Valley of Fire

The Las Vegas adventure continue! We are of course trying to get out and enjoy what Vegas has to offer.  This weekend we ventured about an hour north to explore Valley of Fire.  It is a park filled with Red Rock!

The Red Rock is red because it is iron rich soil..

I really enjoy climbing on the rock. It is the most fun, but with 14 miles of park to explore it was a little to much to explore in one day.

It was pretty great weather out.  You would never guess that it is the middle of October. 

Brent and I always wonder how these holes erode away when they are shielded by other rock.

This is a small ledge that I tried to climb up but when you have short legs and a long waist you can't always reach the right foot holes.  Brent made it to the top but I ended up twisting my ankle so I climbed down after half way.

This is the white dome.  It is white rock instead of red.

This is a basin that can hold water for months at a time.  You could hear the flies and bees and insects at least ten feet away.  It was super gross.

All over were carvings from Indian Tribes.  No one knows that they mean so anyones guess it welcome!

I guess back in the 1920's people carved out these cabins for travelers crossing the expanse. They were really neat.

Here is what happens when I decide that I am done having my picture taken.  Brent loves the camera and usually I am fine, but I just wasn't in the mood.

The Grand Finale!  Elephant Rock!  Looks like an elephant right?!! The sign took us on a half mile hike.  When we got there we realized that we could have gone 100 yards up the road and been there!

It was a great way to spend the weekend.  I love exploring but we hope to focus on just a few trails next time so we can take our time!

Swearing in

While I was away in Portland, Brent received the results that he passed the bar and was officially sworn in as a lawyer. Well I wasn't there for that so when the chance to go to his actual swearing in ceremony you bet we were there!

Brent at the venue, the lighting is weird because of the cool chandeliers!!! Of course, we didn't get a picture of them.

Did you knwo that a swearing in is considered a Special Session of the Nevada Supreme Court?  I didn't know that but all of the State justices were there!  It was kinda fun to watch the Chief Justice take control of everything.  Most of the speakers kept it short and sweet!  I am grateful for that!

After the speakers the roll call happened!  Brent standing as his name was read.

Applauding everyone who helped the new attorneys get to where they are now.  I always appreciate this, because Brent did all the work but I feel just as much closure in this ceremony as Brent did!

The actual swearing in!  Short and Sweet!  I wish I were there for Brent's real one, it was so much more personal.

A welcome to the bar.  Each speaker stressed service, and I couldn't agree more!

The reception was just refreshments. We went to Buca Di Beppo's for dinner. It was so amazing and just what we wanted to celebrate this final step! 

 

Can you believe law school is finally behind us?! Neither can I! I feel so blessed at all Brent and I have received during this process. We for sure did not get here alone, and are grateful for every single person who contributed to our physical and especially mental well-being during this time! Our goal now is to start giving back what we were given!

Concert in the Park

Ten days in Portland was kinda rough.  The first week was a little boring but the second week made up for it!  One of the teachers needed to fly home for the week so I got to teach that entire week!  Teaching is always stressful and fun!

   I arrived in Vegas Friday night, and Brent already had plans for Saturday!  Turns out that a local radio station hosted a concert!  The first band was 100 Monkeys a local Vegas band.  They were pretty fun to listen to, and I even considered buying their C.D. Except I didn't know where to get it at!

Despite it Being mid-October it is still in the high 70's, so they only way I was going to enjoy myself was by staying the shade.  We went with our friends Erin and James (with daughter Jadie), who agreed that shade was the only way to go!

Erin, James, and Jadie!  Jadie is so adorable!

James bought a watermelon and lime lemonade and Jadie had to have some.  She ended up dumping the ice all over herself.  I think she was just trying to keep cool!

The main act that we went for was Colbie Ciallat.  I have her album and really enjoy the mellow sound.  She was pretty good but she wasn't much of a performer. We thought she would play her guitar the entire time but she only played it for the first song.

Justin Young, the guy playing with her, was super impressive.  He played the entire time as well as did harmony with her.  He can sing surprisingly high.  I would really like to hear more from him!

Brent enjoying the show!

Enjoying the show!

We tried to get a picture of us with Colbie and Justin in the background but there was a girl behind us who recorded her ENTIRE performance, so we didn't really get the a good angle.  I was impressed with the arm muscles on that girl, to hold her I-Phone the entire half hour!

It was amazing to get out for a couple hours on Saturday!  I am determined to find fun things to do every weekend.  Erin and James are great examples, they are so active and I am going to be as well!

Weekend Fun in the Rose City

My parents decided to go to Egypt instead of inviting me to come the decided to call in a favor and asked me to fly to Portland an hang out with Kalen while making sure that everything at the schools went smoothly.  Well 10 days in Portland isn't quite the same as 10 days in Egypt, but I was planning to make the best of it!  

