Four Stops, One Trip: Part IV

The very last stop on our trip was a surprise to me. It was our anniversary weekend, and I knew we were going somewhere on the coast, but Dallas did a fantastic job and took me to my favorite beach of all time. We stayed at THE CUTEST Bed and Breakfast (The Thyme and Tide, in Oceanside if anyone is interested), with the nicest couple that made the best breakfasts. That was a lot of superlatives. We spent the whole weekend relaxing sitting on  the beach, eating and shopping. It was perfect. I told Dallas I wasn't sure how he was going to top this one next year, but he assured me he would.

 I am so grateful to be married to such a wonderful man! One year down, a million gazillion to go, and I couldn't be happier.

Four Stops, One Trip: Part III

We were sad to leave all of the cousins on Sunday, but it was six more hours of driving to Portland, so we got started soon after church. We made it to Portland, only to pack up and drive 3 more hours the next day down to a heavenly little spot called Loon Lake.

We have been going to this lake as a family for as long as I can remember, and it is always my favorite vacation of the year. The lake is warm(ish), has a white sandy beach (imported), and is perfect for boating. We spend 4 days tubing, skiing, wakeboarding and kneeboarding until our muscles give out and our shoulders are burnt to a crisp. 

This year my parents were crazy enough to take 3 newlywed couples with them, with Dallas and I being the longest married among the bunch. But, we were glad they did because we had a fantabulous time.

And the cutest two people on our trip award goes to...

J and A. By a long shot. 

Did I mention how much I love this place?

Four Stops, One Trip: Part II

After a fantastic Fourth, we packed up and drove another three hours to Ontario to where some of Dallas's family owns a campground. I got to meet a whole bunch of my new family, and I think Dallas even met a few new family members of his own. Dallas was very excited to see some of his cousins that he had been close with growing up, but hadn't seen in years. They were girl cousins, so I was terrified they weren't going to like me. BUT, they were even more awesome than Dallas let on and we got along very very well to say the least. Talk about a relief. We are definitely looking forward to spending more time with them.

Cousins and spouses. And one very tired toddler

We were lucky enough to have a wonderful aunt and uncle who let us borrow their camper, without even having to set it up or take it down. And did I mention they had bathrooms there? Real, flush toilet, wonderfully clean bathrooms? I was the happiest camper after this discovery, although Dallas spent the whole weekend rolling his eyes at my elation. He even had me use the porta-potty before revealing this crucial piece of information.

It was so stinking hot they put a sprinkler under the zip-line for the kids to cool off

While playing on the zip-line, I met two wonderful girls, A and M, who I became instant friends with. They drove me on ATVs, went exploring with us, and swam in the river with me and Dallas.

Me, A and M. Buds. The whole weekend. LOVED IT. 

I took sweet Z down on the zipline, and she didn't even cry!

Such a cute face

The whole weekend was filled with games, food and good company. I was so grateful to be welcomed in so lovingly to a great family.

The theme this year was a carnival, and the games were very creative!

Everybody all together

And did I mention there were bathrooms?

Four Stops, One Trip: Part I

For the last two weeks Dallas and I have been on a whirlwind adventure that involved a lot of driving. The first leg of our trip brought us up to Burley, Idaho to visit Dallas’s sister for the Fourth of July.  Her husband’s family always throws a great party and we were lucky enough to be included! There was great food, volleyball, and some super cute nephews. I couldn't have been happier.

 Not a nephew, but still cute ;)

About halfway through the evening someone pulled out some potato sacks (this is Idaho after all), and there were races all around. I even managed to finish the race without falling over, so I count that as a success.

A little help from Dad never hurts

Apparently I missed the white shirt memo

The night ended with fireworks, as all good 4th celebrations should and with our fancy new camera we (aka Dallas) got some pretty good shots. 

Anyone want to teach me how to photoshop that telephone pole out?

We are so grateful to have such a welcoming family to celebrate with, especially when we weren't related to most of them ;) 

Three Weddings in a year

My mom deserves the "Best Mom of the Year" award. Not only is she just amazing in general, but she has married off three of her children this year. THREE! That's more than half of her children. It started out with me last July, then my sister in October, and then ended with my brother at the end of June. It's a miracle we didn't drive her insane.

Even with Cameron and Kim moving to the East Coast at the beginning of the summer, we were all able to be together for all three weddings. What a blessing! Dallas and I were lucky enough to have my sister-in-law Kim and her adorable son stay with us, and we all had a blast!

 I threw a small birthday party for Wesley that included cupcakes, candles and watermelon. What else could a little boy ask for?

Grandpa and bubbles is a winning combination

The wedding was beautiful but HOT. There were many tears shed on the part of the nieces and nephews, but the reception that evening was pleasant and GORGEOUS. My new sister-in-law has some serious good style :)

All of my dad's siblings were able to be there so they had a blast catching up

A is for attitude!

Me and A are BUDS

They did it!

The one time Wesley wasn't fussy...trying to kiss his dad... 

 My brother being the handy man that he is built a dance floor out of excess pallets from his work. And then painted it teal. It was beautiful.

A and J were the stars of the dance floor

Dallas and I helped design and make this photobooth, and oooooh was I glad when it was done. We were still nailing pictures on when the first guests arrived, but it was done and it turned out perfectly

I know I used this word 3 times before but the whole day was beautiful and we were so lucky to have our whole family together to welcome Felicia into our crazy lives! Hopefully we didn't scare her off too  much ;)