Hometown wedding

There is something magical about a hometown. It holds a place deep within your heart, so that no matter where you go when you come back home it's still the best place in the world. Newberg, Oregon is my hometown and while I love living on the east coast, and even Idaho holds a small place in my heart, there is nowhere in the world like Oregon.

Have you been to VooDoo Doughnuts? The VooDoo Doll is my favorite.

I got to go back last week (was it only a week ago?!?) for my baby sister's wedding. The last couple of trips to Oregon have been so short, usually just a quick trip up for a weekend so that we could be back to school by Monday. I wanted to spend a little more time in Oregon for this trip, since we were putting quite a bit of money towards plane tickets.

I also wanted to take Jason to the Oregon Coast. I spent so many summers, winters, springs and falls at the coast at my grandma's beach house while I was growing up. I had never really had the opportunity to take him, but  I have always wanted him to see it and share my love for the coast. We went to the Tillamook Cheese Factory and then to Netarts beach for an hour or two, but it was so much fun. And the water wasn't even that cold (if you've been to the Oregon Coast you know that's a miracle)!

Overall we had an amazing trip. My sister's wedding was absolutely beautiful (she made a beautiful bride). Her husband (that's weird to say) is such a great guy, and I'm so glad that I finally got to meet him!

We also got to play with our nieces and our newest nephew which was an absolute blast! Needless to say all the girls adored Jason.

This is probably my favorite photo from the entire trip.

I even got to see my best friend, Ashley! I haven't seen her in at least a year and it was so fun catching up at the reception. She is basically my adopted sister and it was only fitting that she stayed until it was just family left. 

This was also the first time my entire family had been together in two years. My little brother just got home from Minnesota where he was serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was at work when we got to my parent's house but as soon as I heard him come through the back door I ran to give him a hug. Until I realized he looked like this:

Then I turned around and ran away while he chased me around the kitchen table in an attempt to cover me in dirt and soot. He's a good little brother. 

It was hard to leave, but it was one of the best trips we've had in Oregon and we miss everyone already!