A new kind of birthday

Then... we had our big outing, a weekend trip we took in lieu of birthday gifts for each other. Bizarrely, our trip coincided with the biggest snow dump in the Northwest in the last decade. It began to snow the day before we left and we had packed snow on the roads for five hours -- right up to the Pacific Ocean. It was a surreal trip.

Brian had a conference for his board position, so our first days were in Seaside. While he meetinged and conferenced his little heart out, I walked a snow-powdered beach and storm-filled river. I love the beach in winter, when it's quiet.

Then we headed to Astoria, staying in an inn right on the river, just below where I used to live in town. The snow was melting but it didn't matter much, we relaxed and walked and meandered. We visited friends Brandy and Jason and Toby and saw their new house. We watched the sea lions cavort and the freighters head into and out to sea. It was a great relaxing trip.

Hey ho, off to college we go

Well, obviously we've been so busy this late winter we've not posted a thing. Either that or we're just lame.

In January and February Jess visited her top two colleges, Southern Oregon and Western Washington. Brian took her north and Leslie took her south. She's since been accepted to both but is taking her time deciding.

Both trips were fun and informative (we hope) and we look forward to visiting her at either one!

Jess in Ashland