First snow of the season and six months of bliss

If it were up to me, I'd live in Bend. Well, yeah, I mean, I'd live in Austin first. But, Bend is a close second. 

We take off to Sunriver whenever we get the chance, and two weekends ago, we brought the Greenbergs with us. It was a quick trip, but we managed to fit in a "hike," a couple of breweries, and Ben's first snow. 

Christmas card-worthy shot here, guys! 

A man in his element. 

This guy...not so much a fan of the backpack. Needless to say, our hike didn't last long. 

It was COLD. This smile is hiding my disdain for the cold. 

Ben's first ROCK pic. We didn't make Kat and Mike sit on the rock since it was covered in snow.

He was all smiles with auntie and uncle.

Here's what happens after one giant glass of wine and soccer on the tube. 

Sunday--sans Greenbergs--we hit up Three Creeks Brewery in Sisters and the Metolius River at Camp Sherman on our way home. This day was pretty much perfect. Taylor fished, and I read on the bank of the river. Then, we visited the headwaters, a site my dad took us to explore when we were kids. When we finally made it home, a friend of mine texted me: "Happy six-month anniversary!" Awe. We didn't even plan such a spectacular day. Love it.

Trying to get the perfect shot...take 1.

Take 2...

Take 3...

SMILE, TAYLOR!

Winner, winner, chicken dinner!

Money shot. 

Luckily, there was another couple checking out the headwaters (yes, that's it in the background...just a little trickle of water coming out of the ground), and they took our tourist pic. Can you believe that little patch of mushy moss turns into the glorious waters pictured above?! 

Swift trip to the cabin on the lake

A few weeks ago now (isn't that the way all of my blog posts seem to start these days?), we took a quick trip up to Mike and Kat's family cabin at Swift Lake. 

Being away from the city <> and the hustle and the bustle of everyday life--work, email, texts, traffic, people--really recharges my batteries. I mentioned this revelation to Taylor on a morning run through the woods, to which he responded, "Why do you think I love fly-fishing so much?"

Although I'm having a hard time forming sentences at this very moment, I wanted to post a few pictures from our time at Swift as it was one of the first in which we got to spend such quality time with baby Ben. 

From happy hour at the lake, to losing a beach towel due to an unfortunate miscommunication, and of course the Ranger ride, thanks for the memories, Greeners. Never a dull moment. Even now that you have a baby boy. 

Not a bad view for morning yoga, right Taylor? (Note: He's not really doing yoga. He'd never.)

Mixin' drinks like it's his job.

I don't want to say goodbye to summer '13. Not yet.

10 Barrel(s) of laughs in Bend

A few weeks ago, we took a quick weekend trip to Bend to spend some time with T's football buddies and their wives, the Greenbergs and the Schaffers.

We met up with their other football buddy, Garrett, who owns a brewery in Bend, and we certainly enjoyed our time touring, tasting, and enjoying the menu at his brew pub.

Another weekend highlight: Watching Taylor in his element out on the mountain bike trails. He was a terrific tutor to his friends and patient as always with me.

I left my camera in the car when we were touring the brewery, so these are from T's phone.

Was really fascinated with the bottling machine...

Colby gearing up at the bike rental shop.

Such a specimen, that Mike. 

Such a stud in his kit.

Typical 50% smile rate.

Colby, Kat, and Carissa.

Forgot to take a group shot out on the trail.

We really worked for those tacos and beer.

Oh. This has nothing to do with the trip, but I just feel the need to post this. If you look carefully, you can see a camouflaged fly. It's a salmon fly, to be exact, and Taylor made us pull over the car in Warm Springs just so we could all catch a glimpse of these seasonal insects. It's a fly-fishing thing, and we just didn't understand. :) 

Cabin-palooza 2011

Every year for Taylor's buddy Mike's birthday (and for many other occasions), a mismatched gang of friends--and perhaps a couple strangers--heads up to a family cabin at Swift Lake in Washington.

In all my time knowing Taylor, I've never been able to attend one of these "cabin trips" because I'm either working or, more than likely, traveling to a wedding. After I started my job, I realized I had weekends. Actual weekends to enjoy doing weekend-type things, including heading up to the cabin.

We had a blast hiking to see the spectacular tri-mountain view, off-roading in the Ranger, happy hour-ing down at the lake, melting my UGG boots at the bonfire, and laughing so hard it hurt.

Here are some snaps commemorating the trip.  

Here. We. Go!

Hi Kat!!!

Man and mountain. 

Here we are!

Almost an exact replica of their 2011 Christmas card pic.

Taylor and Ketler's oar-less canoe excursion. 

Classic Michael Greenberg. Happy Birthday, buddy!