Lincoln City! and the Rest of Spring Break

I have no idea why we haven't been to Lincoln City before.  We heard awesome things about it, but I suppose we just thought it was too much of a drive away - about 30 more minutes than the drive to Tillamook....which we have been to four times!!  We finally decided to branch out and see some new sights though since we were entertaining family.  We were VERY pleasantly surprised at how cool of a place Lincoln City was.  Our good friends, the Listers, had all the sweet spots mapped out for us - so we followed their good taste and visited most of the places they suggested.  It was a gorgeous day, we found some cool places, and Ross did really well on the whole day trip - so a win-win-win!  I just love winning.  Don't you? :)  

We first went directly down to the tide pools...literally.  You could park on the beach - it was great!  However - the tide was coming in so we didn't get a lot of looking in - and it was pretty windy - typical though for Oregon. :)

I love how Ross looks in this picture with my cute parents.  I think he wanted to get down and crawl around.

Such a pretty view - lots of people fly kites on the beach here.

We were trying to find a place to eat lunch and drove up and down the 101 about twelve times it seems finding out one was closed or the wait was too long.  In the middle of finding lunch we stopped at the Glass Blowing shop to see what all the hullabaloo was about - and we were quite impressed - so much so that we came back later.

So we had decided to eat at a place called Tiki's and was driving down the road.  When we found it, we realized it looked like a nice little hippie joint - which my dad just loves ;) - there were a couple of other places to eat right next to it.  I tried to convince everyone to go to it's neighbor called Eleanor's Undertow that was all pink and had a very naked mermaid in front - okay - as a joke! But across from it was a fun place that had a dock right out to the ocean with a great view called...

There were seagulls everywhere so you half felt like you should run for cover so you wouldn't get pooped on, but it was fun nonetheless.

Fun parents - I miss them!!  I was trying to get my dad to smile...

This is what he did...

Now we got a smile!

So the twelve times we went up and down 101 we kept passing a giant Santa that had "Christmas Store" written under it and another place with "Chocolate" written on the window - so obviously being with this lady - you've got to stop!

Okay - craving addiction met. ;)

The Christmas store that was filled to the brim with ornaments!  Any kind you could think of!

So we were so impressed with the glass blowing my parents let us have a try.  This was the dipped of the rod into the melted glass - 2200 degrees!

Rolling it onto the colored glass we wanted.

Back to the oven - we were back here a bunch of times.  I figured I wouldn't post 7 more pictures of going back to the oven. ;)

Twisting the glass up to spiral the colors.

Now Steve got to pinch it with pliers to give it some texture.

Some more rolling

Cooling

Here's the blowing part.  Steve barely even blew in it and the ball got huge really quick!

Pinching it off.

Then you just tap the rod for it to break off!

Putting on the glass stand.

And vuala!  It just has to cool!

Super fun.  Tim was quite the guide! Thanks mom and dad!

Of course we had to go here.  "Get candy. Get candy. Get candy."

They had an entire bacon section!!  Bacon soap, toothpicks, wallets, air fresheners, chapstick...

Soda

Bacon lollipops

Even mints!  We decided NOT to get any of them and just go for the taffy the store was popular for. ;)  They had the flavors birthday cake, strawberry cheesecake, and loads of others - super yummy.

Towards the end of the day we just looked in some tourist shops and Steve found his pirate look alike! ;)

