Hello February

Hello Family and Friends! Not too much is new with Dennis and I. It seems we have spent the past month at home and trying to hibernate. It has been nice to just relax and not have to go any where. Also, I have been trying new recipes and dressing up some chicken dishes. I am definitely putting those Longaberger dishes to use. ;~) Now, it is a new month and we hope to get out and about. Plus, my grad courses are keeping me busy. Dennis found some time to get his fish tank running and trying out his new golf clubs. We hope you have a great week. Stay tuned...who knows what this month will bring!?! Happy Valentine's Day. :)

Orange Bowl Champs

The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl on Tuesday night. Dennis had a great crowd at the bar, and we rocked it bartending. It was a lot of fun! D's Bar was packed with local Iowa Hawkeye Fans. D's Bar is the #1 Hawkeye Bar in Portland. Here are the photos to prove it! Thank you all for coming out and cheering on the Hawks.

Go Hawks! Cheers!The Iowa GalsUncle Johnny and DennisKaron, Mary, and Chops
The Bar was filling up with people. It was great!
Touchdown!

Karon, Chops, and NatCaitlin, Brian, and Uncle Johnny

Dennis was on cloud 9! :)
If not before, then we will see you in September 2010!

Happy 2010!

Happy New Year! We hope you all had a wonderful holiday and happy new year. It is already 2010...starting another decade. Dennis and I had a quiet New Year's Eve. We went to dinner at a local Italian restaurant and saw "Avatar" in 3-D. Dennis has been wanting to see this movie ever since we saw the previews over the summer. It was a great evening! New Year's Day we watched the Ducks play in the Rose Bowl.

We celebrated New Year's Day at the bar watching the Rose Bowl game.
Snow in Portland! It snowed last Tuesday. The snow was wet and did not last. It was pretty.
By the time I decided to take a picture, it was dark and my camera settings were messed up.

Celebrating Christmas!

We hope you had a Merry Christmas and a day full of cheer. We had an un-traditional holiday. Dennis worked at the bar on Christmas Eve until midnight, and I went to Karen and Leslie's Christmas Eve Party. Christmas morning we slept in, opened presents, watched The Christmas Story, made a late lunch, and went to the Blazer game. I did not take any pictures of us opening our gifts, but Dennis got golf stuff and clothes and I got a toaster oven (I am not saying any more), blender, and Nike shoes and clothes. I am turning into my mother after all, I asked her for Longaberger pottery for Christmas. I wanted a set of matching dishes that are durable, colorful, and could share with Dennis in our new home. I love them! For lunch, we made scallop potatoes, corn pudding, baked a ham, and crab legs. It was delish! The Blazers defeated the Denver Nuggets!What a game?! It was wonderful just to spend the whole day together. We were not on a time schedule or had to finish up a to-do list. (In the morning, I did some homework while Dennis was trying to wake up).

Suzie and Me at Karen and Leslie's Party
Me, Leslie, and Karen
Me and D trying to wake up on Christmas Morning

Our Christmas Tree
(We are trying to be green. This is our first Christmas Tree, three years ago we bought a Norwegian Island Pine Tree).
Dennis
"Sorry Ladies, he is taken" ;~)
My new dishes!
I am still waiting on the Ivory set to come. My dad is right: I am my mother's daughter.
Ready for the Blazer game!
Go Blazers!

On Saturday, December 26th, we went to Suzie's house to celebrate Boxing Day. We had a great time. The girls and I exchanged gifts and my old roommate (Melissa) stopped by for a quick visit. We had a lovely dinner and tried a new wine tasting game. By the end of the night, I was ready to go home.

the girls and I
Karen and Melissa
What a lovely couple!??!

Derek and Suzie
Who does not love a couple who matches???
'Da Bears! We are surrounded by Bear Fans...Karen and Derek are #1 Bear Fans!
Suzie and Armstrong (her BFF)
Me: "Dennis, did you like that wine?"
Dennis: "That was fruity".

Erin and Armstrong won the wine tasting game.

I wanted to thank you all for the holiday cards. I posted them on our front door, and they make me smile every morning. :) I love and miss you all!

Happy 2010! We hope you have a wonderful New Year and be safe. I think we are planning on a dinner and movie date. Have a good one!

Another Birthday!

Happy Birthday to Me! Today I turn 27 years old. Wow! I feel good and life is good! I am blessed with a wonderful and understanding boyfriend and a great family and friends. I am so happy! The best thing about birthdays is for one whole day it is all about you. I am so thankful that my parents always made our birthdays so special. I have so many memories of my birthday (and Brooke and Grant's too). I still like to make sure my day feels special. Thanks to all of you for making my day complete!
Last Sunday, I went to brunch at Salty's with some of my favorite girls. For our birthdays, we started a tradition of going out to brunch at Salty's. It usually contains some mimosas, crab legs, more food, and a chocolate fountain. :~) Also, we celebrated Heidi's birthday because her birthday is next and we all have busy schedules. You know how it is!?! Since, we were all together we made it a celebration.

Me and Heidi (aka: Mama Kitty)
Leslie, Karen, and Susie
Heidi loves the chocolate fountain! She is so cute! :~)
Chev, Me, Heidi, Leslie, Kiki, and Susie
(i heart these girls)
Thank you for brunch and making my day special!

On Thursday evening, Dennis and I went out to dinner with Guy and Jana. Jana's birthday is December 14th too! We went to El Gaucho's for steak and banana foster. It is the best steak and service in Portland.

I love this man!
Sherman made our banana foster. It was so yummy!

Getting ready to make a wish!

Images by Jayme

In November, my friend Jayme took Dennis and I's photos for the holiday. It was Dennis' idea to go to Multnomah Falls, and the fall colors were amazing. Here are a few of my favorites. I do not know how we are going to be able to pick just one. Jayme, thank you. You are the best! We love them all. Dennis' favorite one is the "pimp hand" one.

OSU vs U of O Game

What a game!?! Dennis and I watched the game at the bar with some of his friends, Dimoff and Jeff. It was a great game and both of the teams played very well. Congratulations all of you Oregon Duck Fans! I am glad that an Oregon team is going to the Rose Bowl. It will be a great game Ohio State vs Oregon. Go Ducks!

Much better picture!
Dennis and Nat
(I am not a duck or a beaver. Dennis said I had to pick the Ducks).