An American 4th

Nik, Wanda and I took the trip out to Sun Valley this past weekend for the 4th of July. Sarah and Zach kept us nice and busy from the moment we got there on Thursday to the time we left on Tuesday. We hiked, ran, waterskied, went to the rodeo, saw Alison Krause in concert, watched the 4th of July parade, ate hotdogs, had potato sack races, watched the fireworks and best of all got to spend time with our new little nephew the Dax Man. Dax is so precious and sweet. He is already laughing and smiling.

Sarah working on Dax's neck muscles

Spending quality time

Our hike up Proctor

Allison Krause Concert. The boys were so nice to bring us dinner. 

Riding bikes around town was a good way to get around

Sarah waterskiing on Pettit Lake

Me getting in some turns.

Nik enjoying the sun on the beautiful mountain lake

Hailey Rodeo. 

4th of July Parade.  Zach and Dax enjoying the shade and the parade.

Nik hanging with the girls (Wanda and Lucy)

Nik attempting to slack line. We all had a go and it was so hard to balance.

Potato sack races. Only in Idaho!!

The beautiful family we already miss so much!!!

Thanks for everything Latham's. We had so much fun and look forward to the next time we see each other. You guys really know how to host a couple of guests. 

Mount St. Helens Skin

Nik and I had the opportunity to go with a bunch of his friends to hike Mount St Helens on skis. We drove up to the mountain after I got off work on Saturday, where we set up our tent and joined the guys at the campfire for some good ole' camping times. We didn't want to stay up too late, because we had to get up early to start our hike. 

The next morning we got up with the sun to get a fresh start on our ascent ahead. We left the parking lot with our skins attached to our skis and we barely had to walk 100 ft before we were able to put them on and start skinning up the hill. The first part was beautiful. We were below the tree line and it seemed so quite and serene.

Once we got above the tree line the terrain became much steeper and we really had to work hard to make a few slides on the skis. At this point I started to feel a major pressure on my shins. (My boots were given to me when I first came back to skiing a couple years ago. They have worked ok until now). Finally the terrain was so steep we had to take our skis off and hike with our poles in one hand and the skis over our shoulder in the other. This was about half way up the mountain (about 3000 vertical ft) from where we started. Once I took my skis off the pressure was too much to handle. My shins were throbbing and I couldn't handle the pain. Taking steps forward into a steep incline was killing me. I told Nik I was not able to continue and that he should go on. He didn't want to leave me along, so he gave up his ego and helped his injured fiance down the mountain. Skiing down was very difficult on the shins as well. I was practically in tears, but I knew that was the only way I was getting back to the car. I was really bummed we didn't make it and I know Nik was too. We both are competitive people and not achieving something like that struck my ego a bit.

At the bottom we took all of our gear off and headed home. My shins throbbed for most of last week and I wasn't able to wear any socks. I am feeling much better now, and realize I am glad I turned around that day. If I was injured anymore it really could have affected me at work.

While driving home we got a call from our friends, Andrews and Wanda. They invited us out on their boat for the first ride this year. We had to do it. Hiking and skiing in the morning to boating in the afternoon. It was a must! We didn't waterski or do any sports, we just lounged and laid in the sun. It was a perfect way to end such an adventure filled weekend.

Asa Pet of the Month

Look who's the Pet of the Month in our apartment building. Everyone loves our little Wanda!!!

Mom and Ben come to visit!

It is always nice to have family come and visit. This week we were fortunate enough to have Mom and Ben to Portland. I made sure to plan out the days while they were here, so we always had something fun to do. The first couple days the weather constantly threatened to ruin our fun, but we made sure to not let it stop us. The last day they were here the weather was perfect! Many of the activities included a Best of Portland Tour, a movie, trying the many restaurants around town, hiking in Forest Park, going to First Thursday (an evening of activities in our neighborhood) walking, walking and even more walking.

On the tour in downtown Portland

Posing next to the smallest city park in the world... only in Portland
Also in the middle of an intersection

The tour was great because we all learned a lot about the city. There was so many things I didn't know about the place I have been calling home for over a year now. I didn't even care I was the only local on the tour.

Experiencing one of the thousands of Happy Hours in the city

Nik and I love our cities Happy Hours. Cheap food, but always good and worth eating early. Now that Mom and Ben have experienced them they know why we rave about them. We took them to one of our favorites in NW Portland called North 45.

In the lobby of our building

 We joined in on the festivities for First Thursday. This is when the Pearl District's art galleries and some stores open their doors to guests and invite them in with wine and appetizers. We didn't make it very far, because our building was having a party and we enjoyed talking to the neighbors, including Tommy Heath of the band Tommy Tutone. We did however walk the streets and enjoyed the street fair of goods. 

