Austin's wedding and Staff Retreat

Hal writes:

As someone who works in higher education, not only in student affairs but as a residence life professional, I do not get to know the joys of a three-day weekend that includes Labor Day. With the typical move in (or preparing for move in) coming this weekend, I typically work during this time. I would say poor me, but then I remember that I get more time off during the Christmas holiday than others typically do, so it all works out well.

This weekend one of Anna's coworkers, Austin, got married. We drove north of Seattle to Kenmore, WA where both the wedding and reception were held at Inglewood Country club (known for, among other things, as the place where Arnold Palmer first golfed his age, a 62). The photo below shows the wedding set-up, complete with golf course and fountain in the background and the musician. I would call the music "cello karaoke" as the man playing the cello had it hooked up to a karaoke like machine that played the other instruments in the orchestra. Pretty cleaver, yet somewhat disturbing.

Here are Anna's coworkers. From left to right: Kim (PT), D'Lyn (massage therapist), Austin (PT Aide), Nancy (PT, Anna's boss), Leandra (PT Aide), and Anna.

While Austin and Annie are away on their honeymoon, we have been dog sitting their Maltese Hurly. As you can see, the morning of the wedding we were all a fluster with last minute concerns about the details concerning the wedding.

This weekend I also went with my 17 RAs on a staff retreat. Each staff does an overnight retreat between RA training and move-in/orientation. My group had two cabins on Anderson Island. I didn't take that many photos, but if you have a Facebook account you can see more photos of my staff and I on this trip. This is where the men stayed during the retreat.


The guys enjoying some breakfast burritos that Chad made.


Here is my staff (except for two of them) on the ferry ride between Tacoma and Anderson Island.

Am I lost while driving on the water? Actually, the 12-passenger van I was driving happened to be placed at the front of the boat and made it look like I was driving the boat from this angle.

Anna snapped this picture in the middle of me constructing "Hemmes", the new daybed from IKEA. I finished it tonight, so if you are ready to come visit us we have a new bed waiting for you. (Hint, hint, that means you should come visit.)

Other news:

Our friend Amber has a blog. She just began her year long pastoral internship in the Compton area of Los Angeles. You can hear more about her adventures here: http://amberincali.blogspot.com/

Move-in and orientation begins at PLU this Thursday, so I'll probably be busy for the next week until classes start.

Fantasy update: My baseball team got a first round buy for the playoffs this week as I came in second during the regular seasonal; my football team should be drafted shortly; this fall I'll be playing Pick 'Em with both NFL and NCAA football. Lots of virtual trophies to be had!

Solitutde amidst training

Hal writes:

I'm currently amidst RA Training and have been very busy with preparing for the start of another school year. During the weekend, we escaped to view some of Washington in beautiful weather. But first, a picture of Anna with her pooch in front of the half built (but now complete) secretary desk we got for our computer.

The next batch of photos come from Twin Falls State Park. Riley was a hit among the small children we met on the path. Here Anna and Riley are exploring a tree.

One of the falls.
On the bridge overlooking the two falls.

The second set of falls.

Hal enjoying some trail mix by the stream.

An elderly man takes some time for spiritual reflection on a rock in the middle of the stream.

Anna in the stream.

Riley waking up from a nap while we had lunch.

We drove to another overlook called Snaqualmie Falls.

A better look at the hotel/resort overlooking the falls. (And the power plant across the river.)

A better view of the falls.

Our IKEA furniture order arrived this weekend, so we hope to have photos of the apartment soon.

For Kim Lamey

Hal writes:

Anna's poor friend Kim lives in Iowa. As such, she doesn't have any fun adventures and has to live vicariously through our blog. We gave her the option to move to WA to join us in fun adventures, but she would rather read about them instead.

We found this fence outside of a ski and bike shop. Anna's dad could decorate his house in WI with these skis, but that would mean having to stop skiing on them.


Anna and her dog. Yes, "her" dog.

Today my colleagues and I took a site seeing tour of Tacoma to prepare for an orientation event. This photo is from a bridge over the interstate that leads to the Museum of Glass. There is a ceiling of stain glass along the bridge as seen above us.