Busy Playing

We have been so busy playing allllll over this Northwest that I haven't blogged in weeks. My apologies. It's hard to know what to write and where to begin, as this past 3 weeks have been filled with newness, family visiting, a wedding, traveling, and much more! Now that I am back home with no major events coming up, I can think back and process. I have had the privilege this past few weeks of:

• continuing on the diet/exercise plan I started on August 1st 
• taking a maiden voyage camping trip with Brian into the Mt. Hood National Forest
• hosting my family (Dad and sister) as they visited from CA
• visiting my step dad Daniel, whom I hadn't seen in over a year 
• traveling up north to the Seattle area for my niece Sarah's wedding
• traveling further north in Washington to visit some friends of my sister's
• throughout all of that, putting hundreds of new miles on my 2003 Honda Civic, of whom I still love dearly

Fall has officially come to Oregon, and I cannot begin to explain how thrilled I am to now live in a place that will have 4 distinct seasons. I don't miss California, with its one perpetual sunny day all year round. I am blessed by the people of Oregon and their friendly spirits, the abundant amount of green everywhere, and the slow pace by which I am able to enjoy my life. Below are a few pictures and descriptions of our past few weeks here.

 Hiking in Forest Park: Portland, OR

 Forest Park: Portland, OR

 Breakfast at the Lazy Bend Campground: Estacada, OR

 Jen, Layne, Rach, and I on the ferry: Seattle, WA

Our special bird necklaces from Eugene, OR....but traveling on the ferry in Seattle, WA

 Pikes Place Market: Seattle, WA

 Street performer at the original Starbucks: Seattle, WA

 Look closely! Forest Park: Portland, OR

Is this what Heaven will look like? Forest Park: Portland, OR

The wedding cake Layne and Jen made: Silverdale, WA

 My niece and her beauties: Silverdale, WA

I am now looking forward to the next few weeks to chill and enjoy the fall weather. Next up: thinking about where we'll be and what we'll do for the holidays!