Busy Weekend

We started last weekend with Devin's work holiday party. It was at a lovely resort in Cannon Beach. We opted to stay there because it was stinking cheap since the CG was having their party there, and we split a room with some friends. Our room was on the top floor with the most spectacular view of Haystack Rock and the Pacific. I'll show you one photo I took while there as a teaser, but I will have to show you the rest later.

View from our room!

Saturday morning, after we had checked out of the hotel, we hopped in the car and drove to Salem to pick up Devin's mom and brother. (They had rode out with family that were going to stay in Salem, which is why we picked them up.) We drove back 3 hours to where we live on the Coast, but before we got home made a pit stop at the beach. You see, in all of Devin's mother's fifty-something years - she has never been to the ocean. Devin and Dillon made her close her eyes while we drove directly onto the beach. Then, they got her out of the car and made her face with her back to the ocean. They made her just breath the salty air and listen to the sounds for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, they let her turn around and face the majesty of the powerful Pacific Ocean. It was amazing to see the awe in her eyes. It made me realize how lucky I was to grow up visiting the beach often and that I get to live next to it now. We played in the cold sand for a bit and then went home. We had lots of laugh and delicious meals. Their trip ended too quickly.

Dillon wearing the scarf I made him! I need to find the rest of the pictures....

Now we're gearing up for Christmas which leads into packing up the house to move. It's weird to think in just about one month we'll be traveling cross country to our new home in North Carolina. Boy, do I have a lot to do!

-chianne.

autumn.

My birthday came and went and I am now the ripe old age of 22. Devin says we will have a celebration when he comes home. I can't wait!
A friend of mine from Utah, Heather, popped into town for a surprise visit. She was vacationing in Seattle and decided to jump on a bus down to here to hang out for a weekend. It was so nice to have some company and break up the silence of my home!
The other night I got to watch Devin on CGC Steadfast transit through the Panama Canal! I learned a lot in the process and it was actually really cool! I learned a lot! It's was nice to feel less disconnected even if it was through a camera that only updates every 20 seconds!
love,
chianne

Here's a few photos!

Heather at Haystack Rock. It was so cold and rainy!

Zombie likes to eat leaves?

Sweeping the leaves off the walkway to my house!

CGC Steadfast in the Miraflores Lock