Suzy and Evan Explore the World

P9051521
Originally uploaded by geisthaus.

Keep up with our traveling friends. After sea kayaking to Australia, Suzy and Evan decided to run 389 miles and then take a 700 mile jaunt on a bmx bikes. That was Monday. Tomorrow they'll be traveling up to the top of Mt. Cook in New Zealand by skateboard.

Check out there blog.

I've also got a link to Evan's blog on the right side of my HELLOPORTLAND.

The Jersey Shore

Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Two hours outside of NYC down the New Jersey shore is a place called LBI (Long Beach Island). Pet and Gen invited us to there beach house on the island this weekend. Very nice. If you live in this city (NYC) you need to escape sometimes. NYC is a great place, but it's so dense and so populated that sometimes you just need to get out and breath. Michelle and I are enjoying the city and we're also enjoying having a car. Great weekend. Now it's time to tackle NYC again.

Jen Visits

Jen Visits
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Jen dropped by last week. She was here for about 4 days. Museums, shopping, food, Time's Square (see picture above) and of course, for Jen, a Sex in the City tour. It was a great time. So far we've had Christen, Ryan, Ginger and David Stewart (not to mention Rose)in NYC. Next weekend Elijah, Chamille, Gabe and Sarah show up. We can't wait. Maybe Gabe and Elijah will want a Human Hair Cut.

NY Signs

Signs
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

I'm going to try to start a new series of entries on signs. Here's my first one. The sign speaks for itself.

It's nice to know that a place about 4 blocks away from my house cuts human hair.

Four Years Ago, Today

Four years ago today, Michelle and I wed. It was a beautiful day full of friends and family. Since that time we’ve met many new friends, experienced growth and pain and love and everything in between. We’ve purchased a home, sold a home, moved across the country, changed jobs, had parties and pretty much experienced a ton of life. And yet, that day seems like yesterday. I sat in the car, air-conditioning blasting (who would’ve known it was going to be so hot on Mt. Hood in late September), waiting for Michelle to get to the wedding. Little did I know, she was waiting for her mom who had been waiting for my mom (or something like that). But, to be truthful, I wasn’t even aware of my late bride. I was to busy trying to psyche myself out. No crying. I know myself and my emotions (thanks dad for the crying gene) and so I needed to make sure I didn’t let go. Didn’t cry. I had vows to say. Composure was key.

Finally Michelle showed up. The guitarist started playing and we began walking down the isle. Somewhere between walking down the isle and seeing Michelle in her dress for the first time, it kicked in. By “it”, I mean the crying gene. Uncontrollable. Thank God I was hydrated or I might have collapsed. As much as I tried to stop, I just couldn’t. It just kept coming (my groomsmen were crying too. Eli, Colin, Steve, Chris and Stephen don’t even try to say you weren’t. We’ve got you on film). But eventually we got through the ceremony. It was beautiful ceremony, and by the end, I stopped crying.

We took pictures as the guest made their way up to the lodge. Manny was working his magic, snapping away, and we were just basking in the moment, because, when you get married, that’s about all you can do. Take it all in. Bask in the moment. Moments come and go fast, so try to experience them in all their fullness, because before you know it, they’ll be gone.

Finished with pictures, we cruised up to the lodge. Party on. Food on. Kegs on. And a secret hard alcohol bar downstairs that someone had also set up (Dan) was on. Oh, my. It went off. It was a great party and in the end, Michelle and I didn’t want it to end. We wanted to throw another party just like it. But the wedding party did end, and our marriage began.

So, as anyone who knows me at all can attest to, unlike my wedding date, I’m always the one late our marriage. And just like always, I forgot to put a card out for Michelle this morning. Truthfully, I didn’t forget, I just couldn’t find the right card. They all seemed canned. Not real. Not big enough or small enough to express my true feelings. I couldn’t find anything that could do justice to the last four years with Michelle. It’s been a complicated journey. And we’ve both grown an immense amount. So here’s the message I would have put on card for her this morning if I would’ve found the right card.

Michelle, I love you. Happy anniversary. Let’s keep growing together and see were it takes us. And one more thing.

I do.

Labor Day Weekend

September 10 2005 (Labor Day Weekend) 052
Originally uploaded by Polish Carpetlayer.

Michelle and I packed up the backpacks and headed up north... to Vermont over the Labor Day weekend. It was beautiful. The fall colors are on the verge of showing themselves. We'll be up there again in a little less than a month to enjoy the changing seasons.

Gas was... ouch!!! But we don't drive much, so we broke out the credit card and filled up the tank. Good thing we're not driving a H2.

We went on a day long hike, visited small quaint villages and enjoyed the country. Very Oregon of us.