Portland Coast // Day 2 // Sea Lion Caves // Mile Marker 179.3

One of the most touristy things on the Oregon Coast and I felt the NEED to check it off my list.

There is this cave where the sea lions go and one can pay to watch them.  You take an elevator down in the side of a cliff to get to the cave.

Which, we went the wrong time of the year, because there were no sea lions, not a single one.  Well, there were fake ones and a skeleton of one.  Nonetheless, we paid the $17 per person to go down to the cave.

When will we ever be able to ride an elevator into a sea lion cave area? 

Never.  Besides, we saw a whale.

We went on a super cool hike.

Plus, we got to look out the original entrance to the cave.  It's worth going down if you ask me.  It was beautiful.  They have this old picture of how they used to climb hundreds of wooden stairs down into the caves.  It looked amazing.

Portland Coast // Day 2 // Sand Dunes, Beaches and Little Sambo

Did you know Oregon had sand dunes?  A lot of them?

Also, Lincoln City has a Lil Sambo's Restaurant.  Had we not just eaten our complimentary breakfast at our hotel (the traveling must for the husband.), we probably would have eaten there.  

We literally had to stop and turn around to get a photo of it.

I think this is somewhere around mile marker 129, but I could be wrong.  I believe this is also the Yaquina Head Lighthouse in the distance.

Bridge designed by McCullough.

I probably should have written down our every spot.  It's been so long I can't remember anymore.

Portland Coast // Day 2 // Carnivorous Plants // Darlingtonia State Natural Site // Mile Marker 185.2

Have you guys ever seen the movie "The Labyrinth?" Well, this place kind of reminded  me of the stinky swamp in it...although, it didn't smell.  It's totally worth stopping and getting out for a 5 minute walk.

It just has carnivorous plants.  I kind of felt like if I got too close they would release their toxins and suck me into their beauty.  But we lived, so it must have been okay. 

Portland Coast // Day 2 // Agate Beach State Park // Mile Marker 138.5

I wish I was a beach person.  I truly wish I was.  Had I known how much little Aiko would love the water, sand and wind I would have planned more time.

Little Aiko could care less.  She loved the freezing water rushing up her tiny little legs.

Makes you wonder how toddlers aren't just terrified of the world.  It seems SOOOO much bigger when you see these photos with my tiny almost two year old girl.

As much as I hate the sand, I did love this beach.  It was pretty secluded, easy to get to and just a picture perfect day. 

I'm not a clean freak by any means, I don't even care about Aiko getting sandy, I just hate it on ME.  This water was SOOO cold.  I believe it was runoff from the mountains that went to the ocean. 

It was definitely worth the sand.

Random Photos.

I don't remember when these photos were taken, but really, I love our deck.  Where else can you take two toddlers and put them outside and not worry about what they are eating or trying to climb on?

I kept brother safe from their sneaky ways though.  

The kids first ride in their trailer.  We really didn't go far, like maybe around the block, because we were worried about them not having helmets and little brother being a tad small. 

We went and had a fire with some friends in Farmington.  I can't remember the park now, but it's just off the main road and hardly anyone was there!  We loved how secluded it was, plus, we could have a fire.  What more could one want?

A Fall Affair

Lady Soul, you captured it perfectly.

A few months ago, I realized that if I wanted an epic party, I had to make it smaller, so I could concentrate on more of the finer details.  (It's only taken my whole life to figure this out.)  Also, The Allison Show wrote this amazing blog here that changed my party life.

I also knew I needed a partner in crime, someone crazy like me.  So I called up Holli.  Holli and I couldn't be more different, yet so alike in so many ways.  She's SUPER organized and I'm constantly referred to as chaos.  Creatively?  WE are kindred spirits. 

 

Unbeknownst to me, Holli's mom also happens to host parties, lots of parties, and let us borrow these gorgeous glasses and charges! (Plus a bunch of other items, which, was so wonderful.)

Holli made all the crowns!  Each one was a-ma-zing.  Holli revealed them to me (rather dramatically too, because she wouldn't let me look at them until we were both sitting down.) and they were mind blowing!  I truly was in awe.

I still am.  They were magnificent.

I rather like my almost dead sunflower.

My new found friend Leslee made the cake.  Super Yummy! Isn't it beautiful?  She even put a gold trim around the bottom. 

 

 

That crown.  Swoon!

Isn't she beautiful?

 

We told our guests to arrive at 7pm SHARP!    I wanted everything to be setup, so when they came around the corner, "BAM!"  

Magic.

 

 

 

Things only got more and more magical that night. 

We played a game like speed dating, but with our ladies.  I imagine it was WAY more fun than real speed dating.  

What a night.  

A special thanks to my mom, she was there all day with me, helping and wrangling the babies.  Thanks to everyone else that let me borrow things.  XOXO. 

Stephanie of Auburn Soul took all the photos.  If you want to see Holli's and Mine Pinterest boards for this...check it here and here.