To the beach...

We took a wonderful day trip to Canon Beach yesterday on the Oregon Coast! It was fantastic out, and was expected to be in the mid 60's at the beach and sunny, which was great as well. With the beach being only a mere hour and a half away, we need to take advantage of it more often! It was a blast. I took a few pictures to show you how the trip went. 

Driving down Highway 14 moments after leaving our house, we ran into billows of smoke...

It's the historic steam train that comes once every few years or so!

That thing is louuuuud! It came by our house again this morning, and I sprinted outside to catch a glimpse of it across the street! It was choo chooing louder than I ever could think possible and my ears were just going beserk. But in the flicker of an eye it was gone. 

We decided to haul Tripper along for the ride. Smile for the camera man...

(Just kidding, we loved having him along)

There are a lot of houses on the hill overlooking Portland.

Gotta stay hydrated!

I purchased a little snack to have on the car ride up. It's fun handing a person a random jelly bean without them looking and having them guess one of the 41 different flavors! 

And then all of the sudden we made the amazing discovery that you could indeed replicate the taste of a Blueberry Muffin in your mouth with only 5 beans!! 2 of which being buttered popcorn!!!

Let me tell you...It tastes exactly like a blueberry muffin. 

Well we finally made it to Canon Beach! We always stop at the only grocery store in town and get some food to eat on the beach. They have appropriate benches for you to sit down outside. We got some great sandwich makings, peanuts, my Dad ran across the street and got some Canon Beach bread and 5 maple bars, one for each person! 

Sorry Obama...

First beach we went to was Hug Point beach. My family had been here before and I remembered all the rocks jutting out from the sea. There were way more rocks on the beach this time though than last, and the tide was all the way up to the rocks for half the time we were there! So people had to dodge the surf as it came up. Brigitta almost got it bad when she was laying on her towel, but somehow it always stopped inches short of her to my dismay...

Look in this picture...see that tent thingy? Well a rogue wave came up and smashed through all their stuff! Trip had to rescue a flip flop that the ocean was trying to eat up while they all scrambled to get their stuff intact!

Him and I went and explored one of the rocks and a hidden cove.

It may look unusually beautiful out, and it was very warm and pleasant, but don't let that fool you. Getting into the water is a painful process! Once your body goes numb, it is alright, but until then it feels like you are getting stabbed by thousand of icicles! All part of the fun experience that is the Oregon Coast!

"The ocean water along the Oregon Coast is consistently about 50°F/10°C. In the winter it gets down to 47°F/8°C and in the summer it usually tops out at 52°F/11°C. That means that as long as the air is moving inland—the normal wind direction—it is chilly air."

50 degrees? Perfect for some boogeyboarding action!! Gitta and I were trying out our new boards. Trip came out to join the fun for a little bit, but the board popped up while he was going and smashed into his mouth causing him to bite his tongue. He always seems to get hurt! 

This was the part of the trip were we found out you can be entertained by the smallest things. We buried a shaft of driftwood in the ground, then decided to shimmy our feet around until we sunk down ourselves. It became a competition to see who could sink down the lowest. We could only get down to our knees, but I discovered what it would be like to be as short as Gemma...yikes! I prefer being 6' anyday!

Then we found out that you could extend all the way back parallel to the ground and be anchored into the sand. That was a weird feeling, and it was a pain to pull yourself back up!

So everyone, this is the famous Haystack Rock that is the posterchild of Canon Beach. I have so many memories of family reunions by Tolovana beach (which was where we headed around 3:00) and waking up early to go check out the awesome tidepools around Haystack Rock. Trip had never seen it before because his family usually goes to Seaside. I'm biased towards Canon Beach's quaint small style to town.  

The saltwater did some serious action to his hair which stuck straight up on end. I was lame and forgot to really take any pictures of Tolovana beach, which was much larger and unfortunately more crowded as it was a Saturday and was very sunny as well. Here is a rundown of what we did there:

- Kicked soccer ball back and forth
- Met Russians who wanted to play with us
- Drew small soccerfield in the hard/mid packed sand
- Played awesome game of beach soccer for 2 solid hours, building up an intense sweat and unfortunately hardcore sunburns on our backs.
- Trip and I's team beat the other team.
- Some Mexicans came by and told us to go play baseball, an American sport, because they all thought we were American because we were white. They just wanted to use our beach sand field. We told them they could play the winner, which happened to be Trip's and I's team.
- Our 4v4 team thrashed them much to our satisfaction. Capped by an amazing volley off a throw in by Tripper which hit one of their huge guys who was standing in the goal taking up the entire goal in the belly and went in FOR THE VICTORY!
- Trip and I went off jumping for joy and jumped in the ocean
- We came back and all the Mexicans were gone...weird...probably playing Baseball.

