Oregonian

So, we live here. And I am sorry that I haven't written. I have wanted to and keep thinking, "That's a great thing to share with my readers!" and then I have to open some boxes, or call Verizon back for the 15th time to get our phone lines properly installed (evidently we are the first family in the modern world to have three phone lines,) or there are pictures to be hung (just kidding - I didn't say I was hanging them. They are to be hung) or whatever. And the blog takes the back seat. But we haven't forgotten about you there in the east where you pump your own (cheaper) gas and have less access to Trader Joe's. So in case you need a visit, here is what I love about Oregon so far.

1. On our first night here, Chanel and her family fed us Chicken Chili, green salad and chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. It was the first non-McDonald meal we had eaten in many, many days, and we wept for joy and ate all the seconds so that there were none for the Taylors.

2. We live about 2 blocks from one of these. I always thought it would be nice to live near a Sonic, you know, for tater tot emergencies. But did you know that between 2pm and 4pm beverages are half price and you can get a Diet Cherry LimeAid for the Mrs. and a Diet Coke with Fresh Limes (I like to squeeze my own!) in a Styrofoam Cup with Pebbled Ice. Seriously. It is pretty great. Now that I am back to a normal work schedule, we can't go every day, but we sure did during the move in days. Did you know you can take home a bag of that pebbled ice for a tax-free $1.69?


3. When Amy took Jonah to a play date with a girl in the ward (who's name we believe is Robin, though we are not sure.) and she told her that our kids were named Jonah and Noel, she said "Oh, that reminds me of that TV show "Felicity." Did you ever watch that?" Um, yes. That is who our son is named after! So there may be hope for friends after all. However, her husband's name is Bryce. And we know he runs. Hmmm. Most my friend's don't run. That probably means he is a jock and doesn't know who Noel Crane is. I don't know if he will be my new BFF. I am still on the look-out.




4. TRADER JOE'S! I can't explain the amount of joy that this store gives me. It probably doesn't make a lot of sense to you if you haven't tasted the joy of Joe-Joes, affordable Brie cheese, the boxed tomato soup, frozen chicken chow mein, cherry and lime juice Popsicles, TJ's tub of chocolate fudge pudding, et cetera, et cetera, et joyful cetera. Even the frozen broccoli from there tastes better than regular frozen broccoli. As Jason Castro says, "Hallelujah!"

5. It is so stinking pretty here.PS. This is my back yard

6. We live withing walking distance of a huge park called Reedville park with a big playground and a huge skateboard area. My sons think that the "Skateboard Guys" are THE coolest people on planet earth. Granted, they are pretty awesome. Have you seen these skate parks? The sides or the ramps go like straight up and down. If I tried to ride a skateboard down that, I would break a hip so fast your pace-maker would spin. I feel my cool eeking slowly down my leg when we are there. We go often to watch the action. Does this mean my kids will grow up to be skateboarders? Probably. Oh well. (Note: This is the actual skate park.)

7. We live about 7.6 miles from these people. I kid you not.
More updates soon! My kids need tubs. And Noel is playing a game he likes to play when I am on the computer called "Or maybe this one" where he says "Or maybe this one" and then types random keys. Not helpful.