Then and Now

THEN - October 2012:  Anchorage, AK Belle gets her first ride with Wes

NOW - October 2013: Rockaway Beach, OR Belle repeats

Making Memories with Forever Friends

The crew

This past weekend we switched up our normal weekend routine of cleaning house, watching college football, running errands and taking naps and rented a house at the beach with friends.  Saturday still included watching plenty of football though, especially those OSU Beavs.  Here's the deal, these people are our forever friends and I hope they feel the same about us.  My wish is for our kids to always know each other and that we continue to make memories through the years together.  We love them.  I also secretly wish for Belle to marry Ty and Will to marry Brynn so then we can all be family!

28 Weeks - Bump to Bump

Last night we celebrated the start of our third trimester with baby boy by having Adam and Sybil over for dinner.  They are due with baby girl Guggenheim any day now!  We are so excited for them to experience the adventure of parenthood.

Ladies Night

Ladies night at Sarah's to celebrate my fifth year of turning 29!  I feel so lucky to have these women in my life and that they were able to take time away from their families to celebrate with me.  I love their wisdom on marriages, careers and children and their humor through it all as well. 

Cowboy & Cowgirl

Our first Halloween party in a few years was this past Friday and the pressure of a costume this time of year is always a challenge for me.  Scott and I tried to figure out what we could be using what we already own and it was decided we would be a cowboy and a cowgirl.  Scott bought a hat for his prop and I bought a stick horse, that can always be used by Belle in the future.  Our friends Sarah and Bob hosted the spooky event where we dined and imbibed until the wee hours of 10:30 (seriously, this is late for us now) and then it was back home to release the sitters.  I need to start thinking of my costume for next year's party.  Any suggestions?

Scott is sporting a Pendleton Round Up buckle and I am wearing my buckle I won in 4H in 1990 for best lamb carcass!

Glaciers and Bears

This past Sunday we took a drive out on the Kenai Peninsula to view the Portage glacier and visit a wildlife conservation center.  To see some of the glaciers as close as we could on such a cloudy day was impressive, I cannot imagine what they look like on a clear, sunny day.  After driving through the park we went to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see moose, elk, bears, buffalo and reindeer.  Our timing was perfect as we pulled up to the bears because they were being fed steak, salmon and hamburger and were very close to the fence, maybe even too close.  It is a fun family experience if you are in the Anchorage area.  The day ended with a huge meal at the Double Musky Inn in Girdwood.  The crab stuffed halibut is delicious!

Alaska!

We are home from our trip up north to Anchorage, Alaska to visit the Price family.  Scott is already planning our next trip, which will include fishing and more exploration.  This trip was all about seeing Wes, Jocelyn and Ty and hanging out as if they lived down the street from us.  Belle was in awe of the little boy that seems to have endless energy and has a vocabulary of at least a thousand words.  Scott and I were in awe of their family's love, patience, dedication and positive outlook on life.  We miss them already!

Belle and Ty playing while their Dads watched the OSU football team beat WSU

We took an evening walk together and Jocelyn capture three smiling faces at once!

Cuties

Belle catching a ride with Wes

The Birthday Party

Here are some photos from the big birthday party.  I learned a good lesson, have someone else take photos for you since you will be busy hosting!

The corn hole was a hit.  We need to host just a corn hole party so people can actually finish the game.

Ellie Tomac, love her curls

The theme was "colorful fun" and my mom baked some very colorful, delicious cupcakes

Apparently, Belle did not like my singing voice (I don't either)

Yummy!

Jesse is simply amazing!

My friend Jesse had her second son today, Xavier Thomas, at noon in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Here she is with her husband, son Woody and her newborn a few hours later on their bike ride home.  Can you believe it?  A few hours after giving birth she was on her way home?  I am simply amazed.  Congratulations Jesse!  I miss and love you!

Bob & Sarah - 10 Years of Love

Last weekend a group of us kidnapped our friends, Bob and Sarah, to take them out on the town to celebrate their ten year anniversary.  It was a blast.  It was so much of a blast, we were all comparing notes on how hungover we were the next morning.  The night started with a pedicab tour on the east side of Portland to three local breweries, dinner and toasts with sweet cupcakes as dessert.  I love making new memories with my friends and reminiscing about old memories as well.  Cheers again to Bob and Sarah, may you have many, many more anniversaries!

Sour beer tasting... it is different