The Out of Towners Family

 Good day everyone.  It sure has been a long time since I sat down and made a post (does anyone actually read blogs anymore? I guess we will see.)  It is hard to believe how fast the last two years went by, it is almost like a blur.  I am so grateful that we homeschool and for a lot of 2020 things have gone on with some consistency.  We have not had to worry about school, because we just keep doing what we're doing.  Life has not been without its challenges but also we celebrate the joys.

What can I say? A part of me wants to scream out and be political and another part wants me to focus on the positive.  Trying to find a balance in what I spend my energy on is hard.  Just like this blog, I would love to vent to you all the injustices and wrongs done these last couple years, but most of you already know it.  If you know me, you probably know I do not want to focus on fear.  I do not fear this sickness.  We had it in our home, and have moved on.  My firm belief is in a loving Father who knows all, sees all, and is over all.  The future of my family and myself is in His hands and I give Him control.  God is good, and let's all pray for our country, but even more our world.  

So... when I last left off we had just announced we were expecting a new grand baby.  Brent and Latisha welcomed Ellowyn April of 2020.  Brent had dropped the kids off when Latisha was in labor and very shortly after sent us pictures of this new baby with a full head of hair.  I thought they had to be joking, but nope, Latisha had a very quick birth and barely made it to the hospital.  Ellowyn is supper adorable and very active.  This is good because Brent and Latisha decided to travel the World with the kids and her high energy seems to work for that.  

Brent and Latisha decided to sell everything, quit his job, and explore the world.  As a mom, I was having a hard time thinking: with all the instability in this world, was this a good idea to venture out.  Once again, I am trying to choose life over fear and choose to rejoice with them in this adventure they are on.  They have begun a YouTube channel and we love getting to see their adventure in video.  Before they left oversees they traveled several areas around the USA.  We actually got to join them on their adventure to Glacier National Park and Silverwood Theme Park, which got us in a couple of their videos.  I am so thankful that we got to share in a part of their adventure.  

They left the states and first stop was Greece, then Holland, and now Ireland.  I love seeing their videos and recommend you check them out.  Their YouTube channel is: The Out of Towners Family.  It is a favorite family time as we cast their video to our tv and enjoy laughing at their adventures. 

Hope all is going well for you all.  I hope to catch you all up on our new little blessing, but for now, have a great day and God bless.

Alicia

The family at Glacier National Park

The kids and grands in Silverwod

Spring Getaway

Spring is birthday season in our home.  It is one party after another and as much as I try to simplify, it still is a busy time.  It is a good busy, celebrating life and the lives of those I adore.  So, on now to spring.

my birthday celebration and offspring present.

Aidric had a lego party

We celebrated 29 years of marriage

Isabella's traditional birthday party.

Danika turned sweet 16!!! 

I have been blessed with some wonderful friends and one of my dear friends is expecting her 11th baby.  I have had the joy of knowing her and seeing her go through six of those pregnancies.  We became friends because our oldest sons played soccer together.  She has since had six and I have had three more children during our friendship and she still remains one of my greatest encouragers.  I am so thankful for her and her commitment to teaching and raising her children for the Lord.

here we are with part of our tribe

These are our oldest sons-oldest sons. Our grandsons. It was fun to take them
 to the zoo like we used to their dads. 

Cassandra and Aidric made and raced their derby cars.  They both did great and Aidric actually took first in his division.

My husband, my dad, my grandpa, my son and my daughter

As part of my birthday present my girls took me to have my toes done.  We all got pedicures, it was so much fun.

Latisha, Danika, Me and Sierra.

Next up was Easter.  We had a great time dying eggs and only a few were cracked.  I have found using a table cloth helps relieve some anxiety. :)

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Easter morning, Isabella and Sierra doing the egg hunt

Brent, August, Brinley and Latisha

Then after a great dinner we had an egg hunt at our home.
Aidric was ready

Weston was adorable, he is getting the hang of this

We took some fun family photos

Then we had dessert and celebrated Sierra and Danika''s birthdays

Sierra has been collecting tea cups for a while, so Latisha and Ivy planned and put together an amazing afternoon tea.  The boys went to wild wings and we did the girlie thing.  It was so good.

Lots of fun yummy fu fu food

so fun. 

With the weather warming up we set up our fire and enjoyed hot dogs
and smores

Sierra had fun making a cake for Christians birthday.  He is five days younger
and it is a source of fun teasing. 

Alex and Ivy got to take a fun baby moon.  With the birth of the baby around the corner they got away for a fun trip.  We got to keep Weston for a few days and he loved school time.

Latisha and Brent also took the opportunity to take a trip in honor of their 5th anniversary.  They packed up their kiddos and braved the long flight to the UK, where they visited England, Scotland, and Ireland.  They had an amazing time. 

