Heard From Husband While Watching A.I. Tonight

"The only thing left for him to do ... is burst into flames"

Happy Easter!

We didn't get many pictures of Easter this year, but here's one of us with my family.  

Big News: Carly Skis Double Black Diamond!

I realize this blog's title is a little misleading in that it implies I have been skiing black diamonds regularly and just graduated to double blacks.  In truth, I thought I was skiing a single black diamond and the thought of that was very scary.  I was exhausted, sweating, and a little shaken by the time I reached the bottom, but I did it!  I skied the whole way down and only ate snow a couple of times.  The run was called Exterminator - yikes! After that run, I am ready to graduate to skiing more blacks (well, just single black diamonds ... the double was a bit much!)

Today was the most beautiful day.  We were up at Crystal Mountain and the sun shone all day without a single cloud in the sky.  

On Being Band Groupies ....

Believe it or not, our little ski excursion did not end the weekend.  After skiing on Saturday, we packed up our stuff and headed out to meet some friends in Portland to watch our friend Jon's band perform Saturday night.  They played at the Douglas Fir, and there were tons of people there - I think it was a sold out show!

Here we are before the show. Eric, Mickey, Stephen, me, and Angela

The Thoughts!

Taking our role as "the groupies" very seriously

Stephen took his role as videographer very seriously too :)

Jon on the drums.

Spring Skiing at Timberline

Stephen has really fond memories of spending time at Timberline Lodge as a kid with his family, so we've always meant to take a trip up there but - in five years of marriage - have never made it.  Finally, this weekend we got to go up there to do some skiing!  Timberline is such an amazing place - so full of history and so cozy and cute!  It feels like stepping back in time...

Stephen the Forest Ranger...

In front of the lodge - just a few steps away from the lift!

Conditions were so great on Saturday - the sun was shining, it wasn't too cold, and the mountain was groomed.  It was such a fun day.

Adjusting my boot.

The top of Mt. Hood.

Thinking Green - The Luck O'the Irish

St. Patty's Day was on a Tuesday this year ... but that definitely didn't stop us from celebrating.  Kelli, Amanda, Stephen and I celebrated at the house with green champagne and irish beer.  Our night went on way into the wee hours of the morning, with lots of laughing and silliness - so much fun!

Happy Birthday Celia!

We had a delicious brunch at Shenanigans last Sunday in honor of Celia's birthday (it was your 21st, right Celia?).  Had a great time visiting with Miguel and Celia and ate way too much yummy food.

Party Foul

Confessions of a Shopaholic...

This post is a little out of order, but I just recently got a copy of the only picture we took that night.  We had a fun girls night out to the Melting Pot and then to the opening of the new Shopaholic movie a couple weeks ago.  Most of us are avid Shopaholic book fans, but - unfortunately - the movie didn't even come close to the awesomeness of the book.  I can only imagine how horrified Sophie Kinsella must be at the way they butchered the character of Luke Brandon ... and his relationship with Becky Bloomwood.  

I guess it's true that movies are never as good as the books they're trying to capture, but I think they could have tried a little harder on this one.

Here we all are at the Melting Pot.  

Pump It Up- Ellie's Birthday!

Gabrielle turned 7 this year and she celebrated with a "Pump It Up" Party.  Kids were running around everywhere ... running, jumping, screaming, sliding.  This place was a kid's paradise.  

Isn't she cute!

We got in on the action too!

The Birthday Girl on her throne.

Stephen and Craig goofing off in the corner...

Lots and lots of presents.  We got Gabrielle a super soaker she can use in her new backyard this summer.  In their new house she's got tons of room to run and play, and she's a bundle of energy so I'm sure it will get lots of use :)

Here's a video of my mom, auntie, and me taking our turn on the slide...