Turns Out Portland Snow Storms Are Sometimes A Real Thing

Well, even though I've been going a bit stir crazy from being indoors too long and stuck at my apartment, it really has been pretty neat to experience a crazy snow storm in Portland.  When I moved here people were still talking about the Snowpocalypse of '08, and I'm sure they will be talking about Snowmageddon '14 for years to come too.

I ended up with about 6 inches in my front yard, and ventured out a couple of times to take a few photos.

So even though I'll be glad to see it go soon, it has been nice while it's here.

January 2014 in an Instagram

• Road trip home from Idaho
• Working out with friends
• Oregon Coast visits
• Rains returned
• Kitty cuddles
• Brunch Book Club
• Girls Night Out
• Family night
• Baby cuddles
• Nanny life
• Birthday celebrations
• Magazine launch
• Visits home

What were the highs of your January?

Thanksgiving 2013 Recap

This year's Thanksgiving was a special one.  From the time I was 12 and my immediate family moved to Idaho we've been getting together with my Dad's siblings and their families for the holidays.  The idea was to have a different sibling host each year, that way everyone takes turns traveling/hosting each year.  One sister lives in Seattle, another is SW Washington, and my Dad, of course, lives in Idaho.  For the first few years the kids were all young enough that the families all worked hard to get together, despite costs, weather and life interruptions, but as we all got older it became increasingly difficult to get everyone together.  While the tradition still carried, someone - a brother, sister, child, etc - was missing from the pack.

So it was very exciting to hear that everyone could make it this year!  No one had 'other side of the family' obligations or work getting in the way.  The weather looked like it was going to hold out, and my cousin who lives in the Tri Cities (therefore equal distance from everyone) offered to host, so there were no "we have to travel too far" excuses!  Everyone (that's 16 adults, 1 five year old and 1 five month old) made it!  We all stayed at my cousin's house for 4 days, and loved every minute of it.

I really am blessed to be a part of a family that can get along and enjoy each other for that many days.

My Aunt Sandy enjoying time with her Grand-niece Emerson

Uncle Rodney getting his baby time in

Joie made turkey centerpieces for all the tables

Joie "helping" Aunt Janet make pies

Lots of smiles and wine

My little brother Kalen got in some baby time too - good practice for the near future ;)

I love my niece to pieces

Joie and her Papa (my dad)

Aunt Janet, Emerson,  my cousin Jill and Aunt Sandy

Everyone together!

November 2013 in an Instagram

How is it December already?!

I mean seriously.

November was an event filled month!  It started off with my first ever art show (a month-long gallery even!) and ended surrounded by family for the Thanksgiving holiday!

Here's some of the highlights:

• My art show in Newberg
• Girls Road Trip to surprise my family over my niece's bday weekend
• Danielle and Joie visiting Portland 
• New glasses
• Spending 4 days with my whole family over Thanksgiving
• Finding out the family is growing!

Did you see family over the holiday? How was your November?

Here's to a great December!

Catching Up

Oh my goodness life has been good lately!  I've been so busy enjoying it that I didn't even realize I haven't been on here in a few weeks!  So it's definitely time I add some pictures of the past few weeks' adventures.

I found out I was going to have Veteran's Day off from work making it a 3 day weekend and I decided that it would be a good time to drive to Idaho and surprise my family.  My niece's bday was on the 8th, and my family would be having a get-together on Saturday the 9th for her.  I could easily make it that evening and have all day Sunday with them before heading back Monday morning.  My aunt who lives in Longview was free for the weekend to join me, and we discovered that my cousin and her baby girl who live in the Tri Cities was free too.

Girls Road Trip!

My Aunt Janet, Cousin Jill and her baby Emerson and Me all ready to roll!

Pit stop for a diaper change, refuel and baby cheek snuggle!

Once in Idaho I was completely unlike myself and only took pictures at two moments.  Early Sunday morning I captured these treasures with my niece (who's FIVE now! OMG)

and on the trip home snagged a pic of the state capitol building.  

Is it weird that I miss this building?

After returning to Portland I lost myself in the work week, looking forward to my sister in law and niece visiting me the following weekend! That's right, just 4 days and I'd be seeing that little munchkin again!

They made it to town just as I was finishing up work, and we enjoyed dinner and drinks downtown.  Saturday morning we woke up and headed to the coast.  Joie wasn't very excited about it at first, she insisted that going to the beach meant an encounter with sharks, but after a little time on the sand she warmed up (literally - because it was freezing at first) to it.

All three of us, happy as clams.

