Trip to Oregon and pumpkin patches of the past.

The morning after my sister's wedding the kids and I boarded an Oregon bound plane. I am thankful the opportunity to see both sides of our family came so soon after our move to St. Louis.
Upon landing in Portland my good, no my great friend Stacy picked us up. I love Stacy as if she were my biological family member. We met while working in student government in college. This is a picture from last Christmas.

She and I both HATE Oreos and LOVE the Beavers. While with Stacy we went to one of my favorite stops in Oregon, Cafe Yumm and the southwest tofu wrap! We listened to the Beavers beat UCLA. I cannot believe I have a friend like her. She is one of the things I miss most about Oregon. On a side note ironically I have been eating Oreos through out writing this post. We have the orange stuffed ones left over from our Beaver party this last weekend. Sorry Stacy, they were disgusting as always.

Next stop, The Dalles and the kids visiting Grandpa Larry at work.

It was so nice to see Richard's parents. After spending a year with them it truly felt like going home to be in The Dalles.
When Richard and I started dating in the Fall of 2003, he told me Autumn was his favorite season. This was so perplexing to me. How could anyone like a season that meant the end of sunny days and freedom? Well it turns out he was much deeper than me. He likes the colors of the leafs changing, the weather getting cozy, the natural succession of the Earth's rotation, and of the apple cider. Richy is blessed with a Mother who has instilled in him a love for Autumn. Cindy helps ease the transition of the fun of Summer to the tranquility of Fall. It is not only the leafs out side that change colors, but also the decor in her house. I love the smells and the food that comes from her house. It is no wonder that one activity Cindy planned for us while in Oregon was going to the pumpkin patch.

This is perhaps my favorite picture of the trip. Levi and Naomi making wishes with dandelions.

Levi and Naomi had so much fun going on rides, until some one had to fall off.

My sweet little Naomi

“I would rather sit on a pumpkin, and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion.”
― Henry David Thoreau



Thanks to Richard I have come to genuinely love the Fall. Here are some of my favorite past pumpkin patch pictures(say that 10 times fast, okay stop).
2010

2011 Naomi's first trip to a pumpkin patch 10 months she is so bald just one year ago.

Our time in Oregon and this trip down memory lane were fun. It came time to make the long flight from Oregon to Missouri. The kids did pretty well.

Naomi could not get comfortable in her seat or on my lap, she decided to try the floor out.

It was so nice to see Richard after being away from him for a week. I think Levi was the happiest of all. Richy surprised Levi and painted his room and turned it into the ultimate Optimus Prime hang out.

The wedding of the century

On September 21, 2012 my sister Hillary FINALLY got married. I say finally because Hillary and Scott are going on 19 years of togetherness. It was a beautiful wedding, it looked as if it took 19 years just to plan. Hillary's dress was exquisite. as was her makeup!

She made her entrance to ceremony in the most charming way, a little London taxi of course.

The music was sweet and wedding venue was lovely with the backdrop of the Redwoods in Los Gatos California. But no elegance could take the place of excitement that for this special day, and yes I felt a little cheesy even typing that, but it is true.

This one is one of my favorites.

This day took so long to get here, I still cannot believe I have real pictures of them getting married. Seriously I never thought this day would come, so forgive me for the picture overload.

As much as I was looking forward to seeing them actually get married, I think a close runner up was how excited I was for the dinner at the reception. I ordered the vegan option and it did not disappoint!

The wedding was monemtous for lots of reasons. It was the first time in nearly 6 years that all 7 (counting me) of my siblings were together. I love my siblings and I was truly happy to be with them for even just a day.

(Cocky, Peter, Max, and John)

(sis-in-law Monica, Peter, Cocky and little sis-in-law Sabrina)

My sister in-law Emily is super cute as well, but was particularly camera shy that day. My sisters

I also was able to see my nieces. Here is a shot of Hope and Sabrina. Hope is almost 14! and I love her so much. I cannot believe how fast she is growing up, it is hsonetly hard to live away from this pretty face.

This little girl warms my heart.

Sydney is almost a year and a half old and so smart. I loved hearing her try to get Naomi's attention by yelling "Naynay". She is adorable and funny all at the same time, but I think the thing I love most about her is how my brother John's smiling face is like her shadow, never far away. As a sister, nothing makes me happier than to see my siblings happy.

Richard was unable to get away from his med school obligations and join me at the wedding. I missed him like crazy, however I was fortunate to have two fantastic dates, Optimus Prime and Naomi.

A little back story. A couple months ago my sister Emily bought Levi his Optimus Prime costume. Levi being totally smitten by his new identity ask "is it alright for kids to wear costumes to weddings?". Hillary said it was absolutely okay! I packed appropriate wedding clothes, but Hillary insisted he should wear his costume. I decided to call her bluff, but I was wrong. At no point in the several hours we were there did Levi remove his mask, so Optimus Prime was in fact my date.

= The rest of the night was full of dancing. Emily danced the chicken like no bodies business!

Naomi hit the dance floor with Cocky and then later with cousin Sydney.

It was a very full day of dancing, eating, and celebrating Optimus Prime was exhausted!

I am so grateful my kids and were able to be apart of this epic day.