Winter photo

Luckily the snow on the branch above our heads didn't fall off. Standing next to it, it didn't look as precarious as it does in the photo...

It has returned

New Glasses

I love them. First new pair of glasses in over six years. So nice. 

A beautiful Thanksgiving in Portland

The weather in Portland decided to be my friend and was beautiful the whole time Bry and I were there.

Allison got us from the airport on Tuesday and took us around downtown Portland. If I had been smarter, I would have taken pictures of Powell's which we went to and were able to do some early Christmas shopping, as well as of the food carts where Bry and I got lunch.

Here's a picture someone else took of Powell's that I thought was cool, though. Very impressive bookstore.

After exploring downtown, we headed to a flooring place where we met up with Kurt. Allison and Kurt went in with Reid to pick out flooring for the house they're building and Bry and I stayed in the car with Malia and Damon. After they'd picked out excellent flooring, we headed to the Portland temple's visitors' center which is pretty nice and new.

From there we went to where the Plasters are staying temporarily so that Malia could get dressed for gymnastics.

While at the building for Malia's gymnastics practice, Bry and I talked to a woman who happened to be Canadian and asked Bry a couple questions about citizenship and things. Very nice lady.

We had dinner at Laurel Lee and Robert's home which was delicious- taco salad.

Wednesday we went to Cannon Beach which was beautiful and had some delicious fish and chips. MMMM.

Cute kiddos.

Gorgeous. 

From the beach we drove down to the Tillamook cheese factory which is possibly one of Bry's favorite places to go on the face of the planet. He was definitely in his happy place.

A quote Allison pointed out that I also found amusing. 

CHEESE. 

While we were at the Tillamook cheese factory we bought some super delicious ice cream, as well as this interesting "dry" soda which we tried a couple days later.

It was interesting. I haven't had anything quite like it before. It's basically like soda except it seems to totally leave your mouth when you swallow and almost leave it sort of dry.

Thanksgiving was a great day- mostly relaxed, periodically making the food of which I sadly forgot to get a photo. The Plasters came over and we enjoyed great food with them and the Corkrans. We had turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes with brown sugar, freshly baked rolls, ambrosia salad (an Anderson tradition), cranberry horseradish, and maybe something else delicious I'm forgetting? This is why I take pictures. Hahaha. The food was great and the people were wonderful.

Friday was another relaxing day. We mostly just spent time talking with the Corkrans and enjoying the sweet face of little Valerie. We had lunch with Joan and Leonard which was good.

Bry and I went for a walk outside. Yummy leftovers for dinner. The Plasters came to spend time with us that last night, which was great fun.

SO many trees.

Matching hoodies.

Oh Marlo.... Cute kitty.

Robert was a hero and went to Voodoo Doughnut early Saturday morning before we had to go to the airport, and brought us back some fun doughnuts.

Portland cream was probably the most normal. Dirt doughnut (Oreos). Diablos Rex (the one with the white star and chocolate chips).

Maple bacon- weird. I know. But it sort of works. The first three bites I took of it were great and then the novelty sort of wore off, to be honest, but it was fun to try. Bry ate the rest of it.

Overall a fantastic trip. Amazing food. Beautiful area. Great weather. Wonderful people and a big thank you to them for their time. It was so fun to spend time with them and get to know them and Portland better. I'm so glad we were able to go. =)

I love early premiers

This is a couple of days late, but I haven't had time to post about it in the last couple days because of school.

HUNGER GAMES : CATCHING FIRE WAS AWESOME! It was SO true to the book. I want to go back and see it again!

Also, happy half-birthday to Bry and quarter-birthday to me two days ago when we went to see this- Nov. 20!

Feeling great!

Even though I woke up not wanting to get out of bed, today has turned out to be a great day.

Here are some of the reasons why:
1. I found out this morning that Bry and I will be seeing Catching Fire in theaters at 7:45pm on WEDNESDAY. Boo-yah. (Yes, I know you're jealous. No, I can't buy you a ticket.)
2. I'm getting a new set of glasses for the first time in over 6 years this week and they are beautiful.
3. We went to Papa Murphey's tonight to grab a Hawaiian pizza and got a family-size for the price of a large because someone ordered it and then called back after it was already made to say they changed their mind.
4. It was sunny and warm enough to wear flip flops.
5. When I got hungry at work I was able to eat my favorite granola bar which my supervisor happened to give me last Friday and that I'd left on my desk.
6. One of my professors informed the class that he decided to cancel class next Monday, so now I only have ONE class next week.
7. Only 8 days left until Bry and I leave to Portland for Thanksgiving break.
8. Only a month and a day until Bry and I go to my house for Christmas.
9. Bry brought home free hand soap he got at work randomly, as well as a Lindor truffle, and this cutie:

I GOT 'em

Mwahahahahaha. Months of planning (not really- more like it has been planned for months- it didn't actually take that long to plan) finally succeeded. The months of being paranoid that my plan would be discovered or I'd slip up. The stress that occasionally kept me up late at night with fear that something would go wrong- they'd find out or figure it out or my transportation would be delayed or unorganized.

But today it ALL came together. Here's how it went:

1. Bry dropped me off at the Provo airport which was very small and slightly confusing, but sort of fun because of how small it was.
2. Ariana and her dad picked me up from the Oakland airport.
3. I walked through the court behind Becca and Isaac's house while I called her and asked her to check for a package on her front porch.
4. She sent Aiden to check the front door and he answered it to find me! I said "hello Aiden" over the phone and then hung up and heard Becca in the house say "what!" Aiden's face was totally expressionless when he answered the door because he came looking for a box and I wasn't a box, so he ran in with me and told Becca "no box, just Auntie!" Perfect, kid. Thank you. =)
5. When I saw Becca I declared "happy birthday!"

Meanhile, mom was upstairs having heard my voice while painting (and realizing it was NOT on speaker phone) and was practically cursing me for coming while she was working on painting a door and messing up her mojo. hahaha. How was I supposed to know?

It's going to be a great, but short weekend. I hope to enjoy what I can of it, though. =)