I found a Fiat 500, a car I have never seen in America!

Anyways, Tolovana was so awesome!!! I had a blast playing soccer with those guys. We hit the small beachside town to get some dinner. I think we went to a place called Fireside because all their french Fries were called Fireside Logs. I remembered going there like 5 years ago which was a good memory! It was delicious and Trip and I both devoured our Country Fried Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, and Salad in about 10 minutes. It was capped off with some delicious carrot cake afterwards. 

These were the fish on the wall. The one next to my head was valued at $900! I was amazed!

Gotta have some cheesy pictures I suppose...

This was me walking backwards pointing at the tennis courts but it looks like I'm pointing at my Dad walking to the car. Unfortunately I wasn't looking and slipped off the curb you see behind me and almost into that Audi behind it haha!

I thought this was a sweet picture, looks like a tropical island mountain even though that isn't a palm tree.

I forgot to mention that whilst my family was waiting for Dinner at Fireside Trip and I ran across the street to the candy shop and got tons of candy for the ride home! Saltwater Taffy, Rips, and most importantly JAWBREAKERS!!!

And that is the story of our perfect day!

Journal Entry

I was reading an older journal I had at BYU in my first few months there, and I stumbled over a quick one I did on October 12th, 2010. It was more of a list of things that happened over the weekend, but I got a huge smile out of reading it because of all the....erm...highs and lows...

Today was October 12th, 2010

Well I've had quite the eventful weekend. Here is a chronology of what happened.

Friday: We hung out with everyone and made quesadillas (I remember that, and what I didn't write was that we literally brought a gridle and everything into our F. Smith lobby and made them there because it was after hours! Haha)

Saturday: Played soccer in the morning - felt physically good and ready for the BYU international services world cup.
- Went to BYU World Cup
- Dallin breaks toe in warmups trying to climb a fence to shag a ball the girl he liked for a little while had kicked over...I knew she wasn't the one Dal...
- I scored 8 goals in the first game... :) <-- I seriously put a smilely in my journal haha.
- I scored 2 goals in the second game
- I sprain my ankle in the third game :( <-- ironic...
- Brayden dislocates his shoulder, an ambulence comes to get him
- We win one, lost one, and tied one
- My ankle is purple

Monday: I had amazing french toast
- I got an ankle brace

Tuesday: - Homework

What an amazing weekend!!



Honestly I love looking back on old journals. It makes me sad I didn't keep them more diligently when I was younger, but I have gotten into a really good groove right now and have been steadfast everyday. So when I look back in...oh say two years...I can see exactly how I spent my time and how I felt about it.

Foreshadow

In exactly two months I will be in the Sao Paulo CTM, in Brazil, learning to be a missionary.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

So today was definitely a blast! It being the girls' last day of school, we wanted to do some fun things to make a memory of it. So this is more like a random slideshow because there are so many pictures, but I'll let you know what is going on. 

First off, Congrats to Gitta for making it as the MC for the schools final talent show on the last day of school. That is a big accomplishment to go along with all your other accolades for sure.

I ended up seeing my 6th grade English and Math teachers at Shahala Middle School yesterday, Ms. Williams and Mr. Coon, and they were impressed and shocked to see me and how I have made the decision to go on a 2 year mission for my church to preach the gospel in the Portuguese tongue. I think Ms. Williams even shed a tear when I came up to her and said hello because it had been so long. She was even more shocked that Tripper was going to Peru on a mission, and she said, "I don't think South America is big enough for the both of you!" Haha we'll see :)

Last night I took Brigitta and Gemma to Sheri's Restaurant. Brigitta balked at me becuase she didn't think I could get cell phone pictures onto my blog...muhahhaahah. \

Oh, and after we went to Sheri's restaurant we decided to go into Big Lots, some random store with really low prices. We debated whether Dad would be mad if we got one of those larger swimming pools with his card, and decided he most definitely would be, but I found a pair of pure white crocs...yes crocs, that I happened to like and decided to get them. They are sooo comfortable. So don't knock em' till you've tried them. 

