My Sister's Wedding

Earlier in July, we got to take a trip to Washington!!
We decided to have Adam work a half day so we drove part of the way on Monday the 3rd, stayed overnight in La Grande.

Sleeping at the Fort

We drove the rest of the way on Tuesday the 4th. Eli did "relatively" well with the drive. We were able to get in early enough so that we went to lunch at Burgerville and then we went down to the Fort Vancouver fireworks show which has been something I grew up going to so I was excited to show Adam. Eli took a nap on daddy's back and enjoyed playing with Grandma and Grandpa Tanner. We were a little worried about the fireworks because we had gone to a smaller thing with Adam's family and he didn't like it. But I think that was just because it was too close and too loud. He LOVED the big fireworks show and so did we :)
Then Wednesday, we got to see Jessica go through the temple for the first time! Its always so nice to go back to the Portland temple since that is where we were married and I went through the first time :)

Getting our nails did :D

Thursday, Adam sweetly took care of Eli for the majority of the day so that I could go with my sister, mom, and some of Brad's side of the family to go and get our nails done! They turned out really well and it was nice to pamper Jessica. Then, that evening we had a little bachelorette party at Beaches restaurant and then hanging out at her sister-in-law's parents' house. 

Hanging with Chelsea!

Friday, we had a family party with all of my mom's side to celebrate my grandpa's birthday and we had a little baby shower for my aunt. It was so fun to hang out with everyone and Eli enjoyed playing with his second cousin and his first cousins once removed (when your youngest aunt is only a few years older than your oldest sister, cousin lines get confusing haha).  

Cute ring bearer!

Beautiful day :)

Saturday of course was the big day!! We got to see my sister get married for time and all eternity to an amazing man in the same place that we got married as well as my sister Stephanie <3 I totally cried haha. It was a beautiful day and after pictures we went out to my favorite Thai place. Then that evening, we had the reception at Green Meadows club which was gorgeous! The catered appetizers and the cake were delicious and the decorations were super cute. I didn't get a ton of pictures because most of the time I was video chatting with Stephanie who is in Peru for her husband's internship. I am so grateful for modern technology which allowed her to see all of the big things at the reception like the ring ceremony, first dances, cake cutting, shoe game, speeches, etc. They exited in a decorated golf cart to get to their decorated car that was taking them to their honeymoon!

sleeping at the reception

Gorgeous cake!

Then Sunday, we made the long trek home! During the day while we were there was often spent visiting with old friends of mine and just driving around Vancouver (sometimes just so Eli could get a nap haha). So now all of Adam's siblings and all of mine are married!

Heading off!

Trip to the NW

This last week we got to go back to my home town of Vancouver, WA! We had so much fun and did so many things but we wish we could've stayed longer...like forever haha :)

Day 1:

We woke up really early on Thursday to head out for the long drive. I was hoping to make it there in time to go to a girls' night for my friend who was getting married that weekend. The trip was uneventful but very uncomfortable sitting that long while being pregnant. I had never had trouble before with car rides but this time we made lots of stops so I could walk around. We made it in time to go to dinner with my mom and sister at my favorite Thai food place :) however, I was so exhausted from the trip plus hormones weren't being very nice so I didn't end up going to the girls' night :( we ended the night a little earlier by heading back to where we were staying for the trip. We stayed with our old coworker Rachelle and her husband Michael in Tigard, OR :) they were so sweet and welcoming to us and we loved staying with them!

Day 2:

After an AMAZING night's sleep, we started off the day with going up to Multnomah Falls. Adam had only been once when he was 10 and it was raining then. He also had never driven up the old historic Columbia Gorge Highway which is absolutely beautiful! It was clear and sunny every day we were in the NW :) We enjoyed seeing all of the waterfalls along the way and looking out at the viewpoint by the Vista House. 

We didn't have time to hike all the way to the top of Multnomah but we walked up to the bridge to take a few pictures. 

Afterwards, we went to lunch at a yummy German restaurant called Gustav's. We had cheese fondue and chicken schnitzel :) We then hurried back to change clothes before my friends' endowment. Traffic delayed us a little bit so Adam just had time to drop me off for the temple session but since he had to park the car, he went and did initiatories while he waited. I'm so glad I was able to make it in time to be there :) That evening, we went back to Rachelle's to eat dinner with them and the sister missionaries which was fun. Then, we went to Powell's and got Burgerville shakes! So tasty!

Day 3:
This day started off with one of my best friends, Chelsea, getting married to another wonderful friend of mine, Alex. 

We were blessed to see them sealed for eternity in the Portland LDS temple. I totally cried haha :) As I was a bridesmaid, we hung around as they took some pictures at the temple. Then we went back up to Vancouver and ate lunch at Burgerville (we wanted it eat more than just their shakes). I had yummy halibut fish and chips and Adam had a gigantic burger and we shared DELICIOUS rosemary fries. 

We had some time before the reception so we went down to the old Fort Vancouver and Officer's Row in downtown Vancouver. Adam loves history and so I knew he would love it :) 

There are lots of old houses on the Row that housed the major officers stationed in that area especially during the Civil War, like Ulysses S. Grant. They even had reenactors dressed in Union uniforms riding horses and shooting guns! The fort was also cool to see and they were even doing some demonstrations in the blacksmith cabin :) After that we met up with my best friend from high school, Sarah, and got to chat with her for a bit. It was so great to catch up :) We then left to change and went to the reception which was so much fun because I saw lots of old friends from my home stake :)

Day 4:
That Sunday, we spent the morning just driving around Vancouver as I showed Adam some places from my childhood. Then, we went to church in my home ward which I hadn't done since we got married! Everyone was super excited to see us and it was great to see so many people I've known since I was a baby. I was in that ward from the time I was born until I left for college so it was fun to see my old leaders, especially with me being pregnant right now :) That evening we spent having dinner with my aunt and uncle and their family, as well as my grandma. My cousin just recently had a baby so it was fun to be able to hold her little girl and think about what's coming in about 6 months :)

Day 5:
We had this whole day to do what we wanted, so it took a long time for us to decide what to do. We started off by eating brunch at Carol's Corner in Vancouver which is famous for its huge and delicious breakfast foods :) Then we went up to north of Vancouver to visit some of the pretty waterfalls along the Lewis River. 

We drove back into town and hung around a bit before dinner going to some other places that were nostalgic for me. We also went to the Columbia River waterfront which Adam had never been to :) Then we ate dinner with my parents at a mexican place in Vancouver called Muchas Gracias. Its a stupid name but the food is like what you'd get from a yummy taco food truck haha :)

Day 6:

We got up early yesterday and drove home. It was long but we made it safe and sound :)

We had a a great time on our trip and can't wait to go again :) in other news, I have felt the baby a few times! I have been feeling unexplainable tickling and fluttering in my abdomen a few times starting last week :) I'm excited for this to continue as the baby grows :) We'll update everyone more later especially when we find out the gender next month!

We love you all!

<3 Ashley