The Oregon Chronicles Pt. 2

Spending part 2 of The Oregon Chronicles as a newly engaged couple was just as good if not better than part 1. The morning after Juan proposed we went to mass at St. Michael's Catholic Church. We ran into a couple family friends and I got to introduce Juan as my fiance :) 

It was a great morning! Growing up, I didn't attend St. Michael's on a regular basis, we mostly went to mass for Christmas and Easter but it still holds a special place in my heart. Spending Christmas Eve there my entire childhood and knowing that my Rowland Family (Grandma Shirley, Grandpa Chuck, my Aunts Nadine, Maria, Kendra, Uncle Chris and my Dad) grew up attending mass at that church makes it very special to me.

 After mass we grabbed some donuts from the ever so famous Joe's Donut Shop in Sandy.

Juan and I had planned on going mountain biking but we just couldn't fit it in our busy schedule. We wanted to get a little exercise in and decided to go run my high school cross country running trails. What a treat! It was so fun showing him my old stomping ground :)

 

After our run we headed out for our evening in Portland and met back up with my mom, Kevin and Gisele in the morning. While in Rome...aka Portland...my mom and I decided to pop into a bridal shop and try on some dresses while Juan and the kiddos vegged in our suite. I'm so happy my mom got to be there the first time I tried on dresses! 

Afterward we made our way to Multnomah Village to visit my cousins Sabine and Lucy at my Aunt Nadine's shop Topanien Global Gifts. Growing up I always loved walking into the different shops and picking out something special from Topanien. We had such a great time eating lunch, hitting up the candy shop, picking out special Topanien gifts and sharing our engagement excitement with Sabine and Lucy!

 

After our Portland adventures we had a quiet evening at The Drake Woodland Escape playing with the kittens and eating some Oooey Gooey Smores! The next morning (as promised) we took Gisele to my childhood playground, Fantasy Forest. As expected she LOVED it. On our way to the airport we stopped by a park along the Columbia River, had lunch with John on his lunch break and said our goodbyes. It is always sad saying goodbye. Kevin and I were full of tears but I know we will all see each other again soon. Until then we have these awesome memories to look back on.

 

Left: Our first night walking around the property she was a little spooked by the forest. 
Right: One of her last walks around the property...she couldn't get enough.

Our little traveler sitting in PDX with her NW Coffee aka Chocolate Milk.

Left: Off to Oregon. Right: San Diego Bound. 

Uncle Milton picked us up from the airport in San Diego. After sharing all of our adventures Gisele said: "Can we go back to the airport and fly back to Oregon?" Awww!! I think she had a good time. I know I did!!

~ August 10, 2013 ~

Now for the unexpected part of our Oregon trip...

We had just wrapped up a busy day and I thought we were going to lounge at my parents and have a bonfire...boy was I wrong! Juan, John and I went to The Beer Den to get a growler of beer. When we got back Juan and John start preparing what I said was entirely too much food for all of us. Juan gave Gisele a bath while I showered. Once she was cleaned up, Gisele and I snuggled up on the couch to read stories while Juan and John were outside setting up the campfire and getting the grill ready. My parents house is at the end of a long driveway and nobody ever drives down it...I looked up from the book we were reading and see a car pull up. Confused..."Mom, somebody's here" my mom made up some silly excuse and then I see my childhood best friend Elise and her family walk up to the house. Apparently they planned a surprise birthday party! So sweet! I had wanted to meet up with Elise and have Gisele meet her daughter Nora. Juan and I spent time with their family the last time we were in Oregon and couldn't wait to get the girls together. It was such a great surprise! 

About 30 minutes into our socializing Juan asked if I wanted to go for a walk around the property. To be honest, I thought he was being a little rude lol. Elise and her family hadn't been there very long and I felt bad leaving but Juan was so giddy and excited I thought sure...why not. Of course Gisele wanted to join and asked if she could come too. We put her shoes on and we were off. Side note...my parents do a great job keeping their property well maintained, complete with a beautiful walking path that goes around the 10 acres, walking by the pond, through the fruit trees and ends at a grass field by the blueberries / campfire area. 

Anyways...we set out for our little walk...just us three. My very rugged outdoorsy boyfriend wore his no traction rainbows for our walk in the woods causing a slightly different start than Juan intended. I don't think Juan realized the start of the path was just to the left of where he went hand in hand with Gisele down a hill and when I say down a hill...I mean he fell and dragged her down the hill. It was quite the site! Luckily Gisele was fine, just a little shaken up. I scooped her up, helped make the tears go way and then she was off, happy as ever skipping down the trail. Still laughing at Juan a little, he gave me a big hug and kiss and started talking about how much he loves me and how great I am with Gisele. He continued talking about how much he loves me, our little family and how happy he is. He was being so sweet. We were having such an awesome trip. Gisele was so happy, we were so happy and my family was loving having us there. Having him talk about us and our relationship put us both in this lovey hugging walking down the path bliss. It was so special. Gisele kept shouting look at this, come here, skipping along...it was definitely one of those special times basking in the beauty of our relationship and enjoying watching Gisele in a state of pure joy and amazement. 

