PDX pix - January 2012

And some more from January, which was dominated by getting started on the never-ending to-do list we have with our house...

We moved into our new house.  Still lots of things in boxes while we remodel.

But Banjo made sure to keep his prized possessions close at hand.

We started work on the downstairs laundry and bathroom area first.  Kate liked using the crowbar.

Tom worked on sizing new tile to replace the old linoleum.

Kate laying the new tile.

Then we moved onto kitchen destruction.  Kate still enjoyed using the crowbar.

And there's some of our old yellow countertop headed to the dump!

 

Banjo was sad to see the old carpet go and tried to stage a protest.

Don't worry, Banjo!  New carpet is on its way soon!

Even in the winter we have beautiful days like this where we have great views of snow-capped mountains!

PDX pix - December 2011

Some pictures from our December:

A frosty morning at work.

 

 Kate's parents' dog Duffy, happy in a sunbeam.

Our gingerbread house this year - we kept the Christmakkuh tradition alive in Portland.

We closed on our new house!  But you already knew about that...

Got to play some pond hockey and broomball during our Denver trip.  

And visits with nieces and nephews.

Two shots of St. Johns bridge and Cathedral park, underneath the bridge NW of Portland.

We even had a Christmas tree!  Banjo looks ready to go on a walk.

STP 2012 or bust!

Am I insane? I just registered to bike the 200-some miles from Seattle to Portland in two days this summer.
I think that means I'm insane.


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At least I'll have the company of some friends though, with the Slivas joining me and co-worker Kate. Guess it will be good motivation to ride to work more, and then some, to get into long distance shape!  Maybe we can rig up some sort of harness for their tireless labs Summit and Ellie to pull us down the road, Iditerod style...

And I know I'm behind on pictures. I'll have some PDX Pix posts for Dec and Jan up soon. Expect them to be heavy on the house remodeling work, which can be seen on my Picasa page as well if you haven't already.

YTVotD - Missing Yosemite

This timelapse video of various locations around Yosemite is really nicely done.  I especially like the nighttime sky-scapes.  Makes me miss Yosemite a bit, though I'm lucky enough to be able to recognize most of those locations.  Enjoy, and watch in full screen if you can.
Yosemite HD from Project Yosemite on Vimeo.

PDX pix - November 2011

On to November...  a momentous month here in Stumptown.  Not only did it include Tom's birthday, visits to friends and family in Seattle, Thanksgiving, and the beginnings of ice-scraping weather, but we bought a house!  (or rather, are in the process of buying one still, to be accurate.)  On to the photos...

 

 Playing darts at the Lompoc Sidebar

At the Tillamook cheese factory, on a weekend trip to the coast.  Wow, they make a lot of cheese.  It was fun to watch the assembly line and see how all the machines and people work here.  And to taste the cheese.

 

 And to take silly photos.

Haystack Rock, the most iconic part of the Cannon Beach landscape.  A beautiful beach and fun, artsy town.  We had a nice stay.  Banjo loved running around on the wide beach.

Visit to Seattle, where we saw Steve, Sarah, and Frank.  Here's Ellie about to launch herself off the dock in hot pursuit of the elusive tennis ball.

 

 Banjo was content to sit and watch.  No cold water for him, thank you very much.

 

 Seattle nightscape

 

 Two-Man Gentleman Band, thanks to Anonymous for the prodding to go see this group, they did not disappoint!  We even got to swing dance a little bit (as much as Kate could convince Tom to do).

  At the Olympia state capitol building area.  Rest stop on the drive to Seattle for Thanksgiving. 

 Playing games (Catacombs) with the family in Seattle.  This one was a favorite because you get to flick the pieces around the board.  

 Our pies!  Apple cranberry on the left, and pumpkin. 

And last but not least, here's what will hopefully be our house in January!  This is us at one of our early investigative visits.  It's definitely not the prettiest one, or the fanciest, and it will involve quite a bit of remodeling and updating work, but we're happy with it and are excited to start working on it!  It's in the Bridlemile area SW of Portland - only about 10 min to downtown, in a nice neighborhood, and has a big dog-friendly yard and a community pool in the summer. Come visit, there will be plenty of space!

PDX Pix - October 2011

We're back.  Hopefully to at least continue with some monthly photos.  Here are some from October, stay tuned for November shortly as I try to get back up-to-date...

 

Here's Kate with Herman the Sturgeon, at the Bonneville Locks and Dam up the Columbia.  Who knew these ancient giant fish were swimming right near us in the river!

 

Also during that visit to the locks we got to see the salmon running.  They were just flinging themselves at these wooden doors trying to get upstream.  Pretty amazing.

 

Got a visit from Wen, Claire, and Dad (not pictured) in NC while I was there for a work trip!

 

Sunset in Beaverton

  

Some goofy "hats" at the Saturday Market with Kate's family

  

Ground Kontrol - quite a selection of pinball and retro arcade games

 A view of Mt Hood from the Rose Garden on one of the last bike rides home during daylight!

 Fun outdoor games at Sky and Sarah's wedding in Rochester!  We braved the cold to play bags, bocce, cowballs, and other games.  Good wedding!

See- we are smiling!  We had a good October, whether it was in Portland or elsewhere on our travels...

PDX Pix - September 2011

One month into our new Portland adventure!  Here are some selected pix from September in the Rose City.

Open-top fermenting at Upright Brewing!  A fun, semi-hidden spot right on my way home.

A German choir singing at the Mount Angel Oktoberfest celebration.  We also saw a master yodeler, an alpenhorn group (that was cool), wiener dog races (somehow I lost the pic of that, oops), a functioning glockenspiel, and lots of folks in leiderhosen and dirndls.  A very culturally authentic Oktoberfest, which was a welcome change from the frat-boy fest at Widmer Brewery.

A Timbers game!  They tied.  The Timbers Army (at left behind the goal) certainly lived up to their billing.

Watching the Vaux's Swift nightly roosting ritual at the Chapman School with Ari and Dustin.  This was quite an amazing experience, and I encourage you to experience it for yourself by watching a video such as this or this. 

Kate on one of the many art bike racks in town

From the Portland Art Museum.  The name was the most interesting part of the piece. 

Portland game store during a Magic: The Gathering tournament.  Whoa!

Tasting at Hair of the Dog.  Mmm!

At the Polish Festival with Ari

The Captured By Porches beer bus on Alberta.  Bring your own cup for 50 cents off!

On the train.  Just seemed like a quintessential "Portland" shot. 

Stay tuned for October's update!