Memory Lane...Multnomah

I wasn't sure I really wanted to see the campus after I heard that there had been some changes, but I'm really glad we went! Some things are different, but a whole lot is still the same... And who better to walk down memory lane with at Multnomah than Alan & Krysten, just a couple of the close friends from school that share so many memories.

Multnomah has become an accredited university, which is exciting. That's great news! They were just starting the process around my junior year or so, so it's neat to see that it all went through and they achieved that status.

Sutcliffe, where all the offices are located, presents a grand and historic entry to the campus.


Aaah, Memorial Dorm. My home for my freshman and sophomore years.

Krysten and I giggled about the year she had her own room above the entry where we spied on people coming home late from their nights out. We witnessed first dates, break ups, and secret rendezvous's from her window!

Fond memories with this view... walking to class with my girlfriends, hanging out in the fair sunshine out on the lawn, running back from a late night out hoping they didn't lock the doors.

This is the campus house that Kevin lived in during his one year at Multnomah. We watched our first movie together (John Q) in that living room! We tussled and chased each other... and this is also where Kevin called me "hefty." Yeah, he's never lived that down... hahaha.

We were relieved to see that the A-Frame is still there. I hope it always will be! That was one of the cool hang-out spots. We watched many movies, played pool, and celebrated birthdays in there.

A good time to stop and smell the roses...

The gym - They've changed the team name from the Ambassadors to the Lions, and now they have paw prints painted on the sidewalks. Alan infomed us that the team is no longer the underdog team they once were. Today's Multnomah Lions now squarely hold their own, averaging over 120 points per game and putting up a fight!

Some new construction where a green lawn once lay stretched out. This is where the new cafeteria and cafe are, along with other student center needs.

Multnomah is still such a beautiful campus, if not more so than I remember.

The seminary building.

This is where Alan originally proposed to Krysten. And they enjoyed reliving that moment. (Krysten said yes.) ;)

My hot catch - whew!

This veranda was once the sometimes peaceful, sometimes romantic, sometimes fun hangout spot outside the cafe where I worked. During the holidays it would be all lit up with white lights, which was always my favorite.

Mitchell Library - who knows how many hours I spent in there!!!!

(**Sigh**) This is the empty spot where my junior year dorm once stood. White Hall is no more, and now they have.... Grass. Maybe they needed it, although I don't know why they would tear that one down!

The Prayer Chapel. We sat in it for a few minutes, and it reminded me of all the times I used to spend in there for some quiet time with the Lord. What a special place that is to me and still holds in my heart. Makes me wish I had my own prayer chapel in my back yard or something...

The Commons, where the cafeteria used to be. I'm not sure what they use this end for now... but the front still looks the same!

Alan is standing outside his old room, the same room that faced Krysten & Erica's room when White Hall was still standing. We girls had so much fun giggling and being girls as we flirted with the guys from across the parking lot. Krysten was dating Alan then, so it was always fun to spy on them coming back from a date. ;)

Alas, time flies. Can't believe it's been seven years already!! Krysten and I both agreed that we are so glad we took so many pictures while we were in college because we pretty much documented everything we did. It's fun to look back at those pictures and "remember when....."

And last, but not least.... the duplex that Kevin and Alan lived in with a couple other guys our year after Multnomah. Much to our surprise, it's still the same color!!! The lighting in this picture does not do the bright blue and periwinkle action going on behind them. That place was the kind of place we girls didn't really like spending too much time in. It was filthy and sticky most of the time!

Oh to live those college days again.... that would be a trip, to say the least! It was sure a lot of fun to walk through again and reminisce. Thanks, Alan and Krysten for sharing that with us!

Memory Lane... Downtown

After Multnomah, we headed downtown to 23rd Street. When reminiscing about our days in Portland, this is the one place that came to mind first.

I snapped a quick picture of the familiar view from the freeway as we circled around the NE end of the city.

Java Vivace - the cafe that Kevin and I went to on our first time out alone. We went out to do homework and ended up falling for each other.They make excellent hazelnut lattes and play live jazz on Saturday nights. Love that place...

This is what we fondly refer to as "our Kinkos." On that night out Kevin and I took a walk down the street and just for fun we went into Kinkos to take copies of our hands. We still have those copies - one of which is framed.

Awesome cheesy quesadillas

Papa Hadyns - A few birthday wishes were made here as we enjoyed their dreamy desserts.

Ram's Head - the infamous spot where Krysten innocently got acquainted with the Long Island Iced Tea. Hee hee hee hee....

Ah, and Moonstruck Chocolates. This place is divine... a personal favorite for we girls, of course.

The Wedding

What a sweet and beautiful wedding... It was such a perfect and special day. The morning started out with a downpour, but it didn't dampen any spirits on this day. And after all the day ended bathed in sunlight (that's the Northwest for you!). Caleb and Anna were emanating love, and I really saw my "little" brother in a whole new light - as a husband. Caleb and Anna are perfect for each other, and we are so excited for their future together.

