike and Elise and were so glad they let us come visit!

To be continued...

(are you getting sick of Oregon posts yet?  There's still one more to come!)

Two Years Old

I interrupt our Oregon travelog for this birthday post...

Two Years.  730 days.  How has it been so many days since you were born?  It seems like just yesterday you were born, but I cannot imagine our lives without you.  You have brought so much happiness into our lives and so many smiles and memories to our home.  You have given both me and dad so much more purpose in our lives and have helped us want to be better people.  You have taught us to love and take care of each other better.  It all sounds so cliche but it is all true. 

Asher, at two years old you are such an amazing little boy.  Some things that really stand out to me is how sweet, sensitive and smart you are.  

You are so sweet.  You really love people and love them hard.  You love us as your parents, and you love your grandparents, cousins, and friends.  I love how you know all 10 cousins by name, and frequently talk about them even when it has been awhile since we've seen them.  You light up when we say we are going to our grandparents' houses.  And you are obsessed with your neighborhood and nursery friends.  You especially love your best friend and constantly want to hold her hand, give her hugs and give her kisses.  It is so amazing to see your love.  You are so thoughtful and say thank you to me and dad all day long. After breakfast it's 'thank you mama for eating' and after a nap it's 'thank you mama for sleeping'.

You are so sensitive.  Loud noises or scary things make you cry.  It is kind of heartbreaking but you are just so tender.  When other kids steal your toys, you always cry but you never hit or push.  You got a bad guy for your birthday and immediately you said "me no like it."  You could tell it was a mean guy and it scared you.  At the bird show at the zoo, you were mesmerized, but as soon as the macaw let out his loud screech you were in tears.  I love how sensitive you are.

You are so smart.  I love watching you learn and watching your little brain work.  You are talking so much now and basically can say anything we say.  You are constantly repeating things to us and talk in full sentences.  You communicate so well and are so fun to have around.  You love your colors and constantly are pointing out everything around you and saying what color it is.  

You love so many things.  You love your toys, especially legos, cars, trucks, small animals and squinkies.  You will sit quietly and play alone for the longest time, some days hours.  You love to be home and just playing.  You love milk and always want it before bed.  You don't always want to take a nap, but once you are in your crib you sleep for 2-3 hours.  You love your pillow, blankies, and stuffed animals.  You love most all fruits, cheese, sandwiches, carrots, cucumbers, lemonade, rice, and quesadillas.  Most of all you love sucking your thumb.

__________________________

Asher loved his birthday and basically ran around all day saying "my happy birthday".  It was so cute and so much fun.  

I made Asher a latch board following this blog post and he seems to really like it.  (Although I used one piece of wood that I bought from home depot and had them cut down for me, rather than jig sawing a board together from lots of different pieces like he did.) I think it turned out pretty cute too.  

Oregon {The Coast}

We left Eugene and headed straight west towards the coast.  The coast days were some of my favorites -- it was so incredibly beautiful.  We just drove, stopping at state parks or beaches or whatever looked beautiful and appealing to us.

Haceta Head Lighthouse (near Florence):

Asher absolutely loved the ocean.  He was so cute, running around in circles and giggling.  All trip he kept saying "ocean" and "beach".

North Bend / Coos Bay Areas:

Bandon:

We ended that night in the cutest little motel in Bandon.  GORGEOUS!  We spent that night at the beach just down the stairs from our motel.  It was pretty cold and really windy, and Asher's nose was getting all runny, but he did not want to leave that beach.  He was so happy to explore, run in circles, stomp his feet on any bumps in the sand, and run as fast as he could straight towards dad.  It was really cute.

The next morning we explored the quaint coastal city.  After a little breakfast, walking out on the tiny boardwalk, and a visit to the candy shop we continued our drive down the coast.

Port Orford:

Gold Beach:

(delicious fish n chips and clam chowder at the cutest Barnicle Bistro)

Brookings:

There was a beautiful beach here, Harris beach, but Asher was fast asleep at this point.  We decided to let him sleep and kept driving.  All the way to:

The Redwoods (Just outside Crescent City, California):

We had so much fun hiking through Stout's Grove.  Asher loved the giant trees and kept talking about the ones that were broken (fallen down).  After about half of the hike we let him get down and he and Marcus had a blast exploring, climbing, crawling through tunnels, and just being boys.

and then we headed inland and spent the night in Medford (where Mike & Elise live).

...to be continued with our adventures with Mike & Lise...