Beaches, Birthdays and Big Bangs

Yesterday was a great day! I got up at 6am, got everything ready and packed up for any sort of possibility for I had no idea of what was in store for us, and departed around 8am for Newberg. At about 8:30 I realized I left a number of things behind, waiting in the living room to be taken. After a brief moment of concern, I decided none of that was needed too badly. The only thing we really had planned was which beach we were going to, and left everything else open on each end of the day. Once we got together, we decided we weren't even going to go to that beach, leaving the only plan left being that we were going to beat a pinata somewhere at some point.

Oh, the possibilities!

First thing's first - where are we going to eat? We decided to stop by Martha's Tacos in Lafayette, a restaurant that is owned by our good friend Carlos' family. Unfortunately he was unable to join us for the beach portion, but caught up with us once we were back in the area.

Upon the realization that I had never been to the Tillamook Cheese Factory - all hands insisted that I share in what they had all been privelaged to experience. The process was quite interesting, and there's a picture floating around somewhere with me as a farmer and Jules as a cow...

The squeaky cheese, although odd, was delicious as had been rumoured, and I highly recommend the Marionberry Pie Ice Cream. Not too sweet, not too healthy: that perfect balance. We decided which beach we were going to over our ice cream, and the two carloads were promptly separated and ended up in two different locations. After about a half an hour of partial conversations and messages in an area of poor reception, we were reunited at last on a beautiful beach just south of Tillamook:

After a few hours of soaking it all in (sun, wind, water, sand), and a close call of Basil jumping over a cliff for his ball, we tackled the next order of business of beating something senseless. This year: a paper mache chicken. And, as usual, the carcass being worn by Amy and me. (Can't find Amy's pic!) Despite the expression on my face (?!?) it was way more comfortable than the last one.

After that, we decide we'll figure out where we want to eat once we're back in the valley and, doing my duty in helping with the decision making process, I promptly fell asleep. Which is unusual in a car, for me. It was nice. I woke up in a Chinese restaurant's parking lot just in time for dinner, and found out Carlos was able to catch up with us there. We had a great time of eating, laughing, and making fun of each other's fortune cookies. I can't remember the exact wording of mine, but it went something like "you will take advantage of a new four-wheeled device in the near future ... __ ___". Yikes.

After that, the remainder of the group that could stick around headed for the Old Fashioned Festival in Newberg, for they have a pretty cool Fireworks show at the end. And they did! It was definitely one of the better ones I had seen. Instead of having a fourth of july fireworks show, the city saves it up for this night, instead.

Thanks, all, for another great partay!

Latest Acquisitions

Here are the latest additions to the apartment, thanks to a couple of preliminary birthday gifts:

I can now stay warm in a lit up living room, and can flip my grilled cheese with something besides a knife. A rather controversial item was added, as well:

I suppose I won't lose too much time having it if I only use it for movies. If I get cable or DVR, I'd be done for.

Stay tuned for further purchases. Another lamp? A couch? A desk? A futon, perhaps? Only Craig knows...