Memorial Day Fun

Memorial Weekend Trip 2014

When our original plans fell through we decided to take an adventure back to the beach we honeymooned on a few years ago. We also had a great stroke of luck when we found out we could take our favorite 13 year old cousin. To start the trip off we picked him up Friday night and had him sleep over. As usually the boys enjoyed video games over sleep. The next morning we packed up and hit the road all the while taking sneak attack photos.

We finally made it to the Oregon Coast Aquarium where we got to see a bunch of very cool animals. I think my favorite part was my two models who gave in to my every request.

After exploring came my once in a lifetime idea. I had arranged that we all could snorkel in each of the three exhibits at the aquarium. Jay even had one of the aquarium staff take pictures for us. It truly was a memory I will never forget.

Next up on our adventure was the Undersea Garden and dinner in Mariner Square in Newport. Along with some good seafood we had excellent entertainment from the sea lions for dinner.

Once our bellies were full we headed to our last two museums for the day. Our first was the wax museum which was fun especially since we got Seth to pose with Sherlock Holmes.

No it was off to Ripley's Believe It or Not museum and my boys continued to have fun and be goofy.

After that we were a bit worn out so we checked into the hotel to shower and rejuvenate. We caught our second wind and went out to a movie. We went and saw Blended and I don't think we stopped laughing the whole time.

On Sunday morning Jay woke us up bright and early. We started the day with breakfast and locking Jay out of the car.

When we finally let Jay back in the car we did some sightseeing and then found a great beach to play the day away.

After the beach we visited a lighthouse and stopped at our favorite eating spot Bone Pile BBQ.

By this point we were completely wiped and spent the remainder of the day playing putt putt and arcade games.

Monday was Memorial day and time to drive home. We decided to take the scenic route and I am so glad we did. We found a cute little antique store to stop at and then discovered an air museum that was once the air base for Navy blimps.

I think this was one of the best trips I have ever had. I know this one will always hold a very special place in my hear.

The New Year

It seems like life has been a blur since November. So many celebrations happen during this time frame that even keeping up with sleep seems impossible. Now in a blink of an eye we are in the second month of this new year. I can't say all has been well in our lives. What I can say is that we have had the opportunity to learn about love, commitment, strength, grace, forgiveness and acceptance. After rereading that sentence I now realized how lucky we are to have a chance at knowing what learning looks like. Since I am a person that looks at life in black and white and is afraid of the gray area I will explain everything in the way I experience it.

Love: I have never known the type of love I have for my husband. He thinks the world is ending when I sneeze and insists on rest and fluids. He rubs my feet without hesitation after I work a 13 hour day (FYI all my fault I wore three inch heels lol). He tells me that no matter what we are going through I am the most important thing in his life.

Work: I have taken on my development with a passion. I have realized that if I don't make me a priority no one will and people really care about helping someone if you just ask. Recently I have been out loud about  my future desires and have had an overwhelming response. I really hope that I make people proud because their support means more to me than they even know.

Family: Such a complicated topic. So if you are not aware we are battling with infertility which is a struggle in and of its own. So as not to get too deep I here is where you can keep up with that.

Change: Life is all about change. To me if you don't have change in your life you stop growing. If you stop growing you start dying. So like it or not I embrace change. Last month we made a big decision and had a long time friend of Jay's move here and in with us. The best way to describe this change in our life is to make a comparison with learning how to drive. Anyone who knows about learning to drive a stick shift knows that it is a very bumpy road. You can't find the right gear, you stall as you try to move forward and most of the time you burn out a clutch. That has been us in a nutshell. What is great about it is that you quickly learn how to drive and you never forget because of the challenges that were presented to you. I love my new roommate and really I am now heartbroken that he will eventually move away but I will always feel honored that he is my friend and we have learned how to drive together.

Next: To tell you the truth I don't know what is next. We are in a blur with life, love, health and change. In the meantime I will appreciate the amazing man my husband is, work as hard as I can for the company I love, take a deep breath and strive for a family and last but not least embrace change because sometimes it gives way more than it takes.

November 2013 Week 2: A Month of Thanks and Celebrations

November is a busy month in our world. It is the month that we focus on what we are thankful for and share our time with those closest to us. It is also a month of birthdays and anniversaries. So here is a day by day look at our month.

