Spring Break: the Oregon Adventure

Because I KNOW that you want the super fine details... this post might be a tad bit long.  Don't say that you were not warned!

I headed to the great pacific northwest for my spring break.  As the title suggests, I went back home to beautiful Oregon. 

I flew in to Portland on Friday afternoon (yes, I totally ditched class to leave when I did!) and was picked up by my good friend Chris who married one of my best friends from high school, Elissa.  He took me to their super cute Lake Oswego home where were eventually met up with Elissa.  There we split ways, Chris headed out to his musical with a couple of their sweet kiddos while Elissa and I headed out by ourselves to eat dinner.  We ended up at Five Guys Burgers and Fries.  Burger heaven on earth, I must say.  Sooooo good!!

After that amazing dinner we went to see Chris's musical.  He is the music director at the high school he teaches at and each spring they preform a muscical.  This year they were performing "Once Upon a Mattress".  It was so good.  I was amazed at the talent that these young men and women had.  A fun way to spend a night.  After we got back to their house we stayed up and talked and talked and talked...  until too late in the night/morning.  A short night, but so worth it to spend time with these great friends.  I have known the both of them since I (we) were 13 and 14, respectively.  It is always so good to see them.

 

Here are Elissa and I the next morning.

And the fabulous Rust family... love love love them!

It was at this time that my parents picked me up to attend my brothers wedding, the real reason I flew to Oregon.  Greg and Elisa were married in the cute little church out on Sauvie Island.  The day was beautiful; beautiful blue sky with white fluffy cloud and NO RAIN!  They could not have asked for better weather.

Here is my brother and his beautiful bride.  The wedding was so pretty and Elisa did a lot of it herself.  Including those wonderful flowers that she is holding.

This is Greg with his two little girls, Andriana and Savannah.  They were the flower girls.  I love this picture.  They were watching Elisa walk down the aisle.

After the wedding my parents and I, with Adriana and Savannah headed south to Eugene.  That is where my parents live.  Since I had last been there (5 years ago -- too long, I KNOW!) they had moved into this absolutely fabulous neighbohood.  Beautiful homes, beautiful landscaping, great location, quiet, basically perfect in every way.  At night I could hear the crickets and frogs, it was a wonderful way to fall asleep.

I could not believe how everything was in bloom.  I know it was all for my visit, that I might get the most of coming home.  When I left New Mexico nothing was blooming yet, only the leaves on the dafodils were popping through.  In both Eugene and Portland everything was blooming, flowers, trees, and the grass was so green!  Thankfully, things have started to bloom in New Mexico too.

While I was in Eugene I was able to go and see two more friends from high school, Scotty and Lisa.  I got to meet their kiddos and spend an evening with them.  Like with Chris and Elissa, the night went by to fast.  It was fun to see them after 10 long years.  I learned something fun while there... appearently it was I that introduced these two love birds.  Never knew that!  I have to say that I have know these two for a long time as well,  Lisa and I met when we were 12!  WOW!! Twelve years old!!  Crazy!!  And I met Scotty when we were maybe 16?  Not quite sure on that one, but we have certainly been friends for a while.

After a couple of days in Eugene, my Mom and I headed back up to Portland to the airport, but not before I had the chance to spend the evening with yet one more lifelong friend, Janell.  I have known Janell since I was 12 (22 years ago!  Seriously, that is just crazy!) and she was one of my best friends in high school.  I was so excited to spend time with her and her super fun NEW HUSBAND!!!

She was married just the week before and I was unable to go due to distance and other things.  But, as she said, I was able to spend more quality time with her and Tom then I would have had I been at the wedding.  And, like I had said before, the time was too short and I would have liked to have spent more time with her and all my other friends. 

PLUS... I spent time with my parents and neices in Eugene and shopping with my Mom in Portland.  It was fun to spend time with my Mom without kids.  Not something happens very often and it was really nice!

This trip was so fun!  It was weird to not be a Mom for a few days, but instead a daughter, an Aunt, and a friend.  It was nice to see my Mom and Dad, my brother, meet his new wife, and spend time with my neices.  It was really fun to spend time with all my friends.  When I was with them it was like being 18 again, no adult worries, just good friends and fun.  Unfortunately, I did not get much sleep.  But so worth it.

I also want to mention that I know how blessed I am to have such wonderful friends who I have known for so long.  I know that it is not common to have so many friends that have know me for 20+ years.  They are people that I can always count on to support me and my family.  I love them so much!

And I could not ignore Brandon when discussing this trip.  He made this entire trip possible for me.  He is such a wonderful man and father.  I love my husband more than I can express.  I love you and am thankful that you are mine for eternity.

I have to add this final note: while I did enjoy myself and loved having a break from everything, I was so happy to walk out from the airport and see my wonderful husband and my sweet children.  Coming home is the best.