Thanksgiving 2013

Oh the wonderful holiday of Thanksgiving. This was my first year away from my family for Thanksgiving. I missed what I was used to, but also enjoyed just being together with our little family on this wonderful holiday. We have much to be grateful for. 

For FHE a few weeks before the event, we decided to make hand turkeys and list what we are thankful for this year. We helped Oliver with his list :) High on the list was milk for him and of course his parents. We're not biased at all. 

We loved wearing the Gobble shirt from Grandma Jan. So cute! Love our little turkey.

On the actual day of Thanksgiving, Oliver and I continued the tradition of the Thomas Turkey Trot. It was a beautiful day on the beach. We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with our branch. It was delicious.

On Friday, we decided we wanted to do our own Thanksgiving feast. I made pecan pie for Chris, which turned out being my favorite thing from the day. Delicious. Chris wanted to make duck for the dinner. It was an adventure. It ended up being yummy. I preferred my turkey breast, but Chris loved his duck. We invited the Reece family to join us for the feast. Ashley and Colt have an adorable little girl Madi who is 3 weeks older than Oliver. It's fun to have friends here in the same boat as we are. 

It was a great Thanksgiving. We are so blessed, especially to have our little Oliver this year. He's pretty much the sweetest thing.

Exploring Oregon

Well we've been in Oregon for a little more than a month and are thoroughly enjoying this beautiful state. We enjoy beautiful walks on the beach. We enjoy beautiful drives through the forest right by the ocean on the highway. We are still in awe at the beauty that surrounds us.

We've had fun exploring and getting to know the area a bit. The Tillamook Cheese Factory was high on my list, so we decided to make the drive north on a Saturday. The factory was fun with just a self-guided tour. We enjoyed cheese samples, stocked up on yummy cheese, and even ate some cheeseburgers while there. It was a perfect little trip up the coast.

The next weekend, we met Chris up in Newport and drove to Toledo (just a 10 minute or so drive inland). We ate at Cobblestone Pizza which was scrumptious. Then we went bowling. It wasn't very busy for it being a Friday night, but I guess that's what you get in a little town. Neither of us are very good bowlers, but we had a fun time.

I loved the fishbowl ball

Last Saturday, we stopped at Seal Rock beach which is on the way home from Newport. The tide was out, so we got to see some awesome things. The rocks had starfish all over them. It was so cool. There were also mussels (I think that's what they are) on other rocks. There were a couple of  people trying to dig them off of the rock. Anyways, it was so beautiful and a fun little adventure.

Oliver's not looking super happy here

Other happenings include a couple outings to the movie theater. Oliver slept through all of The Hunger Games. During Thor he was a little more fussy, but overall great. He's a trooper. One of the little new traditions that we've started here that I love is a weekly lunch date with Chris in Newport. There are so many cute little cafes and restaurants around Newport, so it's a fun way to explore the town in that way. It's also a treat to see Chris during the day.

Cafe Stephanie (yummy sandwiches) 

funny faces from my boys but at a yummy
Mexican restaurant

We're enjoying life here in Oregon. I'm so grateful for all the blessings we have, especially our little Oliver. I'm so blessed to be able to spend my days with our sweet boy. He really is growing so much and has the sweetest little personality. We're loving his big smiles and even some little giggles.

he has a love/hate relationship with the monkey
 hanging off his car seat

Oliver loves his dad. Look at that face and those kisses for daddy. He's the one that can really make Oliver laugh.

 Oliver has rolled from his tummy to his back once. This was the face after the event.

 Oh those chubby cheeks. Such a yummy little man.

To come: Thanksgiving and 3 month update

Our California Adventures

My mom and dad had a trip planned to California for the family for a while. Unfortunately, with Chris just barely starting his new job, he needed to stay here to work. So, Oliver and I represented the Lopez family. It was a pretty fabulous week. Thank you parents! We missed our missionary Parker. We had so much fun with him last summer. Love you Park.

Oliver and I flew out of Eugene to LA on Saturday. The GPS on my phone gave us three routes to Eugene and of course I picked the shortest in time. Well, that route ended up taking us on this one-lane road in the forest. It was so beautiful! It really felt like a fairy tale with all of the trees and greenery etc. We saw a Christmas tree farm which was also cool. But eventually, this beautiful route was trying to take us on a road that looked like a four-wheeling trail. So we had to turn around. Anyways, we did make it on the plane (luckily Eugene isn't too big of an airport).

Oliver was so good both times flying. He slept and ate and slept some more. He woke up as we were landing. Such a good boy! Mom and dad and Brit and Addie picked us up in LA and we were off to Oceanside. My mom booked this beach condo for us and it was perfect. It was a block away from the beautiful beach.

We had a fantastic week of enjoying the beach, Disneyland, California Adventure, and Sea World. It really was a wonderful trip. Oliver was a trooper as we partied in the various parks. He likes his stroller and to be outside. I basically fed him all over the place (even on a couple of rides), he napped, and was overall happy. He loves Brit and Addie and of course Grandma and Grandpa. He was not too happy to get into his car seat traveling to and from these fun places. Poor baby. But, we survived. Yay for Disneyland! I'm excited to take him back when he's older and can fully enjoy the magic of the place.

And now for pictures from the trip

beach in Oceanside

sharks were worn in honor of the beach
(thanks to the Fukui's for the onesie)

I puzzled a bit

This was our day hanging out in Oceanside with Grandma, while the rest of the crew headed to The Price is Right. It was kind of a perfect and relaxing day with some of my favorite people. 

Oliver loving bath time:

this kid. love him so much

Disneyland:

all ready to go with our Mickey socks

The Haunted Mansion was transformed into
The Nightmare Before Christmas.
 Oliver rode with us and wasn't even scared :) 

 California Adventure:

sure love these two. they know how to party

We love the swings, well at least mom and I do. I tried to talk to my dad during the ride and he wouldn't look at me. I found out afterwards he looks at the person in front of him so he doesn't get sick. He was a trooper to even go.

all tuckered out

Oliver loves silly Uncle Brit

he certainly has the Thomas thin upper lip

we just love this picture. so happy!

oh Oliver, striking a pose

Sea World: It was not busy at all, which was great. The shows were super fun and it was a lovely day. 

closed eyes from Brit and Oliver

 Last day of Disney:

Our first time at Car's Land. It is so adorable.
 And the racers were my favorite ride of the trip.

a little wet after Grizzly Bear River Run 

Oliver loving Addie's kisses as we wait for It's a Small World,
which was completely transformed for the holidays. 

This picture pretty much summarizes this
experience of  Disneyland for me. We did
 lots of nursing and the churros are my
 favorite thing in the park. 

Teacups! 

Oliver's adorable Mickey outfit from Grandma.
he even posed for the picture.

Brit trying to get Oliver to smile. no luck

It was a perfect vacation. We're happy to be home with Chris again though and look forward to exploring this new home of ours.

reunited with daddy

Our walk the other morning: