One year ago this week, Joe and I made the decision that we would move to the Pacific North West so he could finish school and try to start another chapter in our lives. We didn’t know when it would happen or how, but we just knew that was our goal. And here we are, in the PNW, Joe is almost done with the first 4 classes! It hasn’t been easy, but we honestly can't complain. Joe has been really busy at work everyday and has still managed to make it to night classes twice a week, start an online class as well, get A's and make beer at home. I don’t have too much to keep me busy here but I try. I go to the local YMCA everyday, except this week because of a cold. I go three times a week to a swimming exercise class then the other two days are in the gym. That’s about all the excitement in my life at the moment, unless you count cleaning the house and all the things that go along with running a home, taking care of two dogs and a husband. I guess it does all keep me pretty busy. I do help with homework too =)

Rusty celebrated his 14th birthday yesterday, and his horrible parents forgot =/ We will make it up to him today!

I'm super excited for my trip to California coming up in a couple weeks; I get to see my parents, my brother, his wife and my niece and nephew!!! Plus all my grandparents and aunts and uncles. I am sad Joe won’t be able to go with me, but he has not been able to get any answer about time off from his boss. I’m praying for a miracle though!

Roloff Farm!

I am sure most of you know who the Roloff family is, they have a show called Little People Big World on TLC.  Well they only live about 20 minutes from our house!  They grow pumkins every year and open their farm up to the public. And as you can see, there was a lot of public.

It didnt take too long to get through the line.

  You can go on a tractor ride to see their property and you even get to visit the old western town Matt built.  We saw pretty much the entire family except for their youngest boy.  I was really excited to get a picture with Jeremy for my cousin Alyssa!  As Joe and I were waiting for our turn to get on the tractor tour, Jeremy stopped and took pictures with everyone who wanted one. Very nice guy!

While waiting in line we also got a glimpse of Zack, who was driving the tractor taking people on tours and Matt driving away on his Mule.

When we stopped in the western town we got to meet Molly and Matt's parents.

Amy was greeting people in the pumpkin patch.

Ohh! We even met the dog, such a sweet heart.

Let's see what else have we been up to lately...

A few weekends ago we celebrated our friend Ben's 30th birthday.  Joe and Ben went out to some private land owned by his in-laws and tried to shoot some clay pigeons before it started to rain on them.  Meanwhile I got to hang out with Vanessa and Molly by the bon fire, sooooo relaxing.

Till it got dark and a bit too cold! Then we all headed in the house for rack of lamb, roasted red potoes and fresh green beans.  For dessert Vanessa made a home made chocolate peanut butter cheese cake!

We stayed the night and Vanessa's mom made us all awesome waffles and sausage in the morning.

On our way home we had to stop and take take in the beautiful place we call home now.

Ocean air

Joe and I decided to take a day trip to the Oregon Coast.

It was a beautiful drive out. It takes about 2 hours to get there, we use to live 3 miles from the ocean, big change for us!

 We went to Tillamook, they make our favorite cheese! It was perfect weather for the trip, sunny and cool. We stopped at the Tillamook cheese factory, got some ice cream and cheese samples and bought cheese curd which you can only get there. Never had that and loved it! After the factory we headed to the beach, it was a little windy!

It was nice to get out somewhere new and explore a little.