my first Nikon...it's kind of a big deal.

So, I have the most wonderful husband in the world. We've (read "I've") wanted a digital SLR for awhile now. I used to love taking pictures and have recently wanted to pick it up again. Well Erik got me a Nikon DSLR for my birthday! Three hoorays for that. So, here's me, my Nikon, and what we can do so far. I have high hopes of us working together a lot better in the near future, me learning what this fun new machine can do and showing it through my pictures. We will see, but for now...

Here we are.

Here's what she (yes, it's a girl) can do...

she can capture fun clouds,

she can find fun details in leaves,

she can document things from long ago,

she can catch friendship,

and she can stop while one boy shows his precious passion for trains!

Rafting '09

Hemry family reunion 2009 was a blast! The whole family was able to spend two quality days on the Deschutes River. Mom and Dad, thanks for a great trip! 

The kids...before

The whole fam...everyone is sooo excited I wanted to take a picture. Dad is wondering why we weren't on the road 1/2 hour ago, mom is running through her list in her head, well, you get the idea, oh yeah, and then there is Erik, flexing for some reason...hmmm.

Ty guided us kids safely down the river, always allowing for just the right amount of splashing, on this one (Boxcar) the amount was "soaked!"

Here we are all happy and dry again!

Such a fun way to spend family time together! I love you family!!

camping...and more camping

We have had quite a whirlwind of a summer so far. Busy, but really fun. The past couple of weekends we have spent time camping with friends. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends! First we went to Frog Lake with Mike and Jeannie. I don't have any pictures of humans, but here are bff's Henry and Charlie. They spent most of their time playing, wrestling, and chasing each other as boys will! 

Last weekend we headed down to Foster Lake with Shane, Kim, and Caden. Such a beautiful place, and a great way to celebrate Shane's birthday! We got to spend time with their families, and time on the boat!

Kim and Caden on the boat...Caden isn't too sure of this whole idea! He did smile after this picture was taken :)

Erik (I mean Ewak) and Caden waiting for Shane to pass the football!

My boys all curled up taking a nap in the sun.

me (Ewan) and Caden saying "cheese"

Henry enjoying some time on the boat!

Thanks friends for such fun camping stories for 2009! You are great!!

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