House Update

I can't believe the year is almost over! At the beginning of the year I had a list of things that I wanted to do around the house. Although I didn't get everything done I got a bunch! First, I did a TON of planting outside. My dad and I built a bench to put out in the yard and my mom and I went to the store and got a Japanese Maple and a bunch of other plants to put out.

I really have been wanting to make my laundry room more functional. I found some cabinets that I really liked and my dad put them up while he was visiting. I also found a really great yellow color and painted the room. Its so much nicer to have the extra storage!

Mia has been needing a playroom for a while. Her toys were starting to take over the living room. We have a den near the front of the house, and it was really just a room for nothing. It just seemed to collect clutter and ended up being a room to put things that didn't really have a home yet. It was messy. I took everything out of the room, got some great cubby shelves from target, and make the room into Mia's playroom! Finally, all of her toys have a home! Toys and books still end up in the living room, but at least they have a place to be put away!

Vegas Vacation

Back in July Doug, Mia and I went on vacation to Las Vegas! It was so much fun! We met one of my good friends, Kemish, and her two little girls there. We got adjoining rooms and stayed at the Treasure Island Casino.

Mia did GREAT! She was fantastic on all the flights and did great when we went out and about. We spent time on the strip, went out to eat, went to the Mandalay Bay Aquarium, and went out into the desert to a petting zoo/old western town.

Mia had such a great time with Kemish's girls. Kemish and I have know each other since my freshman year of high school, it was so awesome to see our children playing together and building their own friendships.

I am so glad that our family was able to take our first real family vacation. Mia did so well and impressed me to much. It was so much fun, and very relaxing for all of us. I can't wait until next summer! Kemish and I are talking about another vacation together- this time California!

Oregon Coast

Every year Doug and I try to do something special around our anniversary. This year we decided to do a little trip. I found a GREAT groupon ( I love groupon!) to Cannon Beach, Oregon. We were a little hesitant about driving a few hours with Mia, but we decided to go anyways:)

It was such a great trip! Mia did great. Its amazing what a portable DVD player can do. Our first day we went to Cannon Beach and stayed at a great hotel right on the water. Mia had such a fun time on the beach, although she didn't really like the water ( I don't blame her, I never go swimming in the ocean, too cold:)

We spent two days at the beach just relaxing and enjoying the area. The next day we drove towards Portland and went to the Roloff Farm. We had been to the Pumpkin Patch before and really liked it, so we thought it would be fun with Mia. We got to talk to Amy Roloff for a little bit, which was really fun. Mia loved the pumpkins so much:) After that we drove to Portland and ate at Moe's Southwest Grill. In case you don't know, we LOVE Moe's. I worked at a Moe's with my two best friends right after High School, it was a blast! And very yummy:)

I Love taking trips with my family. Its so much fun living in a new part of the country and getting to explore new areas. The Oregon coast is probably the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen. We are so blessed to be able to live in such a gorgeous part of the country. Seriously, if you have never been to the Pacific Northwest, you really need to get out here. It is incredible and I am so lucky to be able to call it home:)