Oregon Trip, pit stop in Utah and back to Houston!

Wow! This summer has gone by way too fast!!! For Ben's rotation at Oregon Health and Sciences University, we were able to stay with his parents in Beaverton (a suburb outside of Portland). Ben was worked like a slave at the hospital (40 hour shifts!) but Kaden and I were treated like royalty by Ben's parents.

We went boating and Kaden wanted to show off his birthday suit:)

                         

Kaden had a blast at the Beach!!! He didn't even mind the freezing cold water and went swimming buck naked in it! Lots of nakedness in Oregon…:)

This kid is already the coolest kid on the beach. I mean, surfing at 13 months?! Way cool.

My best lil' buddy:)

We went on some GORGEOUS hikes this trip. Bart, Ben's dad, knows the most beautiful hikes/waterfalls/parks in all of Oregon and took me and Kaden to some of them. Oregon, your beauty is unsurpassed. 

The best thing about being at your sweet hubby's childhood home is looking at baby pictures from the past. Ben, you sure were a cutie! Kaden is a mini (blonder) version of Ben, don't ya think???

While in my last week of Utah I was invited to choreograph a Hip Hop routine for Provo High School's Dance Company. The best part is that I got to see them perform at the first Football game of the season! They did so well and performed with great precision and energy. I was so proud, especially of my baby sister, Maddie who is in her first year on the team. 

Can you spot me among the teenagers?? haha

someone couldn't take his eyes off of the bulldog and kept saying "football" over and over again

Just preparing him for Disney World in November! I'm glad he isn't scared of these things!

This crazy kiddo is always putting on glasses…trying to tell us something Kaden?

Loving reading his favorite book, Pingo, on the porch with Grandpa Bart

One of the best mornings EVER! I ran a 1:45:23 Half Marathon! I set a PR of a 7:57 pace and won 5th place in my age group and 11th place overall. I was also so proud of my MIL Rebecca who won 3rd place in her age group!!!

Kaden is obsessed with splash pads!

Loves to swing so much! Giggled like crazy!

Still obsessed with balls and out of the entire toy store this is the only thing he wanted to play with!

And finally…after three months we are back to HOUSTON! Wow, Houston you are HOT! I was hit in the face with the humidity as I stepped on the plane! Phew! It'll take some getting used to! Just to show you how humid it is, take a look at the curls in kaden's hair!!

Til next time, folks!

More Utah Fun!

Honestly, Utah, can you get any better?!?! This week the weather has been AWESOME! I personally love the rain and the cool breezes we've been getting. I heard its been the coolest July in Utah for thirty years...not sure of the source but I believe it! It's been so nice!

Also, I'm continually impressed by everything there is to do for kids here! We've loved doing splash pads, 7 peaks, pioneer festival, playing with cousin Claire, and simply being OUTSIDE. Kaden is in heaven as long as he is outside. We've had so much fun playing, just missing Ben so much! This week Ben started his away rotation in Oregon and it feels like a harsh slap in the face to have him gone again. It seems like our moments together always go way too fast! Once all our rotations are over he has interviews and we will be apart a lot again. I'm just getting anxious to get life back to normal, though that probably won't happen until we match for Residency in MARCH! Ah! I am so anxious not to be husband-less or home-less anymore!

Anyway, here are some more of the fun things we've been up to!

First Campout!!!

Kaden and Claire eating marshmallows:

Paddle Boarding and Canoeing on a double date w/ Rachel and Steve (bummer you can't see our faces)

Me getting a good workout trying to propel myself on that thing! haha

Ben and Steve trying out Sailing...too bad the wind was gone:(

Kaden eating fistfuls of blackberries:

Pioneer days Petting Zoo:

Playing outside in the rain (Kaden has the best bed-head hair!):

Eating Soap in the Tub---Kaden loves baths so much he will cry and cry to be put in there

Don't mind the no make up look in these next pics! ha! Running my 10k race---my fastest time ever and I won first place for women 20-24!! 4th place in women's and 11th place overall.

Perfect overcast morning!

My motivation to get to the finish line!

Most of you know that I competed ballroom and danced all growing up. While I still love and adore dance, there is something so refreshingly straight forward about running. You are either faster than the other person or you aren't. There isn't any politics, costumes, or judges you are worrying about pleasing. It isn't subjective, and nothing depends on your dance partner or if your dance routines are exciting enough or whether that judge saw you in that one split second. It is only about YOU, pushing yourself as hard as you can go. You are in control of the outcome; what you put into running you get out of it. I love the no nonsense of it. I can't wait to start getting into it more!! Now to train for my half marathon coming up!! Yikes!


We have one more week of Utah and then we join the Hubby in Portland! Woot! Can't wait!!