Back in Clarkston to stay in one place. . .for a couple weeks anyway!

So, after two weeks of some crazy traveling, Raoul and I are back and settling into our routines again. Here's a quick recap of our travels. . .

We made an overnight mad-dash home to make it to my Grandpa's funeral. Although it was sad (and hard hitting for me since I hadn't actually seen him since my wedding), it was really good to spend time with my family. The whole thing has made me realize how much I love and enjoy spending time with my parents. Watching them have to deal with the death of a parent at different times over the last few years has not been fun, but everyone handled things very well considering the circumstances. There are so many memories of growing up and spending time with him, but I will always remember one particular time. Throughout high school and into college, he constantly asked my siblings and I when we were going to get a job. . .jokingly of course. When I found out about my job in Lewiston, I was so stoked to tell him because after so many years of finding excuses, I finally had an answer. . .and one I knew he would be proud of. I will always remember the bows on his head at Christmas time, rides on the four-wheeler on the farm, coming in the door to their home and hearing "Well, hi!" and when we'd leave "Now you behave". He will never be forgotten and I look forward to seeing him again some day for one seriously big family reunion.

The one upside of the funeral coming so close to my sister's wedding was that I was able to spend more time with her and Joe and help out with some things prior to the ceremony. What can I say. . .we've gone from near enemies to the closest of friends in just a few short years--funny how growing up will do that to you. It's funny too, because neither of us cried at our own weddings, but we sure did a good share of tearing up seeing the other walking down the aisle. The ceremony was really nice, and again it was so good to just have family together. An added bonus was getting to spend some time with Trina (albeit too short), and we even did some livin' it up at Applebees in Hutch the night before Karen's wedding.

And here are a few photos from the rehearsal dinner and wedding--

The week was really emotional, with highs and lows, but having Raoul and my family there made it a very good time--getting to really spend time with the people I care about most.

This past weekend we decided to take a fun trip with our friends Adrienne and Chet--otherwise known as Jason's twin :) --to Missoula, Montana, where they had gone to school. We spent the time just hanging out with some of their friends and touring the town. It was really great to spend some time just having fun--and we had some great company. My big accomplishment of the weekend was having my first real beer. Now don't laugh at me just because I was actually 26 years old before I had my first brewsky. I've been a big wine fan and also like girly drinks (you know, the sweet ones--amaretto sour, seabreeze, cheerleader beer), but after living down the street from several bars in college and waking up to the smell of cheap beer, I've never quite had the appetite to try it. Chet and Adrienne have been gracious enough to help me out by easing me into the world of beer rather than me just stabbing around attempting to find something tasty. The verdict? I still like wine and the sweet stuff better, but a honey-wheat beer with pizza was pretty good. Here's the photo to document the occasion--

Isn't Raoul just the cutest designated driver ever? And here's the road trip crew, and yes Chet "Jason" is on the right. More on our next travels to Seattle coming up soon!