Blessed

We are so Blessed to have family that loves us enough to drive 13 hours to visit.  We had back to back visitors from both sides of our family.  Cory's family left early Monday morning and my sister and her boyfriend arrived that night.  We showed them around town the next day, picked berries and played in the creek, walked around Salem, smelled soap, and ate at one of our favorite places.  

There was a "special" kid hanging around, chatting with us.  That branch leaning against the tree, nearly decapitated Emory as he dragged it around the creek.

Napkin hats at Word of Mouth.

The rest of my family (minus Adam, who came later) arrived Tuesday evening.  

Wednesday morning we packed up for a trip to the beach, but first we had to pick some amazing Oregon fruit.  These peaches were so juicy and delicious, some of us couldn't resist eating them right off the trees or ground!  

Once we got out to the coast we settled into the awesome condo that my parents rented in Depoe Bay.  

Thursday, we went to Pacific City and it was seriously, one of the most beautiful days I've seen on the coast. 

Josh attempting.

Todd, Cory, and Josh.

The Death of Todd.

The boys surfed and we all played in the sand and hiked the sand hill {again}.  No Christiansen vacation is complete without obligatory jumping shots.

Emory has been wanting to carve her name in this cliff for the last few visits.  Wish Granted.

Friday, we went to Newport.  Josh had to head back to Richmond for rotations and Adam took his place, flying in that morning.  We went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium which I'd heard amazing things about.  It was fairly mediocre for the price, I thought.  

Fisch with the Fish.

These puffins were splashing the crap out of us.

Spider Crab.

Tess was being braver than usual.

We also ate at my favorite seafood restaurant before heading to the Ward Campout for Fischer's Blessing.  I know, it sounds weird, but it was the only time we could get most of our family and friends in the same place, and we wanted to have the blessing of our last child a memorable one.  (Now we just need to stick to the theme and have him baptized in the ocean ;)  It was so cool to be in this super serene forest setting.  Cory picked out this amazing, little, mossy meadow where we all gathered around the Bishop, Cory, my dad, my brother Adam, and our friend Nate for a sweet Baby Blessing.  

Fischer, of course, started to squawk, but luckily the bishop was able to pop the pacifier back in and saved the day.

He was in a bad mood, but looked cute nonetheless, thanks to Grandma Chris' sewing skills.

Adam and Tessa thought sharing a shirt sounded like a fun idea.  We had some good time hanging around the condo.

Saturday, we hung around Depoe with the Pirates, got put in the stocks, and hung out at Otter Rock, with a fire and marshmallows. 

Cory and Adam. 

This walk to me was described as "wading through spinach" by Emory.

The view from the Condo.

The Blessed Boy.

(Tie made of silk from my wedding dress.)

Sunday, we headed back to Salem and mostly relaxed and played games and cooked 30 lbs of steak and corn on the cob.

Thanks for dropping everything and coming to visit!  We had a blast and are sad our next trip to Utah won't be until next summer.