Trip to the coast with Grandpa Gary

One of my favorite things in this life is the beach/ocean. Seriously one of the things that can guarantee to bring my soul happiness. I'm glad my family feels the same way. We had sooo much fun!! Grandpa Gary came down Friday night, Saturday we headed to Astoria, OR. One of the places I have wanted to see since I was a kid and reading books. And it was as magical as I had hoped. 

Thia is the Astoria Column. It looks really neat, like a lighthouse, but it's not. I giess it was built by the Northern Pacific Railroad, but it was pretty cool to drive around. Due to time constraints, money, and kids, we didn't go walk around.

Where the Colombia River opens up to the Pacific Ocean.

Cannon Beach

Joe had a hard time keeping Addie out of ths cold water. She was in heaven!! I don't know if there i a kid that could have loved it more.

Jojo also enjoyed himself, but he preferred to keep the water to his knees. He would run out to squeal and run back in.  I have more pictures of him because Addie wouldn't hold still. Haha, This day is definitely a memory I'll keep in my heart forever.

Grandpa Gary with us. He was a good sport driving around, walking to the beach, walking around the outaide of the coast guard center.

The kids loved having Grandpa come visit. He came to church with us and Addie loved holding his hand as they walked up the sidewalk. I think she feels a special need to care for him. Jojo enjoys snuggling up with him too. They're lucky to have such a great grandpa!

Our first trip to the Oregon Coast

When I was growing up, I read a book called "Flower of the Winds" by Dorothy Keddington that takes place on the Oregon Coast. And ever since then I would research the landmarks and want to visit so bad. And finally that dream came true. Cheesy, I know, but it's  the truth.

The four of us headed west towards the coast. And just the drive alone was breathtaking!! I loved every minute of it, and got a little bit sick trying to see evrything with the tall, dense forest. I learned to just sit back, relax, and enjoy it. The Tillamook Cheese Factory was a lot more touristy and larger then i expected. But it was still fun to see, and their ice cream and cheese is to die for. Joe came here once as a kid with his dad, Uncle Randy, and brothers so it was fun for him to see it again.

Then we drove to Netarts, Oceanside and Cape Meares. Unfortunately the road was washed out to get to the lighthouse at Cape Meares. And to hike there would have been quite the task with little ones.

Oceanside, was nothing short of amazing!! Love at first sight? You betcha!! All four of us had the best experience.  It was Addie and Jojo's first time at the beach/ocean. And they couldn't have had more fun. Jojo was pretty brave  to go in, but then would run as the waves came in. Addie pulled Joe in and tried to go deeper and deeper. They are so much fun.

I didn't get good pictures of Addie because she was always blurry, so sad.

We didn't plan things well. Our trip was spare of the minute decision I hastily made. So we didnt have clothes to change into.....and i didn't think it would be so warm or that the kids would be for swimming. That's ok, who needs dry clothes whe. You're having so much fun? It's a good thing we had their blankets to wrap them up in the car.

Jojo is 18 months old

Our little guys is growing up and changing so fast. Since he has started to walk, his confidence has grown too. He runs and looks like he's been doing it forever. He also likes to throw balls, go up and down stairs, and keep up with his big sister.

He has been going in the last hour of nursery for quite a few months, while I stay there to help out. He just gets too ansy, and I prefer doing that then wondering the halls with open doors and stairs..... So needless to say he had no qualms about going to nursery full time, and never looked back to see that I was there. He seems to really enjoy the other kids as well.

I don't have any stats because we need to find a pediatrician first. But he seems to keep up with his 90% plus.

Moving to Portland

This was probably the smoothest move, and most prepared we have ever been. Let's be honest, we have moved ALOT and therefore I feel like we should be pros by now. Unfortunately, no matter how prepare I feel, things don't quite go as planned. But that's ok, I consider it a miracle that things went as well as they did.

I was offered the job at Legacy Meridian Park the day after we visited Portland July 12th! I was thrilled, and we were sure that Joe was going to get the offer too. However we didn't get his official until July 29th. It was killing us, waiting to find out. And so Joe's last day working was August 16th. We started going through things the weekend after my job offer, and got serious as soon as his offer came in. We spent approxiately 12 hours before the few days just before the move. But it paid off!! It wasn't as stressful, and everything just had to be put into boxes, which took about 2 days to do. Our neighbors and Elder's quorum help us to pack up the Uhaul August 20th. Kevin, Adam, and my mom also came and helped us out too. It was amazing how helpful everyone was.

After cleaning, we decided to go to Arimo and spend the night there with the Bare's visiting as well for Adam's Ordination to become a Teacher. Then we headed out to Boise and spent the night with Grandma Sally and Uncle Phil. The kids really did a great job, I was so impressed. We headed out the next day, and it wasn't until about the last 3 hours that they really had a  hard time. What troopers!! Considering they both only slept 20 mins each, per day (they really don't sleep well in cars) it was a huge success. I do admit I get jealous when I hear people's kids sleep most of the driving trips in the car. Granted they travel at night, but we've tried the same thing with no success.....and it just makes for grumpy tired parents as well as kids.