We also got an apple pie at Sheri's to take home! 

When we got home we just were clowning around. 

Did I ever mention Tweed is enormously cute, but impossible to keep still for a picture!! these would be the best pictures if he would just hold still!!

 Finally, he holds still...but I obviously didn't know a picture was being taken haha!

We decided to put in a movie, The Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, which I had never seen, and I let Gemma start building a lego of a huge space shuttle that I had got as a gift not too long ago since she has been hounding me to let her build it! 

She's a very industrious girl, and likes to build things with her hands. 

Group picture...but the aforementioned problem was still relevant and the timed shot only captured a huge blur of love. 

The key to get him to look is to whistle at him. He looks right at you for a split second and tilts his head like a little Ewok on Star Wars. 

. 

This was almost...the best picture ever haha. He looks like a bunny rabbit or a stuffed animal half of the time!

This guy was one of my favorite characters...OH ALSO! The main guy in this movie is the same guy in October Sky! Homer Hickham! How is that possible he was skinny as a brick in the other movie and in this one he is ripped out of his mind! Hollywood magic I guess!

Gitta always wants to take ridiculous pictures. 

Bill Cosby face.

Soon everyone started getting tired...

Gotta keep the ears warm...

For Brigitta, she gets tired after like 10 minutes of ANY MOVIE. Not even kidding. Tweed is asking me why Gitta is out cold...(*High Pitch*) "IS SHE OKAAAYY?"

Cappy came over to join us, but only could look on me with those sad, sad eyes because Tweed had fallen asleep on my side and not him. Poor doggie!

"Oh hey you are actually awake Tweed"

Crazy good at throwing knives!

But before we knew it it was really late!

And Cappy had fallen asleep in a really weird position...he started grunting and twitching, and I think he was in a pretty nasty nightmare, so Gemma and I took the liberty of waking him up before he hurt himself.

Cappy and Gitta: Out Cold

Tweed and Gemma: Night Owls

Yesterday had been an adventure for sure. It was the coveted last day of school for Brigitta and Gemma, so we decided to just have a dandy old time together.

MLS GOAL OF THE YEAR!

Feast your eyes on this beauty!

Doggie Days

Tweed, our dog, would like to welcome you to my latest blog post.

This dog is honestly the epitome of energy and fun. Just look at him! 

I started taking the dogs on daily morning runs, and not just jogs but runs that really help me as well. We sprint up our hill to the top, then run back and forth time after time until I can't go anymore. At the beginning Tweed is so excited I am holding him up by his leash and he is on his hind legs rearing to go. But at the end of the runs, I always have the last laugh...I'm the one pulling them home when they have had enough. 

But honestly, I think my taking them on runs had increased their affection for me...I mean...just look at the way Cappy looks at me...

"Yeah Carson....you really ARE the best friend a dog could have..."

"But seriously.... can I go outside???"

 "Of course you can puppy!!! Because I love you!!"

But eventually throughout the day they get so tired, they can't resist lounging around and taking a nap or six. They sleep all the time so the next day they can have enough energy for me to dominate them again. And I must say, it isn't getting any easier for them the better shape I get into!

Tweed always has energy to gnaw on a bone!

"Carson. Get that out of my face so I can sleep."

"Finally, he's gone..."

I had to take this picture of Tweed from afar because if you get anywhere close to him when he is sleeping...

"OH HEYYYY CARSON!"

Haha, all joking aside, this is my favorite place in the world right now. Nautilus field. Nautilus was an exercise equipment manufacturer that built their headquarters here, but they went out of business and now HP the computer bought out the facilities. They tore down the basketball court and the baseball field, but they left this magnificent turf soccer field. I love it here. A bunch of friends and I come here probably 3-4 times a week to kick the ball around and share good times. 

Another discovery I made this week? 

This exists...

Shredded Wheat as big as my face!! I always thought they never got bigger than the size above mini wheats...but you could fit like 20 mini wheats in each one of these puppies. 

Enjoy your Sunday...day....

I'm READY for Summer

People who don't live in Washington don't understand what it is like waiting for the season of Summer to arrive here. Here are a few words to describe this wait;


Um....


