Back to WA

This last week Adam and I took another trip to my hometown of Vancouver, Washington! We went back in March for my friend's wedding but we knew we wanted to go again before the baby came so we could see the things we weren't able to see in March. So here is how our trip went:

Day 1:
We drove to WA on Wednesday with my sister, Stephanie and my nearly 3 year old nephew. I was pretty nervous about how the drive would go with a toddler and me being much more pregnant than the last drive. Luckily my nephew did awesome so that turned out great :) I was really uncomfortable but we took lots of stops so that I could walk around. Unfortunately, the trip did not treat my feet very well. Starting with our drive there and through the whole week, my feet swelled up a ton. But we all got to town safe and sound :) We stopped by my parents' house before we went to my friend Chelsea's (the one who got married in March) place where we were staying. We were very excited to see everyone :)

Day 2:
Our first full day started out pretty low key with us going to meet my parents, Steph, and my grandma for lunch at the mall. Then we went to Lewisville, a big park north of Vancouver which lies along the Lewis river. I grew up going to this park and my mom went there as a teenager before that. I was really excited to show Adam because it has the essence of what I love about the NW, lots of tall evergreens and fresh air :) It was a warm day so we played in the grass and dipped our feet in the river. My other sister, Jessica met us up there after she got off work and then we all went to eat at Sweet Tomatoes.

Day 3:
Beach day! On Friday, Adam got to go to the beach for the fourth time in his life. We met my family at my parents' house and then caravan-ed to our first stop, the Tillamook factory! The last time I had been there was when I was super little and Adam had never been there. We got to see them make the most delicious cheese on Earth (in my opinion), taste the different kinds of cheese, and attempt to not buy everything in the little grocery area. We were able to leave with just a chocolate bar and a couple small blocks of cheese (smoked medium cheddar and garlic white cheddar, yum!).

Then we headed north on the 101 to Cannon Beach, OR. I was starving (as I usually am currently) so we started off by eating at my favorite pizza place, Pizza a Fetta. Delicious and one of the top 20 pizza places in the country! Then we went off to explore the shops. Adam and I particularly enjoyed the kite shop, the toy store, and the candy shop :) Then we all went out to the beach!

We had lots of fun looking at anemones, walking in the sand, and tossing the frisbee. I must say that walking in the sand when you're off balance by a pregnant belly is a very difficult (and funny looking) feat. We ended the evening by eating dinner at Seaside at a restaurant my family would often go to called Pig n' Pancake.

Day 4:
On Saturday, my friends Chelsea and Kendyl threw an adorable baby shower for me! It was so cute and I was amazed at how creative they were. The decorations and food were so amazing :)

I was so grateful for the family and friends that were able to come. We had fun playing silly games and everyone was so generous to our little boy. I was stunned by how crafty people's gifts were, like the blanket Chelsea crocheted and the crib bedding set my aunt Tanya made!

Both Adam and I felt so blessed :) Later that day, we went down to the Rose Garden in Portland! Adam had never seen it and coming during the Rose Festival is the perfect time to see them all in bloom.

So many different varieties in all colors, scents, shapes, and sizes! It was a very pretty day to go too :) Then we headed back to Vancouver to eat dinner at my favorite Thai place, Dok Koon (a mandatory stop whenever we visit).

Day 5:
On Sunday, we went to my home ward which is always a great experience. I love seeing all of the families that I knew growing up! The rest of the day we spent at my parents' house. I promptly fell asleep on the couch while everyone played in the backyard and dinner was made haha. Then, in the evening we had a campfire with roasting marshmallows :) we made s'mores with those fudge striped cookies and it was SO yummy! My uncle and his family came over for a visit as well, which was also fun. Its so crazy how my cousins are growing up, but then again I've grown up too haha!

Day 6:
The weather for the rest of the trip was overcast and rainy so we didn't do too much exploring. On Monday, I took Adam to visit the Pearson Air Museum. The museum has old planes and shows the history of the air base right next to Fort Vancouver and how it was used during all the different wars.

Adam, being a U.S. history buff, loved it and found it very fascinating. It was also fun for me to be back there because that was where I went to an LDS prom my senior year of high school :) After that, Chelsea, our friend Brittany, and I all went to get pedicures. It was fun to have some girl time with them :) The rest of the evening, we hung out with Chelsea and her husband Alex eating pizza and ice cream, playing games, and watching TV.

Day 7:
Tuesday, we went with Chelsea and Alex to one of our favorite stops in Portland, Powell's bookstore! I could spend hours in that place looking at everything. One of my favorite parts is the Rare Book Room where they have SUPER old books as well as first editions and autographed copies of books. I had fun trying to find the most expensive book they have. This time I found one for $24,000! We also went to eat at Henry's Tavern where they have delicious gorgonzola fries and HUGE burgers. I had a tasty macaroni and cheese burger! We ended our time in Portland by going to the ice cream shop, Salt and Straw. We had never been there but we have heard lots about their crazy flavors. We settled with relatively normal but very tasty kinds :) After that, we went back to Vancouver and I visited my friend Sarah! I'm always grateful that we've stayed in touch and we always make an effort to meet up when I come to visit. Then, that evening we went over to Chelsea's parents' house to watch the season premiere of one of our favorite shows. Her family all watches it so it is fun to watch with a big group and discuss it afterwards :) Afterwards, we went over to my parents' house to say goodbye and make plans for the next day.

Day 8:
The drive home! It was very long and I can definitely say that my nephew handled it better than I did haha. About 2/3 through I started feeling super hormonal and sick. I took some medicine and that helped. There was no helping my balloon feet though xP. Luckily, I don't have to work until Monday so I get lots of time to recuperate and put my feet up :)

In other updates, we are doing great! Adam is enjoying working on his Master's project and is actually sending a proposal in with his professor to present at a conference next year!! Presenting at a conference is a big deal in the academic field and it would be a great opportunity. We just finished our Hypnobirthing class, which was absolutely amazing! If anyone in Utah Valley is looking for a great birth class, I would definitely recommend Fiona's class (www.ihypnobirth.com). Baby is healthy and kicking up a storm and we just had another appointment today (along with my last blood test THANK GOODNESS!) :) I can't believe we have only three months until we meet our little boy!

<3 Ashley