Left Coast Live

Last year we went to this concert, which is hosted in downtown San Jo. It only cost $15 and we got to see The Neon Trees and Ok Go. And since it was pretty poorly attended, we were about 3 feet from the stage. It was also just a few blocks from our apartment at that time. It was awesome.

We decided to go again this year, and it was fun, but not nearly as good as last year. First, freezing cold. Second, not as good of bands. The Postelles were good even though the sound system was pretty messed-up, and The Limousines were good, but we decided they're a little too techno for us (though brett does love their song "internet killed the video star" - it is pretty good).

the limousines:

brett was approached by some guys during the concert and asked for some joint-rolling paper. this is not the first time this has happened. lil do those poor boys know how ironic that is...

anyway, i still love going to concerts with brett. i think it makes us feel like there's still a lil bit of teen punk lingering inside us. church-going, law-abiding, boring teen punks. but still punk-rock...

tahoe

aaahhhhh... this was it. just what you need to really get away...

some earth:

fire:
air:
and killer clear water.


just got back from tahoe - we met up with brett's ole buddy Cameron and his wife Nicoleen and camped for 3 glorious days. they were so much fun to travel with! (this was our first "friendcation" so we weren't sure how it would be, but it was awesome) thanks cam & nic!

summer visitors

this summer we have been the lucky hosts to many of our favorite people!

most recently (as in, this past week), brett's sister alissa and her hubby tanner came to visit.

we made and ate lots of this: (3x to be exact)
we did a lil of this: (too cold!)
a bit of city-discovering in san fran:
and one fun night of camping:

brett's bro ryan came in july, for one short weekend. but we made the most of it by taking him straight to a giants game when he got off the plane:

we think he enjoyed it, even though he spent most of the game doing this:

my mom came in june:

we hit up san fran with my aunt -

did lots of beach time (my mom's an oregonian, so this was her fave part)

by the end of her trip, lil marley was ready to be adopted again, by her.

brett's fam (well, just mom, dad, lil sis susan and lil bro jesse) came in may and we stayed with them in monterey and spent most of the time hiking in big sur. of course, i didn't bring my camera for any of that, but this is what i got:

we celebrated susan's bday with a delicious cheese-cake made by her mom:

and we played settlers til the cows came home.

we would be excited to see any of you too! if you can stand sleeping on a slightly deflated air mattress in our tiny living room... but we'll do our best to make it worth your while!

when half is better

i have always abided by the belief that if something is good, more is better. frozen yogurt for example, or chubby cheeks on babies, or anything on food network, or cute puppies. but this weekend i found a definite exception to this rule.

case in point: the 1/2 marathon. compared to it's big brother, the full marathon, the 1/2 is a comfortable, attainable race that doesn't leave you apologizing to your joints.

this was a fun one too, because it is the "Giants Race" in San Francisco - runs along the embarcadero up to the golden gate bridge, and ends on the SF giants baseball stadium field.

pre-race line-up:

also, we got to see 2 of the Giants pitchers!!

Brett saw Matt Cain as he was starting the 5K:

and then around mile 6, I looked up and saw Brian Wilson, just standing alone on the side of the course! so i went and high-fived him. no big deal. and he winked at me... i'm pretty sure. or maybe i imagined that.

after the race i met up with brett

unfortunately, just like the full version, the 1/2 marathon does a number on my toes. boo. but i really enjoyed this run, and think i could keep doing 1/2s for quite a while. i think i am perfectly happy to now say that i will probably never run a full 26.2 again.

Bear Lake w/ my awesome inlaws

and why are they so awesome, you ask? see below:

a couple weeks ago, brett and i returned from visiting his family in utah. for most of the time, we stayed at this cabin in bear lake. brett's fam is awesome because they know how to have a good time together, for example:

1. They aren't afraid to go to maverick at a late hour, just for a $1 frozen yogurt.

( incidentally this trip ended with my yogurt in some strange girl's hair, a stubbed toe, and no yogurt for anyone, but that is for another day; another blog. oh, and yes, that's my lil bro ben on the far left)

2. they follow my own family's belief that all-you-can-eat is always-the-best. and they can eat with the best of them.
3. family game: poker. nuff said.
4. they like mountain biking!! my favorite!
5. they are competitive, but not annoying about it. we played lots of ladder ball and ultimate frisbee.

6. they love love hiking.

7. they play! like, old fashioned playing. and that really evidenced itself when we were in the water together. somehow, they managed to merge kayaking, frisbee, and swimming all in one.

anyway... i guess i'm just feeling lucky to have such great inlaws. i always grew up hearing horror stories about "The In-Laws". but haven't had any of my own, thank heavens.