Leavenworth or bust!

This past weekend I traveled north to Seattle to meet up with a few of my fav ladies and we went over to Leavenworth, WA. It was a Bavarian wonderland!

You may be wondering the same things I was: Why is it called Bavarian? It looks pretty dang German to me! What the H is Bavaria?

Well, let me tell you! It is a region of southeastern Germany. But from what I observed in Leavenworth’s version, there is also a little bit of Scandinavian tradition hanging around. I don’t know if my family is confused or if the Bavarian village is confused. Really, I just think the shops carry inventory to appeal to all travelers.

We had a delightful time. Gluwein, brats, fudge and lots of laughter, how can you go wrong!? Plus we were all bundled in our coziest winter attire.

Here are some photos of us being Bavarian this past weekend:

Such a cute little town! 

Father Christmas is not the same as Santa... and quite possibly cooler! He wears a wreath and has a satchel.  Pretty cool! 

Our poor friends. We are probably embarrassing to be with!

Have a great weekend everyone. Merry Christmas!!

You’re so pretty and popular.

So I totally suck and have not been on top of the blog game this week. BUT I am a busy lady. Last weekend San Francisco, this weekend wedding in central Oregon. Yes folks, I will be walking down the aisle… Sadly, I am not the bride. Had you going for a minute though! Right? Not even a little? Whatevs.  I am a bridesmaid this weekend. Very exciting!

For great info and photos on the trip to San Francisco, please refer to the blog of my lovely BFF Anne.

Is this the laziest way to make a blog post ever? Just link to somebody else’s? Ha! Disclaimer: I did not actually run the half-marathon. I cheered them on.

Proof that I am a really great cheerleader. (Ignore how huge I look in this photo)

Sign reads: You're so pretty and popular!!

I know you can't tell from the picture, but the sign is covered in gold glitter. Just had to let you know since it was clearly the best part! I promise to be a better blogger in the near future. 

A different bridgetown. Bay Area!!!!

Off I go to San Francisco for the weekend! My big sis is running in a half marathon. Me... no thanks. I'll be on the sideline with my latte cheering her on. Just so you know, my packing was amazingly successful! One outfit per day + 2 bonus outfits incase we change for dinners. I even assigned accessories. May-hor planning was involved. I rarely plan ahead this well. I am excited to see how it goes or if I will wish I had extra options. It was extra time and work, but my bag is lighter than usual. We'll see if this changes my process. Word on the streets is that it is going to be rather warm… I am not prepared.

I'm really excited about the sign I am making for my sister and Anne! Gonna be awesome. They are readers so I don't want to spoil it. But I will be sure to post a pic of it after the trip. 

Fun Fact 1: I was in San Francisco a year and a week ago. Hopefully this becomes an annual trip!

Tourist time with Lauren one year ago!

Fun Fact 2: The mix I am listening to right now is awesome. So far I have enjoyed:

Britney Spears- Born to Make You Happy

Will Smith- Miami

Blackstreet- No Diggity

Ace of Base- Cruel Summer

Some good classics IMO. I know my friend Tyler LOVES Will Smith's Willennium album. Hilarious.

Have a great weekend friends! Party like it's 1999! Maybe I will do some bay area crumping this weekend?...

The best ship is friendship.

This weekend I got to spend time with old friends. As in we have been friends for a long time not that they are old.

I went up to Seattle this past weekend to visit some friends of mine who decided that it was okay to leave PDX and therefore leave me. Unfortunately, they did not ask my permission before doing this... but whatever. I forgive them.

Photo proof that I left town for 2 days:

I made them be tourists with me! 

We had a fabulous time being lazy, wandering the city and celebrating a milestone birthday (Caitlin can officially rent a car). For those individuals who also live north but were not able to enjoy the entire weekend with us… We went to brunch (something new and different). And no, there won’t be a review due to the fact that it was not in Bridgetown and because I was too ravenous to take pictures. My food was mostly gone when I thought about it… 

But here are some others: 

Post brunch photo with the friends who left me. So rude. 

I literally have not been home for a weekend in a month! Seriously looking forward to some PDX time this weekend.

There is a place.

That is the slogan of Black Butte Ranch. I’m not just a weirdo.

