Spring tilling and tender mercies

Because we took an amazing vacation to Florence, Oregon and Crescent City,  California for spring break I really got behind on my garden. I kept thinking I would just ask my neighbor to till it while I was gone. Totally forgot. Ugh

So my son is getting baptized this week. We are celebrating his birthday party afterward. My huge lifetime brand table is currently covered with plants that I started indoors. I need that table for the party. 

So as I was driving home today after volunteering at the school I saw a tractor with a sign on it that said "garden tilling" and phone number. I called and he drove right over and tilled up my garden in 10 minutes. His prices are half of what I've heard from other tractor owners. I paid him a tip in addition for being so prompt.

Call it a coincidence if you want but I know it is a tender mercy from a loving Savior who knew I was busy in the service of others and doing the best I could. I was even able to get the organic fertilizer on the garden before he started tilling. (Save time and put it in a fertilizer spreader and run it backwards around the garden). This whole thing couldn't have worked out better.

Now to get some plants in the ground...

A few family photos from our recent vacation

Near Portland Oregon- we took the scenic route to the waterfalls.  It was absolutely one of the most breathtaking places I have even been! As we drove along we could see this little gem through the trees - Vista House.

After Vista House we found Latourel Falls. 

And then hiked Multnomah Falls.

All the way to the tippy top. 11 switchbacks over 1.2 miles

Just thinking about it makes my ankles hurt.

Then there was Ponytail Falls. My daughter wanted to go under a waterfall. And this makes my achilles tendons hurt but it was my favorite hike of all. It was worth all the pain.  

After Portland we drove to Cannon Beach and took a photo of us with Haystack Rock in the background.  

And here is Good Fortune Cove with the best tidal pools! 

I felt like a little kid filled with wonder and amazement.  

There were sea stars all over the rocks here.  

We were all super happy this day.

Same place, next day - too cold to take shoes off.  The wind. Yikes!

My favorite Lighthouse of the trip- Yaquina Head. Maybe it's because we were able to climb it.

The rest close after Labor Day so this was it.

And on the way back home we saw Shoshone Falls and Twin Falls - which is actually single falls this time of the year.  

I can't wait to share more photos.  I found a whole sand dollar.  I purchased a preserved sea star.  We went to the Oregon Coast Aquarium too. We went to a glad blowing shop and saw them make vases before our very eyes. We had so much fun and the adventure will live on in a scrapbook as soon as I have a little time. I have a wedding album to finish. One to send to the lab. And a wedding to photograph tomorrow.  Don't get sick of looking at our faces.  I promise more photos soon. But most of all I wish I could convey the feeling I enjoyed throughout this vacation.  It was the first family vacation we have ever taken.  Now that we know the kids can handle a road trip now and then, we may have to take another one - just not soon.  We all need a break from the Jeep.