Rachel is really starting to show now and, of course, I wanted to show her and "The Belly" off. Here's a couple of shots I took of her out in our front yard this past weekend.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pregger Bellies
Rachel is really starting to show now and, of course, I wanted to show her and "The Belly" off. Here's a couple of shots I took of her out in our front yard this past weekend.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Oregon Coast Trip 2009
We just got back from a 2-week vacation on the Oregon Coast. It was truly amazing and very relaxing. Simon even came along this time! The weather was superb, only raining on us 1 night. And we were traveling in style with our new (for us anyway) motorhome, which was the best! I've always thought that traveling via motorhome wouldn't be that great, but boy was I wrong! Below are pictures of our travels.
First morning of vacation, just outside of Ontario, Oregon. There were a million little gnats flying around.
We met up with my good friend Casey Balzano (who is from Spokane, WA) and her adorable 3 year old son, Henry, in Silver Lake, Washington - near Mt. St. Helens. We stayed there for 2 nights and had a blast!
King Henry eating a Honey Crisp apple (which by the way are the best apples in the world I found out). So cute!
First morning of vacation, just outside of Ontario, Oregon. There were a million little gnats flying around.
We met up with my good friend Casey Balzano (who is from Spokane, WA) and her adorable 3 year old son, Henry, in Silver Lake, Washington - near Mt. St. Helens. We stayed there for 2 nights and had a blast!
King Henry eating a Honey Crisp apple (which by the way are the best apples in the world I found out). So cute!
We met great camping neighbors at Silver Lake. We all rented a pontoon boat and spent the day on the lake together. I had never met random folks camping and felt so instantly close to them like that before. We hung out with them all weekend. It was really cool.
(From left to right: Riley, Henry, Stu, Janee, Sadie (the dog), Casey, Rachel, Avery, Brett)
We stopped at Portland, OR for 1 night to visit Jon and Paula LeBre and Kevin and Sherri Jennison (friends that Stu went to highschool with), but didn't take any pictures. We had a good time and the memories are burned into our minds. Jon and Paula thanks for your hospitality. This picture is of me on the Cathlamet - Westport ferry ride which we caught just north of Portland and took over into Cathlamet, WA.
On Papa and Sue Grater's lot in Ocean Park, WA. We spent the day on the beach and 1 night here. It was beautiful and Simon LOVES the ocean!
Simon's first experience on the Pacific Ocean at Surfside in Ocean Park, WA.
Me and and Simon at the Peter Airedale in Fort Stevens State Park just outside of Warrenton, OR. Check out that pregger belly!
Our feet and Simon watching the sunset at Gearheart Ocean State Park, just west of Gearheart, OR.
Gearheart Ocean State Park, OR.
Horse back riders walked right in front of us as we watched the sunset, it was very romantic.
Fish on! We rented a boat in Wheeler, OR and it was a lot of fun!
Check out that 26 inch native coho salmon beauty!!!
More fishing. The water was smooth as glass when we got into the Nahalem River and out of the Bay and there were huge fish jumping everywhere! It was beautiful!
Even Simon had fun fishing. He kept a watchful eye out of the side of the boat all day for fish and other creatures of the sea. We saw a wiener dog of the sea (a Seal) and he got pretty excited. :)
Barview Jetty County Park, OR. Our camper was literally a few feet from where this picture was taken. We stayed just below a Coast Guard look out tower and could hear the ocean roaring all night and hear the fog horns, it was awesome! We tried to light a fire the night before, but a thick fog had rolled in and it was nearly impossible. Stu had to douse the fire with gasoline and oil and it still wouldn't burn!
Dad and Simon. I love this picture.
Us at the Cape Mears Lighthouse. On the north end of the beautiful scenic Three Cape Scenic Loop just outside of Tillamook, OR.
We stayed the night at Netarts Bay State Park. Our camp spot was about 100 feet from the ocean, but was protected by a big sand bar so the wind didn't bother us. We grilled our freshly caught salmon with some great maple chipotle grill sauce we bought locally, along with some Tillamook cheese and crackers. Yum! We could hear the ocean all night and of course enjoyed another wonderful sunset.
We bought Simon a hoodie in case the weather was bad, but so far it's been perfect. So we just dressed him up cause he looked so cute. Wherever we went people wanted to pet and play ball with him.
We stopped and saw the Sea Lions at Newport, OR. Simon wasn't sure what to think about these huge, loud animals that were shaped like him.
Stu, me and Simon at the Newport Harbor in Newport, OR.
Our sweet camp spot at Tillicum Beach, just outside of Yachats, OR. Spot #49 is the best one in the park so if anyone visits here be sure and get that one. That is the ocean beyond the tree line. We were up on a cliff so when you walked out to that fence you were overlooking the ocean.
We set up our lawn chairs right on the edge.
We grilled fresh halibut.
