3 - Summer Vacay

We went to the pacific Northwest in August, but I wanted to go ahead and write a short snippit here about our trip, I'm really hoping to eventually print this and want everything I can to be in it! So we are taking a step back in time today. Enjoy!

My dad and step mom live in South Washington state. It is so incredibly beautiful up there. If you ever get the chance to visit, just go. Don't think twice! We went camping, toured a brewery, went to the beach, visited Astoria, Oregon, went shopping (a lot), toured a cheese/ice cream factory and made a day trip to Seattle and Bellingham. We usually head to Canada when we are up there, but had a lot more on our agenda! It really was a wonderful trip and we were so glad that we could go! We don't get to see them nearly as often as we would like, so spending a few uninterrupted days was very nice.

A little fun fact about their town. The high school is the school shown in the Twilight movies. I personally can't stand Twilight, but I know there is a cult following!

Blackberries I picked from Daddy's yard! Seriously yum!

DeSchutes Brewery
{Bend, Oregon}

The Pub we ate for lunch. Of course we chose Deschutes!
The food was absolutely amazing!
Tyler, Dad and Mel said the beer was pretty awesome, too.

Public Market - I love it here!
{Seattle, Washington}

The fish throwing guys at the Public Market.

The Space Needle.

Tyler at the top! And he didn't want to go up at first! Crazy!

My high school principal, Dr. Tom, and I!
We had such a good time visiting with him!
{Bellingham, Washington}

Early morning walk on the beach
{Seaside, Oregon}

Astoria Tower. This is beautiful and HUGE. I think it is 172 steps to the top.
 Scary as all get out, but totally worth it! The view is unbelievable
{Astoria, Oregon}

Top of the tower. It was so windy!

Scary bridge into Astoria. I hate this bridge, it scares me to death!
I purposely didn't go the way coming into town, but the bridge is cool to look at from afar. 

Random roadside Beach stop on the way from Astoria to Tillamook
{Acadia Beach, Oregon}

Lots and lots of starfish, mollusks and sea anemones. I couldn't get T to touch any. lame!

Quite Possibly the highlight of my trip, except seeing Dad and Mel, of course!
{Tillamook Cheese Factory, Tillamook, Oregon}

Tillamook Ice Cream. Delicious! I really can't put into words how disappointed he was that it isn't sold locally!

Waiting in the cheese sample line! Also can't find our favorites of this cheese locally, but can find one and it will have to do! It is so good!

Before we hopped on our plane, we made it up to Mt. St. Helens and went for a short hike. This was in the Lava Caves. So incredibly cool to see, but it really lets you know the devastation that was caused... and this isn't even the side hit the hardest!

Daddy and I outside the cave

Mt. St Helens - this side was hit first, and you can see the trees starting to grow back.

Canyon made from an eruption millions of years ago, uncovered by this most recent one.

Tyler scaring me by running across a rickety old bridge! ughh.

Heading Home!

2 - Arkansas vs Ole Miss

This past weekend we went to Fayetteville to watch our Arkansas Razorbacks play! We love Arkansas football and were so excited to go to the game, even though we knew we would get rained on! The game ended up having 2 delays due to lightning and we had to evacuate and go stand like sardines packed in the concourse. The game started with upwards of 70,000 people and ended with about 15,000. And WE WERE 2 OF THEM! I was so proud of myself. All of our friends at home were taking bets on whether we (and by that I mean, I) would make it through. After 5 hours at the stadium, soaking wet hand painted shoes and shirt, 2 delays and the cold I came home with, I have to say it was absolutely worth it. We had such a good time and it was great to see the Hogs win!!

We also got to see and stay with some of our very good friends! It was wonderful to get to catch up with them. And it was great to have a place to stay! Always a plus. We ate out at a place called Mellow Mushroom and it was so good! We will definitely go back!

On Sunday morning we went to church at the church one of our pastors moved to. He was our favorite when he was here and we were very blessed to get the chance to listen to him again. I think we will try to go to church up there every time we visit. We really miss him! His message was absolutely great, as usual and the church he moved to is just perfect for him!

    

The beginning of the game.

After the second round!

My super awesome Toms. Now they are in the garage drying...

and since I'm the baker, here is the last of the Razorback sugar cookies I made. This is not the prettiest one, but by the time I decided to take a picture, the rest were gone!

Woo Pig Sooie! Thanks, Fayetteville, for a fantastic, much needed weekend away!

1 - The Beginning

I figure I should start out by introducing ourselves. I'm Niki, the baker. My husband is Tyler, the biker (or technically Mountain Biker or cyclist, but those didn't sound as cute)!  We live in Central Arkansas. He is an EMT, works at an ER here in town and is in school to be a paramedic. I am a Martha Stewart wannabe, minus the whole tax evasion business, I love to cook, bake, paint, sew, and basically anything else crafty. I am in school to become a teacher and work at a Mother's Day Out teaching 2 year olds! It is the best job ever.

I hope to use this space as a way to document our lives and keep up with family and friends! I love reading other people's blogs and would like to have one of our own to remember the important things happening in our lives!

Welcome to our blog. Thanks for visiting!