Kim and Sam visit

Hal writes:

One of Anna's DPT classmates, Kim, and her husband Sam came to visit us in Washington for a few days. The escaped the -20 degrees of the Dubuque area to come to the "chilly" 40 degree winter of the Northwest. One of our first stops was to view the Tacoma Narrows bridge (in the background of the photo below). If you are a physics person, or just like cool videos, check out this video on the original bridge that collapsed.

These birds nearby were doing their morning exercise by paying homage to the Karate Kid.

The bridge in downtown Tacoma that leads to the Museum of Glass. (Yes, we did stop at Hello, Cupcake for a treat while we were in the neighborhood.)

The old train station in downtown Tacoma is now a federal courthouse. Inside, there is some more Dale Chihuly glass. The piece below resembles another of Chihuly's work in the UMD library and the Belagio in Las Vegas.

Just a fun photo from inside the courthouse.

While in the area, the four of us took a weekend trip down to Portland and met up with some other friends. Anna went to a continuing education course last fall in Portland, but didn't get a chance to look around, so this was the first trip for both of us. We started off by getting up early and driving up Mt. Rainier. Here is Anna enjoying the snow that she misses so much.

Kim and Sam enjoying the view.

A closer look at some of the peaks. See, it does snow in Western Washington (you just have to drive up the hills to find it).

Ranger Station near the new Jackson Visitor center. I like the windows up top (just in case that is the only entrance/exit to the building due to snow).

Kim and Sam at the foot of the mountain.

Hal and Anna at the foot of Mt. Rainier.

While in Portland we stayed at a new luxury hotel called "The Nines". This was a travelzoo deal. In the first 99 days of opening it was only $99 a night. I figured, besides the advertising it generated, it allowed the staff to practice before only the rich and famous could afford it.

A view of our room.

Anna and Hal's favorite part of the room. (Anna liked the hanging lamp, Hal liked the TV.)

Oh, my, what a tempting, full-stocked mini-bar.

For dinner that evening, we dined at The Portland Grill which is on the 30th floor of a downtown building. We met up with Jeremiah (another of Anna's DPT classmates) and his wife Heidi who live outside of Portland.
Walking downtown in the evening, we came upon Powell's Books. This store covers over a city block and has great prices on new and used books. Between two visits, I only really looked through two sections. But we were able to purchase about 15 books for under $50, so it was a good trip.

This past week I completed three books, but here are some of the ones that we purchased.

The next morning we visited Stump Town Coffee. Anna first read about this coffee shop in a book she read, God in a Cup. In addition to free trade coffee, this business participates in direct trade coffee as well. Employees actually fly down to Central America and purchase coffee beans directly from local farmers. It is a unique enterprise, and in addition to the farmers getting paid, the employees search for the best beans possible. In some cases, the coffee was $85 for a half pound (we didn't sample that coffee) but Anna purchased some direct trade beans from Costa Rica.
On the left is Anna's americano and scone, to the right is Hal's hot chocolate and roll.

Enjoying breakfast at Stump Town Coffee.

After walking the streets of Portland, we had lunch at a local establishment that is known for brewing its own beer. Here is a photo of Heidi and Jeremiah.

Kim and Sam.

Hal and Anna.

Just Using You For Your Friends Party

Hal writes:

It's J-Term at PLU. For one month students take a single class. Many use this opportunity to go abroad (PLU was the first school to have students studying on all seven continents at the same time). But all the first-years stay on campus, so we use this as a good programming opportunity for them. One of activities in the EXPLORE! retreat where we take 200 first-years to a camp in the woods to talk about BEQs (big enough questions) about vocation and life. In addition to being a facilitator, I also was one of the speakers during the retreat. I didn't take pictures during the small group times, but I snapped a couple during the open activity times. Here is a picture of the indoor climbing wall. One of my group members did the easy wall blindfolded with help from four of his friends yelling directions. A wonderful study in group dynamics.

Anna and I have been able to make a few friends in WA. The joke is that we can keep using the few friends we have to meet their friends and increase our friendship circle. So we decided to host a fondue party with the theme of "We're Just Using You for Your Friends". The irony of the situation is we knew everyone in attendance, so really we just helped others increase their friendship circle.

Before the festivities started, here is the first food area. On the left is some sangria we made with an assortment of wine, followed by two dessert fondues (one chocolate, one white choclate raspberry) with angel food cake, lemon cake, cookies, and fruit. Next are the veggies and dip, followed by the cheese fondue and bread assortment.


Austin and Annie enjoy the fondue, half of Emily's face made the photo.


Hal and Annie start in on the main course. Shrimp, chicken and beef with two types of fondue oil and five dips.

After snacking for a while, we decided to play the NEW cranium game, men vs. women. It's got some new twists on Cranium, but is basically the same format as the first game. Annie and Anna find something amusing near the start.


Everyone's eyes John as he tries a Sense-o-sketch for the men's team.

Austin and Hal try to act out "bobbing for apples" for their teammates.

After the game, Austin and Chad head back to the dessert fondues.

The ladies recap their vicotry in the game.

This weekend Anna had a chance to go snowshoeing with two friends. She was able to zoom in on this bird high in a tree.

The view along the snowshoe trail.

Along the trail.
Emily enjoys the view.
Another view along the trail.

Anna on the trail.

Christmas Vacation

Hal writes:

Anna and I were fortunate enough to avoid the bad weather in Seattle to get to/from the Midwest for a week spent with friends and both families. When we arrived in the twin cities we were able to spend a small amount of time with Kerry and Chuck in the airport before they left for the East Coast.
While in the cities we were able to have lunch with Kevin and poke around his church.

Oh, what pretty flowers! (And the poinsettias are nice as well.)

When we reached Shell Lake, we spent some time with Jenny and Doug (sorry, no photos from Alley Cats) before we went skiing with Dale.


Hal on the trails near Red Barn.

Anna out skiing.

Just a view of the trail. (Hal is the small dot in the distance.)

Hal, Anna, Dale (and Molly in the bottom right corner).

Anna and Kat in front of the Christmas tree.

Kat VERY excited about her Christmas present.

After out time in Shell Lake we spent a few days in Two Harbors. Anna and Beth are watching the kids open presents.

Lindsay, always a bundle of affection, enjoys a quite moment with Riley. (Yeah, Riley came with. He counts as a carry on item on the plane because he is small.)

Dad and Anna celebrate UMD's DII football win in their new UMD clothing they got as presents.

Just to give you an idea how tall the snow is in Two Harbors.

Haley showing off her new slippers and robe.

Alex excited about WALL*E.

Daisy excited about Grandma Vicki and the red eye flash that proceeds the taking of the picture.

Anna was back to work on Monday, but Hal doesn't have any official duties until next week. (I'm on call, but that just means I need to stick close to campus.) I have been able to get some reading done, but I have a pile of books left to go. Here are two that I polished off over the last two days.

"The Know-It-All" by A.J. Jacobs is about a man who spent one year reading the Encyclopedia Brittanica from A to Z. The book is about the humorous notes he takes in the process. A fun read. "Good to Great" is a business book that I am reading for a Leadership Seminar. It had some good principles, but next up is a monograph that is more specific about the principles in the nonprofit sector.