 We had so much fun in Lincoln City - it's a definite redo.  Afterwards my dad was a saint and babysat Ross for us while Steve, my mom, and I went to the posh movie theatre Cinetopia I had gotten tickets for from a Groupon to see Hunger Games.  We totally loved it!  We weren't let down.  Nothing like a good movie. 
The next day we let Ross actually have a nap for once and then looked around McMenamins Grand Lodge and had lunch.  My mom and dad got Ross some new shoes since he's grown out of his other ones he would only wear half the time anyway since he feels the innate need to twist or rub them off his feet whenever they are put on!  His new shoes are super cute though and will definitely come in handy when he starts walking around outside.  Right now he's actually practicing standing on his own - he's got up to 10 seconds so far.  He'll raise his eyebrows and get wide eyes with his arms raised and then do a growl shout as he willingly collapses to the floor...he thinks it's a game when we try to practice with him. ;)
Afterwards we took my parents to the airport and said goodby for a 6 weeks when I will go to Utah for my brother Dallas and Janae's wedding.  We were sad to see them go.  It was a great time!!
After all the events we had a little detoxing time at home while we did massive laundry loads, shopping, and some cleaning.  We heard from our friends, the Vosses, that they had seen the musical Wicked a few nights before and loved it.  Tickets were fairly cheap too with lots of seats left....the memory of the time I could have seen Wicked right before my mission came flooding back to me along with all the regret of not having seen it!  One of my best friends and roommates from college had offered me a free ticket to see it in Colorado.  All I had to do was help pay for gas and whatever else I wanted to get in order to go.  Like a complete fool - well not completely - I decided I shouldn't go and save the money for my mission - totally not a bad thought - but seriously - it was a killer deal.  Anyway - 7 years later - I've finally seen it.  Steve and I decided it was our Happy Easter present.  I was completely blown away.  I laughed my guts out, got chills from all the incredible voices, and loved every bit of the storyline.  Wicked is a DEFINITE must see.  Steve loved it too.  He even came home and bought the Defying Gravity song off of itunes the next day.  We've had it in our heads ever since.  Although the performance we went to blew the recorded version out of the water.  
Yesterday and today we've enjoyed Conference.  We set up chairs to barricade Ross into the living room where he played with toys and was entranced with the fact that we had the TV on while he was awake for once.  He loved listening to the Tabernacle Choir.  We've felt really rejuvenated listening to our Prophet and Apostles speak with a renewed desire to follow our Savior.  General Conference always seems to come at the right time.  I had been praying for more direction as a mother and wife, and so many talks just filled my soul.  I love how the Spirit does that.
Now we're rebooting for getting back to the norm with Steve at school.  We've had a great break though and enjoyed all the time and people we could spend it with.  Love it!

Ross and his friend Carter having some play time.

Wicked!  We got cinnamon roasted almonds...complete heaven!

Ross wanted to go too after we told him how great it was! ;)

Ross totally loved conference.  Hopefully this keeps up!

   

Ross's Birthday Party and Tillamook...for the 4th time!

Well here is the next installment of the grandparents visiting us!  The whole reason they came to visit was to celebrate Ross's birthday, be with Ross, play with Ross - oh - and visit with their own daughter and son-in-law occasionally. ;)  When grammy and gramps came they had an entire suitcase that was filled with only presents for Ross...can you tell he's the only current grandchild?  Yes...yes you can.  When I saw what they had brought, I realized the three presents we gave Ross really weren't even necessary!  Anyway- he was showered with gifts and has loved them all.
The night before his party was when we were all trying to recuperate from our extravagant meal and adventures at the zoo.  I realized I need to do a little prep work before our little party the next day.  I saw this on a blog that an elder's wife from my mission had done and loved it.  Ross has loved The Hungry Caterpillar book whenever we would read it to him so I thought it would be fun and fairly simple.  
Of course I decide to make cake pops for the first time ever the night before Ross' birthday party.  While my family was hanging out detoxing I felt things were going fairly well in the kitchen...until I tried to dye the melted chocolate - it immediately turned on me when I put the drops in and couldn't understand why!  I went researching a little and found you should use GEL dye instead of the drops...obviously I would wait until AFTER I ruined the batch to look this up.  My mom became the cheerleader for the endeavor and came with me to the store at 10 at night to get some more melting chocolate.  We grabbed 2 bags of the chocolate just in case and headed home to try again.  I put the gel in this time and it STILL started hardening!  I was ready to call it a night, but my mom - the true blue supporter - said we should keep trying. So - back to the internet again to find out why.  Had I read the whole instructions on cake pops before?  Well of course not!!  So if I would have read a little further down the instructions reminding you to add the gel AND to add a scoop of shortening to keep it from thickening up.  Good thing we had another bag of chocolate.  My parents headed home and I tried one last time...and it finally worked!!!  The color wasn't what I wanted exactly, but I was not complaining if it was going to finally work.  I popped them in the fridge and we went off to bed.
The next day we got ready for Ross's little party.  Grammy and Grampa took Ross for a walk and some swinging while we got the rest of the decorations and things ready.  We had invited a couple other babies to come, but one was sick and the other couldn't come.  We had our fun neighbor friends come though.  Ross played with the balloons and then was really excited about his presents. His Great Grandma Staheli gave him a fun animal barn that spins and makes animal noises.  His Uncle Dallas and aunt Janae gave him some fun stacking bowls that can also be connected together to turn into balls, and a rolling turtle.  Auntie Rachel gave him a cute new outfit for summer, and Gramy and Grampa gave him some stacking towers, a book, cars, and a fun race track.  He was in heaven!

