Day 26 :: 2nd Home :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/7/14 

 I'm in #hawaii!! Love my 2nd home ♡♥ 

 #theepicsummer2014 #oahu #lifeofapreschoolteacher #summernights 

I feel very blessed to have a job that allows me to travel during the summers, visiting family and friends whom I don't get to see during the school year. The last two summers I've been able to stay for extended periods of time in what I consider my 2nd home, Beautiful Hawai'i. Thanks to some of the most generous people I know, I have a summer nanny job, a place to stay, and a car to drive while I'm there. (More about that in this post.) 

My first night on O'ahu, some of us went to dinner at Kua'aina Burgers near Ala Moana beach. So good to be back in my old stomping grounds!

Group selfie!

Day 25 :: New Swimsuits :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/6/14

 

Finally got to wear my new swimsuits! (The top from one and the bottom from the other.) I took a break from packing for #hawaii and laundry to relax by the pool with @luannajbruce. AND I got to sleep in my own bed for the first time this summer! 

P.S. I'm thankful my Mom is so awesome and helped me clean my apartment before I left to Hawai'i for 5 weeks! ♥

#theepicsummer2014 #portlandissunnyforonce #victoriassecret #semiannualsale

Day 24 :: Good Surprise :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

 4/5/14

 @ericamohler @babblingbrook08 @leximus8 & Matt decided to stay another day! 

#crazybrucefamily #goodsurprise

We tried to go to Stuffy's, somewhat of a family tradition- we usually always go there the morning that someone is leaving to go back home. However, the wait was over an hour. The only other breakfast places in town that we could think of were Denny's or Shari's...ew. Then we remembered the Pancake House! We used to go there during high school on Late Start mornings.

Day 23 :: Independence Day :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

4/4/14

Happy Independence Day! 

#crazybrucefamily #myniecesrockmysocks #theepicsummer2014 #Phonto

Usually there isn't much to do in the Kelso-Longview area, but it comes alive with the Go Fourth Festival every year for Independence Day! Maybe a little too much alive...too many Kelso-Longview citizens in one place is a little bit scary... ("My eyes, my eyes!!!).. Kidding! Kind of. After my sister got yelled at for stopping on the bridge to tend to my niece when she cut her foot "*Siiiigh" Really? You're just gonna stop on the bridge?", we decided to call it a day and head back to Matt & Sarah's :) 

But not before we got our faces painted!

L didn't want her picture taken...she kind looks like Michael Jackson!

Walking back to Matt & Sarah's from the lake.

Dad photo-bombing me

Mom really liked these flowers.

Minecraft, anyone?

 The cousins all LOVE this creative-mind based video game. They set about building their own real-life Minecraft world using cardboard boxes, scissors, duct tape, and markers.

K chillin' on the swing during the Minecraft building frenzy.

I had to snap a picture of these 3 before we left to go back to my parents' house for fireworks. They were friends way back in the day before they were family!

Day 22 :: Grandma Lois :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/3/14 

Went to see Grandma Lois today! 

Finally.

 #100happydays #theepicsummer2014 @advocare_michellelaghezza

Grandma Lois is my adopted 3rd grandma. Her grand-daughter, Michelle, is my BFF. We grew up together (literally...we knew each other in the womb) and I have many memories of playing at Grandma Lois' house. Ever since Michelle, moved to Texas, I've been telling Grandma that I would come visit her. Well, Michelle moved in August of 2013, so obviously I haven't been very true to my word. :/ Glad I got to see her before I flew to Hawaii for 6 weeks!

Day 20 :: Breakfast Outside :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

7/1/2014

*WARNING*

 This is a stereotypical Instagram post about food.  

I woke up to SUNSHINE today! Sunshine in the PNW always makes me happy because it doesn't happen very often (even in the summer, it doesn't happen as often as it should). Thus my hashtag, #portlandissunnyforonce. Granted, this was at my parents' in Kelso, but same difference.

Ate my breakfast outside in the #sunshine!

 #theepicsummer2014 #ilovecereal #nofilter #cerealneedsnofilter

Day 19 :: Mount St. Helens :: #100HappyDays vs. #100RealDays

6/30/2014

#100realdays 

I was NOT very happy today. In fact, I was quite cranky. I yelled at my sister, "Why don't I EVER get to sleep in??!!"  (Never wake a sleeping Sonja too early...in this case, it was about 10am...)

 But at least it was a perfect day to see the mountain!

#100happydays #mountsthelens #myniecesrockmysocks #theepicsummer2014

First good view on the ride to the top. I took this out the car window as we were driving!

It almost looks like we're standing in front of a mural.

This little guy came right up to us! Must be used to all the people visiting the mountain. Matt fed him a chip!

 

Chowing down on his chedder cheese Sun Chip.

B and the chipmunk sharing a chip moment :)

He came right up to L too!

Probably was looking for another handout :)

Beautiful Mt. St. Helens

SEEELLLFIEEEE!

 I have a few other pictures I'll add tomorrow...I'm tired and going to bed!