Our walk was coming to a close...we turned the corner where the trail turns into a gravel path that heads back toward the house / the grass field. When we turned the corner my heart skipped a million beats and I couldn't control the flood of tears. Somebody had lined the path with candles! (Oh my goodness...just typing this my heart is beating like it did that evening lol) Gisele's reaction "What?! Who did this? It's so pretty! What is this?" More tears...Juan and I are both crying. I pull myself together and answer back. "I think Papa did it." Gisele.."You do?! It's so pretty. You think Papa did it?" You get the idea. We went back and forth talking about how special and pretty it was while walking down the path. Juan had his tears (a little) under control and we slowed down hugging and kissing and telling each other how much we love each other. Gisele was so excited about the candles she ran ahead a little bit. Once we reached the end of the path the first thing I saw was a stump in front of the field with a ring on it and then I heard voices. We turned the corner and my family was there. It all happened so quickly from there. Juan and I were still full of happy tears and could barely speak. Juan got down on one knee, asked "Will you marry me?" and I replied "Of course my love!"

Once he put the ring on my finger, Juan scooped Gisele up and we told her we are going to get married. She did her little squeal of happiness and flapping of her hands (her signature "I'm excited" move) and then went back to being curious about who did the candles until my mom confirmed Juan put the candles there. There were hugs all around and we said hi to my dad, Allison, Cole and Christian who were watching over facetime. Juan, Gisele and I hung around talking and taking it all in. Then the three of us walked down the path blowing out the candles before heading inside to eat dinner, open my birthday presents (haha I had forgotten about my bday celebration) and eat birthday pie from the Tollgate Inn.

Path where the candles were. Gisele blowing out the candles.

Proposal tree.

The surprises didn't stop there. Juan and I had talked about getting a room in downtown Portland like we did last summer but we decided to play it by ear. We wanted to make sure Gisele would be comfortable spending an evening with my family without us there. Well Juan took it upon himself to get us an awesome King Premier Suite at the Hotel Monaco to celebrate. So not only did we have a wonderful party with my family and friends but the following night we spent the evening in Portland. Oh and Gisele was more than happy to stay with my family. I'm not even sure she noticed we left haha.

Our suite. Dinner downtown. Gisele our little morning visitor.

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect proposal and celebration. Juan and John were sneaky getting candles when they went to get "fishing stuff" and setting up when they were "getting the bonfire ready." They not only fooled me but my mom as well. It was really special that Juan involved John. I'm also so glad he thought to have my Rowland family on facetime as well :) It was so special we got to share that with everyone. He even wore his rainbows (even though they are not woodland friendly) for the proposal because they are the signature shoe of my Rowland family :) I could tell he really put time into it and put a special effort into the little details. Juan even gave my mom a matching ring dish to remember the day. Oh my gosh I could go on and on. I am such a lucky lady! I love you so much Juan Martinez! I can't wait to marry you in our Church, celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage, begin a life together...you, Gisele and I! Love you two with all my heart! XOXO

One more picture...I LOVE the expression on her face! One of Gisele's favorite dinner time topics is "I can't wait for Papa and Raquel to get married." Her wish has come true :) It is going to happen. We have a date and can't wait for the big day! Now as Gisele says...we both need our white dresses and a cake!

The Oregon Chronicles Pt. 1

A few weeks late but here it is....our trip to Oregon!!

We had been talking about our trip to Oregon for months....it was definitely a much anticipated trip. Gisele had a checklist that she had been rambling off to every person she told about our upcoming trip to Oregon. Promises of visiting her best friend Kevin (aka my little brother), her first flight on an airplane, birthday presents that were waiting for her, blueberry picking, fishing, forest explorations, bonfires, new kittens, the list goes on and on. Needless to say when the day came we were all jumping out of our skin excited. 

Our flight up to Oregon was great! We were both so impressed with how well Gisele did. She likes Papa to drive fast so she did a great job when the plane took off on the runway. Once we were up in the sky....looking down was not her favorite. "I don't want to fall!" She moved to the middle seat and liked the window shades shut. As she warmed up, peaking outside every once in a while was enough for little G. Other than that she was the perfect traveler. She didn't like the way her ears felt but she was a toughie and we had gum. We were greeted by my mom and brother as soon as we passed through security. From then on began the Kevin / Gisele hip attachment. Holding hands everywhere we went. We got to what we called the Drake Woodland Escape aka my parents house on a beautiful 10 acres just in time for a walk around the property and to have dinner with the family. The next morning our Oregon Chronicles began....