First Thursday

 On Friday it was a beautiful day, so before heading up into the hills for a hike we stopped and had a fantastic breakfast at Besaws (one of our favorite breakfast spots). The hike was gorgeous and the smells made me feel like we were way out in the wilderness. When actually, we were 2 miles from our downtown home.

Hike in Forest Park

We had so much fun with you guys and are so thankful you were able to make the trip. Thank you for everything. We had an amazing time and look forward to the next time. 

Headquarters in Ventura

Retail Division

All the Store Managers from my company headed down to Ventura for a week to pick our spring line for 2012 and to meet and discuss many business topics. This was my first trip to headquarters, so I was very excited to see what it was all about. It was a jam packed week of meeting after meeting, tons of foods and tons of socializing with all the other people in the company. All the work was definitely worth it!

One of the afternoons we drove to a nearby nature reserve Arroyo Honda and met up with Yvon himself. He is the owner of the company and it is a very rare occasion to get to spend some time with him in a small group. We sat and asked him questions for a few hours, then he and Melinda (his wife and other owner) joined us for a BBQ on the reserve. Both of them were incredible people. He was so motivating and entertaining to listen too. Looking back this was definitely the best day I have ever had on the job! He gave me so much confidence in our company and motivation to work hard everyday.

Other Managers in my District

Yvon

Julia (my boss), Kelley (Chicago), Ali (SF)

Melinda and Yvon enjoying dinner

During the week in Ventura, we got news that the Chilean government had decided to move forward with the building of a few dams in the Chile and Patagonia regions in South America. Dams are something that my company is strongly against. So during one of our lunch breaks the entire company protested in the parking lot of campus with signs while banging on pots and pans (a technique used by the Chilean region). The company took a picture and sent it to the proper authorities letting them know our stance. Yvon was there with the rest of us and I got a chance to snap a picture with him. It was another fun experience, being my first protest ever.

took this from our companies main web page

Ali, Yvon, me and Megan (Denver)

Megan (Reno), Yvon, me, Nicole (Seattle), Julia and Betsy (Boston)

Many of the nights the managers spent time getting to know one another and we made sure to have a good time while we were there. We bowled, we danced and we BBQ'd. The last day I took the campus tour and got to see all of the ins and outs of everything within the company. Working in retail I usually see just the end result.

The Tin Shed (where it all began)

Our mission statement

Solar panels create shade for the parking lot

It was an incredible experience. So many great people, a wonderful company and many memories to hold forever.

Visit from the Latham's

We were so fortunate to have Sarah and Zach come to Portland for the weekend. This was their first BIG outing with Dax, so as new parents they were on their toes. It was Nik and my first time meeting the little bugger too, so we were super excited to meet the him. We were instantly in love with him and all we wanted to do was hold him and get to know him. He is so precious and perfect!

Over the weekend, we took them out to dinner, they visited me at Patagonia and we did some shopping at stores they wish they had in Hailey (Whole Foods and Trader Joes). Also, one of the reasons they came out this way was to scope out a new truck. They found one and traded their old one in for a newer and bigger one.  We all cosied up in our apartment and it was wonderful to see my sister and her husband in their new roles. They are doing such an incredible job adapting to parenthood.

I was really sad to see them go. The trip was so short and I wanted to spend more time with each of them. Zach had to get back to work, so they were not able to stay longer. Since it was Sarah's first Mother's Day I made sure to make them all breakfast before they left. It was a wonderful weekend with the new family. I can't wait to visit them soon.

Moroccan food and a beautiful bike day

Nik and I get paid opposite Fridays. We have decided to make Friday our date night, so who ever gets paid that day gets to choose where we are going to eat and they get to pay ;-) It works out wonderfully, because if I want to go to a nice dinner somewhere, we can and if Nik wants to go to a sportsbar somewhere, we can. Last Friday was my night. I decided to take us to Mirrakesh a Moroccan restaurant. Neither of us have been before, so I knew this would be interesting. At moroccan restaurants you sit on the floor and enjoy your food with your fingers. There is also entertainment of belly dancers throughout the evening. It was different and fun. The belly dancing was interesting because she was excepting tips in her costume (it reminded me of a less classy profession that is very prominent around here as well). I guess I wasn't to keen on the kids running up and putting money in her pants. All in all the food was good and we enjoyed ourselves in an unusual setting. 

On Sunday the weather was the warmest it has been all year (a wopping 70 degrees). It was time to venture out and see some other neighborhoods around town. Since moving to the Pearl District we have spent much of our time downtown. Nik gets out everyday for his job and he drives all over town. I walk to and from work, so I get out much less. We got on our bikes and headed across the Broadway Bridge to the Mississippi and Alberta Districts. These neighborhoods are in NE Portland and have a very young and hip vibe. We rode around, enjoyed some coffee, then found our way to a few breweries. The weather was spectacular and Nik and I had a blast getting exercise and exploring the city.