November 11th, 2013

This day is always a special one. It is the day that we say thank you to our nations veterans. It is important to always stop and say thank you to those who have given their time to ensure our way of life. For me it doesn't matter your experience be it big or small you have given yourself to keep me free and safe. Thank you to all those who came before, those who are currently serving and those who are next in line.

Today I was thankful for our nations veterans.

November 12th, 2013

It is always a surprise what this day brings each year. For instance three years ago on this day my co-workers decorated my work space and even gave me a tiara to wear. The owner of the company took me to a great lunch. My husband planned a surprise dinner with my mom and dad. Then when we got home he got on one knee, held my hands in his and asked me to be his wife. This year was no less exciting. I got flowers from my co-workers, went to a wonderful Hawaiian food lunch with my friend, had dinner with my family and then I got to fall asleep in my husbands arms. So once again happy birthday to me!

Today I was thankful for one more wonderful year.

Also, on this day forty three years ago my wonderful father-in-law was born. Happy birthday Tony!

November 13th, 2013

I woke up and was still on cloud nine. Work just blew by and we spent the evening just enjoying each other. Simple day full of love and thanks.

Today I was thankful for my couch, Puppie and husband cuddles.

November 14th, 2013

The best part about Thursday besides having a kick butt day at work was FINALLY got a new mailbox key. See we lost ours the Friday before except an hour before we got home Jay found our old key in his pocket. Go figure. It was okay though because when Jay checked the mail I had two more birthday cards!

Today I was thankful for new keys.

November 15th, 2013

FRIDAY!!! Great end of the work week. Then to kick off our awesome weekend we had dinner with our friends Vince, Katlin and baby Aubrey. On our way we stopped at Walgreens and happened to find the biggest Hello Kitty ever. Our niece AJ is really into Hello Kitty right now and everywhere we turn there is Hello Kitty. Nummy Olive Garden, baby hugs and laughs were much needed. After dinner it was home to pack and go to bed early so Saturday could come faster.

Today I was thankful for good friends.

November 16th, 2013

My much waited for birthday weekend trip. It was finally time for our Goonies adventure! So much to do so little time. So we got up at 8 am got coffee and hit the road. We live in such a beautiful place and it was evident while we drove down highway 26 all while singing along to our favorite tunes. After a while we pulled over to have breakfast at one of my favorite spots Camp 18. Breakfast and exploring were awesome!

It was back on the road and just a few more miles until I could cross one more thing off my bucket list. My heart was racing with excitement as we pulled into town. As we made the right hand turn into our hotel parking lot there in our rear view mirror was the flashing lights of a police car. So long story short Jay had did a California stop at a stop sign neither of us saw and forgot to use his blinker. The police officer was nice enough to let us go with a warning. Then it was drop off our stuff at the hotel room which had this amazing view.

Over the course of the next six hours we did four museums (Flavel House, Historical Museum, Movie Museum & Maritime Museum), visited the elementary school from Kindergarten Cop, visited the Goonie House and went on adventures on both sides of the river.

Flavel House Outside

Flavel House Sitting Room

Flavel House Breakfast Nook

Movie Museum

All work and no play makes Jay a dull boy...

Everyone loves Jay.

That's my moms favorite part!

Jay Fratelli

Hold onto your hats boys!

Heritage Museum

Shipping boat

Old time saloon

It's not a tumor!

Come on Jay do the truffle shuffle!

The Goondocks!

Another one off the bucket list!

Maritime Museum

Did you know Jay REALLY likes boats?

Captain Jay!

The wave is bigger than him!

The bridge to Washington

A random road took us here

Deep in thought

It was cold

Dismal Nitch

The Columbia

Beached

Ship wreck

After our adventuring it was time for dinner and boy were we hungry. So we stopped for some snacks.

Candied Bacon

Calamari

Prawns

Fondue

Half Baked Alaska

After we were stuffed we went back to the hotel room and turned on Goonies. We barely got through the movie and feel asleep exhausted and happy!

Today I was thankful for The Goonies.

 November 17th, 2013

Even though it was Sunday and we had a huge day the day before we got up at 7:30 am. We had decided the day before to go to Seaside for breakfast and some exploring. When we got to Seaside we had breakfast at Pig In A Pancake and then Jay showed me all the places he and his Nonna had gone when he was little.

Today I was thankful for all the happy memories my husband has with his Nonna.

It was a wild week but we are just getting started!