Easter Trip Part II

The remainder of the Easter vacation was great! We spent most of the time in Ashland with the family, I think I only saw 2 friends, but it was super trip! We saw one of our old pastors from Simple Faith, saw Paisli be blessed on Easter and I experienced (what I know will only be the first of many) the famous Hot Dog Roast. The flaming pokers were a dread and I was constantly fearing for little kids eyes. But it was exciting and something I definitely needed to experience.

We got to spend one night out at Standing Stone with Tash, Steve, Shira and Sam and that was a blast! We hung out for several hours getting to know each other and catch up and gab. And have some terrific local beer.

Monday night we went out to Creekside with Daisha and a slightly-under-the-weather Edward. He and Nial played pool and Daisha and I got to swap our boy stories! It was really fun talking and hearing her romantic I-found-my-husband-abroad-he-was-the-first-Englishman-I-met story. :D


Easter day Nial had some time amongst the craziness to take some pictures of each other around the homestead. We got some good ones but I decided to post the funny ones... It seemed appropriate.

Then he decided to fish (big surprise right!?) So I kept myself entertained by clicking his camera around...

Easter Trip Part I

We made it down to Ashland via the coast last week for an amazing trip to see Nial's family. Wednesday morning we left, got only an hour down I-5 and blew a tire! Luckily for me, Nial is an excellent taker-offer-of-molten-shredded-tire-putter-on-a-spare guy and we were on our way to a Les Schwab within 5 minutes. Also lucky for me he has an internal GPS for Les Schwab and drove us straight there... (internal GPS also works for fishes) We were given the VERY LAST tire that was our size and when I went to pay for it he told me "no need for that." and handed me back my card! Free tire!

We got to Winchester Bay by hwy 38. We met up with Kevin who gave us a tour of his ATV shop and then asked us if we wanted to go out on the dunes!!! Heck yes! I've never been and I didn't realize how immense they are!!! The 3 of us went out on a side-by-side and it was super fun. He scared me repeatedly but it was such a blast! Like a roller-coaster ride. After that, we went out for some pizza and then watched WALLE in the toy hauler/trailer that we all spent the night in.

The next day we said good-bye to Kevin and headed to Sunset Bay. We were going to go to the Redwoods but decided (after much deliberation) that we would just spend more time on the Coast. Nial led me behind Sunset Bay up a trail that leads to the cliff that overlooks a little cove. Secret Cove. He took me to the edge of the forested cliff, to a spot where you can climb through a tree's roots and down the face. One particular root sticks out from the others forming a big hole that you can drop through. Nial walked out to the immense protruding root and stood on it. I didn't realize he was waiting for me to follow until he had this look on his face.... so I went to join him. He got down on one knee and I still didn't realize what was happening (!!!) So I bent down and kissed him like he had fallen or something.? FINALLY, I realized what he was doing! He said some honest, loving things and asked me to marry him. I said YES of course and he kissed me and we almost fell down the cliff.

We hiked down the hole and to the beach. Nial carved our names in a rock and we walked out to the point. Then the tide began coming in. Super. We more/less got stuck out there and had to full-bore rock climb around the point, across the bay and back to the trailhead. The rocks were slippery and covered in algae. Oh well it was an adventure!!

We took off down 101 after cleaning up a little in the park bathroom. We visited Dave, a former co-worker of Nial's in Myrtle Point then went to Myrtle Point to walk through Tiana and Hyrum's house! So cool, I hadn't really been inside it ever, the windows are fabulous and huge but my favorite part is the arched entryway. I'm excited to see the progress next time we're down. Nial got a hold of Tiana and found out they were at their shop in Coquille so we went back again to see them. I got to see their shop and see some of the cabinets pieces they are putting in their new home. It was great and I finally got to meet baby Paisli!

Back in the car we had to speed to Ashland to make Dallas' Board of Review for his Eagle Project. When we got to the Cluff Homestead Diana and I sewed on some patches of Nial's together.

Part II later... these are getting beefy!

Trip Itinerary

Busy busy busy bees! Working lots, coaching, family, church and our marriage class and my parents and I are moving! Sorry we haven't written much...

Tomorrow, well, today really, we take off for Oregon! We're going to head down 101 to go see Kevin Muntifering, Nial's friend and Kaylynn's bf. I haven't met him seeing as he has been abroad for 2 yrs. So, I am very excited because everyone seems to love him AND he said that I could ride a quad while we're visiting!!! I've never been on one before-- always thought it'd be so much fun!

Thursday we're headed to the Redwoods really quick because Nial can't pass up any opportunity to see his Favorite Place on Earth. Then we're back to Ashland so Nial can go with Dallas to his Eagle Scout Review.

I am so excited to see everyone! New baby Paisli!!! It will be so fun!

I'm staying in the house that I used to live in with some girlfriends. It will be so great to catch up and have girl time with them that isn't over the phone!