Brian's friend came to visit over a month ago. We had a great time together and tried to get some sight seeing and hiking done between rainstorms.
Crown Point
The Vista House at Crown Point
Multnomah Falls
Punchbowl Falls
Thanks for coming to town, Nate!
A while ago—back in July, Brian and I were adult chaperone’s for a young single adult activity. The year before we had gone as young single adults. It was a little funny to be back this time as chaperone’s. The Portland Spirit left the dock at midnight and got back at 1:30 a.m. We had fun, but realized again how grateful we are to be married and not single anymore!
I may be going against the current (with my family), but I think I like Halloween. I might get some flack for that. Maybe I should clarify—I don’t like the scary, creepy, ugly costumes, ghoulishy side of Halloween (at all!), but I really like pumpkins, carving, cute costumes, and even a tiny bit of trick-or-treating for the kids. I have some really great Halloween memories growing up, and I hope I can bring out the great side of it for our kids—I’m convinced there is one!
This year, we went to Brian’s parents for pumpkin carving. Brian did the carving for our family—I can hardly look at food right now, let alone dig into it and smell it’s gushiness. So, I opted to watch (from afar) as Brian and his mom carved.
Brian and Barbara carving
finished product
the headless horseman in the dark
A note about our costumes from the last post—I thought of the costume idea and did some of the thinking behind them, but in reality, Brian put them together—he’s quite incredible that way. He really can do anything, I’m learning.
Monday for family night, Brian and I went to get pumpkins. We are so excited about spending the holidays in our new house. We love this season!
And these three little guys:
I was so excited when Brian and I drove out of Utah after we were married. I told him that if I was sleeping, I wanted to be woken up so I could enjoy the moment. He laughed and reminded me that we both still have a lot of family there. He made an excellent point! We do love our family in UT!
We decided to go back to Utah for a very short trip over Labor Day weekend. We left Friday evening after Brian got off work. We stopped through Boise, getting there very late and leaving early in the morning to make the rest of the trip to Utah.
It was a whirlwind of a trip! We spent more time driving than we did awake in Utah.
But it was worth it for several reasons:
1. Meeting Jace and being at his baby blessing. He is beautiful! I think he looks like Brian—so he’s very cute, of course! 
We look like naturals, huh?
2. Family pictures—to be posted later. We drove in to town just in time for photos. Everyone in Brian’s immediate family was there.
3. We picked up some weights we accidently left behind when we left Utah in November. We must have been preoccupied or something…because we rented a U-Haul, and everything… but forgot to put some important things in it.
4. Family. Even though we were only there about 24 hours, we saw all of Brian’s brothers, their wives, children, and parents. Nate and Char hosted a brunch at their house after the blessing. They are really great hosts! It was fun to see Brian’s grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins. They are a big family—good thing I’m used to big families!
5. Cafe Rio. I post this last, but I’m going to be honest—it was a definite reason for making the trip. We love Cafe Rio—and unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on how you look at it), we don’t have one here in Oregon (yet). We actually made two trips to Rio. One with the Harris family after family pictures (thanks you DeWin and Barbara) and later on our way back from Boise. We raced (and I really mean that) to the Cafe Rio in Twin Falls, barely making it before they closed at 8 p.m. (the people behind us were turned away…that’s how close it was!) We like to think that God was helping us…but it was Sunday—so let’s be honest…he probably wasn’t.
Cafe Rio salads!
And some pictures of our road trip home:
You might regret looking at these next ones—they’re kind of passionate:
He really likes to dip me. And I like to be dipped. So it works out well.
You can tell we were the only ones at this rest stop.
(but hey, at least we didn’t send any kissing shots with our wedding announcements!)
A few weeks ago I met Brian downtown for dinner. After we went to an Oregon Beaver’s game. Brian’s company rented a box. It was fun to see his coworkers and watch the game together. They lost the game, but we still had a blast! We love baseball!
Me with the Blazer mascot in front of the baseball stadium.
With the Beaver’s mascot