And kicked up our feet and enjoyed the sunset together. Ah, this is the life!
We love Tillicum Beach and so does Simon!
Simon sleeping in the sun. He liked this perch when we were stopped cause he could see what was going on and get a little sun at the same time. He is the best traveling snasauge ever!
A tip from Papa and Sue Grater led us to our all time favorite camp spot of the entire trip. Garrison Beach State Wayside at the end of a lonely road just outside of Port Orford, OR. We parked at the edge of a cliff overlooking the beautiful ocean, we had the beach to ourselves and best of all it was FREE! Thanks Guy and Sue!
Enjoying some beach combing and walking at Garrison Beach State Wayside.
Simon smiling big because he's at the ocean with his ball.
Rachel and Burke at Garrison Beach State Wayside. Check out how big that belly is!
After Garrison Beach State Wayside we headed down the road a bit to Coast Guard Hill. We enjoyed some a great hike that led us to a lookout point. The waves were huge (the one in this picture was probably 20-25 feet) and the most brilliant aqua color I'd ever seen. We stayed here for a long time and just stared at the waves, rocks, birds and the never ending ocean beyond. From this point, you could see forever.
We pulled over for a pit stop at South Beach Park in Gold Beach, OR and I took Simon for a walk on the beach while Stu checked out the motorhome. Simon is loving the cool sand on his belly.
South Beach Park in Gold Beach, OR. The clouds rolled in for a few hours during the afternoon and looked so dramatic against the ocean.
We stayed at Papa and Sue Grater's lot in Brookings, OR for 2 nights. The lot is beautiful and overlooks the Chetco River. We pulled in after dark and this was our view when we woke up in the morning. Thanks for letting us use your lot Guy and Sue!
We spent the day at Harris Beach State Park. We saw star fish and collected drift wood.
Rachel and Stu at Harris Beach State Park, OR.
One last night on the coast in Crescent City, CA.
This beach was protected by a line of bigger rocks out about 100 ft. so we could wade out and Simon could swim out and play in the calf-deep surf. We saw anemones and collected like 100 agates.
One last shot of the pregger belly on the ocean. What a good trip it has been, we will never forget it.
One last look at the beautiful sunset to celebrate.....
Our 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! :)
Our last camp spot before we headed home. Crescent City, CA. Another tip from Papa and Sue Grater; right on the ocean and free!
One last picture by the ocean. What an amazing vacation it has been. We hope to live near it someday.
Headed home and Simon is tuckered out. He slept in between us for a few hours just like this. What a cute dog!
Just chillin' up near Buzzard Pass, NV. It's remote and desolate, and we're thinking of buying some land up here to get away from it all. ;)
We pulled over for a pit stop somewhere in OR on the way home. This river was crystal clear and you could see all the way to the bottom no matter how deep it was. So pretty!
That's it. We hope you've enjoyed our extremely long post about our Oregon Coast 2009 vacation. Thanks for reading. We love you all!
(From left to right: Riley, Henry, Stu, Janee, Sadie (the dog), Casey, Rachel, Avery, Brett)
We stopped at Portland, OR for 1 night to visit Jon and Paula LeBre and Kevin and Sherri Jennison (friends that Stu went to highschool with), but didn't take any pictures. We had a good time and the memories are burned into our minds. Jon and Paula thanks for your hospitality. This picture is of me on the Cathlamet - Westport ferry ride which we caught just north of Portland and took over into Cathlamet, WA.
On Papa and Sue Grater's lot in Ocean Park, WA. We spent the day on the beach and 1 night here. It was beautiful and Simon LOVES the ocean!
Simon's first experience on the Pacific Ocean at Surfside in Ocean Park, WA.
Me and and Simon at the Peter Airedale in Fort Stevens State Park just outside of Warrenton, OR. Check out that pregger belly!
Our feet and Simon watching the sunset at Gearheart Ocean State Park, just west of Gearheart, OR. 
Gearheart Ocean State Park, OR. Horse back riders walked right in front of us as we watched the sunset, it was very romantic.
Fish on! We rented a boat in Wheeler, OR and it was a lot of fun!
Check out that 26 inch native coho salmon beauty!!!
More fishing. The water was smooth as glass when we got into the Nahalem River and out of the Bay and there were huge fish jumping everywhere! It was beautiful!
Even Simon had fun fishing. He kept a watchful eye out of the side of the boat all day for fish and other creatures of the sea. We saw a wiener dog of the sea (a Seal) and he got pretty excited. :)
Barview Jetty County Park, OR. Our camper was literally a few feet from where this picture was taken. We stayed just below a Coast Guard look out tower and could hear the ocean roaring all night and hear the fog horns, it was awesome! We tried to light a fire the night before, but a thick fog had rolled in and it was nearly impossible. Stu had to douse the fire with gasoline and oil and it still wouldn't burn!
Dad and Simon. I love this picture.