Black Butte Ranch has been many things throughout my life. I would say there are 3 different labels for what it is/ has been. BBR (for short. obvs.) has been place of childhood fun, adventures and memories. It has been a place of escape with friends. And last but not least, it has become a place of true relaxation. All equally important!

My grandparents (Dad’s parents) built a cabin at Black Butte Ranch in the early 80s. Once they fell in love with BBR there was no going back. It was the perfect spot for a vacation home. BBR is a much more ranch like and serene than the rest of the central Oregon counterparts. All of the other places (Sunriver, Eaglecrest etc.) are resorty. (This is all personal opinion... don't hate!) Black Butte has this peaceful effect. I can’t really explain it. The ranch might be full, but if you choose to go to South Meadow pool for the day and a bike ride in the evening, you won’t be bombarded by masses of children or families (unless you go to the kid friendly Glaze Meadow pool). But with a multitude of pool options, there is no need!

Mom and Dad in BBR when they were 20 somethings! It is all coming full circle isn't it!? cray-zay.

As a child BBR was the best/ most exciting place. We would build forts in the back yard, slide down the banister, explore the ranch (w/o grown-ups… so cool), ride our bikes to the general store etc. There was a lot of fun to be had.

Obvi the cutest BBR kiddos EVER! Lindsey and I should re-create this.

Once we were older BBR stayed cool. We were allowed to bring friends, who would get to experience the excitement and adventure of the ranch for the first time. By college we would bring groups of friends for long weekends. We could escape from campus, play Mario Kart and have killer dance parties. I am happy to say that (a more subdued version) of trips like this still happen. (Even though Spence threw out the N64 …)

I love this photo. Circa 2006

Hiking the Butte. Check that view! Dang!

Same trip as the previous photo. Fall Break '07 where we came to learn that Cameron is a cheater at Monopoly.

If we went over Jan-term break we had justification to make a ski trip out of it.

ummm Jan-term '07?

This is hilar. Ty falls a lot and we have photo proof.

I just have too many good photos of the shenanigans that ensue. Enjoy:

Jan Term '09

Note: N64, dance party and adult beverage consumption documented in the same shot. Please examine closely.

What BBR means to me now. At this point in my life, I realize how lucky I am to have a place like this. It is a place of comfort, memories, love and solitude. My people are always down for a weekend of fun and relaxation. Also, my family has been utilizing the house more than ever. We can just “be” when we are there. No effort. Yes, there is a place.  

A recent trip with my lady friends. Aren't they sezy?

A horrifically heinous photo of my fam. It's all I could find.
(tight alliteration. I must have learned that in college...)

Black Butte. The actual Butte.

Okay, that is my random/ slightly lame/ not very entertaining post for today. Slater!

Black Butte Ranch on Dwellable

Too busy doing nothing.

Hi people. I took a brief hiatus from my little blog here. I did this in order to focus on things that really matter. You may be asking yourself, “What is more important than blogging?” Let me tell you. Apparently I took time off to read fashion magazines, lay by the pool, watch reality TV, eat obscene amounts of food and simply enjoy myself an extended Labor Day weekend. I originally took some extra time off in order to make last weekend count and to spend quality time with my family. Well, my sister and mother had the same idea to have a lazy vaca. It was awesome.

When I arrived at our vacation home, my mother had magazine binge shopped. It made pool time extremely enjoyable. Yes, lots of UV rays were soaking into my skin. Please note that some SPF was also at the party.

Don't you feel relaxed just looking at this? I love central Oregon.

This post is random, but I feel that I need to mention the season finale of Kardash. Did you watch that bologna? WTF kind of proposal was that? So lame. Also, please note: Kim did not say yes until she saw the ring. She also neglected to react to Kris. Instead she just said “Oh my God” over and over again. If I was Kris I would feel like a mega chump.

Lame.

Ways this episode would have been worth my time: If Kim had an anxiety attack over the rose pedals on her floor. If she had thrown up on Kris when he proposed (like projectile). OR if Kris yelled “PSYCH!” promptly after proposing.

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a minute. We are all stoked to watch the wedding special. It looks like may-hor drama!

Awesome.

Final note: Lamar is cemented as my favorite Kardashian-type person. Don’t fight it. He is clearly the best.