Quick Trip to Oregon

There are a few perks to Jason's need to be licensed in eight states: Business trips that occasionally include me!

Jason had to take a Business and Law test in Oregon this week, and I got to go with him.

I was so happy when we landed and I saw that spring had sprung in Oregon. The roads are lined with "wild" daffodils and all the cherry trees are blossomed.

We flew in to Portland on Tuesday morning and Jason took his test a 2:00. He of course passed with flying colors, so the rest of the trip was for fun!

We hit the road Wednesday morning, bright and early. The beach is about a two hour drive from Portland.

This is the restroom option when your driving the coast. Just keep in mind- if your planning a trip to the Oregon coast- Hand Sanitizer!

We decided to walk to the "Cape Outlook." I obviously wasn't planning on any type of hiking. Do you like the wedge heels and the mud? Great combo, huh. But hey, I'm a good sport!

This is one view from our TWO mile- each way- hike. Isn't it beautiful!

Since no one was there to take a pic for us, I had to do it myself, all while kissing my cutie!

Did I mention that I wore the wrong shoes?

We stopped at this lighthouse. The views are truly breath taking!

We continued our drive in to the town of Tillamook, as in Tillamook Cheese! We had a cheeseburger, yum!

See this crazy semi driver in my rear view mirror. He was chasing us (just me being drama). It was a bit frightening! We were going 10 mph over the speed limit, and he was still on our bumper. I kept thinking of the movie where the truck driver says, "Candycane."

Oh, and see this man pumping our gas? Did you know that it is against the law in OR to pump your own gas? It is also illegal to "top off" your gas tank. It was weird but nice to have someone else pump the gas. He even washed our windshield, though it was raining at the time. I'm not sure if we were supposed to tip or not. He didn't linger like we were supposed to, but who knows.

We had a great trip to Portland and the Oregon coast. In all, we put 400 miles on our rental car. Fun and beautiful!

Are you Jazzed?

My cute friend Sierra (smiling super cheesy for the camera) danced at the Jazz game last night. It was retro night, and they brought back 43 past Jazz dancers. We've been friends since she was a dancer in 1998- 2000, but I was poor and busy with school and having babies, so Jason and I never went to Jazz games. So, I never got to see her dance. I of course jumped at the opportunity to see her this time.

Our seats were unfortunately on the other end of the court, behind the backboard, so it was a little hard to see her.

She came up at half time and got some pics with Hannah and me. Jason and Travis used our season ticket seats- center court, 5th row- so they had a way better view of it all.

To see her in action, push play!

Sierra:

Thanks for letting us be a part of your exciting blast from the past. It was great and you looked fantastic! No one would ever know you have a one and two year old! Love you!

My Sweetie

So many people blog occasional gushing posts about their sweeties. I usually don't, because.

Because? Because? Because?

Of all of the wonderful things he does?

I like to think I'm the glue that keeps this family together.

The oil that keeps all moving parts in working order.

The big boss.

That is until today, when I realized that I hate it when he's out of town. He is the one who brings humor into our day to day activities. He's the one who thinks outside the box when the kids need to do a school project. He is the one who brings fun to the boring tasks that have to be done.

I'm the drill sergeant. I'm the one who makes sure everything gets done perfectly. I get so sidetracked with the details, that I forget to have fun, too. I run a tight ship. The kids know the schedule. They always have their homework in on time (usually early). I proofread/double check/edit anything and everything. The kids always come to me first with questions or concerns, but when it comes time to pick who they want to ride with, if we have to drive separately, they all fight to ride with Dad.

It hurts my feelings a bit, but I also realize that me and Jason each have qualities that make our family function.

So, I want everyone to know how much I love Jason. I'd like to gush my loving devotion to the father of my three children and the prince of my happily ever after!

POST EDIT:

This is what the kids and I did to Jason's truck for St Patricks Day.

Each clover tells him why we are so lucky to have him. Plus, a little sweet treat!

This is a picture of what comes home after every Wahlquist home game. Every week is a different pattern. He wears this around school for half the day! He's just like his Daddy!

Lucky U

I have bought all of my kids shirts for St Patricks Day. They're pretty cute if I do say so myself. There will be no pinching those cute tooshies on the 17th!

Jason and I will be going to the Jazz game that night to watch my friend, Sierra, dance at half time with the Jazz dancer alumni (now the cat is out of the bag, Sierra). I can't wait! I will be recording it and posting it on my blog for all to see. So if you won't be there in person to see it, don't worry, I got ya covered!

Fishing Pond

This is our official "Williams Pool"

This is our unofficial "Williams Pond" that shows up every spring!

We decided we are just going to put fish in it, then sell fishing licenses next year. Why not make back some of the money we've put into the yard trying to avoid this very thing!

If you look closely at the above picture, you'll see a black hole in the shadows at the bottom of the pic. This is our power box that is hooked to our main service on our house. It runs power for our hot tub, pool house, and all of the pool equipment.

It is underwater!

Where's the lid to it, you might wonder. Again, looking closely at the above picture, you can see the lid floating (yes, floating) at the top of the pic by the orange power cord.

The two things that look like ducks, those are more pumps. We paid last year (lots of $$$) to have an underground sump pump and gravel pit installed so this wouldn't happen. The yard guys are here this morning trying to pump off the pond so they can get underground to the sump pump.

There really are wires floating in this frozen hole! I don't think these two things go together. I wonder if I should be worried for the workers walking around in the pond? The power is still on- it hasn't tripped! That's probably dangerous for them!

These are my boys picking up a winter's worth of Sophie's poop! Soggy doggy poop! Yuck! They are not too happy! Surprisingly (hear the sarcasm), the bottom of the paper bag ripped open from sogginess and all the pooh fell out! Although I sent them out with plastic sacks, they thought paper was easier. Double Pooh Duty! They are really loving me this morning!

AutoRama

For all those people interested in "old" cars, come see Jason's 69 camaro at the South Towne Expo Center until 10 PM Friday, Saturday or Sunday.

It's finally finished!

But, wow! You really need to love cars because admission is $15 for adults and $5 for kids. Maybe we won't go down to see it after all!

Can't post a pic because it will ruin the "big reveal."

Dumb, I know, but Jason thinks it's bad luck.

Family Gathering

Ian and his family are in Utah now. Ian has orders to serve in Korea for one year, so Tausha and the kids are going to live with her Mom until he gets back. After that, they will head to Germany for three years.

Since last Thursday was the one year anniversary of my Dad's death, we all met at the cemetery and then went to Maddox for rolls- I mean dinner!

These are my Dad's parents, Jerry and Sally. They have had a really rough year, too. Aren't they the cutest couple!

The flowers we ordered turned out beautiful!

Alan's daughter, Madalyn. She thought she was something else in her beautiful tutu!

Camryn, rocking in her boots! Too cute!

Lauryn and Hannah. Lauryn had made her own jewelry. Isn't it fun!

Taylor and Grandpa shoot'n the bull while we waited for our table.

Ian purposely putting food in his mouth as I was taking the picture. What a clown!

The famous kids meal Frisbees. What would we do without them. Trevan was too cool to put his on his head for the picture.