Hello family and friends!

    So I finally decided that I would try a blog. With Erik and I living so far away from family I thought it would be a good way to let people know what's going on in our every day lives. That is, assuming people would find it interesting. I guess we'll see! 

     Erik and I got married May 14, 2010 in Logan. We lived there for a year then moved up to Oregon when Erik got accepted into graduate school at Oregon State for a PhD program in molecular and cell biology/biomedical sciences. We really love the Pacific Northwest. It is so beautiful here year round and really mild weather for the most part. It snows maybe twice a year which I love! The only problem is we have a really grey, cloudy winter which gets to me by the end of winter. 
     Since living here I worked for Supercuts up until a few weeks ago when I got a new job at a day spa here called The Retreat. It is so much fun! I get to do so many different services and it makes my day much less monotonous and way more challenging. 
     Erik is just about to start his 3rd year at OSU in September. He is currently working on getting together information to start his Lit review which will be the beginning of his thesis for his PhD. He is also preparing to do his prelim exams sometime around Christmas which will make him an official PhD Candidate. It's basically a practice defense like what he will be doing when he goes to finish his degree. Unfortunately he has to TA in the fall to make sure he gets paid. We have been so blessed with Erik's schooling and grateful that when he graduates we will be debt free. What a huge relief! 
     We have made some awesome friends here which you will probably hear me talk about frequently. We have been very lucky to have such good people living around us and living in our ward. This weekend we have a ward party (which I can't go to because I have to work) and a friend's birthday party. We stay pretty busy with all our awesome people to hang out with. I will try to take pictures this weekend so I can post some. 
     This summer we have been determined to participate in all Oregon has to offer. We have been hiking (I know, doesn't sound like me right? They are more like intense trail walks if that sounds better) Also we have been berry picking because there are TONS of berries here in Oregon. We got blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. We also picked plums from a tree of a lady in our ward. We made blackberry jam and plum jam which we have never attempted before but now we have more jam than we know what to do with! With fall around the corner our friends the Butlers are going to take us apple picking with them and we are going to make apple cider and dry apples for winter. YUM! By the way most of this has been 100% free! 
    Sorry for the long post, next time there will be more pictures and less gabbing from me.