I am having a total Monday Night Football hangover. Seriously, did anyone not watch the game last night? My beloved Seahawks decided to take any doubts people had about their team this year and blow them out of the water! 

My mom, brother Eric and I all went to the game. Eric was a little embarrassed and said my mom and I were dressed like idiots cause we were wearing our socks on the outside of our pants. Mine were my DIY Boot Socks, which is basically cutting the legs off some leggings in whatever color/print you want and then wearing them like leg warmers. Works for me!

Eric's 21st birthday was on Sunday, so after hopping the ferry to Seattle our first stop was Cowgirls Inc. We all had a drink together and got out of there cause it was pretty packed and headed out to find somewhere to eat lunch. After waiting almost 2 hours at a restaurant right next to the stadium ( and still not getting a freaking table) we headed into Touchdown City. They always have Seahawks alumni signing and they happened to have Norm Johnson there. He played for the hawks in the 80s. Eric knew who he was and was pretty excited about it. Turns out he also went to high school with his son. Small world!

Every weather forecast I had seen for the game said it would be cold (possibly 28-30 degrees) but dry. When we walked into the stadium and saw the sky, I was not excited. We were in the seats in the Hawks Nest (very center of the photo) about 1/3 of the way up. Eric bee-lined it to the tunnel to try and get autographs on the Seahawks flag we've been collecting signatures on for years, and mom and I headed to the seats. 

Of course, I saw a Starbucks stand and knew I needed to stop because I was already cold and knew I was gonna need some energy. Unfortunately I am pretty sure they made my mocha with half water and half milk. It wasn't very tasty, but it was hot and had caffeine. I'll take it. 

It rained. Not badly, but it still rained. Dear weather prediction people... you were wrong.

After the rain stopped, despite being cold, it was a beautiful night for a game. The 12th Man aka Seahawks fans took back our rightful title as the Guinness World Record's loudest crowd but we also caused a 1-2 magnitude earthquake after the Bennett interception turned touchdown in the first quarter!

We actually registered on the scale a total of 5 times last night! Well done 12th man, well done. 

Here's a little clip I took from last night, featuring my main man Sherman. It's a time out and we are still this loud!

Rain and all it was AWESOME! Go Hawks! Superbowl baby!

     

Cannon Beach Weekend

Disclaimer: This post is going to be super photo heavy!

Last weekend we had a weekend getaway to Cannon Beach, Oregon. My brother -in-law works at the Cannon Beach Christian Conference Center and got us some amazing ocean front rooms for $20/night! 

The purpose of the trip was not only to get away from normal life for a 2 days, but to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with Nico because he had to work and wouldn't be making the drive back home for the holiday. Right after work we all made the 3.5 hour drive down to Cannon Beach. I'd like to say the drive was beautiful, but it was pitch black the entire way.  

After a mediocre night of sleep (king to full bed with 2 fluffy people =no bueno) We wandered around the sleepy little downtown area and I found an amaze coffee shop. Thank you baby Jesus! We wandered a little further down and found breakfast at a Pig n' Pancake joint. 

 

I thought I looked cute, so I took some selfies. Don't judge, I was on vaca and I do what I want! Plus, the Instagram filters were being extra kind to me that day. (if you don't follow me on Instagram yet, you should!)

 

I also found some pickle flavored candy canes ..... almost took those babies home out of sheer curiosity!

After breakfast, the sister in laws and I headed out to the beach to snap some photos, and well just be on the freakin' beach! I am at home when I am on an Oregon beach. Love love love. 

Alex was walking behind me and took this amaze panorama shot with her phone. The one person you see is me walking on the beach. What is crazy awesome, is when you zoom in on the photo, I am see through!

After being throughly wind blown (and loving every single second of it) we all piled back in the car and drove an hour south to the Tillamook Cheese Factory. I was not leaving Oregon without some smoked cheddar. It just wasn't happening.

We needed a picture inside the loaf bus at Tillamook, so I slid in, and waited for Ricky. Out of nowhere, this little girl slid right into the bus with me and was as happy as a clam. Ricky kind of stood there waiting for me to kick her out, but when we looked around to see who she belonged to, no one seemed to be watching her or looking for her. I became a little worried she was lost and didn't want to send her out of the loaf bus to be kidnapped. I told her we'd like to take a picture and if she wanted to slide out of the bus for a quick minute, she could come back in right away. I didn't want her to run off. When I told her that, she looked like I just punched her puppy or something so I asked her if she wanted to stay in the bus and be in the picture. She excitedly nodded her head and slid over next to me so Ricky could get in. She posed and smiled for the picture even. I love it and laugh every time I look at the picture.  I guess we temporarily adopted a small white child while in Oregon! Christmas card photo anyone?!

