Rest in Oregon

We went for awhile to collect our ourselves. It is so easy to do when away. We just got back yesterday. It was such a lovely time. I have only played with a couple of shots. I didn't get nearly as many photos as I thought I would. It seems that I was just soaking in the trees.

We each did what we needed. The kids played until they could play no more. Peter read and felt peace. I spent a great deal of time day dreaming and feeling joyful. What a blessing this vacation has been!

Waterford

The first time I saw this village ten years ago I was sad.  Not because of any emotional thing but because I didn't have a camera.  Fortunately this time I brought a camera.  And I am so pleased that it didn't change in the past ten years.  The city is starting to encroach but hopefully the village will be able to keep it at bay for as long as possible.  It was in 1733.  The first thing I noticed ten years ago was the height of the doors.  And the charm of the village spoke to me in general. 

This is the schoolhouse there, I wonder if the children might still use the school.  

Look at how short the doors are on these houses.  Most of the houses in the village were built before 1840.  These I believe were most likely built before 1800.  

 

Going on a trip!

I get to go see my mom in Virginny.  Actually I will quite close to DC.  Be still my beating heart!  I always wanted to say that even though it is not really applicable here.  I am so excited.  I most likely won't get to go do any touristy things, but just being there somehow brings history to life.  And this time I will have a camera with me.  Oh, the fun!  I can't wait to take wonderful, beautiful pictures of our awesome capital.  I have been trying to talk Peter into moving to DC since we got married.  Poor guy, he thinks I'll stop one day. I am taking Esther and Samuel there with me.  They have second cousin's once removed or something like that there.  I will have to figure that out.  Oh, and I get to see my cousin Abby.  What joy!  It's been 7 1/2 years.  She in 6 weeks younger than me and we grew up together.  I am beyond excited.  

There is only one hitch.  I am totally entrenched in a "western" (Ruth slang for underdeveloped) wardrobe.  Oh, the shame!  I mostly have fleece, yoga pants and tanks.  Okay so I have a bit more, but not much.  Well, I will just have to keep my "good" clothes mess free to be in optimum usage.  Right? Right!!

Pictures

Here are some random pictures from the trip.

This is at the visitor center at Mt. St. Helens. They thought the giant mushroom was cool, so we took a picture of it with them.


This is the view from the school across the street from the wedding chapel. Talk about some blessed kids, getting to see that view every school day!

Here is Peter and Esther at the school play ground. Don't you just love that hat?!


This one is on the way home. I finally got Peter to stop the car so I could take at least one picture without the trees rushing past!


However, he wouldn't stop so that I could be a picture of the sunset, so it is blurry. This is outside of Bend.
I just love this picture I wish I could have gotten a non-blurry, in the car picture. I think it's the Three Sisters. Oregon certainly has some of God's amazing handiwork on display!

Homety, homety home again!

This weekend we went to Oregon. It was so much fun! We had Christmas pictures made and went to a lovely wedding. Such a grand ole time, and interesting too. Definitely one to go down in family lore!

On Friday we had the kids pictures done. And let them run around after a day long trip on Thursday. Not much to write about there. On Saturday our plans were to go to Mt. St. Helens and then to the planned wedding.

It took a little longer to get up to the visitor center than expected so we didn't have time to drive around to other side. I think Esther may have had something to say about that! But I got some pictures from the visitor center. I found it interesting that Silver Lake, where the center is, was created from the eruption.





After our fun time at Mt. St. Helens we had to zip to the wedding. None of us were dressed yet and we had no where to get dressed. We just figured that we would get dressed at the Brookshill Historic Church. So off we went to find this diamond on a really tall hill. It is in Hillsboro, which happens to be aptly named.

The church is right across the street from a quaint school.

We got to Hillsboro late! We rushed to get dressed appropriately in the school parking lot after running down the hill (15 minutes) to get lunch. (All I can say is thank goodness for our Yukon! Crouching room!) We finally were dressed nice enough, barely, for a wedding. We ran into the church, amazingly not making a scene! Sitting down in the back of the tiny chapel, Peter and I looked at each other. We did not recognize the groom, whom we know. Somehow we were at a lovely wedding where we didn't know anybody! Peter quietly rushed out to the car to see if we had gotten the day wrong. Was it the wrong time? No, we had both correct. Suddenly, Esther began to make noise. Perfect! We were making a scene at a wedding, to which we were not invited, and drawing attention to ourselves! Peter missed the rest of the service. Which was unfortunate, it was wonderful and touching between two older folks. Including the brides sons saying "Way to go, Mom!" It was great! After two kisses and the pronouncement we tried to figure out what happened. First I talked to a guest at the wedding. He said we have a handsome family. Then, we talked to the owner of the chapel and found out that the bride for our wedding canceled four weeks prior! So Peter called someone at home to find out what happened. No the marriage wasn't canceled, just that location for the wedding. We didn't find out for another day, but it was in Kelso, WA. Much closer to Mt. St. Helens! Here's a picture of the lovely couple, I forgot to get their names!

We had plenty of fun, and even went to a lovely wedding, even if it wasn't the right one!