The past couple of weeks or so I feel like I have been living in the dark ages. No tv, and no internet make Katie go something something....(get the reference??):)

Yes, two and a half weeks ago we moved up here to Portland to be close to Dave's work. It's great because instead of driving an hour to work, he rides his bike in about 15 minutes! And it's a nice area. Probably too expensive to buy a house in, but for renting it's perfect. I hadn't even seen the place until the day we moved in and I was pleasantly surprised. Two big rooms, big living room, and new carpet, all for just under $700 a month. For the area, it's a great deal. We were able to find it through one of Dave's friends sister's who manages the apartments, so it worked out for the both of us. Hopefully house prices will come down more so we can afford something in the area. That would be nice.
So, since we moved up here we haven't had any television or internet hook up at all until today! We tried to get it hooked up the first few days we moved in, but I guess it's a busy time of year, because they couldn't squeeze us in until today, but at least we have it now so I'm happy. Poor Dave has been suffering probably the most, missing out on all his football games! And from what I hear he missed out on quite a few upsets over the weekend! And Oregon State beating USC! He was bummed about that one. But at least he'll get to watch Utah beat up on Oregon State this weekend! :) snap.

So in the past couple of weeks a few things have happened. Right before we moved one of my best friends Savannah came to visit me! It was so nice! And she told me about some wonderful news! (Hope you are feeling better!) We had a nice visit, and it was good to see someone from Utah!

And then last weekend, I finally after only 4 years of marriage, finally got to meet Dave's grandparents from California and one of his uncles! It was great being able to visit with them for a couple of days. They are wonderful, nice people and hopefully it won't be 4 more years until we see them again. We spent Saturday at George and Nancy's house visiting all day, and then on Sunday we met them up in Portland.


George's parents George Sr. and Betty, and his brother Frances


A Futile effort trying to get a picture with the grandkids


listening to Mark play


walking all over!



So now life up here in Portland is different, but good. I am a little frustrated with trying to navigate the area. I don't know where anything is and couldn't possibly try to follow directions at this point. Downtown is full of one way streets, so you try to get somewhere across the street but have to drive around the block a few times till you find a street that will go down that way. So it's a bit difficult if you've never driven downtown before, and I fall into that category. Hopefully I'll figure it out soon. But really....it's hard. I'm not just stupid. And you can't park anywhere in the city for free. You have to pay, everywhere! And if you try, they'll give you a ticket, even if you are in visitor parking at your sister in laws apartment that is supposed to be free but they give you a $70 parking ticket instead! Yep, even then. So although it's a very pretty city, I'm not entirely in love with it yet. I just hope I don't get distracted trying to find my way around driving that I plow over a biker, because they are also everywhere in the city. Portland's the most bike-friendly place! And they sure love their dogs too! If you walk a mile from our apartment you will see at least 5 businesses related to dogs, whether it's for grooming, doggy-sitting, doggy-walking, doggy restaurants, etc etc.....I don't mind so much because I love dogs myself, but it seems people in Portland love dogs more than children. That's alright by me, just not what I'm used to coming from Utah where, well, you know, there's just a lot of kids!

So anyway a lot to get used to. I like it, and I'm sure I'll like it better when I can drive somewhere without getting lost!

more video

So here is another video of Samantha. She was being really funny today and was dancing to the music I was listening to while painting in the garage. Her favorite place to sit is on the step outside of the garage door, so she was sitting there jabbering to herself. I caught a couple funny moments.

some of my first steps!

I finally got a video of Samantha taking a few steps! She was having a ball walking back and forth between the couch and Dave, and I got her to do a couple of her animal sounds, although you can't hear it very well. She was doing the lion and the fish! So Grandma and Grandpa Brewster this is for you!

Carousels, Birthdays, and Anniversaries!

The other day Tracee and I took Samantha downtown Salem to the Waterfront park to ride the carousel. I figured that instead of paying $20 at the fair, I would spend $1.50 to ride on these beautiful hand-crafted, hand-painted horses. It was definitely worth it. I wasn't allowed to sit on the horse with Sammy so I strapped her in good and tight, and of course she loved it, right up until the very end when she decided she'd had enough.

I didn't do a very good job of taking a picture of myself! :)


She was happier than she looked in these pictures!

Also I have to give a couple of shout outs today. First of all to my sister Angie who's birthday was yesterday, Happy to You! I should have done this yesterday but I am grateful to have a sister as wonderful as you are to me, and I miss seeing you every week! I think of all my sisters, Angie and I are probably the most alike. We look the most alike, we both like shopping a lot (although I think Al and maybe Natalie are coming around) and for the time being, our hair is the same color, blonde! (but I guess Al's is too now :)
Angie has always inspired me, and she has accomplished a lot especially in the last eight years with being a single mom, going back to school RIGHT after having a baby and getting her degree, buying her own house, knows everything about everything, and knows that family is #1. I love her, my family loves her, Caden loves her, and some guy that I've heard a lot about but never met and spends a lot of time with her who is lucky enough to even be around her.. and Caden for that matter....I'm pretty sure he loves her too...what a lucky guy I should say. All in all she's pretty special to all of us, and is one of the hardest working people I know juggling a busy life. I get tired just reading her blog about what she has to do everyday!
Anyway I love you Angie and hope you had a fabulous birthday....shaved legs and all!!:)

now what kind of sister would I be if I didn't put a funny picture of Angie up??

me and Angie



And to my parents....whose Anniversary is today! Happy 34th Anniversary!! I'm pretty sure my math is right. 1974.....yep. My parents are awesome and complement each other so well. My dad has crazy humor and outspoken, and my mom reels it in a bit more conservative and is very sweet! I love them both. And I can't imagine a better way to celebrate your anniversary than going on a long cruise with the Harris's!! But I guess that's still what a month away?? Fun stuff. It must be nice to be old(er), and get to go on cruises all the time! :) Love you guys and Happy Anniversary again!

I believe that this is their engagement picture back in 1974!!

What does the piggy say??

Happy Labor Day!
Today Dave and I went to the Oregon State Fair! Ya know, Fair's are fun to go to and look around without kids, but when you have kids it makes it that much more enjoyable. Samantha is an observer and likes to look at interesting people, so you can imagine the fun time she had at the fair! There are always a lot of very interesting people at fairs to look at.
Her favorite part of course was going to see all the animals. We went and saw all the cows where she got to pet a couple of them. And then we went into another pavilion that was full of goats. Of course! And they had pigs too, but you had to navigate in between all the goats to get to them. It almost wasn't worth it to me. And then they had a petting zoo that was free and it was mostly goats they had there, with a couple of sheep, a pig, a llama, a chicken, a deer, and a baby kangaroo. Luckily the goats were small enough that I could take Samantha in there to enjoy the rest of the animals. For those of you who are wondering why I dislike goats so much......I had a bad experience! So I'm not a fan.
We ate the biggest elephant ear I have ever seen, and also enjoyed a fruit smoothie and cotton candy! On our way out they had this Johnny Cash impersonator guy singing and he was awesome. He looked just like him and sounded just like him as well too. I love going to the fair and the fact that we could take Samantha and she enjoyed it made it more enjoyable for us as well.