Brian's biggest race yet!!

Tomorrow Brian starts a race at 9AM and it doesn't end until the following day at 9AM. I love my husband and his determination to challenge his physical and mental self more than I could ever do!!  But I still think he is a little crazy for wanting to run a race for 24 hours just for "fun". 

Anyway folks, here it is. And here we go. I'll be watching of course, even counting laps as a volunteer. I suppose it will give me something to do as he runs, and runs, and runs. I probably won't stay up all night long though. :) I plan on sleeping in a nice, warm house. 

Please be praying for Brian through this race, it will definitely be a challenge. 

More updates to come!!

ROLLER COASTERS GALORE!!!!

So after the wedding we wasted no time in having some serious fun!!! The day after we went with four friends from Alaska to Six Flags. We got there about an hour early and waited in line. When the gates opened people started running, we couldn't figure out where everyone was going but we kinda followed them to X2, the newest and according to the entrance worker "The scariest fastest ride in the park" Whether it was a good idea to go on the craziest one first was up for debate, but one thing was for sure, it was everything the lady said!!! I hadn't been on a roller coaster in a while and during the X2 experience I couldn't scream because I had no voice (yeah that crazy)

 OUR FRIENDS FRONT: LINDSEY AND DANNY LEDER. BACK: TIM AND CHRIS PHILLIPS. WERE GETTING READY TO TAKE THE PLUNGE ON COLOSSUS.

 THIS IS THE GREEN LANTERN. MY CELL PHONE FELL OUT OF MY POCKET AT THE VERY TOP ABOUT 100 FT DOWN ONTO THAT ROOF AND BROKE INTO PIECES. IT WASN'T WORTH STICKING AROUND TO GET IT BACK.

The next day we went to Disneyland and had a pretty awesome time!!! It rained which doesn't really bother Oregonians and Alaskans, so as far as there being lines for the rides, I don't remember waiting any longer than 20 minutes to get on a ride. We rode Indiana Jones 3 times, Tower of Terror 3 times and others as much as we wanted. Tim and Chris came with us and by the end of the day we were all a little roller coastered out.

 WE THOUGHT ABOUT THE POSITION OF "HEAD LANDSCAPER" AT DISNEYLAND. THIS MUST BE A VERY STRESSFUL JOB. JUST LOOK AT MICKEY MADE OF FLOWERS BEHIND US. THE WHOLE PARK IS LIKE THAT.

WENDY AND I GETTING READY TO GO ON AN ADVENTURE WITH INDIANA JONES. WE HELPED HIM SOLVE THE CASE OF THE ANCIENT ARTIFACT AND AVOID GETTING FLATTENED BY A LIVING ROOM SIZED BOULDER. 

Our California Vacation

Santa Barbara, California was calling our name this last weekend. We headed there for a wedding and some fun with great friends from Alaska. I, of course, worked a hike into the trip. We did a hike called the 7 Pools, and made it to that location. The water level wasn't very deep due to lack of rain in the last week, but it was still really beautiful.

Brian on our hike

The landscape is a little different than Oregon. Very dry, no tall trees in this area.

While hiking, Brian was desperate to find and catch a lizard. When he finally did, we were all surprised when the lizard did the only thing it could to escape...release it's tail. We all laughed and watched the tail twitch for a few seconds without it's owner.

The lizard's tail

We made it to the beach just once on this trip. Brian and a friend, Daniel both went and played in the waves. Just a little too cold for me though!!!

Saturday morning before the wedding Brian and I headed out to a park about 5 minutes from Solvang, California. Solvang is a beautiful little town surrounded by wine country. Quite the tourist destination.

Here is some of the countryside.

Dan and Brian, we are waiting to meet up with friends. 

A picture of one of the many cool buildings in Solvang.

I will blog next about the wedding and the amazing venue. Although I just realized I don't have a picture of the bride and groom!!

Weekend at the Beach

A few months ago, two girlfriends and I (Wendy) decided we needed a weekend at the beach. So, we planned the date, secured a little A-frame home, and waited. Unfortunately, one friend, Sarah couldn't make it due to some unplanned, early contractions. But, Darla and I enjoyed two nights in Oceanside, Oregon.

Lovely beach weather. Oceanside, OR.

We checked out some touristy sites around our area. One of them being this very large tree. 

Here is Darla next to the tree. 

 Cape Meares Lighthouse

We really had some great weather. God took care of us and provided the sunshine and dry skies. 

1st Hike of 2012

It is a beautiful day today! Sunshine and blue skies!! So, I (Wendy) decided to go on my first hike of the year. I've decided that I need to do one a month for this whole year. (At least one a month.) I'm sure in the summer I will do more than the one. So today I chose to go on a 5.6 mile loop past Multnomah Falls and Wahkeena Falls. I've been to the majestic Multnomah Falls more times than I can count, but have never seen the Wahkeena Falls. 

Multnomah Falls and bridge

Lovely sunshine on the trail. 

Wahkeena Falls

A Spoonful of Cinnamon

Have you ever tried a food challenge before? Drinking a whole gallon of milk in one sitting, eating a whole watermelon, eating a whole box of saltine crackers...or maybe eating a spoonful of cinnamon? Well, here is what happens when you try the cinnamon challenge. Watch the video below to see how Brian did. 

Brian and I were in Juneau for this particular challenge. We had a great vacation over New Year's and got to be there a little over a week. We had a ton of fun. We attending a wedding, a NYE party, hung out with tons of friends and had some good times with Brian's family. 

I didn't take a ton of pictures, because I really have many pictures of Juneau already, but here is a few of the beautiful snow and a snowshoeing walk we went on. 

DOWNTOWN JUNEAU IN THE SNOW

ONE OF OUR FAITHFUL HIKING COMPANION, MO

HERE IS GINGER, THE OTHER DOG THAT CAME ALONG AND ARAN, BRIAN'S STEPMOM. SNOW CAUGHT ON BOTH THE DOGS FUR AND REALLY BALLED UP AS YOU CAN SEE. THEY MUST HAVE BEEN CARRYING A TON MORE WEIGHT!

ME IN THE LAND OF SNOW. LOVELY!

Finishing Fall and Beginning Winter

We decided to do a quick update. It has been over a month since we last posted. Whoops!!  Anyway, fall is an awesome time of year. I love the fall colors and have tried hard not to put too many pictures up of the colors. 

Found this tree leaf, was amazed by the size. 

Here is the traditional Halloween picture. A great tradition.

This was a great birthday party for our friend, Troy. Mini golf under black lights!!

Sarah and Darla and I, once again, decided to frost way too many cookies and make some fudge for our holiday season. Those two are excellent cookie decorators!

More pictures coming later!