Spring is Almost Here

Its entrance is not bold around here, it waxes and wanes, but I think Spring just might be close.  

Our New Home

We are very sentimental about the little one bedroom apartment we just left.  So many fabulous memories.  It is where Mike lived before we were married and where we spent our first year of marriage together.  It is where we learned how fun it was living with the person you find the most fascinating in the whole world.  It is also where we learned not to leave toothpaste in the sink or socks on the floor.  It is where we learned how to understand the needs of the other and spent so much effort and care learning to meet those needs.  It is where we learned who will always win at boggle and who will always win at wrestling.  We learned how to need each other and how to need our own strength.  So, every time we point out how nice it is having so much space now we take a moment of silence to appreciate our last apartment.  So a moment of silence . . . and now on to enjoying our new place!  

 

Packing and Playing

Whew!  We are all moved in to our new place and it feels wonderful. Amidst packing and moving we also had some fun with Mike's parents in town. 

Would you believe me if I told you this was the least cheesy picture of Mike and I moving? 

I have the most fantastic sister ever.  She gave up her Friday night, which would otherwise have undoubtedly been full of hot dates and fun parties, to come and help us pack up.  Then bright and early the next morning she came and helped us move.  Fabulous girl!  Not only is she strong enough to carry a couch, she is also funny enough to make us drop that very same couch laughing.  

After moving, a trip to Henry's Tavern on 12th and two orders of onion rings was in order.  

At a Da Vinci exhibit at the OMSI, our competitive spirits demanded to know who was the most attractive Mona  Lisa.  Who do you think wins?  

At Saltys on the Colombia River. 

Ever since I have known Mike, he has wanted to see the statue of Portlandia he heard about when he first moved here.  It is the second largest bronze statue, right behind the statue of liberty.  Being on the top of his "to do" list, we have been to this building several times to try and get in and see the statue, only to find it closed on each Saturday we have tried.  We finally got in on Monday but couldn't find the statue.  After asking around, we learned that it was outside.  Outside!  We have walked or driven past Portlandia many many times and never looked up to see it.   

Our New Place

After almost giving up on finding the right place, we stumbled into the perfect abode a few weeks ago.  It is in a great location in SW Portland and has lots of light and open space.  We picked up our keys this weekend and will start to move in our stuff next weekend. We are so excited to get settled in to a new place with more space. 

"For the first time in my life, I feel wicked"

We loved the musical!  I thought I knew all of the music, but it turns out that when my sister burned me a copy, she only burned half of it.  So, at intermission I thought it was time to go and was thrilled I got another hour of new music to hear.     

On a different note, I knew the day would probably come when I felt like, as a teacher, I needed to make my blogs private, and I think that day is nearing.  If it is likely that I do not have your email, please leave me a comment with it so I can add it to the list when we do go private.   

Driving Range

Don't judge our form - we are learning!


The pressure is on. My dad is visiting soon and a game of golf is in order. We aren't quite ready to play with the big boys but we are hoping a few months of practice will get us close enough to leave the fancy greens with some dignity.

Sunrise

I found this picture on my camera today. The skies here can seem so oppressive a lot of the time and then all of a sudden they just open up in this amazing way. Mike captured it well.

Sunrise Donuts

Our Saturday started very early with plans to help give rides to the youth up to the mountain to play in the snow. Mike bought some donuts in an attempt to be the favorite car, but not enough youth showed up to finish off our purchase. So, what is a guy to do but eat the remainder?

Portland City Grill and an Afternoon Walk

Not Today

We had to look up who was playing, but what a great excuse for breaking the usual fruit, veggie, and protein routine. Here's to a day with nothing healthy in our diet. 

We ate none of these

And in the spirit of healthy competition, Mike took the orange 

photo challenge and stepped up with a pyramid creation.  

This is all that was left of our Superbowl day.