Gisele woke up nice and early ready to go. Sneaking out into the living room to see who was awake aka wake everyone up; she managed to get my mom and Kevin to go outside and pick berries for breakfast. Papa scrambled to get out of bed and take some pictures.

We spent the morning relaxing; Juan and my step-dad John went out to get fishing supplies. Gisele and Kevin played with the 9 baby kittens (pretty much any chance she got, Gisele asked Kevin if she could hold the kittens). Once our cooler was packed with picnic stuff and the fishing gear was ready we headed out for Trillium Lake.

I think Trillium Lake is a little touristy but man was it beautiful! In the 12 years I lived in Sandy I had never been to Trillium Lake...I'm so glad we went. It has such a beautiful view of Mt. Hood! I have so many childhood memories of John and my Grandpa Jack fishing. It was so fun watching John and Kevin teach Gisele how to fish. I know my grandpa Jack was smiling down :) Sadly we didn't get a bite but we had fun trying and of course we enjoyed eating our lunch with the beautiful view of Mt. Hood in front of us. We even had a little leftover lunch for Gisele and Kevin to feed to the ducks. ^^^Love her faces in these pics. So determined to catch a fish! Puckering her little lips to feed the duck. And then my loves...I just wanna squeeze them!

My wonderful family. Mom, John, Kevin and I...missing my sister Bethany :(

Next stop...Timberline Lodge and promises of playing in the snow! Being a San Diego native...little G had never been to the snow. We pulled up and guess what...no snow at the lodge! We were all determined to make it to the snow. My mom put Gisele on her back, Juan took over once the terrain got rough and then we made it!

What a payoff! Gisele loved the snow! Her reaction was priceless. Eh...what is this? First couple snowballs...a little nervous. A couple more...pure joy!! Look at that smile! Gisele loved throwing snow balls at all of us and of course we ate it up. Who wouldn't take a snowball to the face for that smile?

After our snowball session we made it back down to the lodge, enjoyed some beer, wine and chocolate milk. It was perfect. Last summer Juan and I visited Timberline Lodge with my mom and he loved it (who are we kidding he loved everything about our trip last summer...Juan is a huge fan of Oregon and my fam...makes me so happy). It was really special sharing some of our favorite parts of last years trip with Gisele. Her glowing smile made our hearts so happy. We really are so blessed to be able to share these wonderful times as a family. We are very blessed and I thank God every day for our many blessings.

DeFelice Wedding

 

Juan and I attended a beautiful wedding and reception this past weekend. I had heard a lot about Juan's co-worker Will but hadn't actually met him until the day of his wedding. What a wonderful couple / little family. Will's now wife, Jackie looked beautiful and brought everyone to tears with her speech. Will has a son, William who was absolutely adorable. Knowing that Juan and I will be officially creating a family of three when we get married, it was fun witnessing that in action. Jackie was the cutest dancing with little William and the two families, parents, friends etc. all seemed to really embrace little William. It was beautiful. Here are some pics from the special day...

After the beautiful ceremony at St. Paul's Episcopal Church we made our way over to the Marriott Downtown. With an hour to kill a few of us posted up at the Marina Kitchen. At that point in the day I was starving and the Marriott's Marina Kitchen hit the spot. The bar's grilled cheese made with truffle cheese and tomato jam (below) was the perfect bar snack! I mean...you can't really go wrong with bread and cheese...two of my favorite things.

They hosted a beautiful cocktail hour on a roof top overlooking the bay. The combination of the view and the mariachi band playing in the background was awesome!

 ^^^My love is so handsome xoxo

 ^^^We didn't get very many pics of the bride and groom but I liked this shot :)

During the cocktail hour, little William was racing around with his remote control car. Juan had him jump the car over his foot and of course the top of the car popped off...real nice! Luckily I used a couple hair ties and rigged it so that the car would stay together. Phew...embarrassment of ruining his little car avoided.

Next stop was Roy's on the waterfront...look at that few. We didn't catch a picture but later that night fireworks went off right there in the bay.

Umm...kinda wishing we had grabbed one of the cake to-go boxes. The piece of chocolate cake I had was delicious but there were so many to choose from...I should have grabbed another piece!

If you can't tell...it was a beautiful wedding, flowers, details, people, music...everything. We had a blast!

And then we danced....

We should dress up more often. That was fun!