Oregon Reunion

Mid-August we had the pleasure of hosting a whole gaggle of friends from our days in Oregon - one from each pair got a PhD at the University of Oregon (home of the #2 football team in the NATION - NO.BIG.DEAL). The first to arrive and travelling the farthest were Tom and Donna in from Massachusetts. We started off by introducing them to Flat Branch and YogoLuv.



Then we introduced them to Olive and she, being the exceedingly well mannered dog that she is, proceeded to jump all over them and lick them profusely. we are so proud. PS this post has a ton of pictures but there were over 200 so I did waht I could to cut it down.



The next day we set off on the Katy Trail to bike to Rocheport - our fav little town we have told you about before. It was HOT that day. yuck.



We brought a picnic and bought a bottle of wine to enjoy at the winery. We got a flat tire on the way home and almost missed the time we had to turn our rented bikes in by...we were exhausted! 32 miles is a lot! We got in our jammies and ate shakespears - it was awesome.



The next day we laid low since we had been so active previously. I really wanted G to bake with me, but he never will - Donna helped me convince him and we made these AMAZING oatmeal cookies. I make them all the time because I am obsessed and everyone always can't get enough.





That evening Brett and Beth arrived from Kansas and we had an awesome dinner off the grill. Even later that night Jon and Jess arrived!



The next morning we ventured to the farmers market - it was a perfect morning for a visit.



Yumm - fresh fruit and veggies!



The whole gang with our loot! I LOVE this picture.



Then we drove to Rocheport and took everyone to our favorite restaurant that all of our guests have to visit - Abigails in Rocheport. The food is SO good and fresh and the restaurant has the best kitschy ambiance.



The whole gang! Soo good to all be in one place!



We went back to the winery for the afternoon and enjoyed good conversation and spirits.



We made more yummy food for dinner and then played games. Its our favorite thing to do when we are all together. Well - its my favorite at least.

as Tom demonstrates - things got intense. It was such a fun weekend with everyone! We wish it could have been longer, but we are so thankful for what we got! Before Tom and Donna left we took Olive to the dog park - there are a few funny pics I will post tomorrow.

Mom & Tim Come to Missoura - Part Four

I'm back two weeks later with the last installment of my parents' Missouri visit, which was over a month ago! Crazy! Anyway... After we got back from Omaha we cleaned ourselves up and got ready to go out for a nice dinner. Aren't we so cute with our new flowers?? 

We LOOOOVE this place... it is in Rocheport and we have been there before. 

It is way cute and kitschy! Our table wasn't quite ready so we walked around town a bit....

and had a mini photo shoot!

i love love LOVE this picture of the four of us... we had such an awesome dinner - amazing food and great conversation with some of our favorite people. And then I cried and cried because they left the next morning =(

Mom & Tim Come to Missoura - Part One

The first day my parents were in Columbia we decided to rent bikes and ride the Katy trail to Rocheport, like we did back in November. OMG what a mistake... the bikes we rented sucked (our asses hurt within minutes) and it was WAY TOO HOT. 

Here is Grant trying to convince me I want to go further...I was so miserable!

I can't tell you how happy it made me to have this woman here for a week.

We made it 7 miles before Mom and I voted that it was time to turn around...14 miles in all is pretty good, I think!

Off to bed so I can get up and go to the hospital for my practicum... I am on Labor and Delivery 24-36 hours a week this summer! Sometimes it is hard for me because they are much more invasive than my hippy-self likes, but I LOVE me some babies and prego people!! 

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

rocheport ride

we have had AMAZING weather here the past several days... 75ish, clear, and sunny! since our anniversary we have wanted to rent bikes and ride from Columbia to a little town called Rocheport. Its about 15 miles away and there are trails that run the whole route.

if we had taken this ride about two weeks ago it would have been really beautiful with all the fall leaves, but the brown midwest winter is starting to set in. we really enjoyed riding by the river and the weather made up for any lack in color.

it took us about 2 hours each way and we hung out in Rocheport for about 2 hours as well. we were SO happy to enjoy lunch at this kitschy little restaurant called Abigail's the restaurant reminded us of home and the food was amazing. we will for sure be going back.



it was so nice to spend the day doing something fun and active just the two of us. life has been way too busy and stressful lately so this was a much needed day. we REALLY want to buy bikes now...hopefully in the spring!




hope you all had a great weekend too! ta ta for now!