- Agonizing
- Painful
- Tortuous
- Excruciating

But...good news. This weekend it is supposed to break 80 yes 80 degrees here.
You don't understand...that is like the Mojave desert for us, who have suffered TD after TD as I call it (Washingtonspeak TD = Torrential Downpour).

So, I plan to play a lot of soccer, it's how I love to enjoy the weather. I plan to be outside lots, and just flat out embrace it with open arms.

What spurred this desire for the two months out of our year that it is sunny and nice? Well..looking at old pictures of course!

The Mojave Desert? Naaah, thats Florence, Oregon.

The sun will come out...tomorrow...er the day after tomorrow...

 I'm geared up and ready for all sorts of Summer activinys!

Makes you wanna dive right in, huh?

Unfortunately, as Robert Frost says, "Nothing Gold Can Stay". So until the sun stays for good, I'll most likely be making this exasperated face.

Certain things you gotta have with milk...

So I am an avid dairy consumer. That's no secret to those who know me. I absolutely love milk. It is just one of those things that I wouldn't be able to function without. I realized today that when I am eating certain foods, I always, ALWAYS pour a glass of milk with it. Here is a list I compiled as I thought to myself;

- Top Ramen <-- Two summers ago I ate a lot of Top Ramen and always poured a huge glass of milk with it every single time
- Potato Chips
- Oreo Cookies
- Fried Chicken <-- Last night's dinner
- Donuts (Okay, I understand that a lot of the sweeter ones are self explanatory)
- My Dad's Sunday fish dinners <-- If I don't have milk with it, It's not as good
- Mexican food
- Oh...the rice that goes with the Sunday Fish dinners especially
- Barbecue baked beans
- Beef Stew
- Ice Cream makes me want milk more
- Pot roast
- Green Bean Casserole
- Stuffing
- Mashed Potatos
- Quesadilla
- Banana Nutella Sandwiches
- Peanut butter and Honey sandwiches

I also realized a long time ago that if you chew Orbit sweet mint gum and drink milk, it tastes like ice cream in the aftertaste!

So anyways, there you have it. There are definitely more things to this list, but I was just brainstorming. Milk is my favorite drink besides water, and it probably the reason that I have been running bone strong since 2001 when I broke my collarbone in 4th grade playing freeze tag.

Sorry, this is a lame blog post so far, but hey, what can you do when you think of something that you like.

In other news, my Nana from Seattle and sister who is at BYU still came down to the 'Couve to visit over the Memorial Day weekend. We had great fun! We listened to Brigitta sing loud and proud in her "Lean on Me" choir solo, watched Brigitta destroy the competition in track, went to Chipotle for some great burritos (Sorry Nana, but you will just have to come back here if you want another Chipotle burrito! No exceptions!). Also, I went into Starbucks for the first time in my entire life...(I just realized that) to get a pastry with the family. Apparently I have somehow avoided the million and a half starbucks there are in the Pacific Northwest. Tiana and I stayed up late watching some episodes of the mentalist season 1 that I hadn't seen in forever, I played Fifa with Tripper, basketball with Brigitta and amazingly Justin my hombre was here for two days over the weekend and I got to visit with him and eat some delicious desserts that his Marms made on Sunday. She is an amazing dessert chef that is for sure. Yesterday we went on a 5 mile loop hike to see 5 different waterfalls that were absolutely gorgeous, stunning, and amazing at Silver Falls state park in Oregon. I basically lost my camera in one of my jackets for the entire weekend which really stunk except for taking this awesome picture of Brigitta. She got elected to go to districts in 5...yes 5 different events...apparently you are only allowed to do 4. She is quite the athlete!

The hike was awesome, and my friend Tripper and sister Tiana each got a ton of pictures. I will hopefully get some of them soon to show everyone!

But luckily here is a picture on the internet of one of the falls that we saw, South falls. You actually get to hike behind it on that little path you can see! The entire hike was just glorious, and since it has rained pretty much non stop here since last year (exaggeration) the falls were flowing like a monsoon in Vietnam.

Sadly, the festivities are over. I don't get to sleep on the couch downstairs anymore (I loved it while it lasted Nana! My bed just isn't as comfortable!), Tiana flew home today, and its back to life here in Vancouver. Still...exciting! I learn a little bit of Portuguese every day too. So that will help when I leave to hit the field in two months and two weeks and COUNTING!!!