Just Like Old Times

After five weeks Curt and Megan finally made their second pilgrimage to Moscow and Paul and I couldn't have been more excited about it! We got them some University of Idaho paraphernalia so they could be "vandalized" and set about playing games, watching movies, and laughing it up just like old times. If I closed my eyes I could pretend we were back in Logan and they would be just down the street forever.

You know it's old times when Curt and Paul just have to be in the picture.

Two BFFs and their new mascot Joe Vandal.

Curt and Paul downtown.

Megan and I at the farmer's market... eating of course.

Curt and Paul at the farmer's market before they headed off to the library!

Megan found the perfect Moscow souvenir, a plant (I think it was called campfire... or something.)

Megan and I decided to get crafty and painted my white table purple! It's the perfect fall color. This is it half way done.

The finished product... Ta Da!

Curt and Paul: Masters of the Grill!

Curt was really enjoying his ribs.

The Fab Four on movie night! We really thought Monday wouldn't come.

But come it did. Monday was too sad to post any pictures... they'll be back soon. We miss you guys.

Ambassadors to the Middle of Nowhere

Mom and Dad finally came as ambassadors to the tiny town of Moscow and brought back with them definitive proof that there is, indeed, absolutely nothing to do here.

Alison & Paul, Mom & Dad BEFORE eating at the local mexican restaurant. See how happy we were?... it didn't last. (I guess what can you expect from a mexican restaurant in a tiny town a few hours away from the Canadian border?)

All of us outside the administration building at the university. The university tour was the highlight of the tourist experience, believe it or not.

We spent a lot of time driving around looking for something that was open... Moscow is the kind of town everyone leaves on a holiday. Only mom and dad actually arrived there for Labor Day.

A couple of stores in the tiny mall were open so mom and I got a mini-shopping fix!

At the arboretum we had our most successful wildlife sighting yet. A baby rabbit.

Just thought these two snail shells made a cool picture. If only Vance and Miles had been there they could have taken home a great souvenir!

Nature photo!

More Nature...

A Paul in his natural environment... the University.

Mom and Dad by the pond.

Alison and Dad at the arboretum.

Alison and Mom on a bench at the arboretum.

If you look closely there is a tiny speck in the lawn behind mom... it's a baby rabbit.

At least the day ended on a good note! We finally found a satisfactory food establishment and had a very yummy dinner! Maybe there are some good things about Moscow after all. Thanks mom and dad!

Stay tuned for the next post when Curt and Megan come to confirm the findings of Mom and Dad's exploratory mission.

Update from the Middle of Nowhere

Hello. It's been a bit since I posted anything, so I've got a few little tidbits on what we've been doing in Moscow. It's not much, but I'll try to make it sound as exciting as possible:

(drum roll please)

THE FARMER'S MARKET

Every Saturday from April through October there is a farmer's market in the little downtown square. It's a legitimate market in that most of what's available to buy is produce, and lots of it. There are a few jewelry vendors and such, but not many. There is live music, though, and a few non/produce vendors. What you see here is me defending myself against a breakfast burrito.

(I just realized I post an unusual number of pictures of me eating.)

This is Paul in front of what he called The White Stag of motorcycles.

Me downtown.

THE ARBORETUM

Next on our list of must-see sights of Moscow is the university arboretum. It's a large park with gravel walk ways through different "regions" of gardens. For example one area has plants found in China and another has plants found in England. There are ponds and little wild creatures and benches. We went on a really hot day, I'd recommend going in the spring or fall... since I know you're all jotting Moscow down as your next vacation destination.

Paul in front of a pond.

Me on a bench.

The fiercest of the wild creatures we encountered... the dragonflies were a close second.

This has nothing to do with the Arboretum, but Paul made ribs on the same day and they were VERY tasty, although he's still working up to the level of Burt's Grill.

Tune in next week for another update on things to do in Moscow when we will have special guests Mom and Dad!

Happy Hour!

Last week Carol took the billing office to "Happy Hour" at Ruby Tuesday's. We all enjoyed our non-alcoholic drinks (though by the look on Nan's face you wouldn't know it) and had a great time laughing. Thanks for the fun ladies!

Bon Voyage!

Although it is a sad idea to move 10 hours away, Paul and I received quite a sendoff thanks to Curt and Megan. What a really, really fun back yard patio party we had! Thanks to everyone for coming and making it great.

People chatting in the outside sitting room. Doesn't it look fantastic?

Paul and his family.

Curt and Paul singing their hearts out!

The dancing and patio karaoke went on well into the night! Hi Stace!

Cute decorations!

Megan, Emily, and Alison. My, how I miss those two. (Funniest part of the night: Megan I hope you don't mind that I share this. We got up to take this photo and when Megan sat back down she got an uncomfortable look on her face. "I think I sat on my food," she said. Emily asked "Is it hot or cold?" Megan said, a little sadly, "Cold." Good thing we were at her house!)

Megan and Alison drinking Nan's famous lemonade... we coordinated our outfits.

Two BFFs.

More shots of the decorations... I can't get over them!

The treat table.

And, for those of you who are sad you missed the wild patio dance... a taste of what transpired. Thanks for coming Snooze.

Desk

The fame of Dad's woodworking skills have obviously preceeded him. To answer the many requests for photos of his most recent project (dubbed simply, "The Desk") I have posted a compilation of the finished product, and rare images of the master at work.

Personally, I think I might start wearing safety glasses as a permanent look.

Dad measuring and clamping.... I'd like to say I was an essential assistant, but I mainly held things and tried to be encouraging.

Detail of the legs and top. Paul would like it noted that he found the very cute knob.

The finished product! Ta Da! (We were painting it in about 100 degree heat in the garage. The paint was drying faster than we could spread it around! The top looks a little blotchy in this photo, but in person it's just adorable.)

What a fun fun project. Thanks Dad.

The finished product is, in a word, perfect. It's just the right size and fits everything nicely. I am enjoying publishing this post from the very desk you see above.