Having been back from the trip for a couple of days, I feel it is due time to document things. However, I do not feel a play-by-play could do the wonders of my week in the Pac-Nor West justice. I could fill pages, and pages, and pages of online space with everything that happened that was wonderful... but I'm the only one who reads this, and I already know those things. Thus, I think a photo montage of things I want to remember with commentary and an end-summary will be the way to go. Ahem...

Alex's front yard, which I was lucky enough to call home for the week. He always bragged about the beauty of his homeland. I get it now... I really do. (Note: Alex and the dog... I want to have a front yard someday with Alex and a dog.)

Our humble abode and cozy cottage... er, trailer. In all honesty, this arrangement could not have been more wonderful. It was very nice to be able to spend nights quietly in Alex's arms... perfection.

The Columbia Gorge!!! And my love! -sigh of fond memories- This was my favorite item of landscape... however, I have yet to see Mt. Hood so I probably can't cast my vote just yet. Hopefully I will be going back in summer. *fingers crossed!*

This is pretty much what every road in Oregon looks like. IT'S AWESOME. Especially for a tree enthusiast such as myself. I quickly found myself very addicted to the landscape.

These are most, if not all, of Alex's friends... celebrating Friends' Christmas. About his friends, I would like to say this: At first, I felt terrible. The first couple of impressions I made I do not think were good... I was tired/not feeling well, and therefore, not really me. I was worried, a lot... but I think by the end of our time there things smoothed out. I like his friends, they seem to be a really great group of people. Alex knows how to pick 'em.

Our fancy-pants dinner at the University Club of Portland. Seriously, I have never eaten at such a nice place... it was unbelievable, and you needed a code to get in. Also, unrelated to dinner, I love Alex's parents. They are two of the nicest, most welcoming people I have ever met. They certainly knew how to make a Minnesnowta girl feel right at home and I love them for that... and everything else! I was so nervous to meet them, but I think I made a decent enough impression to avoid following the plot line of every terrible romantic comedy ever made... I hope.

This one is from High School Night, which I was not present at. I would just like to say... I am so glad he went, and obviously had fun. He went crazy with my camera, so I have proof... but this just made me realize that I am so glad we have the kind of relationship where we are so close, but still independent. I wouldn't trade that fact for the world.

As I am continuing on here, I realize I don't have pictures of half of the things I want to remember. Alas. This is from New Year's Eve. I love him! We spent the first part of it playing Scrabble with his mom which was just wonderful. It was a little taste of home since that is how my family spends New Year's... and some day I WILL BEAT HIM. Hmph.

After a rousing game, Alex and I drove off towards Vogies (the local Coopers) but midnight was going to hit before we got there, so we pulled over on the side of the rode and celebrated the coming of the new year in his Durango. Sounds terrible... but I couldn't have asked for a more perfect moment. It was very mushy and I loved every minute of it... in fact, I didn't want it to end but some bitch in her car flashed her lights at us and I will forever loath whoever she is.

But... as is obvious, once we got to Vogies, the night continued to be wonderful. I finally felt like I was me around his friends, and it was a fun night of Drop Top, pool, and talking with Jeff (the bestie). I am glad I snagged a picture of me and Jeff's Alex... she is awesome. It was a good way to end the trip with his friends, but also made me want to stay... I also would like to note that I put the most pics up from New Year's out of the sheer gladness of finally spending the night out like I've wanted to for years.







Can't forget the girls! Ellie and Emma! SO FREAKING ADORABLE! Also... I love watching Alex with them. It was clear when they talked on the phone already, but seeing them interact in person gave me lots of warm fuzzies. He loves them more than anything else in this world I think. One of my favorite memories is them playing with their Easy Bake Oven and making me eat all their creations... like the birthday cake they made me (complete with singing!) We took Emma to the mall so she could "Build A Bear" and of course by bear I clearly mean turtle. It was way too much fun. It was one of her Christmas presents so she was all excited... she named the turtle Turtley. Love it.

Brothers! I thought this would be a good one to use to comment on his siblings. They're all great (which I can say because I met all of them)! I think it must have been fun, though trying, to grow up in that house... it amazes me how different they all are from one another, but they still seem to have this strong tie between them. It's great. I wish I got to spend a little bit more time with each of them now that I think about it.

And finally... road trippin! By the end of the trip I was sure that if I were ever in my life to get sick of Alex, this would be the time... but I found myself more sad than irritated. I knew our adventure was coming to an end and I really did not want it to. I wanted more than anything to keep driving... keep seeing whatever the landscape had to offer (even if it was the desolation of Wyoming) because even if there wasn't anything for our eyes to look at, we had each other. We talked when we felt like we had something to say, but silence was ok too. It was the perfect balance... and it's funny... I keep using that word over and over again when I talk about him, perfect. Hmm... think this relationship is perfect (or about as perfect as it gets)? I do.

At any rate... that was our adventure in a tiny and insufficient nutshell. It was more than I could have hoped for as far as things on my end are concerned, and really, I truthfully cannot wait to go back (or have more adventures elsewhere in the world with him). I hope that happens someday in the not too distant future. I really like the fact that Alex is so ready and willing to share these parts of his life with me, it means the world. I don't think I'll ever be able to fully express to Alex what a phenomenal time I had... I hope he did too. I'm still learning to read him. I hope I made a good impression while I was there, I know they all left a very memorable and positive one on me.

Later days and much love to Oregon.