On Friday Brent flew out to spend the weekend with me.  Usually when we are in Portland we are with family and busy, so we were excited to play!

With a city like this who couldn't be excited to do a little exploring!

First, we went to Saturday Market. I never think I am going to like anything there, but I ALWAYS find several things I would love to have!

I did find Hair Feathers that I really wanted to get but Brent told me I wasn't a bird and that he didn't really care for the feathers.  I guess I was meant to remain ground bound.  I am pretty sure I was meant to be in the water so I just hope that scales never become popular, because I might not be able to say no.

After Saturday Market, I took Brent to Powell's Book Store.  It is a Block of glorious books!  Brent wasn't sure he would be into it, but he turned out to really enjoy it!

Powell's is always an adventure!  And then we were off to the Chinese Gardens.  Seriously, this place is amazing.  It is a city block in the middle of downtown Portland, and it is seriously an Oasis!

It is designed as a Chinese Noble Man's Garden.  There a lot of different structures that the noble man and his family would use.   The Garden was meant to be incorporated into the life, not just looked at from time to time.

Through out the Garden there we stone (like the one to the right of Brent) whcih were formed by running water eroding them into unique forms.  Looking at one from bottom to top is suppose to be the mental equivalent to climbing a mountain.

Here we are enjoy the Garden.  These pictures are much harder to take with the big SLR camera, but the pictures turn out a lot better. 

Weeping willows were all over the place!

More cut out rock!  

I loved the large ponds because they had a ton of Koi fish in them.  We also had a pamphlet that shared with    us some of the philosphy used in the creation of the garden.  Yin and Yang are one example. Did you know that Yin is the moon and Yang is the water.  They are suppose to be opposite forces that end up complimenting each other and influencing nature.  

I like this picture because you can really see how this garden is in the middle of the city!  You see the Pagoda and the large brick building behind it!

After a fun day in  Portland I convinced Brent to go to Papa Haydn's for desert.  I got the Boccone Dolce.  It is an amazing melt in your mouth desert with chocolate, melt in your mouth layers, fruit and whip cream. It is my favorite but it is NOT for everyone.

(Side note: Seriously I have some major bags under my eyes.  I have been sleeping a ton lately but I continue to be exhausted! I may have to start wearing a little make up if this becomes a trend!)

Brent got a Hazelnut cream cake (not the technical name).  He has a hard time saying no to anything Hazel nut!  Both of our deserts were REALLY delicious but in the end they were too sweet to finish, luckily that is why they had to go boxes!

Brent was only able to stay through Sunday night (I mean someone has to make the big bucks!).  It was a short period to fly him out for but I am so glad he came.  It was a great way to break up the ten day sand get me out and exploring the city I love.  

Brent and I agreed that Portland is wonderful because it is small enough to explore but has all the character and charm of a larger city.  I am really grateful that he and I enjoy getting and out being active together!  I wouldn't mind if one of us hated eating out though.... I think that would help us in more than one way ;) 

Brent Passed the Bar!

After 4 years of being dirt poor, 1 Bachelors Degree, 1 LSAT, 4 Applications, 30+ Classes, 9 Re-locations, $25,000 in Tuition, 12 Foreign Countries, Numerous Essays, Countless hours of studying, 4 Days of the Bar Exam, and Over 2 Months of Waiting.... 

 Brent has Officially Been Sworn in as a Lawyer!

I am mostly sad to see this chapter of our life close.  It has been an amazing adventure and I could not be more proud of what Brent has accomplished!

There will be an official ceremony that we will attend, and I will blog about on October 21,2011!  

Mariners Game

Finally, the moment of truth! The whole reason we came to Seattle! Mariners!!!! Brent and I arrived early, so we got to walk around the stadium and look at all the little exhibits!

This structure has 1000 bats, which represent a perfect batting average!

Look at me making the catch at the wall.  Okay I couldn't look more fake, but still!

 Brent makes this look amazing! You can tell he is a natural!

This is guy was the voice of the Mariners, who recently passed away.  Brent looks like he would be right at home being a sports caster!

While we were looking out over in the outfield Root Radio started throwing out shirts.  The announce couldn't hear me but some persistent fan next to me made sure I got a shirt!  Thank you Strangers!

After the third inning they come out and sweep the dirt.  Well 5 of the sweepers did a dance!  It was TERRIBLE which made it MORE MORE amazing!

The whole group! Thanks Brent for taking this picture!

A famous shot at the game, we always have to take one!

The game was great!  We ended up winning 4-2!  There was a home run!  I don't think I had ever seen one, so the game turned out to be wonderful!