Happy Anniversary to Us.

We celebrated our anniversary in an unusual way. I unfortunately had to travel, again, to Seattle. It is sad when the rest stops look familiar. Eric came along the ride and we took off after the meeting in Redmond to stop at the Seattle waterfront and celebrate 3 wonderful years.

The Market.
The market.
I was so taken by the dining moment at sunset on the Seattle waterfront that I closed my eyes in anticipation.
A brief detour to photograph the Seattle Public Library by Rem.

Inside of Seattle Public Library. What, that isn't romantic?

A toast to 3 years.

Quick Recap

Well. Things are busy. Mom and Dad visited here in Portland the week before and the weather stayed nice, hopefully to prove that it really doesn't rain year round out here. Shocker.

A very tired Minnie dog.
Pittock Mansion views.

Columbia River and Hood River wineries.

Minnie tucked herself in.

We caught up with Eric to see him sail in and out, and in and out. This week they finally learned how to open and close the sails. It's about time.

Williams visit - Part 1

Sleepy girl.

What We Have Been Doing

Well, we've been a bit of homebodies as of late. Fixing up the place for some upcoming guests. And taking advantage of the weather here while it lasts.

Kitty in a drawer. Mom and dad, we'll have her cleared out in time for your visit! MEOW!!!!

Made some upgrades. Upgrade #1, no more rug. Makes the places seem bigger. Put some beautiful wedding detail pictures up 3 years after the wedding. Got some real plants that the cat won't eat and made a kitchen window sill herb garden (mint, thyme, rosemary, basil). Very handy for the fall and for impromptu mojitos!!

Next upgrade was a larger wool, yes, white, rug for the living room. Needless to say, it has been a hit all around. See below.

They fight for positions on the rug nearly every evening. The cat has decided this is her dream come true and they roll their little backs (and black hair) all over it.

Eric is taking beginner sailing lessons. If you squint, you can see him in the black tshirt. It's a 30' boat with 3 students and 1 instructor. They were practicing going out on a blind corner. In and out, in and out. He has 6 weeks of 2.5 hours each. He has a textbook and everything.

This isn't Minnie, but some distant cousin. They just love being held. This was the Boston Terrier Picnic Reunion 2009.

Boston Reunion Picture. 45 this year. As usual, Minnie's mom, Stormy tried to attack her.

Eric and our little one. She was so excited she was buggie eyed and hopping up and down for most of the 3 hours. Until I got stung and then it was time to leave.

Minnie life preserver

So we want to go kayaking again and would like to take Minnie. We got her a life preserver just in case of an incident. We're not sure of her swimming abilities.

Eric demonstrating the "oh shit" bar equivalent on the life preserver.

"What the hell?"

"I am so ashamed, who takes a 12 lb. dog on a kayak?"

Sunriver, Oregon

Eric had an AGC (Association of General Contractors') Convention in Sunriver, Oregon this weekend so I tagged along. Sunriver is over the Cascades, outside of Bend. It's very dry and yes, sunny. Our fair little Oregon skin barely survived the weekend. Eric went to some seminars and tried to hang out with the boys' club and I played. We also got out and explored.

Eric convinced me to give kayaking a try. Now I'm hooked. Of course it was also the easiest route possible, floating down the Deshutes in a 2-person kayak. Eric paddled most of the way.
For picture purposes.

Very picturesque and peaceful. Our view on the water.
Doing what we do best on our balcony at the lodge.

"Where's Eric?" Can you spot him?

Paulina Peak Falls. There are a number of volcanos around the area and this waterfall was created from one of the eruptions.

Our friend at the top - Paulina's peak.

Dad you would be so proud. We had our lesson in geology. This is the obsedian field, created by swirling lava that cooled. I was having glacier groove flash backs.

Paulina's Peak - Caldera Rim. The two lakes they think used to be 1 lake until the lava flowed b/t the two. The lakes are 250' deep. The obsedian field is to the right.

The happy couple (b/f getting sunburnt).

The three sisters (mountains) and broken top. Sisters, Oregon is just outside Bend as well. Cowboy themed no less.

It's a rough life. Massage in the morning. Pool in the afternoon. Hiking and exploring at night.

Someday perhaps Eric will look natural for a picture. I'm still hoping.

Computer Cat

Our lives haven't been overly exciting lately - work pretty much sums it up. However, kitty appears to have loved having us stationary for the moment and likes to help out where she can with my work. She loves to chase the mouse on the computer and sit on the keyboard. It isn't very helpful but she thinks it is.

Wonderful posture I know.

"What?"

We should have some new pictures at the end of this weekend as we head to Sunriver, Oregon and Eric takes me kayaking for the first time!