Oregon Coast

So over the week of 4th of July I flew up to Seattle. After a few days there I drove down with my family to the Oregon coast for a Family reunion with my Mom's side (Hafen Family). Unfortunately Chris was in the Throngs of studying for his huge Podiatry BOARD exams and couldn't come :(

Here are some pictures of some of the things we did..
I'll let the pictures do the talking-

(OK I guess this one might need a little bit of an explanation when I was 12 I went to the coast with my parents and Grandparents. We were out on the beach and to help cheer up my grandpa [and I was in a pretty silly mood] I grabbed our table clothe from our picnic and donned it as a cape and the BEACH DEFENDER was born. So I didn't want to let the beach defender be forgotten on this trip- so I sewed this cap and wore it and the beach defender was BACK!)

It was a wonderful trip filled with wonderful memories- the only downside is that Chris was not there with me to share it!

(here is a slideshow of all the photos taken)

Spring Break in the Central Coast

Luckily this year Chris and I had spring break at the same time. So we decided to take a trip up to the central coast of California (which we have been wanting to do for a long time). It was great because Chris took care of all the plans and let it be a surprise on where were we going to stay.

So our first stop was a bagel shop by UC Santa Barbara which Chris has been to years ago with friends. It was a tiny little shop with a TON of bagel choices- from basic to Mexican style ones, to breakfast sandwiches. IT was great!

Then we headed up to a small town call Cambria on the coast. We stayed in a very cute boutique type hotel for two days. While were were there we took morning walks on the beach, strolled down the main street (very small but CUTE), and relaxed.

We also got to go to Hearst Castle. If you are ever in the area it is a MUST see place. It was seriously breathtaking and pretty amazing. Basically, it was the house of William Raldolph Hearst- the Media Tycoon. Back in it's hay-day, everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Winston Churchill stayed there and he used to have the largest private zoo. But most of all the Views and landscape is unbelievable.

Very close to Hearst Castle is a beach were hundreds of Elephant Seals lay out. So we stopped but to check them out. I guess all they do ALL day long is lay out on the beach- what a life!

After our stay in Cambria we went to San Luis Obispo. This is seriously a place I could move to and live forever! It is such a cute, friendly and clean city. Supposedly it is the Happiest City in the United States- and I can see why! I didn't really take any pictures there, except for at the Famous GUM Alley- its pretty gross.

We also stopped on the way to SLO at Morro Bay to take some pictures of the famous Morro Rock.

It was a great trip- a perfect getaway for us to relax and enjoy a break from school and work!

Lake Okanogan, Canada

The first week of August Chris and I went up to Seattle to joining my family on a boating trip. This time we decided to try out a new place which was actually in Canada- Lake Okanogan. It brought back lots of old memories of all the old boat trips we used to take in the summer. It was great to be with my family, enjoy the boat and explore a new place.

HANGING OUT IN THE ROOM

Chris and Paydan both glued to their Ipod games

Dad trying to stretch out his back... PEACE!

Playing SCUM... Chris was the scum this round-hence he had to wear the VISOR of SHAME.


OUT ON THE BOAT

Umm... Don't ask

I love Paydan's devilish grin on his face as he is squirting mom.

Can you tell we are happy to be out on the boat?

v

Aren't my parents sooo cute!

AHH! Don't Squirt me!


Bust a Move Chris... I am lucky I married a man with such great MOVES!


PULLED BY THE BOAT-THE WATER SPORTS

Me, Paydan and Mom on the tube... of course Paydan is all smiles since he is nice and safe in the middle of the tube.

My Skiing Idol... I wanna ski like my Papa!

I love this picture of Chris... it shows the mxiture of joy and sheer frustration trying to pull off a 360 on the kneeboard!

Wake boarding... don't you love my snazzy florescent wetsuit from the 90's!

Trying to do my 360 again... step by step- but you will notice in the last frame I was unsuccessful that time!

Pure Happiness

I love how my bangs turned out in this picture- haha... let's just say they totally match my 1990's wet suit!

Chris on the Wakeboard

BEAUTIFUL LAKE OKANOGAN!