easter sunday

Erik completely surprised me Sunday on our way home from our Easter festivities. I had been begging him all week to go to the tulip festival with me, which I know is something he finds little joy in. My chances were slim on getting him to go. We had passed our exit for home and I didn't even realize it. A little while later I turned to him and said, "wait...are we?!" and we sure were! It's funny because I was actually busy thinking about how nice a nap actually sounded and negotiated with myself that maybe I didn't need to see the tulips this year. So, I decided not to bring them up.  Well I didn't get my Sunday nap, but I'm happy Erik decided to go with me. As we were leaving, he asked sarcastically, "so was it so much better with me being here?" My response was, "you make everything better when you're there." Now, if only I could delete everyone else who was taking up the field. 

up in the trees

This weekend I got to pretend I had a home in the trees. Finally. I have been eyeing these tree escapes for awhile but haven't managed to push the booking button. As I thought about what adventure I could drag my dad on this weekend while visiting him, I remembered there was a tour option for Treehouse Point. It's about half and hour from where he lives, so it was the perfect opportunity to explore the place! Now, I'm wanting one of my own. The pictures don't do it justice, so I recommend the tour, or a stay. 

I could sit here all day. So cozy!

This one was my favorite, although I'm not so sure about this bridge considering I had some butterflies walking across it. 

This is the bedroom view surrounded by trees.

bitter sweet

A few years ago I came across photos of this beautiful wooded dream and always said I was going to go. The next season came, and then the next and it was always a thought of "oh, I'm so busy and it's three hours away...next year for sure." That changed this year however, after I learned that this would all be gone soon and replaced with dairy farms. I then experienced some anxiety about not making it before it would become just a memory to some. My anxiety grew as the leaves fell in Portland because I knew it would be the same here. This place needed to be experienced in all of its magic: vibrant leaves both high and low. Lucky for me, I wasn't too late. I now regret not going years prior because this place deserves more than a lifetime visit.  

This spur of the moment photoshoot was one of the most fantastic things that has ever happened. After chatting with a photographer in the area, he offered to take some photos of us. Now we will forever have some of the most adorable -fake- save the date photos. 

a birthday well spent

Visiting Crater Lake has always been on my bucket list, and since my birthday fell on Labor Day this year, I thought what better way to spend the long weekend!? It was seriously the best birthday I think I've had, even though we were road tripping back home for the majority of my actual birthday. We set up tent at Diamond Lake which is about 20 minutes away from Crater, and let me tell you, the campsite views were just as grand. We were surrounded by trees the whole weekend and could see the entire night sky at night. This is definitely a weekend I'll always remember and I can't wait to plan the next birthday destination.

Those clear blue waters though.

Us girls conquered another National Park together! We took on the Grand Canyon together as well.

My babe, the captain.

Rooney was happy too.

So the wind wasn't our favorite, and neither were the freezing nights.

Those tree views!

If I thought Crater Lake couldn't get any better, it did. Steph, Megan and I headed back to watch the sunset, and I'm sure happy we did. 

hey there, dahlia

I discovered one of the best things last week--there is a dahlia festival not far south of Portland! I'm not sure how it has gone unnoticed considering it is a must see for any flower lover. The photos from the day do not do it any justice. We spent over an hour wandering through the 30 acres of color, but we could have stayed all day. 

of course we each picked out a few bunches

^ I love this just because of the tutti fruiti sign

conservatories

Can we all just agree that there needs to be more conservatories? Check out this beaut! I headed to Seattle just for the day last weekend to check out the Volunteer Park Conservatory, among other things. I'm so lucky my dad agreed to hang out with me for the day so that I didn't have to venture around the city alone. The $4 fee to get in and wander was well worth the views:

please note that my dad is the ultimate "dad" check out that dad outfit