Aquarium

By now, I'm sure you've heard the news.


We went to the aquarium with Kenton, Katrina, Stu, Jaque and Finley at the end of February. I had free passes to the place from work, so it saved us $86! Yikes!

I was also in my beginning stages of growing a beard (now gone). I know what you are thinking. "He reminds me of someone....who....is....it....." Well let me help you out a bit here:

Yup, Clive Owen. It was a bit awkward having women run up to me all the time and want to have their picture taken with me, but I managed somehow.

Finley looking through a window in the floor at the passing sharks. I have to say that going there with a child was way more fun than going with just grown-ups. The excitement about everything is just so great.

WE OWNED THAT PLACE...JUST LOOK AT US WALKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PATH!!!!!!!!!

No trip to the beach is complete without actually seeing the beach, so we made the trek down to play in the surf and sand.

Carolyn found some slime.

Carolyn really liked the slime. Weirdo.

Stu and Jacque. I think I'm going to turn this one into an inspirational poster. It will probably have a caption something like "FRIENDSHIP: I don't know how we made it out of that whale, but you made the whole trip worthwhile."

Stu is a huge fan of Rogue brews, so we had to stop and have lunch and pay tribute.

Bread

You wanna know something cool? We haven't bought a single loaf of sandwich bread in 2009! Sure, we've purchased a few buns and specialty loaves here and there, but for our everyday bread it's all been handmade by Carolyn (and one by me, but we won't go into that fiasco!) We have to say this is all thanks to Debbie Grable. She gave us some of her homemade bread and we fell in love with it, so she gave us her recipe and ever since we've been baking away! Thanks Debbie!

Oh, and I suppose we should also thank our good friends over at KitchenAid for inventing mixers.

Valentine's Day...During The Day.....

Valentine's day weekend Carolyn's step sister's family Jen and Kyle and Drew and Logan all came down from Spokaloo to visit us. It was great to see them and their kids...they are growing up so fast!

The results of the boys v girls king of the hill contest.

Strangely I'm the only thing in focus here...maybe I should be in more photos because I make them so awesome!

Finley came over to meet Drew. Then we had a no-holds-bared-drag-down-knuckle-up-biting-scratch-yer-eyes-out toddler super wrestlemania for the title of strongest little kid. Actually no. That was all in my head and never happened. Not that I'd ever condone events like that. Why? Do you know of something like that?

Drew turned the candlestick into a trumpet! Silly boy...he never really caught on that with 20/10-65% Egyptian brass it could never be a trumpet...only a french horn. Silly boy.

A good close up of the laddy.
So you don't have to get too close and mark up your monitor!

True Valentines Day

We actually went out to dinner the day before Valentines day. On the actual day itself we babysat Kenton and Katrina's baby boy Finley so they could have a nice dinner and movie out alone.

After about a week of constant nagging, I got what I always wanted for Valentines! A HEART SHAPED PIZZA!!!!!!!!!

I had to do it. But now I strangely know how Kanye Feels.

Valentine's Day....Awwwwww!!!

Valentine's Day 2009: Operation Lovahhhhhh
Main Objective: Facilitate feelings of mutual enjoyment and fulfillment through spending time together
Obstacles to Success: Wife has class until late late late (like bed time late...like dangerous late...like 7 PM late!)
Method of accomplishing objective: Dinner at Cafe Maroc, which is right next to school

Goal 1 accomplished

Goal 2 accomplished

Mission Results: Mixed
Quality of food: Mediocre
Service: Unfortunately fast
Belly Dancer: Yes
Smiles: Present

And Then Came The Floods....

January 10th the Willamette River flooded Alton Baker park. It was insane! It was disastrous! It was life altering!!!! It's happened for the past 140 years!!! Anyhoo...we ate lunch at McMenamins and took a walk down to the park afterward and did some goofing around.

Get it? ...She's sitting on the flooded park bench! HAHHAHA! Like anyone would ever sit on a flooded bench! We are so clever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I couldn't let Carolyn get all the laughs! So clever....

Then we took a walk down the path...OH MY GAWD!!! THE PATH IS DROWNED!!!!!! HOW WILL WE EVER GET THROUGH!!!???????????????!!!!!!!!!!!! OH THE CARNAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Clever, huh?

Wow, How Time Flys!

At the beginning of the year, Carolyn started back to grad school at Pacific University. They have a campus down here in Eugene and she's going back to get her masters and teaching certificate to be an English teacher for middle/high schoolers. We are both very excited about this new path she's chosen and I'm sure it will amount to a much more satisfying career for her.

Naturally we have the obligatory "first day of school picture." I was so proud of her! She didn't even cry!! (although she may have once she was on)

She got a new outfit and everything! The jacket is actually old. So really all you can see of her outfit is her new boots and skirt in the first picture. They look good from the front too!