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!

Wedding News!!!

Wedding Update:
We know that its never going to be possible to please everyone when planning a wedding. We also know that this is about us and our commitment to each other and to Christ as a married couple for His Glory. This isn't the best timing for everything in accordance with my siblings but I can't help when I find my other half can I? We're very excited to say the least! So basically, we're splitting it into two parts.
-Part One: Small religious ceremony with the fams and pastor Garren in Ashland this July.

-Part Two: Larger ceremony/reception with friends, fam and everyone- in Washington Feb 2011 or December 2010. (more likely Feb.)

The Two-Part Plan is due to Several Reasons:
- we want to get married.
- we're not changing our minds= we're sure :) Never been more sure about anything except my Savior.
- my parents can't afford to have a full ceremony/reception right now
- we need to give Lee space to celebrate him and Kristin (their ceremony is in May 2010)
- we need to give my mid-Western relatives space to plan their trips out here

Other Perks:
- the Cluffs all get together every 4th of July, so they will already be there!
- my family members love any excuse to go to Ashland, especially in summertime :)
- I can be with my love
- I can comfort my love, and he can take care of me
- My Part Two will rock because I will, by that time, have been planning it for 3 years :)
- AND it will rock because my parents will have long warning and a budget
- I love Ashland.
- Getting married outside at Simple Faith is such a wonderful beautiful plan!
- I get a mini-summer and my winter wedding :)
- It's a plan that gives respect to my older brother whom I love

If you're wondering why we don't just have it small and get it over with in July... Read on:

We have relatives to consider who will have to travel (including many of you) and its too close to Lee's to be feasible for many of them who want to share with us on our day. Also, I'm the only girl in my family and its been my parent's dream to give me a wedding that I've been planning for the entireity of my life. Regardless of my wishes, I would not deny my mother that time to celebrate with friends and family.

The Lord is first place in our consideration and our timing. We've been blessed to find each other early in our lives and want to honor him with uniting in His Presence. That is why we're prayerfully taking steps to glorify Him with our commitment.

Deception Pass Trip

When George Vancouver was exploring the west coast and Puget Sound a zillion (aka 75) things were named by him or after him and his crew men. Vancouver Island (BC), Vancouver (BC), Vancouver (WA), Whidbey Island (WA), Mt. Rainer, Mt. Baker, Vashon Island and Deception Pass (WA) among others. :)

When he was exploring the weaving waters of the Sound he found many islands and interlocking waterways. One such inlet is known as Deception Pass. This narrow pass between Washington's mainland and Whidbey Island was seemingly trecherous. He stopped his ship and intended to continue southward. However his First Mate Whidbey asked to navigate the chanel himself in a smaller boat. For his bravery the Isalnd is named afer him. It is the 2nd longest island in the Continental US. Vancouver claimed he felt deceived by the chanel and where it led. SO, he named it Deception Pass.

That was your history lesson. Now for the actual part that pertains to us :)

So, Deception Pass is absolutely GORGEOUS. It has an incredibly tall two-part bridge that spans the waters from the mainland to Pass Island to Whidbey Island. It is coast-like, but super unique because its not quite as harsh. The foliage is dense and the State Park is visited by thousands of people during the summer months.

We went last week :) I've been there a ton of times. We used to camp there a lot when I was little. Also, with my Grandmother, we released some of my Grandpa's ashes off the bridge. Very emotional and touching experience to say the least. He was a beautiful person who loved Creation and reading books.

We went so I could show Nial. It was crazy windy and kinda stormy later in the day (you can tell if you look at the water's surface in the later pictures)

It was very fun and even though it was brisk, it was nice to trek around the driftwood and sand and pine trees.

Sorry that's so dark... I don't like the other ones we took either; so thats all you get! :D

Sammy at State!!!

Hey y'all! Sorry nothing's been up here for sooo long! So I'm going to start in the past and move forward :)

For those of you who don't know, my family is very athletic and very competitive. The four of us kids have always been pushed to be tenacious, hard working and to never settle for less than the best. So (this is where I start bragging about my bros) my three brothers have been wrestling since they were 5 or 6 respectively; and I got into volleyball. I'm my brothers' biggest fan and I doubt anyone has been to more wrestling tournaments/meets/duals than me without actually competeing in them. :) My oldest brother, Jordan never won a state title but he got second twice, in college he got 2nd and 8th at NAIA Nationals. Lee won a state title his Freshman year and recieved 6th at NAIA Nationals wrestling for SOU. Sammy is 18 months younger than me and always been one of my closest friends. I haven't missed hardly any of his competitions and very few of his big tournaments.

Okay, BACKGROUND INFO: Sammy's State Record until this year: 6th, 2nd, 2nd. Both his sophomore and junior years he got to the finals and lost by ONE point. Heartbreaking. However, this year, when Sammy reached the finals things were a little different :)

FF>> to Feb. 20-21st: Nial and I and the whole family got to spend the two-day tournament together watching Sam and the team compete at the Tacoma Dome. The State Tournament is called The Mat Classic. They hold it in the Tacoma Dome so they can host all 6 divisions at once (4A-1B and Girls.) Therefore, on day 1 there are 24 mats running simultaneously. Its quite alot to handle! For finals however they just run six mats so the finalist get the respect they deserve. Nial got some great pictures and filmed so I didn't have to. We were all nervous and hopeful for Sam. Being his senior year it was a big deal. He won 8-4. It was tremendous. Quite a cap to his high school career. His high school's team also placed Second overall in the state at the 4A division (biggest in WA), so another tremendous feat.

Next year he will be wrestling at Highline Community College. After a few years there he want to transfer to Boise State and wrestle at the D1 Level- but we'll see. {This last picture was in the Seattle Times. ps. Nial didn't take this one :) }