Tuesday, January 19, 2010

first day back to school

Olive - 10 weeks old (weighing in at 10! lbs)
i think everyone needs a little Olive in their life - especially on sad sad days like today - the day i go back to hell. 190 days to go! my favorite quote of the first day back... "i mean, i have no academic goals for the semester" EXACTLY what i was thinking.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

lindsey's visit to missoura!


are you ready to see some pictures?? we had so much fun with lindsey in town - it already feels like a distant dream! it went by way too fast!

the day lindsey arrived we got LOTS of snow - it started just as i was leaving for the airport so when we got back to town 5 hours later the whole city was covered! we spent that evening hunkered down chatting and enjoying chili with cornbread.


Thursday we decided to avoid the snowy, icy roads, and the -25 degree temps and just spent a relaxing day in with the puppy. can you tell she fell in love with Lindsey fast??


Friday night we invited some friends over for pizza and games - it was lots of fun!


Saturday we gave Lindsey a quick (because it was SO cold) tour of downtown and campus - The Candy Factory has such yummy treats!


one of the main streets downtown featuring one of our favorite restaurants - we met one of my friends from school there for drinks Saturday night and then went to see Up in the Air


Our toes were frozen, but we stuck it out for a few pics with the camera timer in front of the columns - these are some of my favorites..






Sunday we took Lindsey to Rocheport (we visited in November) to eat at an amazing restaurant - Abigail's! She said it was one of the best meals she has ever eaten! The ambiance is great there - very fun and kitschy with fantastic food.


We were so glad he was able to take some time off with us over the weekend!


Throughout the week we worked on making some patchwork napkins together. It had been so long since I did something other than knitting with someone else - SO MUCH FUN! if i ever live near close friends who like to sew we will be having LOTS of crafting parties.


Monday we met my friend Raneat for lunch and then followed it up with a serious shopping spree (I will have to post pics of what we got!). When we got home it had "warmed up" to 30 degrees so we took Olive on her first walk. She was busting out of her sweater so the next day we got her a new one! We also spent some time Monday night making puppy treats and DELICIOUS oatmeal cookies!


Tuesday I started to get SO sad that it was almost time for Lindz to leave - we spent the day running a few errands and, of course, getting coffee (starbucks was a daily stop for us!) and then took the baby on another walk in her new sweater.


Then we celebrated Lindsey's last night and the completion of some big part of G's western blots that I don't understand with dinner and beers at Flat Branch. They have really great and potent beer.


Wednesday was the fateful day - Lindsey had to get on a plane to go home. Boo! We got up early to head to St. Louis in time to visit the Arch before we had to get to the airport. It was a good idea in theory, but I think we were all sad and anxious - there were upset tummies all around and Olive even puked up her homemade puppy treats =(



It was also FREEZING. It was too cold to leave Olive in the car while we ate at Spaghetti Factory so we got take out and then made the trek to the airport. On the bright side: the arch is pretty amazing! I love this picture:


I LOVE having people visit, but I HATE it when they leave - I sobbed on the drive back to Columbia...poor Grant had to console me. We decided (again) that we want to do everything we can to get back to Portland. We won't be by everyone we love, but we would be home. Thanks for a great visit Lindsey! We love you.

more pictures on facebook

Friday, January 15, 2010

blows my mind


this is the most insane thing EVER! go to this link and watch the video called tissue engineering - you won't be sorry and you will be amazed at the things science can do!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

like a weed!


Olive is growing like a weed! We have our first vet appointment tomorrow and are SO excited to see how much she weighs now! We had a blast with Lindsey and I will do a monster post about her visit soon. In the mean time enjoy these Olive pictures on facebook:

i also have this video from a few weeks ago - please ignore my annoying comments and kissing noises - eww!


Monday, January 11, 2010

one year


yesterday marked one year since we arrived in Columbia - it seems both to have gone by incredibly slow and fast all at once. we are happy to report that we are building our little life here pretty happily and feel very fortunate for the opportunities and growth this move has afforded us. that is not to say we don't miss Oregon and our loved ones every waking moment!

i hope to be back at the end of the week to share pictures of Lindsey's visit and updated pictures of Olive - she is HUGE!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

the meenderings come to town!



we spent last weekend with Jon, Jess, and Jude! we had so much fun! it had been way too long since we had a chance to just chill together and that is just what we did. there may or may not have been a sickness that forced some of the relaxation, but we totally made the most of it!
checking out the edge of campus and the columns. we didn't last long with the baby and the puppy - it was like 0 degrees out!

SERIOUSLY! cutest baby ever, right?? he is so adorable! those eyes get you every time!





we laughed hard new years eve playing mad gab - HILARIOUS game!!
watching the puppy play outside

they were so cute together - Olive kept attacking jude with licks, but they liked to be in one another's sights at all times!




sweet boy!

we miss you guys SO very much!! thank you for making the long trek - we will always have a story to tell about this visit, won't we?!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

christmas in AZ


OK! I am back to blog for a quick minute - its been a busy few weeks! Not much to report on our Arizona trip - there was sleep, glorious sleep, outdoors, DB, family, reading FOR FUN, ikea, and plans for a trip back SOON!