Us at the Cape Mears Lighthouse. On the north end of the beautiful scenic Three Cape Scenic Loop just outside of Tillamook, OR. 
We stayed the night at Netarts Bay State Park. Our camp spot was about 100 feet from the ocean, but was protected by a big sand bar so the wind didn't bother us. We grilled our freshly caught salmon with some great maple chipotle grill sauce we bought locally, along with some Tillamook cheese and crackers. Yum! We could hear the ocean all night and of course enjoyed another wonderful sunset. 
We bought Simon a hoodie in case the weather was bad, but so far it's been perfect. So we just dressed him up cause he looked so cute. Wherever we went people wanted to pet and play ball with him.
We stopped and saw the Sea Lions at Newport, OR. Simon wasn't sure what to think about these huge, loud animals that were shaped like him. 
Stu, me and Simon at the Newport Harbor in Newport, OR.
Our sweet camp spot at Tillicum Beach, just outside of Yachats, OR. Spot #49 is the best one in the park so if anyone visits here be sure and get that one. That is the ocean beyond the tree line. We were up on a cliff so when you walked out to that fence you were overlooking the ocean. 
We set up our lawn chairs right on the edge.
We grilled fresh halibut.
And kicked up our feet and enjoyed the sunset together. Ah, this is the life!
We love Tillicum Beach and so does Simon!
Simon sleeping in the sun. He liked this perch when we were stopped cause he could see what was going on and get a little sun at the same time. He is the best traveling snasauge ever!
A tip from Papa and Sue Grater led us to our all time favorite camp spot of the entire trip. Garrison Beach State Wayside at the end of a lonely road just outside of Port Orford, OR. We parked at the edge of a cliff overlooking the beautiful ocean, we had the beach to ourselves and best of all it was FREE! Thanks Guy and Sue!
Enjoying some beach combing and walking at Garrison Beach State Wayside.
Simon smiling big because he's at the ocean with his ball.
Rachel and Burke at Garrison Beach State Wayside. Check out how big that belly is! 
After Garrison Beach State Wayside we headed down the road a bit to Coast Guard Hill. We enjoyed some a great hike that led us to a lookout point. The waves were huge (the one in this picture was probably 20-25 feet) and the most brilliant aqua color I'd ever seen. We stayed here for a long time and just stared at the waves, rocks, birds and the never ending ocean beyond. From this point, you could see forever.
We pulled over for a pit stop at South Beach Park in Gold Beach, OR and I took Simon for a walk on the beach while Stu checked out the motorhome. Simon is loving the cool sand on his belly.
South Beach Park in Gold Beach, OR. The clouds rolled in for a few hours during the afternoon and looked so dramatic against the ocean.
We stayed at Papa and Sue Grater's lot in Brookings, OR for 2 nights. The lot is beautiful and overlooks the Chetco River. We pulled in after dark and this was our view when we woke up in the morning. Thanks for letting us use your lot Guy and Sue!
We spent the day at Harris Beach State Park. We saw star fish and collected drift wood.
Rachel and Stu at Harris Beach State Park, OR.
One last night on the coast in Crescent City, CA.
This beach was protected by a line of bigger rocks out about 100 ft. so we could wade out and Simon could swim out and play in the calf-deep surf. We saw anemones and collected like 100 agates. 
One last shot of the pregger belly on the ocean. What a good trip it has been, we will never forget it. 
One last look at the beautiful sunset to celebrate.....
Our 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US! :)
Our last camp spot before we headed home. Crescent City, CA. Another tip from Papa and Sue Grater; right on the ocean and free!
One last picture by the ocean. What an amazing vacation it has been. We hope to live near it someday. 
Headed home and Simon is tuckered out. He slept in between us for a few hours just like this. What a cute dog!
Just chillin' up near Buzzard Pass, NV. It's remote and desolate, and we're thinking of buying some land up here to get away from it all. ;)
We pulled over for a pit stop somewhere in OR on the way home. This river was crystal clear and you could see all the way to the bottom no matter how deep it was. So pretty!That's it. We hope you've enjoyed our extremely long post about our Oregon Coast 2009 vacation. Thanks for reading. We love you all!
We got a king bed!
Enough is enough!! Stu and I had suffered long enough on our old bed and decided it was time to get a new one. Our old bed was a cheap piece of junk and had literally sunken into two troughs where we both laid. It was ridiculous. Stu, being the genius that he is, approached his boss and asked for either a raise or bonus to cover the cost of a new bed and of course....he got a bonus!! Thanks Stu for working so hard and being the best at whatever you do. Well, Stu did some serious internet scouring and found a super sweet Simmons Beauty Rest bed online with a 10 year warranty! We've had the pleasure of sleeping on this wondrous, huge bed for 3 nights now and love it. How did we ever survive on a queen, let alone a junky bed for so long? :)
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