Four Years

Today marks the fourth year that Stu and I have been together. Stu and I have known each other since our Freshman year at the U of O and I can still remember the first time I saw him; it helps that he was one of four guys in the Careers in Education freshman interest group. I can't even begin to tell you how many hours I spent in his dorm room, just hanging out and talking/doing stupid stuff. Stu was my best guy friend for three years before we started dating and I can honestly say that Stu has been a huge factor in me becoming the person that I am today. He knows everything little thing about me and still loves me.

Freshman year in the dorms

Being with someone who hates to get his picture taken has made it impossible to get good shots of us together. I shamelessly took this last picture from Carolyn and Jesse's blog...

SCARIEST THING EVER!

McDowell Creek Falls

The weather is very Oregony outside right now; wet, cold, gray...but this last weekend, we saw some sun shining through and Stu and I took advantage of it. I bought this cool little hiking guide the other day and we decided to try out a new spot. We ended up going to McDowell Creek Falls over by Sweet Home. It took us a while to find it because the guide was a little vague on how to get there and the google map directions ended up sending us out to some gravel road that ended in a "Do Not Trespass" sign with bones scattered on the ground underneath. Literally. I am not kidding. We decided that probably wasn't the turn we were supposed to take and, not wanting to meet up with the natives from Deliverance, we drove through to the other side of Sweet Home. And magically found it!

This isn't the actual McDowell Creek Falls because apparently, sometime between the hike and home, those pictures were deleted. This is the second waterfall that we came across on the hike and it is quite small in comparison. Still very pretty though.

It was a very well-maintained trail with nice bridges to cross the river so it wasn't a very challenging hike by any means.

Since we were going on a hike, I decided to give Stu his anniversary gifts early; the hiking guide and a backpack with one of those camelback water holders (we both hate carrying water bottles with us.) Since Stu refuses to get his picture taken, we will be seeing a lot of me in this blog. A lot.

Happy Earth Day!

I know that this is a little ridiculous but I had to post it. When the rats want to come out and play (we let them run around in their balls or run around on the couch for a little bit to exercise them) they often climb to the tallest point in their tank. The water bottle. And then look up through the screen on top until we take pity on them and let them out. Yesterday, we didn't notice right away and a little while later, I found Miso who apparently went to sleep on her water bottle. I thought it was pretty cute.

I have a tan/burn line!

This last weekend Stu and I went on a hike up Spencer's Butte for the first time ever! We have both lived here since 2002 and have only now gotten around to doing and it was awesome. It was a beautiful day and there were a ton of people out but that almost made it better because everyone was in a great mood and we were greeted with smiles and cheerful hellos up and down the trail.

This has definitely gotten me in the mood for doing more stuff outdoor. I know that the cold and rainy weather is back on its way so let's hope that I don't lose the motivation!

I am pretty cool.

After the hike, Stu and I had a bbq at our house. It was pretty impromptu actually. We only expected Noah but were joined by a few other friends, some we haven't seen since last summer! I love bbqing!

Saturday Market

One of the things that really gets me in the mood for summer and summer weather is the Saturday Market in downtown Eugene. I don't know what it is. I never buy anything (except the occasional raspberry lemonade!) but I love going down there to people watch. I didn't get a very good picture -I always feel self-conscious about taking pictures of people I don't know so I snapped one really quickly- but here is a shot of the first Saturday Market of the season. We went with Noah a couple of weekends ago.

This Saturday, Stu and I went back and actually bought something for lunch. It is always so crowded on the lawn and I hate sitting on the wet grass, so we bought our Nice Rice and walked down to the little square on Broadway and Willamette. Stu was really excited to get honeycomb. He's been checking for it every time we go to the market since it's opened for the season.

While we were eating, someone also stopped by and gave us a little book that informed us of how we were sinning in life. Gotta love an afternoon in downtown Eugene.

Rats!!

As you may know, our tomato frogs Hurley and Jemaine passed away. Poor guys. We don't know what happened (they both died at different times) but perhaps the tank on our dining table was not enough of a substitute for the rainforesty awesomeness that is Madagascar. We were sad. We considered throwing away the tank but instead...

INTRODUCING THE NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR FAMILY:

Miss Swiss (aptly named because she tries to chew holes into everything) eating a strawberry and looking kinda creepy with those eyes.

Miso (she is the sneezy one)

Lyra (named this because she is the most adventurous little girl)

I know, we don't have normal pets but Stu grew up with rats and he really wanted to get them. I am glad that we got them. I was hesitant at first because of all the stereotypes that rats have against them. But they are very sweet and constantly cleaning themselves. The best part is that while those damn weasels won't hang out with us unless they are sleepy, Lyra, Swiss and Miso love to hang out. Anyway, just thought I would put up some pictures of our new family members...cause they are so damn cute!

SPACE!

This spring break has been a relatively unexciting one. It actually has been kind of nice. I mean, I know that I am going to probably look back on this break in a few weeks, when I am in the middle of a long stretch of work, and think that we really should have done something. But I am really enjoying the fact that I get up between the hours of 8-10 and don't have to rush to do anything.

One of the things we have done however, was to go the the Space Museum with Stu's grandpa. It was really fun. I like getting the chance to know Stu's family better and it was a great way to spend a yucky, rainy day.

I was a little disappointed that almost everything was a "replica" but I suppose that was okay. Haha. Stu kept laughing at me because I wanted to do all the hands on stuff and they were always filled with kids taking advantage of the fun...

I tried to get Stu and his grandpa to take a picture together and both declined so this was the best that I could get. But I was excited because we have a toy in the classroom that is a "replica" of the "replica" of a moon cruiser in the background of this picture! I am such a loser...

I tried to get a picture of my reflection in the astronaut helmet...you know, because I'm artsy like that. The museum got me all excited for Space at work. Too bad I have to wait like an entire year since we just had that theme...

Barack Obama is our neighbor!

Just last week, we had new neighbors move into the house next door, the one that we share a driveway with. We met most of them the evening that they moved in. Four guys who all look like they are young, probably sophomores in college (but what can I say, I look like I could be a freshman).

This scared the crap out of me the first time I saw it! I had peeked out through the blinds in our room (to see if their back light was on because it has been keeping us up at night) and saw someone looking back at me. I screamed and jumped away from the window. A few seconds later I investigated and realized what it was. I just had to take a picture. I'm sure that our neighbors saw my camera lens peeking out between the blinds and now think I'm a stalker. With any luck, they will think it was Stu... ;-)