Fried Chicken and Waffles

On our last night in Ontario we went to dinner with the majority of the family... I had to document this one little moment of our trip (I just couldn't help myself). Jarrod ordered fried chicken and waffles... really? I didn't even know this existed in the Northwest. Jarrod couldn't resist it and there you have it... waffles, fried chicken and covered in syrup. He loved it and I'm sure we'll be going back next time we're there :) 

Ogawa family golf tournament : weekend round up

We made it! With over 12 hours in the car (there and back) we made it on our first family road trip. We headed to Ontario, Oregon to visit the Ogawa family where Jarrod played in the annual Ogawa memorial golf tournament. Brayden did AMAZINGLY well in the car. We stopped about half way both times in Pendelton and had dinner/lunch. He slept most of the time, but played and looked at the other cars and trains on the long trip too. Jarrod loves playing golf and has played with my uncle's the past few years. All the money raised go to high school scholarships in memory of my uncle Kelly who passed away when he was 18 of Leukemia and my dad who passed away as well. Below are pictures of the family and the adventure. I would say our first family road trip was 100% successful! 

Me, Grandma and Brayden - Brayden with aunt Nikki and Uncle Gordy

Brayden Driving, Jarrod eating (post about that soon) - Uncle Tom and aunt Cathy

Brayden and Uncle Jerry - Jarrod and Brayden at the golf tournament 

What happens when dad comes shopping with us...

Driver Brayden in red car number 5. 

Bittersweet Fathers day

Fathers day had always been one of those holidays that made me sad. My dad has been gone for a long time now, but it doesn't seem to get any easier. We had such a special bond and I miss him like crazy everyday. Literally not a day goes by that I don't think about him and wish he was here in person to meet Brayden and see all that our little family has accomplished. This year however, it was so much fun and even though dad was in the back of my mind all day, nothing compared to seeing Brayden and Jarrod share that bond that I had with my dad. So it is bittersweet that my dad isn't here to enjoy fathers day with us, but so nice I got to spend it with my boys.

Daddy's little girl

Dad, I'll miss you forever and love you for always... but I have NO doubt that I will see you again. I know you're waiting for us and looking down watching your amazing grandson become a little boy. xoxo

Fathers Day : Weekend Roundup

WOW! What a busy, but very fun weekend. Since it was fathers day, the weekend was up to Jarrod! He got to choose his weekend, what we did, where we went, what we had for dinner... (he'll try and tell you he never gets to choose, but we all know that's NOT true)!

Saturday: Jarrod LOVES going to the zoo as a family. So, we got up bright and early Saturday morning and were at the zoo by 9:30. It was suppose to be hot, but being hot AND the weekend we figured the zoo would be out of control busy hence getting there so early. It sure did pay off to get there though, the parking lot was only 1/3 full and most ALL the animals were out and there was NO line for the train! After a fun filled morning at the zoo we headed home for nap time... after a 3 hour nap, Jarrod wanted to go to his favorite mexican restaurant... and that we did. It was really yummy (we even got deep fried ice cream)!! If that wasn't enough of a fun-packed day... to top it off we hit up the park on the way home to let the little guy swing and play in the water. One amazing thing about living in Hillsboro is that there are so many amazing parks around.

Sunday: After we got home from church, Jarrod just wanted to hang low and relax around the house... and that we did! We had planned a fathers day BBQ with our super cool neighbors a couple days ago. They have 2 kids, Kayla who is 4 and Brady who is 3 weeks old (so little and cute). Mark and Jarrod BBQed some super yummy ribs and veggie kabobs we also had broccoli slaw, fresh bread and I made cran-strawberry orange oatmeal cookies. Brayden also got to give Jarrod his fathers day present (candy, treats, gift card to play at a REALLY nice golf course annnnd pictures of course)! 

Fathers day can't officially be wrapped up without a shout out to Grandpa Daryn. He's such a fun grandpa and Brayden is so lucky to have a grandpa like him. I have no doubt that Jarrod gets his amazing work ethic from his dad :) 

Family photo on the zoo train

Grandpa Daryn with 3 boys and grandson

Dada's fathers day present! 

Kayla and Brayden on the slide

Meeting cousin Kitti

My cousin Kitti was visiting from Grants Pass with her new husband. We haven't seen each other in over a year and I was excited to hear she was in town! Brayden and I met her at the mall and enjoyed a yummy lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (our new favorite place). It was so nice catching up and can't wait to go down for a visit! I remember when we were little and all the cousins would play for hours and hours at my Granny and Grandpa's house... where does the time go? Sometimes I wish there was a time-machine to take us back! 

Zoo Day Date

Yesterday Brayden and I had a "Day Date" at the zoo! We love going to the zoo. On this zoo trip however, I think every school in the whole state were taking their end of year field trips. There were MILLIONS of kids running around everywhere! It was fun though, we spent a few hours walking around and looking at the animals. We happened to be at the lion exhibit when it was feeding time. Some people had been waiting for an hour or so, but it was just our luck we got to see the lions feeding! It was really cool to see it in person... It might be more accurate to say I enjoyed watching them while Brayden enjoyed his juice and crackers. I love spending time with this guy and our adventures are always so fun! 

  

Weekend Roundup : Rose Festival 2012

This weekend we headed downtown and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the 2012 Rose Festival. It's always so fun to go downtown, hang out, people watch and enjoy a walk around the waterfront. This year we were wanting to tour the Navy ships, but the wait time was 3 hours! Waiting 3 hours in a line with a 10 month old... didn't sound like my definition of fun. Instead, we headed into the Rose Fistival, ate some yummy and (incredibly UNhealthy food), people watched, admired the ships from afar. We also enjoyed a nice walk around the whole waterfront. It was a relaxing, fun weekend with just the 3 of us! 

Those are curly fries and deep fried sampler dessert (apples, a twinky AND Oreos)! I hear the gym calling our name!! 

We had to make a quick trip to the mall, before we left Brayden got to ride this cute little fire engine... 

Weekend roundup (Aunt Ally, playtime & church)

Wow, I haven't done a blog post since last weekend... We must have just gotten too busy. Sorry! We had such a fun weekend. We got some very exciting news... one of my very best friends Alyssa and her boyfriend (now fiancé) got engaged hooray! Alyssa and Naaman have been together since we were freshman in college (8 years ago) man that makes me feel OLD. Alyssa and I have been friends since freshman year of high school and we were roommates our first year at OSU. We have had some pretty wild and crazy adventures, but I couldn't ask for a cooler friend . She is a friend I will cherish forever. I'm so excited for them and can't think of a more deserving couple... they truly are soul mates for sure! Congratulations and I can't wait to watch the wedding plans unfold! Here is a picture of the BEAUTIFUL bride-to-be and her GORGEOUS bling, I mean ring! 

I just had to snap a few pictures of Brayden all dressed up for church. He loves going to Sunday school and he always looks so handsome. I can't believe how fast he is growing up! 

We also had some playtime with grandma and grandpa. Uncle Jordan gave him a ride on his shoulders... Brayden is so lucky to have so much love! 

This weekend roundup is officially complete. As always, it was filled with laughs, fun and a few pictures... Hope everyone enjoys their week! 

There's a bear in the grocery store!

Brayden and I made a qick trip to Hood River today to visit some friends and family. We also made a trip to the grocery store... it was a yucky, rainy day so we spent most of the day in PJ's and with his blanket that has a cute little bear hoody on it... I wish I could get away with wearing my PJ's to the grocery store (and still look so cute)!