Memorial Day Weekend

On Saturdy of Memorial Day Weekend, Justin and I watched "We Bought a Zoo." It was so inspiring that we decided to go to the Portland Zoo the coming Monday. Overall, it was a good experience. The zoo is layed out nicely and has a lot of great animal exhibits. We were especially excited to see the tigers, bears, and orangutangs. Neither of us had been to the zoo in a very long time. It seems to mostly be attended by small children and their parents.

Justin next to the zebra.

There's a tiger in there. I really like tigers, in fact if I could choose to be an animal, it would probably be this one.

I have this irrational fear of finding a cougar in a tree when I go outside sometimes. (especially when I lived at my parents house and had to take the garbage out in the dark) This was the closest I would like to come to one.

We found this black bear rather entertaining. He is just chilling on the stump.

Wait a second, cows at the zoo? That is exactly what I thought? I was baffled at why the 'Family Farm' is an exhibit at the zoo? If you want to see these things go to the County Fair. (Unfortunately the county we now live in doesn't really have a fair)

The biggest thing that irritated me about this exhibit was the misrepresentation of what the 'family farm' now looks like today. They had breeds of animals that are rarely even seen on the family farm. Pot belly pigs? Usually they are hampshire, duroc or yorkshire, etc. American agriculture has a big job to do in the next hundred years. I felt like this zoo exhibit treats it as a thing of the past. Grrr.... where have I moved to? 

On a lighter note, it didn't rain and we enjoyed spending time together doing something out of the norm. Probably won't return until we have children of our own to show God's many amazing creations, or if someone with children comes to visit.
Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Simple Math

Running+ 5 miles + glasses+6 AM + pouring rain+me= I am a ROCK STAR!

I headed out to run this morning, not feeling over enthused about it but gave myself the talk of, "You will feel better if you do." I have been having eye problems lately so am confined to glasses. It was cloudy as I walked out the door, but felt that because I was making a positive choice, the weather would make a positive choice and not rain on me! About a mile into my run, it started to rain and only picked up speed. While I was irritated, I did not turn around and head back home. I tried to think HAPPY THOUGHTS, over the swear words that were running through my head. I took a wrong turn on my run, no big deal except for the extra mileage I wasn't planning for. No sweat though. I made it . Have to say, "I did feel better after I did it!" Next time it is cloudy, I will be sure to put on a hat.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

From the Forest

Some pictures of what Justin gets to do every week. I should probably have him write these posts so that he could explain what is actually happening. I just thought they were cool pictures.

I can tell you this one below is of the Grapple Processor Head working. This is the new product Pierce Pacific is coming out with and Justin will be the main guy selling it.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Weather Forecast

This is the view from our back deck. Mt. Hood is considered an active volcano. Justin tells people when they ask what the weather is like here, "If we can see Mt. Hood it means we are expecting rain, if we can't see Mt. Hood it means it is raining. Pretty acurate if you ask me.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Wedding

Robbie Petersen became like a brother to us during the time we spent in Logan. He got married this last weekend and we couldn't be happier for him. We had many late night talks with him on girls and marriage, and it finally worked itself out for him. His bride, Alexa, was beautiful along with the whole day. Here are a couple of pictures reflecting the experience.

So happy for them! :)

Friends, and sister. Cole, Amy, Chris, and Spencer.

Glasses- eye problems again- still all smiles.

Amy and I met through a mutual friend about 5 years earlier- so happy we did.

I love this woman.

Their car wasn't decorated when it was time to leave, so we helped them out a little bit. The pie tasted as good as it looks.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Justin's Graduation Surprise

Justin graduate from college with his bachelor's degree in Agricultural Systems Technology in December. After much deliberation over whether to walk or not this spring, the decision was made for us when we moved to Portland and our good friend decided to get married the week after the ceremony.

I didn't want Justin's hard work to go unnoticed so I planned a surprise for him. I stole part of the idea (the balloons) from a pinterest post and modified it a bit. I invited our family members to write congratulation notes. You can see these attached to the balloons. I also made him walk down the hall with the black gown and cap on while pomp and circumstance and the Scottsman played. He didn't know quite what was going on because he had just gotten home from being gone on a work trip for three days.

This is what it was supposed to look like for him when he walked in:

and this is what it really looked like :

He had to stay an extra night on the road for work. I was a little sad, but he was still surprised. 

A couple of the sentiments from family. Thought they were clever :)

My six year old nephew wrote that one.

One of his presents was this t-shirt with a chainsaw on it. Justin LOVES chainsaws- my sister-in-law got him a t-shirt with a chainsaw on it a couple of Christmases ago and it was getting worn out. He likes this new one.

Congratulations Justin! I am so proud of you and you have once again proven why you are such a stud. Way to go babe.

Justin and Ruth Blazzard

Sneak Peak

A surprise I have (or had) planned for Justin for his graduation.A little sad right now- just found out he has to be out on the road again tonight for work. He won't get to see it until tomorrow. I just hope the helium stays in.

More pics to come.