After the cheese factory, we took the drive a little slower back to Cannon Beach and stopped at several vantage points to take in the view. 

Once we returned back to Cannon Beach, Ricky wanted to take a nap and read. I wanted to head out to Haystack Rock and take some photos at sunset. We all went and did our own separate things for a bit. I was so happy I went down and shot some photos. The time spent down at the beach to just reflect on the last couple months was really nice for me. Plus, there was an amazing sunset in store.

Saturday night was early Thanksgiving. Of course the food was great and we got to meet several of Nico's friends. Late Saturday night was spent in chairs out of the deck, just the hubby and I taking in the beautiful night sky. It's amazing how many stars you can see when you are away from the city lights. We both witnessed a couple shooting stars, which is always a treat for me!

Sunday morning I went for another stroll down the road and tried a different coffee shop Nico had recommended called Insomnia. It wasn't crazy strong, but my almond mocha did the trick! It was pretty wonderful to sit in the chair on patio on sip my coffee in 55 degree weather while the waves crashed on the beach. 

We headed over to the Portland area later on Sunday and got some shopping done (tax free). We found some fantastic outlets complete with a Coach outlet who happened to be running a 50% off the entire store sale. I'm not gonna share what happened there, because I become a raging Coach-a-holic in situations like those. We also hit up a Nordstrom Rack where I almost bought Seahawk color glasses until I realized they were reading glasses. Not cool.

Once we got home around 8 PM, this guy was on me like white on rice. Didn't leave my side the whole night. Glad to know we were missed ;-)

     

Moving On

I've been silent on this blog for a bit. Sorry to those of you who have been trying to keep updated on my progress. There have been some personal things going on in my life and in the past 2 months my husband and I have gone from immeasurable happiness to all consuming sorrow. I am not going to get into the specific details, but anyone who reads this, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We are moving forward slowly, and will eventually be OK. 

Music has been something through out my entire life that has helped me through many ups and downs. There is a song for every emotion you could possibly feel and a song will never judge that feeling. I was listening to Celine Dion's song Fly this morning and right now, this song speaks to my soul like no other. 

Fly, fly little wing, Fly beyond imagining 

The softest cloud, the whitest dove 

Upon the wind of heaven's love 

Past the planets and the stars 

Leave this lonely world of ours 

Escape the sorrow and the pain 

And fly again 

Fly, fly precious one 

Your endless journey has begun 

Take your gentle happiness 

Far too beautiful for this 

Cross over to the other shore 

There is peace forevermore 

But hold this memory bittersweet 

Until we meet 

Fly, fly do not fear 

Don't waste a breath, don't shed a tear 

Your heart is pure, your soul is free 

Be on your way, don't wait for me 

Above the universe you'll climb 

On beyond the hands of time 

The moon will rise, the sun will set 

But I won't forget 

Fly, fly little wing 

Fly where only angels sing 

Fly away, the time is right 

Go now, find the light 

     

Link Up with Life. Love. Sincerely.

My dear friend Sarah is hosting a link up party over at her blog Life. Love. Sincerely. !

Since I just ranted about our government, I felt I needed to balance out the bad with some of the good I have in my life. 

1. My husband. We will be celebrating 3 years of marriage tomorrow, and I can't help but think of what a blessing he has been in my life. I couldn't imagine my life without him and look forward to all of the wonderful journeys we will be embarking on. 

2. Bruce Wayne. He is a fireball and loves to get himself into trouble, but has also been such a joy. I can't remember what our lives were like before him and I am thankful when he decides I need morning snuggles, because truth be told, most of the time I do.

3. Richard Sherman & the Seahawks. Love. Just love all around for these guys! 4-0 baby! I am thinking we actually have a chance at a run for the ring this year. It's so fun to see the entire area rallying around these guys!

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4. Fall. Brace yourselves ya'll. Fall is upon us! The leaves are changing, we are having insane rain storms, it's perfectly acceptable to wear boots with every outfit, and the smell of baked goods containing some sort of trace of pumpkin is in every store! Now where'd my pumpkin candle go?

5. Breaking Bad. Although it's over, and I approve of the ending I feel the need to go back and binge watch all of the seasons immediately. I just can't let it go. I also know when I watch it again I will notice some epic foreshadowing going on! Don't call me this weekend, I will be giving my Netflix account a workout.