Amber-Jamie-Makena

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Road Trip 2011 ~ Day 1

Hopefully Blogger is going to work with me while I try to post updated from our trip. Having a laptop and hotel wi-fi often make things more difficult. I have mixed in pictures from both Makena and I.

We were supposed to leave for Road Trip 2011 by 10am this morning...that didn't work out as planned. Oh well...300 + miles to go on our first day didn't really put me in too much of a hurry. After loading up the car, we made a quick stop at the library before 'hitting the road'.

I wasn't planning to take Lil Doug on our trip, but the 40+ mpg and convertible top persuaded me to. I hadn't yet driven him on a major highway, so I was nervous, but we both did well!

Our first Oregon Trail stop was just outside of Biggs, OR.

Then, more driving...

Before we stopped in Pendleton, OR at another Oregon Trail marker.

Where we also found a place for lunch. (Knowing that I'd have to have a picture, Makena was so excited to see this giant boot outside of the restaurant.)

More driving...then a quick stop at a view spot.

We found an Oregon Trail picnic area at Emigrant Springs.

Then we passed the town of Meacham (Hailee's last name...) and had to take a picture.

And then we found an Oregon Trail National Park - Blue Mountain Crossing. We actually got to walk around a little bit and follow a few trails. Makena was very happy that the trails were flat and less than 1/4 mile.

We finally arrived in Baker City, OR around 7pm. We checked in to our hotel room, which Makena says is much better than the ones I chose for our trip last year, and relaxed a bit before heading out to dinner.

Now we're both full and tired...and ready for more tomorrow!

Monday, July 11, 2011

Jamaica ~ stolen photos

Because there were 12 people on vacation with us, I was lucky enough to get everyone elses' photos too!

Shayne & Tiffany ~ Groom & Bride ~ Shayne and Jamie have been friends for many years and we were happy to be a part of their wedding. We love you guys!

Lauren & Vince ~ I had never met Lauren or Vince, but we had a great time with them.

Jed & Vicki ~ I had never met Jed or Vicki before and we had a so much fun with them!

Chris & Adria ~ I had met Adria before as she is Tiff's best friend. Chris proposed to Adria during our trip.

Jessica & Jason ~ I hadn't met Jessica or Jason either. They tried to enjoy every minute of their kid-less vacation!

Our "spot" on the beach.

We quickly realized that part of the resort had a nude beach. Even some of the resort rooms overlooked this special place...luckily mine and Jamie's room didn't!

Amy & Shelly (and because you know how I hate to talk about people...I shall not say much more about these two. Amy is Shayne's cousin and Shelly is her friend.)

Jamaica ~ Day 2

We quickly discovered how wonderful the breakfast buffet was. It had something new offered daily, plus the normal omelets, eggs, pancakes, etc.

After breakfast, all 14 of us spent a few hours down at the beach. Because Shayne & Tiffany were usually the first ones up, they saved the same (perfect) spot for us each morning. So beautiful and relaxing. Drinks or food being brought to you non-stop makes for a extra nice time at the beach.

With different people coming to play songs or sell things along the beach. They weren't allowed to come up to us on the resort, so we'd have to call them over if we wanted something. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, things for your pipes, whatever you want 'mon...

Then we took a sunset boat ride where we were able to swim in caves and enjoy the sunset.

When we got back to the resort, we enjoyed another wonderful meal at one of the restaurants at the resort. This particular restaurant had the best Pad Tai I had ever eaten. I think I had it at least three times during our trip.

Each night, the room was always cleaned and ready for us. Including towel animals and thoughtful notes.

Jamaica ~ Day 1

I'm finally able to get to my pictures from Jamaica! I'm not sure how many posts I'll get before I leave tomorrow though...Makena and I leave for Road Trip 2011. Road Trip 2010 was so much fun that we're off for another adventure this year.

Getting to Jamaica, from Oregon, seems like a never ending journey. Our flight left at 11:20pm on May 24th and we arrived in Jamaica around 2pm on May 25th. We tried to get as much sleep as we could on the plane...but that never works out well. After traveling through a few time zones, states and countries, we had arrived.

It took us much longer than we had hoped to get through Customs. Someone (apparently me) had forgotten to completely fill out the return Custom forms (because we weren't yet returning, so I didn't see the point), and by the time we got back in to line other flights had come in.

We were given free beer (Red Stripe) at the airport and loaded in to a van (very small van with 15 people and their luggage) to make the hour long drive to Couples Negril Resort. Unfortunately, it was rush-hour in Montego Bay, Jamaica and we were stuck for a short time.

Jamie had no problem sitting up front in the van - he likes crazy driving.

I sat behind Jamie and talked to a couple on their 5th time to the resort. The husband had lived in Hillsboro for a couple of years and they were now living in Texas. Small world...

