Super Sonic Day...?

Dear Sonic,

I think you are great for many reasons. 

Your diet cherry lime-aid is quite refreshing and delicious, your tator tots are fantastic, and your commercials are witty and generally funny. 

I decided today that I needed an afternoon diet cherry lime aid as a treat, pulled up to the window, gladly accepted my drink, and then one of your bubbly workers said this to me, "Have a super sonic day." REALLY????

Sonic, you have so many things going for you, are you really willing to jeopardize that with a ridiculously cheesy good bye slogan. You might want to think twice about that one.

Love,

Erin

one man's trash is my treasure

I. heart. Goodwill. 

There was a time long, long ago when I was highly grossed out by the store, but I have come so far. This place is a gold mine.  I spent $20.94 and got the following:

1. This white pottery type pitcher to house my cooking utensils. I've been looking for one for months. $3.99

2. These frames, which formerly held something ugly and were painted bad colors, but are now clean and shiny black. $2.99 each

3. These candlesticks that were formerly ugly (just like the frames) and are now shiny black (just like the frames). I heart them. They are going in the blank space on the mantel in the picture above...I think. $2.99, $3.99, $3.99

Any one of these items could have cost $20. 94, but I got them all! That is satisfaction. 

So...what are your good finds?

Celebration and a Good Friend

Erik (the most wonderful husband ever :) took me to Portland to celebrate our anniversary earlier this week. 

We stayed at this gorgeous place. 

Ate at this fantastic restaurant. 

Snacked on the best cake ever accompanied by the best wine ever, 7!

Walked all around the city, and finally stopped for donuts and coffee.  

It was a great night. Many thanks to Alison and Kim for watching Henry. Alison is a great sister who is always willing to help! Thanks Al! 

Kim is a great friend, who happens to live just down the block. Kim is a relatively new friend, but she's the kind of friend I can't imagine not having around now. Kim is wonderful. You see, Kim isn't a huge fan of dogs. At. All. She is awesome and let's her little one play with Henry, which means she is around Henry too. 

But honestly, to volunteer to walk and feed him so we could spend the night in Portland. So. Nice. She pushed a baby jogger while managing a 6 month old puppy with more energy than anything I've ever seen. Kim, you rock!

One Year

One year ago (plus two days :) I married the man of my dreams. It was a beautiful day full of celebration with friends and family. I loved our wedding, everything about our wedding! I loved the flowers, I loved the location, I loved my dress, I loved our cake, I loved our food, but at the end of the day I loved most that we were able to share our love and commitment in front of God and those we love. 

I am amazed by how much can happen in one year. In one year we took a wonderful honeymoon, we celebrated the wedding of my brother and sister-in-law, we built a house, we got a dog, and we have experienced love in a whole new married kind of way!  

Babe, it's been the best first year of marriage I could imagine. Here's to another million or so! 

I love you big time, 

your wife

I love a good storm

True story. I don't know if this is normal, but I have wonderful and distinct memories that include thunder, lightening, rain, wind, and other stormy events! Apparently there was a huge storm where I live today, and I missed it. Is it strange to be disappointed about that? Well, I am. While some got to see lightening and listen to the thunder and rain I was at work...bummer. 

I thought it would be fun to reminisce of my stormy fun!

1. Hottmann wedding-Who are those crazy Oregonians who went outside when the storm started? Well, we sure thought it was fun!

2. Grad school-Many evenings spent sitting by my window listening to the rain and watching for lightening. I love it! 

3. Arches National Park-T, we did see that arch, nothing stopped us...not even the threat of being struck by lightening! Now, what was the advice on how to stand if we get struck?!

Anyway, thanks for letting me smile while remembering today.

Ranch Camp 2009

Hope you all enjoyed the long weekend. Erik and I were able to head back to John Day to hang out with family and also attend Ranch Camp! Some of our friends live outside of town on a ranch and were wonderful camp hosts. We got to do so many fun things, and best of all got to hang out with them all day. Thanks Justin and Lisa, we couldn't have asked for better camp counselors! 

Here's a quick glance of our camp experience...

Henry got to hang out with his mom and sisters. 

He wasn't so sure about riding in the back of the flatbed!

We doctored a horse. Okay, well maybe Justin and Lisa did, but we watched!

We toured the ranch, and got to see lots of super cute baby cows. Yes, I do know they are called calves, but baby cows makes them sound way cuter!

Lisa and I (and Henry too) on a break enjoying the view from the back!

We got to see lots of wildlife...Elk, Antelope, Squirrels, and Justin was sure we saw deer too

Getting ready for our horse ride

Looks like a natural, huh?!

The view from their porch, isn't it beautiful?! Erik and Justin are bringing the horses home.

Thanks again friends! We had such a great time, let's do it again soon!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day mom! You really are the best. 

If you haven't met Nancy, let me introduce you (via the blog...what else?!). My mom is an amazing cook, seriously...amazing! She is my pick for Top Chef any day of the week. My mom can garden like nobody's business. Her yard is full and beautiful. HGTV should get her number! My mom can decorate. Her home is a canvas for her incredible style. See previous HGTV comment :) My mom can put together an outfit! Her style expands far beyond the walls of her home. She is the cutest mom out there! But those are all the outer details. She is far more beautiful on the inside than her Manhattan chairs or her Ann Taylor skirts or her Japanese Maple...

My mom is the most welcoming person I know. She has the ability to invite anyone (and sometimes everyone :) into her home and make them feel like they are a part of the fam. My mom loves kids. And quite often, she loves the kids that don't appeal to adults. She appreciates their quirks and traits that others might view as annoying or goofy. She embraces the challenge of giving children the gift of a voice, and loves doing so. My mom loves her family. It amazes me how she blesses us by inviting us into her house and serving us, whether it is serving a meal, a listening ear, or a "how to" on gardening, sewing, or cooking!  Well, I could go on, but you get the idea. My mom is a wonderful, amazing woman with a kind heart. Mom, on behalf of all your kids...We love you!!!