Mystery flowers

The previous owner planted flowers in our front area. I no nothing about plants and have been waiting patiently for them to bloom to see what kind of plants they are. Anybody recognize these plants at all?

Take me back!

Thanks to a phone app called time hop I am now wishing I was back in the happiest place in the world like was 4 years ago. In 2011 I spent my spring break in Disneyworld with my family. It was an amazing experience and probably the last big trip we will take with my grandparents. It was a lot of of fun and I would love to go again. Tyrel and I were planning on going this year, as a last vacation before we have kids, also since I wasn't able to go the whole week he feels I "missed out" on stuff. Sadly though we just didn't have the money. Now that Tyrel got a raise, and we aren't spending as much money on gas after moving, we can go back to saving money and go next year

Oh my gosh they all look so little!

Spent the day at the water park too

Such a magical adventure, and so many memories were made.

Life in Salem

It's been 4 months since our move to Salem. And although it was very difficult leaving my home town, a town both Tyrel and I grew up in, filled with friends and loved ones, we are happy with our decision. We both like our new jobs as well as the area we live in. It's definitely different then Corvallis. Having it be a bigger city there is more traffic obviously. I've also noticed how different the people are as well. People here are jerks and it definitely shows while driving. Speed limits mean nothing. Even though I go the speed limit people insist on tail gating me, and quickly pass me, only to cut me off to go directly in front in me. If you are stopped and don't speed up to the speed limit within 5 seconds you get lots of disgruntled looks and rude hand gestures. I've seen people drive through red lights cause they are in too much of a hurry to stop, as well as turn left on red lights. Most people don't slow down in school zones and merging lanes is a dangerous task. You definitely have to be a defensive driver driving through Salem.

Other then the horrible drivers, we really like living in Salem. We are close to everything, including best buy and other food places we frequently visit and more options for shopping, including two malls. The only hard part about living here is not knowing anyone. You would think being in a bigger city it would be easy meeting new people, but it seems it's harder to meet new people the older you are. Overall I feel I've found a new place to call home and wouldn't mind finding a "permanent" residence here. Maybe not directly in Salem but somewhere in the area. During our frantic search for a place a live we both rather enjoyed Keizer, Silverton, Woodburn and Stayton. Who knows what the future will hold but I look forward to finding out

Aquarium trip

Saturday was my sister's birthday and I spent the day in Newport with the family. We took my nephew to the aquarium for the first time and he loved it! The shark tank was his favorite as well as the jellyfish. It was cute watching him stand on the ledge trying to reach for them and talking to them. We later went to dinner at Mo's. We didn't have time to go to the beach at all because it got too dark and cold.

Valentine's zoo trip

It's been a long time since Tyrel and I went to the zoo. Valentine's day was coming up and we were trying to find something to do. We never go all out for Valentine's day but I was wanting to go on an adventure. We decided to go to the zoo. Lucky for us, they provided free admission to everyone! Of course it was really busy, which is whey I'm so glad we decided to go early in the morning. We braved the brisk cold walking around the park through the crowds of people. The employees decorated some of the animals cages with red hearts and all the animals had some sort of "valentine" which I'm assuming consisted of their favorite food, wrapped in some sort of box. It was really cute watching all the animals tear open thier boxes and then play with them like they were toys.

As we were leaving the zoo, we noticed traffic on the other side was backed up really far, which made us really grateful we decided to go so early. We later ordered bread bowl pastas from domino's for dinner and ate ice cream for dessert! Overall good day

A valentine for the polor bears

I couldn't resist not petting the animals

He was playing peek-a-boo

 

Had to buy this cute little guy :D

Valentine's dinner

Park adventures

It may have been cold yesterday but the kiddos had so much fun at the park. I love giving them the opportunity to just explore. Every week the head teacher and I try take the kids to a different park where the kids can climb trees, play in the dirt, collect sticks and bugs and just be a kid! I feel kids these days don't that opportunity anymore. Last week we went to Larwood Park where we made a fire and had hot dogs and chili by the fire. There was no playground, just nature. It's amazing what games kids can come up with just by using imagination. It was really fun watching.

Yesterday we spent the day at Millersburg Park. Unfortunately when we showed up we noticed the playground was flooded, but we didn't let that stop us from having a good time. There was an undercover area we stayed at where the kids ran laps around the tables, as well discover worms in the mud, and trust me there was a lot considering it had been raining almost non stop all last week. I seriously love me job! Even if some days they don't get naps and become a little cranky at the end of the day ;)

Flooded playground :(

A whole family of worms

Been awhile

I've been so bad keeping up with my blog lately. Ever since I came down with my cold on New Years I've been trying to sleep as much as possible, and taking extra Vitamin C so I could kick this cold. Well I'm happy to say I finally did so I actually had the energy to do something. Friday after work we headed up to Portland to hang out with my best friend who I hadn't seen in awhile. We had meant to hang out with her on New Years but because I was sick I had to cancel.

Can't go wrong with cards against humanity

Haha we are so special

Saturday Bailee had another basketball tournament in Salem so I spent the day watching basketball and then went to a movie. We saw Night of the Museum 3. The last movie Robin Williams was in. It's sad to think that I wont see him in anymore movies. Afterwards the kids stayed with me with my parents and brother went to an adult movie. Braylon saw Ty's legos sitting on the shelf and wanted to play with them while we watched the last Star Wars movie. Braylon thought it was so cool seeing all the different characters from his lego sets and kept pointing saying, "Hey look it's that guy!" "Oh, you have that guy too!" So cute

Overall good weekend. Bailee's basketball team made it to the championship game and ended up getting 2nd place. Her team has really improved since the last time I've seen them play. They played really well

Tin foil animals created by Bailee

Watching star wars

There was a massacre on the sail barge.... lol

Painted Bailee's nails for her basketball game

Good job Bailee!