January's Small Moments

Snowy Day Snapshots

Snow started to fall on Thursday morning.  I realize that the rest of the country has been dealing with this for weeks now and it's no news flash--but snow just doesn't happen here.

For that reason, Portland completely shuts down at the first sign of the stuff.  This blizzard was no different.

It took me almost FOUR HOURS to make the commute home that afternoon (the usual is forty-five minutes).  Thank goodnesss for red wine. 

The rest of the (4-day thank you snow!) weekend has been spent on a snowy walk with Ryan, lunching with my best friend, reading my new book club book, netflixing in my PJs, delving into that Valentine's chocolate that was "for my co-workers" (oops!) and overdosing on tea and zinc to cure my cold.  

 

Being snowed in is not so bad (:

30

Ryan turned thirty at the end of January.  

He's been working so hard he barely noticed, but I wasn't willing to let the milestone pass without a bit of a celebration.  In between ambulance shifts at the Oregon coast Ryan spent a few days doing his favorite thing: fishing.  I joined him in Newport for the weekend where we ate our weight in crab, sampled Rogue Distillery's creations, enjoyed a delicious meal at our favorite seafood joint courtesy of Ryan's mom and soaked up all the rare January sunshine.

Cheers to thirty, my love!

Way Back In December

Wow, how late am I?
Somehow it's already February(?!?!) and I have not yet posted photos from Christmas... Forgive me.  Here are some snapshots from the last month of the year.

.: Hannukah :.

.: Cutting down our Christmas trees :.


.: Christmas decor :.




.: Cocktails :.

.: A ten year anniversary :.

.: Date night at the art museum :.


.: Mom's birthday :.

.: Grandma turns 90 :.

.: Christmas Eve cookie decorating :.
 

.: Christmas Eve :.
{aka that night I got too close to a candle and singed some hair}

.: Christmas Day :.
{Christmas sweaters circa Christmas 2011 and yes, both mine and Ryan's are the same size}

.: Gift exchange with my girlfriends :.

{we share one of our "favorite thing" with everyone, Oprah style}

 

.: Day after Christmas with Ryan's fam :.

.: NYE dinner :.


December was a festive and relaxing way to end the year.  
2014 is off to a good start so far, with many unknowns and various changes on the horizon.  We will do what we always do, and make it a great year.
Hope your new year is off to a great start!

Wrapping Up Fall

Although it wasn't official until last week, winter has been here for awhile now.  Freezing temps, bare trees and dark days long ago replaced the colorful leaves and sunshine I loved and appreciated so much in fall.  
Some of my favorite moments from the last bit of fall...

A trip to the coast

Thanksgiving in Eugene 
(first time at home for the holiday since 2009!)

And Thanksgiving round two in Portland

Date nights

Celebrating small moments and big milestones with our closest friends

Welcoming new family

A new season has begun and soon we'll start a new year.  We have lots to hope for and work for in 2014, and lots and lots to be thankful for too.