The Oregon Coast

Mid-August found us in Oregon with the entire Gough Clan. Seaside was our first stop and as we pulled into the parking garage so did the fog! It had been 93 degrees just 30 min inland but it plummeted down to a whopping 63 degrees by the time we were ready to get out of the car. I'm sorry to report that we didn't see much of the sun that week (and I had thought I'd be laying out by the pool!) but we did enjoy time with the family, great food (and lots of it...I gained 11 lbs. between two doctor visits that were only 4 weeks apart), and a really wonderful time with our nephews. It's hard for me to imagine that by this time next year we'll have two more little ones crawling around!

I hope my nephews parents don't mind me posting a couple pictures of their little cuties...I can't resist. (Also, I didn't take a ton of photos...in fact I missed taking photos of Bryan, Rachel, and Steve...sorry!)

Simon getting familiar with technology, making Uncle Jeffy proud

Evan & Kristen- I just love this photo

Fun on the carousel

Fun at Canon Beach

This is what happens when you let the boys take photos...at least Haystack Rock is in the background

The view from our deck in Depoe Bay...we saw whales!

Oh, and I'm planting the seed for Sunriver next year (or at least sometime soon)...Central Oregon is usually very sunny, dry, and there are tons of activities to do; bike trails, swimming pools, horses, river rafting, ice cream shops, obsidian forest, outlet malls..you get the idea. Just a thought!

Is Summer Over?

In response to Brianne's last post....

I have found myself saying "that's it, I give up...let's just get a tree" and have been listening to Christmas music...I claim it's to help the baby prepare for life outside the womb (he will be born in December after all) but I think it has more to do with the weather and my attitude. I even went to Starbucks last night for a caramel apple cider.

I hope summer isn't over, but if it is then I'll need to embrace the things I love about Fall and Winter....pumpkin treats, cookies, coco, cider...see? it's not that bad!

Oh, and speaking of finding myself saying odd things...tonight while getting a braxton hicks contraction I said to Jeff.. "you try walking around with a charlie horse in your gut!" We were out in public and I kind of wonder if anyone heard me. oh well, it's just the crazy pregnant lady!

My Dear Jane

Also this month we had my best friend Jane in town! (You may have noticed her appearance in Augusts 10 on 10) Jane and I have been best friends since high school and this year we have known each other half of our lives (roughly). This year, like most years we did some of our usual things....eating, hanging out, and mud masks! (Shh, don't tell Jeff...we had him believing we were playing "combat" and this was army paint ;))



We also enjoyed a sunny day at Golden Gardens and a couple of trips to Trophy Cupcake...my Mom even managed to join us which was reminiscent of the old days before we had our licenses ;)

Concentrating on dividing those cupcakes up fairly!

Jane I miss you and I really hope we have a 10 year high school reunion in October so you have another excuse to come up! It was so fun having you here and a special treat for me to have you see me "with child."

Esperanza's Quilt

I mentioned in the below post that Jeff and I went to a baby shower...and we did! It was a shower for our friends Joey & Aubrey who are adopting a little girl from Guatemala. Their daughter, Esperanza, should be in their sweet arms within the next month and we are so very excited for them, it's been a long wait since her birth in November and an even longer wait still since they started this whole process.

This is the quilt I made especially for her and I just love how it turned out- I tried top stitching the chevron pattern all the way through the quilt and think I'll do this again in the near future....since we all know there are quite a few pregnant mommies out there. Did I mention I do custom quilts? ;)

Italian Invasion

I'm reflecting on August as the last days of this summer month are upon us. It's been a full one! And we've been blessed by the many visitors and time spent with family this month has brought.

Our first visitors arrived the night of August 1st after a long trip from Trento, Italy. Mario and Ely! We had the pleasure of staying with them in April and were happy to host them in Seattle just a few months later. I've never seen two more organized travelers and I only wish I had taken a photo of their immaculate journal/planner. Every possible sight was mapped out so that made our job easy. "Mario and Ely, where would you like to go? Well, let's consult the book!"

We began Saturday morning at the Aboretum with a quick tour through the Japanese Gardens.

The coy really liked Jeff

Is this my coy impression?

After the Arboretum we hit up REI, another Seattle hot-spot, and then dropped M&E off at the Space Needle at 12:30 while Jeff and I went to a baby shower. We made plans to meet up with M&E around 5, but they needed a bit more time (they walked from the Space Needle to Pike Place Market, then down to Pioneer Square where they visited the Klondike Gold Rush Museum- I've never even been there- and finished at Smith Tower before meeting us on the Pier at 6..wow Mario & Ely, I'm impressed with all your walking). Despite all that walking and jet-lag they were still up for a birthday dinner party at Palisade and another amazing view of Seattle's cityscape.

Sunday, Katie and I had another craft fair in Edmonds (the last one is coming up Sept. 7th and despite the poor turn out I think I'm going to do it- come see us behind Arnie's on the waterfront). Jeff took M&E to church and then they joined me on the water where we took the ferry to Kingston for lunch.

Mario mapping out the rest of their Washington adventure

Our shadow from the boat- Jeff is the one waving

Monday was also packed! A necessary trip to Trophey Cupcake where Mario ate 2 cupcakes AND a part of mine ;) followed by a stroll through the Olympic Sculpture Park, a quick run through Costco, a barefoot walk along Alki Beach, a visit to my Dad's shop, a tour of my childhood home, and a relaxing barge ride at Lake Kathleen. I'm exhausted just typing it out!




And Tuesday...they were off! To see more details of their trip check out their blog. We miss you Mario and Ely and know there are still a ton of things for you to do and see the next time you visit!

10 on 10 :: August :: Untitled

New shoes, new rug

Jane & Jeff

My belly and the book of James

'tar (as my nephew, Simon, calls it)

Chris

Lunch

Newcastle Golf Course

Brianne

The Olympics

Jane

20 Weeks- Half Way!

I can't believe I'm already half way through this pregnancy! (Well maybe more if he comes a little early ;))

I've definitely been feeling him move...but not in the kicking way, although I swear I feel that on occasion. More in the...I'll feel a fish like movement and then feel my belly and find a huge lump on one side or the other. The great thing is Jeff can feel it too.

My next order of business is focusing on the nursery. I think I'm already anxious for things to be "ready" for his arrival.