The Spread

Readying the Caterpillar! 

 

Our Cake Pop Caterpillar!

So the head had some issues - I guess it was just too brainy because the stick broke through causing the cake to slide down.  As you can see I attempted to remedy it using a bread tie and decorative icing...he survived in the end!

We had fruit, cake, and ice cream.  This is what the caterpillar ate Monday - 1 apple, Tuesday - 2 pears, Wednesday 3 plums, Thursday 4 Strawberries, and Friday - 5 oranges.

Can't wait for the party to start!

Steve's excited too!

The guests arrive.  Our neighbors Jed, Jenning, and Mandy came to have some fun with us.

A few of the many presents Ross got!

When it was time for the birthday cake - Ross had no problem touching it, and then once he got a taste of it - he was trying to shove as much cake in his mouth as he could fit!  It was as if he knew I was going to take it away from him sooner than he wanted so he had to enjoy it all now.  It was super fun. 

Sampling the texture

A little nibble before...

Complete destruction!

He also quite liked the cake pops

So sad it was gone

Knocking over some great new towers he got.

Playing with a nice turtle.

Visiting with the guests...

So Ross LOVES this CARS little racetrack Gramy and Grampa gave him.

Afterwards we cleaned up and Ross went down for a much needed nap. My parents were nice enough to let us go on a date.  So Steve and I went to the temple and dinner.  Our session was the smallest turnout I've ever seen!  5 people total.  It was still just as wonderful and peaceful as always though.  The Portland temple is just the most beautiful place!  The celestial room is breathtaking.  It always feels so good to go to the temple and feel close to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Steve especially seemed to have a little trouble unwinding after all the stress of exams and studying he's been doing, and the temple was a much needed prescription.  Whenever we go I feel like I always leave with a better outlook on our lives and decisions - whether or not we even came to one yet.  I know that is a place of God.  I know He wants us to be there as often as we can manage.  It reminds us of the importance and sacredness of families.  I'm so grateful to be able to go there.  It's wonderful!
Afterwards we got some dinner and came home to catch Grampa, Grammy, and Ross all redhanded.  Ross was supposed to be in bed by 8...and when we walked in the door at 8:45 - what were they all doing?  Oh yes - playing with all the birthday toys still.  I guess we can't blame gramy and grampa for wanting to spend time with a cute little grandson though can we?
The next day we went to church and I got a substitute for primary so I could go to Relief Society with my mom.  It was really nice!  I've missed Relief Society with always being in Primary.  After church we headed to Tillamook to do some whale watching and go to the Cheese Factory - yes - for the 4th time.  The cheese is still delicious though I must say.  We enjoyed some cheese and ice cream at the Factory and then headed to Cape Meares - which is also a lookout point for whales.  We didn't spot any whales, but the weather was pretty rainy so it wasn't very easy to see through the binoculars anyway.  We came back home and skyped with the uncles and aunts that didn't get to come for Ross's party.  My Grandma Staheli had had a bad fall out of her bed the night before my parents came and got terrible bruising all down the side of her face.  She's getting better though and is now finally getting a second rail to keep her in her bed at night!  We all pretty much went to bed after that.  Skyping takes it out of you! ;)

Watching the cheese workers

And of course some sampling!

Some intense searching for whales...

Not much to work with though!

Ross wasn't too thrilled to be protected from the rain.  Note his lucky green leprechaun socks I forgot to have him wear for St. Patrick's Day. ;)