Proud & Puppies

My brother Chad was in the paper today! Hooray for him! You can check it out here. And here is the photo of him from the article:

I'm such a proud sis!

Yesterday, my two brothers and Kaitlin came for a visit. They moved about a month ago. We've missed them bunches. Its really fun having them, especially because Devin's dog had puppies, so they are visiting too! Last night they got their first bath. It was adorable. Remember how I said that I would not get a dog, no if's and's or buts, until we own a house? There is a crack in my resolve.....

I think you might understand why.

Week Pic dump

Wow, I started this post last Friday, and here it is almost a week later and I'm just getting around to it. I really don't want to write a whole lot, so I'll just describe the pictures at the bottom of them all.

1. I'm officially a member of the Downtown Corvallis Association. 

My big role: Bucket of Bucks raffle. I sell tickets like you've never seen! 

Better not come if you don't have $5 at the door for me.

 

 2. Pretty sunset on my porch.

3. The end of Chad's baseball game at Goss Stadium. 

They won the game and secured their place in Playoff's!

 

4. #4, Chad Naylor, Catcher for Corvallis High School. Voted 1st League All American catcher! 

Woot woot! My lil bro is such a good ball player- so fun to watch!

Laundry

 My sister Jeni started making her own laundry soap. I heard it was super cheap and easy so I made it! You can find the recipe and detailed instructions here. It was SUPER easy, and I feel like it will last forever because it makes so much. I snapped a few pics with my fancy phone while I was making it.

I had to get  a pic of Dora checking out the neighborhood. she loves to stand on her hind legs and peer in between the blinds. Luckily, she never bends them up or ruins them at all, just peeks through like a little person. I think it is so cute!

Last nights Albany Downtown wine walk was so fun! I didn't really get any photos that I can share. I had one taken at the beginning of the night, and if I get it scanned then I will post it. Some of the shops downtown are so cute. I wish the whole downtown area would get more business. My favorite spots are on 1st Street. they all have tall ceilings with beautiful crown molding and tiling. It is so cool. I really need to get some pics to share. I'll just add that to my list. :)

Cherry Red Vinyl

My Birthday is only 6 days apart from my Dad's. Last night we celebrated both of ours by going to his place for some yummy tacos and enchiladas. It was super good! For his birthday, Greg and I picked up some vinyl for him.

We got him Kings of Leon- Holy Roller Novicane, and Santana - Greatest Hits. He pulled out the Kings album, and it was cherry red vinyl. SWEET. I love that I can get my dad cool music. He is the one who really got me started with music. He almost always has music playing, and loves all different kinds. Mom likes to say it is an eclectic taste in music. I love that about him.

Tonight, I'm going on a wine walk in Downtown Albany. The cool thing about the Albany walk is that they open up all of the fancy downtown lofts. They had some for rent last year that were beautiful. Greg and I considered going for it, but we opted for a house with a big yard instead. I don't regret that. But loft living would be super duper fun. I'll try to get some pics tonight with my fancy phone. :)

 I downloaded a camera app and now I can take Polaroids. Dad took this of me last night. Sooo happy for Mexican food birthday dinner!

JDRF Gala 2011

Last week, including the weekend, turned out to be quite eventful. One noteworthy item is that I turned 27. Yes, thats right, just 3 years shy of 30. Wow. 27. Wow. People say I look younger than that now, and when I was younger they thought I was older. I like the way this is working out! :)

Next item that is noteworthy is that on Saturday night, Greg and I attended the JDRF Fundraiser Gala in Portland at the Governor Hotel. It was fabulous, just like last year. Except this year I didn't get us lost on our way.

The night started with cocktails, hor'derves, and  a silent auction. After that we went up to the main ballroom for dinner. For me, it was all about the food! Started off with salad and bread, then shrimp, filet Mignon, asparagus, and rice pilaf. For dessert they served the most delicious pecan pie. YUM!

Then there was the live auction, which was super fun to watch. We also heard speeches from several different people who live with Type 1 Diabetes, which is why we were all there. It was very touching to hear their struggle with this disease, and I truly hope that a cure is found. For me, it is dear to my heart because my grandma is diabetic. I know what she has to go through everyday. Its a lot.

Anyway, here are some photos from the night. Enjoy!

 Greg and I at our table.

Me and my friends- Stephanie and Kelsey

YUM! Our dinner. I tried to finish every last morsel- it was so good!

Did I mention that the theme of the evening was "Unmask a Cure"? :)

Christine, Jackson (he's the one we were all there for. He's lived with Type 1 Diabetes for 17 years), and his sister Kelsey.

Greg and I went for a little walk around town after the event was over. We stopped into another swanky hotel because it was pretty. and we took a few photos. then left.

 I think we were finally on our way back to our car at this point.

OH Albany

The people of Albany can be a little strange. I don't mind it, for I find it entertaining. One morning my boss Glory, who also lives in Albany, came in to tell me about the weirdest thing she has seen yet. There was a man that was out walking about the neighborhood, presumably getting his exercise. Normal right? Ha! She said that he was wearing camouflage shorts, boots, NO shirt, and a ski mask. UM YA. 

Then she found this in the Albany Democrat Herald, and I laughed so hard!  

 

A Birthday that started it all...

SEVEN years ago Monday, Greg and I met. My oh my how time flies, and how things change. Little did we know that we were destined to be together from that point forward. Seriously though, we met at a church FHE, that happened to be on the most exciting subject: Food Storage! I was with a friend, and he was with roommates, and we kept giving each other the "eye". You know that "eye" I'm talking about. Anyway, we introduced ourselves afterward, and then all went back to his house to hang out. Our friends ended up making out for a few hours, so Greg and I got to know each other. I even folded his clothes that night.

Two days later was his BIRTHDAY! I couldn't go to his party, but I made him a yellow cake with chocolate frosting. What's funny is that there was this girl that was his friend who was leaving his party as I was coming in with a cake. She gave me the evil eye and a week later gave him an ultimatum of me or her. I won.

That weekend was our first date. He was so stinkin cute! He picked me up on his motorcycle and we went to see a movie. A month later- we were officially a couple. I can still remember the first time he kissed me in public in front of friends- I freaked out! I mean, it took us 3 dates to have our first kiss. Probably a good thing too cause once we started smoochin it was all over...I just couldn't stop kissing those lips! But soon after that first "public" kiss, I calmed down and knew I wanted to be with him for good.
The day we became an official couple he drove on his bike all the way to 24th & Lincoln in Phoenix where I had just started a new job. That drive only took him the better part of an hour- just to have lunch with me and make us "official". We've basically been joined at the hip ever since.

I have to confess here and now that Greg proposed to me about a month and a half before he "officially proposed" to me. It was so sweet....we were sitting on the porch at a cabin up in Pinetop, AZ (we stayed a night there with my grandparents), drinking a cup of tea. We were just snuggly and talking, and then completely out of the blue- he leaned over and said, "Andrea, will you marry me?" Of course I said yes. But then I asked, "Did you ask my dad already?" I was so worried about doing it the "proper" way. A few weeks later he did ask my dad, and then we had our "official" engagement with the ring, and the hike at midnight, and dancing under the stars. Both were just perfect.

Greg and I on the night he first proposed.

My reason for telling all of this right now is just because whenever his birthday comes around, I just can't help but think about how it all started. How I got to be so lucky to have a man that I love so much. He is so incredibly kind, patient, caring, understanding, smart and creative. He is my match and I love him with all of my heart.

Happy Birthday to my man! I love you Greg and am so lucky to have you in my life!