Then it was our turn to take a spring trip.  Our first stop was Crater Lake.  We were there in time to still enjoy a little snow.  It was absolutely beautiful and a wonderful getaway

From there we headed to the coast and stayed at a rental house in Lincoln City.  It was a peaceful time.

One evening the girls and I decided to take a sunset stroll on the beach.  I got some beautiful pictures. 

We also got to visit a local lighthouse were Aidric became an official junior ranger.  

The next day David decided to take me on a morning "little" hike.  Google did not get us to the right place but thankfully some blogger out there gave better directions and we found the spot.  Had we paid attention we would have noticed the little hike path but we didn't see that and went on a two hour hike.  Once to the top we discovered the way we were supposed to go and made it back down in 20 minutes.  I am glad we took the "wrong" path because we saw some amazing foliage. 

made it to the top, so beautiful.  It overlooked the ocean and city

Once we got back, we quickly showered and took the kids on some more adventures.  First stop was a beautiful Garden

Cassandra and Isabella

Sierra and Danika

Then we went to some tide pools where we watch some very aggressive little crabs and saw lots of fun sea life.

The girls were adorable

so cute

Finally we headed home and the last stop was the Multnomah Falls, always a fun stop and we even climbed to the bridge.

Our spring was busy, fun and exciting.  I hope you all had a great spring too.  God bless you all. 

Alicia

Hubby Time Part Two The Big Island

The next day we flew to the Big Island.  This was the time of the volcano scare but we were just fine.  It is a big island and I believe they said the volcano was a couple hundred miles away.  David had won the trip, so we were treated in style.  Someone picked us up at the airport and took us to our resort, The Fairmont.  To say it was beautiful is an understatement.  I loved walking around the grounds seeing the amazing landscaping and the adorable little yellow birds.  We had a company dinner on the beach that night that was ... well amazing.  

our resort

having fun walking around

the beach where we snorkeled

it was quite breezy while we were there

Look at that gorgeous sunset

 The next day we went on my first catamaran ride.  It was fun.  I was concerned because I get motion sickness, but it was no problem.  We came to a lovely area where we could do some more snorkeling and we found turtles to swim with, yep, amazing!  Isn't God so amazing to make all this beautiful world with such amazing creatures.  I was in awe.  We got a little shopping done that night.

after snorkeling we had a ring around our face, they called it the snorkeling hick

 The following day we hung out at the resort.  They had a great exercise room, breakfast buffet, snorkeling and just relaxing.  While we were snorkeling at the resort we saw, yep, more sea turtles.  I loved it.  They were swimming all around us.  Sooooo AMAZING!  

One of the things I was looking forward to was a helicopter ride.  My grandparents had gone to Hawaii years ago and Grandpa's big advise was to take a helicopter ride.  So the next day we did.  It was absolutely, you guessed it, Amazing.  We had headphones on with fun music, as we zipped up and down and all around the mountains, looking at the canyons and an abundance of waterfalls.  I was videotaping it all, when suddenly I was not doing so good.  I was seat belted into my seat and my arms couldn't reach the little white bag in front of me.  Poor David, I tapped on him and one look at me and he knew it wasn't good.  He was thankfully able to get me the bag in the nick of time and well... I threw up.  What a humbling experience.  When we landed I had to carry my bag of shame off the helicopter and wait for clearance before I could take it to the garbage.  David offered to carry it for me, what a man.  My advise would be to not video tape if you are prone to motion sickness, and take a couple Dramamine or Motion Sickness wristbands.

I was so excited

here we go

amazing

after the fact

That evening was the big awards ceremony, the food was amazing.  I was very proud of my hubby and all the hard work he does for our family.  

Dinner

wonderful dessert

The last full day we spent enjoying the resort, more snorkeling, more food, and more relaxing.  That night they had a luau on the beach and I felt like I could live in that moment forever.  The sunset over the ocean and all seemed well in the world.  

Ready for the luau

gorgeous

We got to hang out in a hammock and listen to the waves

We flew out the next day but our flight wasn't until 8:00 pm. So, once again I enjoyed walking around the resort, sitting on the beach, taking pictures, and David and I played cards. That evening we sat upstairs and ordered a pizza.  The sun was setting and someone was play a guitar and singing the song from Brent and Latisha's wedding which was appropriate since it was their 4th wedding anniversary.  I video taped it and sent it to Latisha.  We enjoyed our pizza and ate the whole thing.  The waitress came and asked us if we enjoyed our pizza and we told her yes, it was quite good.  Then she explained we got someone else's pizza.  We thought it didn't taste like what we had ordered but thought maybe it was just fufu pizza.  Nope it was the wrong one so they gave it to us for free.  Not a bad end to our trip.  The flight was an all nighter but we were able to sleep a little.  

All in all it was an amazing trip.  I am grateful to God for his blessings in our lives.  I love to travel and thankfully he provided us with another trip in the books.  Time with my husband for a getaway is wonderful. 

Have a great day and God Bless

Alicia