An amazing trip with my family!!  We just returned from a 3 week trip out west in Portland, OR.  What a fabulous 3 weeks of my life!  I had no idea what blessings were in store there!

For the majority of the time, we got to stay with Grandpa Chuck and Grandma Shell.

Grandma and Grandpa

Luke learned many new words while we were there, including, “Bubby” for Buddy the dog.

Luke, Daddy, Buddy, Grandpa Chuck, Grandma Shell

Luke also had a blast exploring his new home away from home.  He did quite a lot of standing and playing with all the new toys Grandma got for him.

Ball pit!

The first weekend we were there, we got to drive up to Seattle for our dear friends’ (Marc and Katherine Bathgate) wedding.   Grandma and Grandpa even drove up to help us out with Luke!  It was a very special weekend for us.

Luke's new favorite activity: walking

At the Rehearsal dinner:

Luke with the bride

My handsome husband and me

Baby Luke!

Luke at dinner

We got to see some old, great friends:

Colin, Luke, Paul

The Wedding day:

We got to go to Pike’s Market downtown Seattle near the water.  Seattle is beautiful!

We even got to hang out with Colin’s new fiance and visit the very first Starbucks.

Becca.... soon to be Marsh

Paul and I love weddings, especially the ceremony.  What a moving reminder of Christ’s love for us (and our love for each other… what a fun date!)

I

Vows

Gorgeous view at the Reception

Another sweet surprise, some more old, good friends:

Paul with the boys: Ryan, Danny, Jeff

The beautiful bride and me

The mens album cover

Sunset over Seattle

After a late night of dancing and wedding celebration….. I got to wake up that Sunday morning and go to one of my favorite expressions of God’s worshipers, Mars Hill!

We're really here... at Mars Hill!

And as if this wonderful week wasn’t enough.. The following Monday we packed up again to head to Astoria, OR, which is right on the Pacific Coast.  Paul’s grandfather is one of 12 children, and a few of them own property there.  We got to stay for 3 days!

I think I found my new favorite summer sport: Beach biking!!

Cannon Beach

Even a burley for Baby Luke.

When we got back from the beach, we discovered an all new revelation of God’s abundant harvest… BLACKBERRIES, like as many as you could possibly eat, save, and store in multiple freezers.  No kidding.  Every morning we set out in Grandma and Grandpa’s neighborhood with our 5 gallon bucket, Grandpa’s hockey stick, and some work gloves, only to return with hundreds of sweet, ripe berries!  And FREE!!!!  I would estimate that we captured at least a couple hundred dollars worth.   I was so excited about our treasure that I kept imagining this is what it must have been like in the Garden of Eden, where all you had to do is wake up and pick fruit!  And there would be no one to stop me!  I also told the Lord it is my desire to capture as many souls for Him as there were ripe blackberries

Blackberry picking

Still more blessings….

Hanging out with Grandpa David

And uncle Mike

Mike, Paul , Kaelin

And Baby Luke turned ONE!!  So we got to have an incredible first birthday party for him with the family!

I love cake.

And guess who got to join us???  Yep, THE MO!

The Mo!

Baby Luke got prayed over by TWO pastors!

I'm blessed! I'm blessed!

Oooo presents

It is always so good to see Auntie Mo and Uncle Dave.

Books! I love books!

But really my favorite is this singing card

And what would a Portland trip be if we didn’t visit Howard at Cal Skate?

Luke's first time on a skateboard... not sure what he thinks of it.

WOW, God you are so good.  Wow, wow.  We’re going to miss you guys!  Can’t wait to do it again.