Family Trip : Neskowin

July 17 2016

We finally got around to going to the beach this last weekend! My in-laws gifted us with a very lovely weekend in the quaint little town of Neskowin. We usually just go to our favorite beach but things were booked up as far as places to stay so we branched out a bit. I'm so glad we did because I think we found our new favorite beach. 

It was overcast both days we were there but surprising really warm. Each time we went to the beach I had to tell myself "wear shorts next time!" because it really did get that warm. The beach was incredibly vacant and would have been the perfect place for bonfires. 

Lewis was a little indifferent about the whole experience. Maybe because he's only 3 months, but come on kid! I kid. He either wanted to eat his carrier the whole time, see photo directly below, or wanted to stand up on his own which wasn't happening. 

He did at one point fall asleep as we walked next to the water which was super sweet. We really loved this little slice of heaven and are really excited to make this place a yearly tradition. It'll be so much fun to watch him play in the sand and water when he's a bit older. 

happy beachin' // leah

Sunriver trips + the start of Camp Hartmann

1-21-16

This month has been a great month for little getaways. We went to the same vacation city of Sunriver Oregon. We tend to only go to this Central Oregon town in the winter time. It seems to be the most relaxing and most fun at that time. Think snow and cozy fireplaces.

Our first trip we deemed Camp Hartmann. My in-laws blessed us all with a Christmas gift of a weekend away over the new years weekend. What a fun and special time we had. All 8 of us plus the two little ones cooking. ( My sister in law is pregnant with their 3rd due in May :) ) We rarely get this undivided time of the whole family. We relaxed a lot, played some games, and ate out at some local restaurants. We dubbed this time Camp Hartmann because we hope it happens every year. And with the growing number of little ones in the family it should amount to some good memories in the future.

It was especially cute to see my little niece and nephew play in the snow. My nephew was so bundled up he looked like Ralphie and it was just the cutest!

Our second trip to Sunriver was our annual MLK friends weekend.

 For the past 4 years we've been coming to Sunriver on the same exact weekend with about the same group. There were 13 of us this year. Each year the group changes just a little with new boyfriends or spouses being added to the group, but otherwise it's always the same people.

This trip is exhausting and fun! Exactly how it should be. We all stay up way too late playing games. We each share the burden of cooking meals and just really enjoy each other's company. We laugh a lot and talk about our new year plans.

It's really neat to have a trip like this to look forward to. Every year we know it will happen and it never ceases to be a fun time. It'll be fun to watch this group grow as It has already in the last 4 years!

/ leah

Tree Hunting + the series of unfortunate events

December 4th, 2015

We got our tree last weekend and it was such a great day! The weather was really perfect and the girls just loved running around the tree farm.  We wanted to get a tree that was short and fat this year. Last year we got a "Charlie Brown" tree so this year it was the fat one. We thought we chose the perfect one, one we thought would fit the corner in our living room perfectly. Let's just say we got the height right this time, but it's way to wide for the space! We laugh at it every time we see it. Just too fat!

The day was pretty perfect up till the last 10 minutes. To start with the series of unfortunate events we have to go back to Thanksgiving day. 

Cory and I made the turkey and stuffing this year using this recipe. It turned out really awesome! Probably the best turkey I've had and I'm really trying not to be biased there ;) I ended up burning my hand pretty bad though in the process. Don't touch a pan handle right after it's been in the oven… duh! 

Going back to our tree hunt, Gretta got attacked by another dog that was there. While I was trying to "save" her she accidentally took out my legs and I had a pretty nasty fall. I couldn't walk for a whole day and it's still taking some time for my knees to feel better. She walked away just fine but I was pretty banged up. 

At work this week while helping a rather large client into a recliner I got one of my fingers smashed in the recliner. So now I've got some scars from the turkey, a limpy gait, and some pretty bruised fingers. I hope this is the end of these not so pleasant events. 

In other more wonderful news, we hit 20-weeks growing this little one!! My belly is officially bigger and here to stay for a while. Cory mentioned the other night "well I guess you really are pregnant! Can't deny that now!". We can't believe we are already half way there to meeting this little one. 

Hope everyone is enjoying getting into the Christmas mood! Get those trees, be safe, and enjoy!

xo / leah

PDX Favorites: Sauvie Island Farm

A couple of weeks ago my mom and I headed to Sauvie Island Farms. This has become my new favorite summer tradition. I went for the first time last year with my friend Lauren and I was partially embarrassed that I had NEVER been here before. Just North of downtown Portland, acres and acres of you-pick farms. There are few things better than sunshine and berry picking, at least in the summer. 

We picked a real good bunch of Marionberries and Blueberries, enough to last us till next summer. It was hot that day and I was extra thankful some of their sprinklers were running. Yup I was that person running in the sprinkles like a little kid. But it felt amazing. 

Here's to farms and berries for days. 

xo / leah

Easter Celebration

“Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us.This is the Lord; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”

- Isaiah 25:9, ESV

This last Easter was so special. My sister and her boyfriend came down for the weekend. My parents hosted it along with some family friends, and it ended up being a pretty big celebration. After the 22 seats were set we celebrated all together how wonderful our Savior is. 

We definitely took the opportunity to take some family pics as well. 

How wonderful it is to know Jesus. To be able to know the One who lived and died to give us life. He loves us, everyone of us, so much to have given his life so we could have ours. I feel so overjoyed to know that I have a Saviour who loves me for who I am; not who I'm supposed to be, but who I am now. It is something to rejoice over, every single day. Amen that He lives!

He has risen // leah

Tree Hunting 2014

It was finally time! We went over to my parents house to go look for our Christmas trees. We headed to Wheelers Tree Farm; the same place we've been to for the past 17 years. 

+ Me and the Broski +

The dogs of course loved it. Running around the whole farm, getting lost in the trees. 

+ My Mom & Dad +

Once we found our perfect tree it off the house to make pizzas and watch The Christmas Story.

To all things Christmas-y // leah

Hartmann's Haunted Halloween

This past weekend Cory and I hosted a little Halloween Party. It was so much fun! We dubbed it the Hartmann's Haunted Halloween…and I think this will become an annual thing. It was a costume party and we ate and danced and laughed a lot. Oh and took a bunch of photos. My friend was awesome enough to set up a photo booth and it was so fun! 

Rock Stars

Wayne and Garth from Wayne's World

The Tin Man and Dorothy

Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat

Cats and Mice

The variety of costumes we had were so crazy! We all may have spent a little too much time at the photo booth. 

I made some "poison shots" for us to enjoy and the boys might have taken it out of control.

 Boys will be boys. 

This party was so much fun and so fulfilling for the soul. Being with the friends we do life with, laughing, enjoying each other's company, and getting silly is necessary every now and then. I'm glad my friends know how to have fun. 

To dressing up and annual traditions // leah