We got to Portland August 22nd, and were so very grateful for the great turnout of 7 Elders, and a family that helped us move into our home. It made for such a smooth and quick move in. And it was so fun to meet Sarah and Ezra Franz family. They are amazing!! Such great examples, all of their kids helped move us in. Their kids are 9 yrs, 6yrs, 3 yrs, and 18 mos. 

We went to church the following week and were welcomed by so many. The ward has a such a great feeling to it, and we feel like we already fit in. We feel so blessed and have to acknowledge that miracles took place to bring us here. We had to find a home and a daycare all online without seeing anything, or meeting anyone. We spent a lot of time in prayer, fasting, and we were able to attend a temple session. We both feel an excitement and peace about our decision to move here. 

The picture the ward took of us our first Sunday.

Joe's last day at work at LDS Hospital. These three worked 7 days in a row together. Kodie Carter and Tana Johnson. There were many other coworkers Joe enjoyed working together, but he never got their pictures. We only have this one because Kodie's last day was that day too.

Joseph Evert's Room

I have always loved nautical things, and loved putting together Jojo's room. Many things I have collected from years ago. I hope that it is fun and adventurous for a little boy.

• Fishing net and shells I have had for years. But I think it's perfect.
• The "J" I made when I was pregnant with him. The "J" is rope, and then it has an anchor in the corner.

• Mobile has netting garland gathered up to hopefully portray waves, tied to a metal wire. it has fish, crabs, whales, a boat and an anchor hanging from it. I think it turned out really cute!!
• Stuffed animals I had bought just after my mission. I always thought it would be fun to have them in a boys room. They are from SeaWorld and when you squeeze them, facts and noises come from them.
• The wax pelican/anchor stand Joe bought for Jojo. He was really excited and we both fell in love with it at the store before he was born.

• I made the mast I stained 1x2 pieces of wood, attached a light blue old fitted sheet, tied some rope along the ends, cut up a fishing net to hang down the middle. I love how it turned out! 
• Pelican I bought at a antique show. 
• The quilt was quilted by my mom. It is sailor teddy bears, so cute!! I remembered this fabric from before I was even married and was so excited to ask my mom to make it. She did peekos for the edging, so much love and time spent in making this quilt.

• I also bought two fish at the antique store that I ended up painting, which I think turned out great! I blended the blue and green to try to make them look real. I wish I would have gotten a close up.

• The shelf I bought at a thrift store and stained. Some of the knooks and knacks I have accumulated throughout the years.

• A picture collage of JoJo.

NOTE: that I actually had to take away a book shelf, and this end table out of his room because Addie and Jojo kept trying to climb things. Seriously, if it weren't for kids ruining things, their rooms would be so cute!! LOL, but sadly they both end up having minimal furniture due to safety concerns.

I was trying to show the pelicans a little bit better, so much fun

Adaline Mabel's room

I wanted to capture Addie's room before I packed things up. I really try to decorate it in a way that is fun, happy, and girly.

• The shelf I got at a yard sale while I was pregnant with her. I painted it pink with white polka-dots. I love how it turned out.
• The lamps Joe and I got from a nurse I worked with. I painted them for Addie to make them look like tulips. I was going to do more detail, but she would knock them down, and scrape them against the wall.....so I ended up taking them down, along with a bookshelf. She is always climbing and getting into mischief.
• I made the "A" from buttons when she was born. 

• The floral arrangment is a hanging vase I had for years. I finally put them together in Kaysville. I love how it looks.
• The garden angel I made in Twin Falls and decided it would work perfect in her room.

• Floral mobile I had meant to make since she was born, but never could figure out how to do it. Finally it came together in Kaysville, and again I love how it turned out. I tied various parts of flowers on fishing twine onto a wire wreath, and then had sparkly white toole to hang it from the ceiling. I found some clip butterflies to attach.
• The bunny and two dolls were made by my mom for me when I was little. They were some of my favorites. The tall doll has an embroidered face. She spent so much time making us cute things. I hope Addie enjoys them and shares them with her daughters.

• The pink dress doll in the corner was made by my mom for me too. She is so talented!

• The picture is of garden with bunnies given to Addie from my mom. 
• The owl, pink and blue birds are toll painted by my mom for Addie, I always wanted a garden setting and a tree above Addie's crib. I tape the birds around it. I love how it looks.
• The quilt was given to Addie from my mom. It is a pieced quilt of a Teddy Bear she found. She is putting together a pink quilt of a pioneer girl that she pieced when I was a little girl but never finished. We are excited to put it in Addie's room with it gets finished.

• A collage of pictures of Addie. 
• A frame I used to make a hair clip organizer. Unfortunately we haven't used very many of them. But Addie is starting to enjoy having her hair done, and sometimes leaves a bow in her hair. So I am excited about using these that I made for her.

Anyways, I just enjoy making things for my kids that I hope they will enjoy. As you can tell, I have many keepsakes from my childhood that I have shared with Addie. I love to have things made by my mom and grandmothers, and so maybe they will become heirlooms someday.