The jungle was beautiful. The humidity was not. Photos from the window.

Then, by the time we arrived at the resort, filled out our registration paperwork and got the keys to our room, we were exhausted and hungry. The other 6 couples had spent the day in the pool, and were still enjoying the pool bar by the time we got down there.

Then the rain came. When you are in a tropical place and it rains, it's nothing like being in Oregon. It's actually refreshing. Although when it rains in the jungle, it really rains.

But we didn't mind spending some time catching up on our sleep so that we could enjoy the rest of the week.

Friday, July 1, 2011

A little Stay-cation

We're headed up to the lake for a little stay-cation. I can't tell you how excited I am to spend time at the lake as I haven't been there yet this year. And, my family will be there, which makes it even better!

It's been a long, stressful few weeks and I'm happy for the break. Sometimes my emotions get the best of me - no matter how hard I try to keep them under control. (Kinda like those voices I hear too...)

I know I promised pictures from Jamaica (because I know you want to see how beautiful it was there) but I just haven't gotten the chance to finish editing. And, wouldn't you know it, my computer is acting up again and that affects my photo editing program. So...you'll just have to wait a bit longer.

I also have some pictures to share from Relay last weekend. Again, the editing is an issue. But, I took less that 100 pictures if you can even believe it!?! I did spend almost 5 hours in the CPS3 tent, so I really didn't get the opportunity to take many photos. That's okay though, I enjoyed the day with family, friends and memories.

I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend! Be back soon...

A visit with Teri

My step-mom, Teri, comes out for a visit from Alaska every year. We always have to share her with the rest of the family, and she came for even fewer days this year. So, one day, Jamie and I headed out to St. Helens to have dinner with my sister and Teri.

I look forward to her visit each year.

He just had to...

Makena has been hating those 'bare feet' shoes for a while now. She makes fun of everyone that she sees wearing them.

On Father's Day, Jamie decided he needed a pair. He had tried them on before and thought that they would be great for the lake.

So he got them...

And Makena tries to bite her tongue.

Going green-er

Because we now only have a small patch of grass in the backyard, I thought it would be best to get a reel mower.

A green, "green", mower.

And he is amazing!

I remember having one of these at my dad's house when we were kids. It was free. It was rusty. It barely moved. I think it was just more of a punishment for us.

My new, green reel mower wasn't free, but was worth every penny. It's not rusty and he moves! (The box even says "quiet, scissor like blades".) Although, it still may be a sort of punishment for Makena...

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

The new backyard

After many, many (many) discussions about redoing the backyard, it's finally done!! When we built the house in 2003, we install the front and back yard. Since then, we've made a lot of changes in the front, and the backyard has been waiting for it's turn.

Because we get plenty of rain in the PNW, our grass is usually green on top and mud on the bottom. And our backyard had a lot of mud! Mud that was eventually turning in to moss and mud. Add the 'neighbor from hell' who leaves his sprinklers on for far too long, and there is so much mud that you can't walk in the back yard and the fence is rotting away.

So I wanted rock. A lot of rock and a tiny patch of grass. A lot of rock, a tiny patch of grass and bird feeders/baths.

Here is the yard, before:

Then the landscapers came in and pulled out all of the grass. (And I'll admit that it was a little hard to see it go.)

Then came in the small patch of sod and plants that Jamie and I picked out.

A few of our sprinkler pipes were hit in the planting process, so we had a little delay.

But then the rock arrived and everything started to come together! I even went shopping for bird baths and feeders to add to the yard. And got my garden planted!

Before everything was finally finished:

And I'm loving it!! I even bought a new reel mower so that I can just push it around my little patch of grass. I am enjoying all of the birds that have returned to my yard, as well as the squirrels. Even though I've already gone through 20lbs of birdseed....

Monday, June 20, 2011

All is well

Hello all!

I've missed you.

We've been busy.

But all is well with us!

We had a wonderful time in Jamaica and I have tons of pictures to share. I can't wait to show the pictures that I took of Shayne & Tiffany as she 'trashed her dress' in the ocean and pool.

We are currently in the process of having our backyard redone, and I truly can't wait until my vision is complete! To have a place to sit in the backyard again...to have my garden growing...to have birds return...to have friends/family over for a bbq too...I'm already planning!

Carol, Jamie's mom, will be arriving on Tuesday night. She will be visiting us again for 4 weeks this summer. It's always such a nice break for her to be out here. (I try not to put her to work to much.)

Jamie flies out to San Diego for a vendor show on Wednesday morning, but will return Friday evening. And the 2011 Relay For Life of Hillsboro is this weekend!! And even more important (well, at least for this year) is the Cancer Prevention Study 3 enrollment that will be held at the Relay this year. I'm going to be a busy kid this week and weekend, but hope to get some pictures here soon.

I hope everyone is ready for Summer...I know I am!