Adam's 44th

For Adam's 44th birthday we decided to hang out at the Airbnb for swimming and cake and invite a few people. But no one responded, except one, to communicate unavailability.

So, we spent the evening just us two, swimming and playing games then later invited anyone available from his family—who all live down the street—to help us eat his cake. Glad a few showed up. 

 

Summer California 2025

Here is a lame video of our Summer in California 2025. Not much to share evidently—there aren't even enough photos to tell a proper visual story. Were Dwynne and Natalie and entourage even in attendance??! My bad. 

Click or tap here to watch a high quality version of the video. 

The Layover Before Nauvoo

We drove to Historic Nauvoo, Illinois. But first, let's talk about the layover—we stopped at Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes in Springfield, Missouri for dinner.

After looking at the Black Sheep menu, you will agree that stopping here was exactly the right choice.

There were plenty of sauces to choose from and we should have gotten a shake, waah! Just look at their lovely gallery of photos.  Seriously, go look. 

Hotel Oasis

We stopped overnight at the Hotel Oasis in Springfield, Missouri. It was dated but they they leaned into it with landscaping, paint and decor, giving it a fun and original feel. 

 






The indoor pool had a myriad of large plants creating a lovely green space with pathways.



Let's talk about this fiddle fig tree! The size made me so happy—I put Adam next to it for scale a couple photos down. I have never seen one with this shape either. They don't branch out like you would expect. They have to be pruned in specific ways because they like to grow one looooong branch. (I have three and pruning is always a frustrating adventure.) Which is why I just HAD to see the underside of the tree to see how they got it to "umbrella"—I'm pretty sure they lightly wove branches around one another. I know it's funny, but I will remember this fiddle for the rest of my life.





The hotel had a second, outdoor pool where Adam and I spent the rest of the evening floating around until after sunset.


 

Tried a Bakery with Lysha

Took Lysha to see our Grand Prairie Airbnb and to try a bakery, Paris Baguette, which I've been meaning to get to for a long time. It did not disappoint. This is also the last photo I have of her before she moved away. Doesn't she look like the kind of person I need to have closer than in OREGON? I hate change. Sigh.