Last of the Summer...

We FINALLY got the shade structure DONE! I should mention that "we" means Josh.  He did an amazing job putting the roof on and my wonderful father-in law came over on Sunday to help us put lights in as well. Now we can enjoy our patio morning, noon or night and in any weather.

The final touches of summer home improvements are hopefully going to take place in the next few weeks.  We pulled the trigger to get our yard fenced in. We have had just about enough of walking the dogs out on leashes every time they have to go outside.  UGH!

We had our friends, Ben, Shin Shin, and their new baby Mason over for dinner on Saturday. They are getting ready to move to Eugene, OR (I'm really jealous) so we had a send off for them.

In kickball news, we won on game last Thursday and will be heading to the Semi's and Championship double-header next week!!!

We took advantage of another weekend of hiking Millcreek Canyon again. The pups LOVED it and were barely exhausted afterwards. The next day we took them rollerblading around Liberty Park for a good three miles. The pups had a fun filled weekend!

The colors are changing

HAPPY Ebony

Terries in Training

Yin found herself a friend = )

The happiest Ebony

Post weekend fun, tired lil Yin

Finally, we have one more week of brewing until the first batch of beer is officially READY! I got a taste test and it was yummy!

Project's

Tired Baby Yin

This last week we were back to some sort of routine...however, my week at work was cut short.

I traveled up to Seattle, Washington again on Thursday and Friday, however, this time was far less fun filled than my last Seattle visit. I attended a course on Advanced Amputee Rehab. The speaker is one of pioneers for our profession specific to amputee's.  As usual it rained the entire 48 hours I was there, which was nice because then I didn't mind having to sit inside listening to a lecture for 9 hours each day.  It's always nice to have some time to yourself, which I took full advantage of.  I got a bean and cheese tofu burrito, a yummy fat tire (which we can't get in Utah), and kicked back to a night of Grey's Anatomy. It was heavenly!!

I returned to a weekend full of house projects. Our dear friend Ty stripped and primed our shade structure on our back patio. The next day the three of us did all the painting. We decided on an espresso brown vs. the yucky white it used to be. Way MORE work than I had bargained for and it's not even done yet. Ty has been an amazing help to Josh and I. He is painting for a living now and so we got the professional eye. We are going to cover it with a new top so we can BBQ and drink our coffee in the winter! Finished pictures posted soon!

The second "project" for the weekend was my dear husband's adult science project. He is going to start brewing his own beer at home.  He put together an IPA recipe this weekend. You can't take the scientist out of him.  I have been enlisted as quality control. I will be doing the taste testing. It takes 3-4 weeks until it will be ready. I will keep you updated.

I finally got to catch up with my wonderful friend Mal and hear the Lillybean stories. She sounds amazing. They have a beautiful new baby girl who is the center of their world. We are so excited for you guys and can't wait to meet the little one!

Tired Pup
Finally, we took the pups on an early morning hike on Sunday with Robyn, our neighbor and her pup, Yarrow. The leaves are starting to change in the canyons. Fall is in the air. It was so beautiful.

Weekend of "W's" and The Crest

This last week was a little rough getting started. It's hard to get back into the swing of things after a FUN, long weekend.  Luckily it was a short one at that.


Robyn, Andy and myself are officially headed to kickball playoffs!! We closed our last game out with a "W". I'd like to add I caught the game ending pop-fly. A little nerve wracking...

GO UTES

The weekend was spent with relaxing mornings and fun filled days/nights.  On Saturday we got ready for our first UTE home football game with a little tailgating with the Wallace's. They know how to tailgate. Satellite TV's, homemade salsa competition, fajitas and corn hole.  The Utes also got the "W" against UNLV. It has been so long since I have seen my Sara friend, it was nice to see her.

My Sara friend

Following the Ute win we stopped by a friend's house and tried his home-brewed beer. Being in Utah, the beer selection is limited at best. Josh just purchased his own kit to start brewing his own beer, so he was getting some tips and taste testing.  Can't take the mad scientist out of him.


We then returned home to watch the DUCKS get a big "W" as well.  We had the Hoffmeister's, who are from Eugene and are fellow DUCKS join us to watch the game. GO DUCKS!!!


Sunday was filled with an infamous mountain bike ride called "The Crest". It was just over 30 miles round trip from start to home.  We took our roommate Aaron along for the ride. He brought his mountain bike with him from Rhode Island. Needless to say the mountains look a little different out here.  It took us a good 4 hours, with LOTS of stops to admire the scenery and catch our breath.  Such an amazing experience. This was my first ride of the season. Good one to start with

Still smiling after climbing "puke hill"

The View

Aaron and Josh waiting on ME

DMB, GORGE, FAMILY and NO LABOR

The holiday weekend was spent at the Gorge Amphitheater in George, Washington doing many of our favorite things.

Home sweet Home

Breakfast and Mimosa time

<3

The View

The Show

The Crew

Dave and Ben Harper play Watchtower together!!

PACKED TIGHT

We extended the long weekend by flying out Friday morning into Seattle, Washington where we met Zach (my brother in-law) who is living in Omaha, Nebraska. He had rented a car for our 3 hour drive to the gorge. We met up with 2 other girls, Nicole and Mikel. Zach and Mikel have known each other since they were young. Nicole and Mikel are both ICU nurses at OHSU and are living in Portland. They did ALL our food planning and shopping which was a huge weight off our shoulders.  We essentially just had to show up to have a good time.

We decided to camp in the "premiere camping" which I had not done the last two times I have been and let me tell you SO WORTH IT!! We actually got a good nights sleep.  Premiere camping apparently is code for "if you are old and want your sleep and don't plan on drunken debauchery all night" PARK HERE = )

We were in the very first row of campers so the walk to the venue was about 20 minutes. Dave played 3 amazing nights of concerts Friday, Saturday and Sunday with Ben Harper opening. They played "Watchtower" together on Saturday night, it was AWESOME! During the day we hung out played ladder ball, sunbathed and RELAXED. It was so wonderful to be free of responsibility...

Luckily our new roommate Aaron took care of the pups while we were gone, so we didn't have to worry a bit about the dogs.

There is nothing better than spending a weekend full of live music, good food, amazing people and complete and utter freeness. We have both had a hard time adjusting back to "work" again this week.

Until next time...