ROAD TRIP!!!

We were lucky enough to spend 9 days together on a wonderful road trip up the Pacific Northwest last week! We were headed for Washington and on the way we also saw and stopped at places in Oregon, Montana and Idaho! We chose the scenic routes rather then the fastest ways and it was awesome!

Here we go! Up and at 'em after spending a night in Boise, Idaho...Ready to road trip clear to Portland, Oregon!

On our way up we stopped in Oregon to take in some sights!

Multenomah Falls, Oregon

Bonneville Dam, along the Colombia River Gorge in Oregon

Japanese Gardens in a park in Portland, Oregon

We did some fun things while in Seattle!

Space Needle

On our way up!

At the top!

We escaped certain death at the Seattle Aquarium and the PacSci Museum:


Then we:

Museum of Flight-flight simulator

Sleepy baby. He was terribly sweet considering we messed with his schedule!

We also took a Harbor Cruise tour of Seattle and saw the Woodland Park Zoo, and visited Pike's Place Market and watched the fish throwing and checked out the local artists. Very cool place!

BEN'S favorite part-probably camping in the Cascade Mountains. It is absolutely gorgeous! I left my camera behind during our hike and it was a heartbreak because it was so amazing.

New Halem, WA campground.

Ben also loved showing Charlie around the Pacific Science Museum.


CHRISTINA'S favorite part-being with my family for 9 days and visiting some old friends!

Salina and I getting our corn on at a farmer's market in Renton, WA. Friends since childhood!

Salina and her husband Michael were kind enough to let us stay with them for 3 nights!

My friend since babyhood Melanie Mills. In Omak, WA.

My childhood home in Okanogan, WA...Man those trees have grown!!!
(For those of you who don't know I lived in Okanogan till I was 12.)

New friend's the Russon's in Battle Ground, WA.

CHARLIE'S favorite part-swimming in the various hotel pools and the Pacific Science Museum.

ANDY'S favorite parts:

Toddler area at the PacSci Museum

Wearing Salina's shoe around the house.

Pushing around the wet floor sign on the pool deck.

It was WONDERFUL to be together, to see some GORGEOUS places and see beautiful friendly faces.

Washington, we'll be back, I love ya!

It's not you...It's me.

Dear Estate Vineyard paint,



The first day I saw you I fell in love. You were bold, rich, dark, and so gorgeous I could almost taste you. I ignored the very wise advise of my friends and family, who told me to go in another direction. I was so excited to have you, to try something different, to take a chance.

It pains me to admit that there is such thing as "too much of a good thing." I'm sorry to say that this relationship has started to smother me. I felt oppressed each time I was around you, overwhelmed and unhappy with my choices. So, Estate Vineyard, after nearly 10 months, I need to admit I made a mistake. I need to say, it's....it's.....Well....


I found something new. I feel lighter, more refreshed, and somehow freer. Ahhhhhhhhhhh...