My sister in law pulled off the best photobomb ever ;)

We thoroughly enjoyed all the coast had to offer.  The next day we got up, enjoyed coffee and hot chocolate and hiked Multnomah Falls.

The past few weeks have been full of family and FUN!  This next week is Thanksgiving and I'll be traveling to the Tri Cities along with the rest of my family for a few days of more family fun.  It's guaranteed to be a great time, and I'm so looking forward to it!

Has anything great happened for you the past couple of weeks?

Will you be traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday?

October 2013 In An Instagram

Wow, the end of another month and beginning of a new one already.  Is it just me, or do the months seem to go faster once fall hits?  I feel like September and October fly by each year!

What a beautiful October we had here in the Pac Northwest too!  Colors everywhere and so many days with sunshine and blue skies!  I have to say though, as much as I've loved it, I've missed the rain.  I'm looking forward to the rainy season starting soon and feeling like the holidays are really here.

October was full of great experiences and many smiley days!  Here's a visual of this past month from my iPhone...

Highlights:

• Ran the Portland Half Marathon
• My Mom visited
• I brought home a new kitty
• Crunchy, colorful leaves
• Time with new adorable Little E
• Time with friends and home improvement projects
• Fall treats

How was your October?  Any fun memories you want to make sure and remember?

September in an Instagram

It's been a LONG time since I've recapped my months with Instagram photos!  In an effort to document my 31st year better, I'm going to start including these little recaps again.  It's always fun to look back on the month and see what's happened in my daily life through these little square photos.  I've also been considering offering a linky party once a month, so I may just have to combine the two!
Stay tuned ;)

Without further ado, here's my September 2013 in an Instagram...

Coffee  ||  Friendship  ||  Birthday Celebrations  ||  Dancing

Timbers  ||  Camping  ||  New Adventures  ||  Fall 

Growing Up  ||  Pumpkin All The Things

Running  ||  Fundraising  ||  Climbing  ||  Flowers Everywhere

How was your September?  Cheers to a great October ahead!

Catching Up | End of August through Labor Day

Holy crap I'm behind on blogging!  Guess that's what happens when your life takes off on an insanely busy fall season.  Fall (September specifically) is my favorite time of year though, and I thought I definitely owed it to myself to post a little update on how it's been going so far!

First of all, my cousin Jared got married!  My family loves a good excuse to get together, drink, party, drink, catch up, drink, dance, and drink!  And what better excuse than a wedding?! (None I think.)

So we all got together at my aunt's house in Longview and enjoyed some time catching up (and drinking.)

After the wedding my mom's littlest sister, Saleen, and I drove back down the coast toward her casa in the Palm Springs area.  I posted this little update on the first half our trip - down the 101 and through the Redwoods toward Santa Rosa.  We continued on to SoCal after a few days rest in NorCal.  The weather was glorious, and the sunsets were amazing!  I got in a few runs and LOTS of swimming!

I got home on a Thursday, worked Friday, ran 8 miles Saturday morning, took pictures of this adorable family then heading east toward Baker City to meet up with my brother and cousin and their families for some Labor Day camping.  We had fun chatting, playing card games, and making s'mores with, as my niece calls them, 'smarshmellows.'  It was a great weekend filled with family, and I thoroughly enjoyed time with my niece and my cousin's baby, which I can never get enough of.

Since my return I've been working my rear off with lots of creative projects.

I'll be back soon to update more!  What have you been up to??

On The Road

I'm on the road again this week.  Started in Portland, had a brief stay-over in Santa Rosa and made it to Palm Desert today.  We drove down the 101 from Portland to Santa Rosa and it was be-a-utiful!!!  The coast, the Redwoods, the fog... it was all gorgeous!

I made the conscience decision to leave my big camera behind and only take pictures with my iPhone for this trip.  It's been a great challenge and I'm excited to share some tips and tricks I've discovered along the way!

How's your weekend/week going?  Traveled anywhere cool lately?

Wordless Wednesday | Zen Gardens

Wordless Wednesday | Oregon Coast, Cannon Beach

Photo Credit: Motormouth Studios

Photo Credit: Motormouth Studios

Photo Credit: Motormouth Studios

Photo Credit: Motormouth Studios

Photo Credit: Motormouth Studios

Photo Credit: Motormouth Studios

Photo Credit: Jenn Pfaus

Photo Credit: Jenn Pfaus

Photo Credit: Jenn Pfaus

Photo Credit: Jenn Pfaus

Photo Credit: Jenn Pfaus