One Year!!

What a year it has been for Chip and I. Thank goodness for this blog; it helps keep our year in a glance for us. We were talking and reflecting back on our year and how much we've had to encounter on our journey so far. God has thrown a lot on our plate, but we have always been able to make it through thanks to our LOVE. Yes, we've had a arguments till 2am, but we've had some very incredible moments--one recently being of our first year celebration. We both know that during out lowest lows and highest highs, we will pull through it and be stronger than ever as we grow with each other---building our unconditional love, faith, and patience. After being together for a little over 3 years and married for a year, we had a few more adjustments to make, and we acknowledge and deal with it.

For our one year, we decided to not make any plans. We set out to the Oregon Coast, no schedule, no hotel accommodations, no dinner reservations. We wanted to be able to go and not worry about having to make it somewhere on time. All in all, it worked out GREAT! We left Saturday morning, traveled down Hwy 14 (WA side of Columbia River). We arrived at the Oregon Zoo at 3pm and saw the most amazing animals. Among some of them was a baby elephant--born 5 weeks ago. Once in a lifetime sight!! Most the animals were ready for their afternoon nap--the tigers, hippos, and cheetah were sleeping.

After the zoo, we headed on to the coast. We decided to make a quick dash into the Tillamook Cheese Factory (15 min till closing)...we like to do things last minute =)

After a few mini cheese blocks, Ritz crackers, and mini cleaver purchase, we decided to continue south to Lincoln City and stay for the night. Of course we knew where ever we went this weekend, it was going to be raining, and the coast did not let us down in this one. It rained the WHOLE time. We woke up Sunday morning, got a coffee, and traveled 15 miles south to Depoe Bay where we saw some Gray Whales...such an amazing sight. The waves were massively high in the AM so it was hard to pick them out, but it was easy to see the blowing of their spout.

Continuing on...we made our way to Newport...hoping to see the beach...we never stepped foot on one the whole time we were there...funny, huh?? We went to the Aquarium and historic bay front where we encountered a slug of sea lions on makeshift docks....and on the rocks....in the water...they were EVERYWHERE!! We ended up getting soaked because we were so intent to watch these incredible mammals and their 'I'm starving' cry.

We spoiled ourselves Sunday night, staying in an ocean view room, eating a quiet dinner while playing a game of checkers at the sport's bar in the hotel, and toasting to our one year. Monday morning was still raining, so we decided to head home. We traveled east on Hwy 20 to reach I-5 mid morning. Stopping at our favorite outlet mall in Woodburn, we did a little shopping (bargain shopping =))...then again at Clackamas Town Center where Chip did a lot of 'school shopping'--(aka: he found clothes on the clearance rack at kohl's for summer time). Finally it was mid afternoon, and we proceeded on home and wrapped up our trip. It was a great time to just get away without any plans...I think we will do that more often.