Beautiful Bride, Handsome Groom

It was really great to see Seth, Amy, Jordan & Hunter again - if only we had more time! Jordan was the junior bridesmaid while Hunter served as the ring bearer. They were in my wedding five years ago as the same roles, but they were much smaller! My how they've grown!

The rings were safe with Ring Security.

Kevin & Brian

Lynn & Noni

Isaac did really well, considering the wedding was exactly at his naptime. He looked on with approval at the ceremony taking place, and actually let out a little cheer when Caleb & Anna gave their vows. Too cute.

My little guy - so GQ in his shirt and tie. He had a vest to boot, but it was getting too warm to keep.

My handsome man and son.

They made their arrival at the reception and went straight to the dance floor for their first dance. Everything about them oozed romance that day!

Cuttin' a rug.... gettin' jiggy with it.... feeling groovy.... Okay, so we may not be dancers, but we had fun with it even though there were tables of party poopers watching our every move. It was time to CELEBRATE, people! I'll be a spectacle if it'll make Caleb & Anna happy on their special day.

Isaac enjoyed a rousing game of "Where's Isaac?" (a.k.a. peek-a-boo) with Grandma...

... and then opted for cuddle time with Grandpa before...

... totally zonking out.

After his catnap, Isaac decided he qualified as a single guy for the garder toss.... but he didn't catch it (phew! not quite ready for that yet! hahaha).

They left amid a halo of bubbles

And a romantic fairytale ending - a horse-drawn carriage ride... and off to Hawaii the next day!

A Little Morsel - Warm Beach

For those of you who have been bugging me for an update... :)


In a nutshell, it's been a busy, fun, relaxing week. My younger brother Caleb got married in Salem, OR on Saturday. It was a beautiful wedding and a really special time with my family. After the wedding, Kevin and I left Isaac with my parents for one night (our first overnight experience away from him, and I think I did pretty good), and met up with some friends in Portland. No responsibilities, no cares in the world, roaming the streets of Portland with college-era energy and bright eyes. It was heavenly. Sunday we walked down memory lane and visited Multnomah, 23rd street, and the Gorge before meeting up with my family for an amazing dinner on the waterfront at McCormick & Schmicks. Now we are in Washington visiting Kevin's family, and so far it's been a lot of fun and relaxing at the same time. I'd love to share my pictures with you, but right now they are all spread out between other people's cameras! So for now, here are some fun pictures from today... We went up to Stanwood to see Karen, Steve, and the girls. Warm Beach is just down the street from their house...

Isaac's first time in the sand... at first he looked at the sand on his hands with a bewildered expression. "What is this stuff??"

Then Daddy came over and showed him a thing or two...

Ooooooohhhhh, I like it!!!

Do you see this stuff, Mom? It's so cool!

And now we're in total examination mode - nothing can deter his attention when he is in this mode. He was so cute as he picked up fistfuls of sand and played with the texture. We only had to keep him from eating rocks and shells a couple of times... hahaha.

Cousin Sarah having a grand ol' time... Miss Too Busy and Mr. Too Absorbed to sit still for a picture.

This. Is. AWESOME!!!

Needless to say, Isaac was MAD when it was time to leave. He was having the time of his life out there. Hmmm.... perhaps a sandbox would be a great birthday present?

Cooking Up Some Fun

Mindy sent me this picturemail today (I love it when she does that). Isaac and Addie are having a ball "cooking" something up for her at Addie's little kitchenette. Too cute!! Mindy told me yesterday that now that Isaac is crawling, he is EVERYWHERE. And now when she goes around the corner, he no longer sits and cries. He figured out that he can follow her. The world is a happier place!

And... now that he is getting more interested in Addie's toys, Mindy is going to be playing referee a bit more. Addie has begun to enforce the word "MINE!" And let me tell ya, I saw first hand that Isaac doesn't really listen to her. Rather he just plows on ahead, simply pushing past poor Addie! Looks like a lesson in sharing will be in order since neither of these kiddos have siblings yet...

He's Obviously Growing Well Enough!

Thanks for all of your feedback. I suppose the general theme is - a little dirt never killed anybody (but is that really true??). I'll relax, I'm sure. I don't necessarily want to be equated to that mom in the commercial with her boy in a bubble while all the other kids are having fun at the park. Really, I'm not that bad. haha... In the house I'm mostly just concerned about the stuff that the cats are tracking around. But what can ya do besides chase them around with the vacuum. Picture that! LOL. Outside of the house is actually easier to manage, surprisingly.

On another note - Isaac had his nine month well visit appointment on Monday (even though he’ll be 10 months this weekend). We tried a new pediatrician, and we LOVE him. Isaac seemed to be really comfortable with Dr. Curran too, so that’s a plus. No stranger danger, rather Isaac was as social as ever with the doc. It was cute. As we already know, Isaac is a big boy! He’s still in the 95th percentile for his height, while his weight is exactly average. He’s 30 ½ inches!!!! That’s almost THREE FEET!