Holy Cow!!!... we are completely worn out from this past week's family wedding.
I spent soooooo much money fueling myself, my wife, and even my new sister-in-law with Starbucks. We promptly returned to Hillsboro to witness Holly and Kevin seal the deal August 1. The Mishlers and Kinnamans have gone into business together and both families are very excited. We arrived late Wednesday night. Thursday, Lisa and Mom went to tea with the ladies. DJ House and myself entertained the kids at the park, visiting Uncle Drew a work on the dirt crew (who loaded Abby with 20 oz. of Mountain Dew; imagine what that was like), and killing time in Target. Thursday night Drew, DJ and I picked up Kev AFTER rehearsal. (Since his exit from the ARMY, Kev took a position with the El Paso, TX police department. He is now working through their version of "boot camp.") His police training would only let him have one day off. We promptly returned and went to bed because...
We had to get up @ 6:30 for Kev's "bachelor party," out on the mighty Willamette
-we took dad's boat out on the pristine water to ski and wakeboard, topped by a quality Taco Bell breakfast. 
Following our naps, we headed to the church and suited up for pictures at Dawson Creek Park. 
Then pictures, with the flower girl riding her pink razor scooter through the park, while the ladies all held their collective breath. Ceremony. Reception under the cool tent. Bride and Groom bail. Clean-up.
Being the
guy that I am, I really didn't notice any hitches in the day... I'm told that is one of the key luxuries of being male. Despite my apparent ignorance, I have a few thoughts coming away from this wedding.
First; man, these events are tiring! Second; I appreciate them more and more as I get ...
older. Finally; I can't believe that my bro is hitched and movin' on. He was so happy.
The great thing about this wedding is that I knew everyone, it seemed. It also felt like a great celebration
-- a great experience for my kiddos, as is was the first they have ever been a part of, or even witnessed, for that matter. It was good to see people and great to see Kevin and his fantastic bride. She and Lisa get along greatly... and my kids are sooooo into their new aunt, Holly!
We spent Sunday, Monday, & Tuesday over Memorial Day just hangin out on the beach (as you can see.)
It was great to see family and a few friends and catch up. The kids had fun playing in the unusually high volume of snow, with their uncles. 
I enjoyed eating. The highlight of the visit, for the boys, was our trip to the Rose Garden, where we watched my beloved Portland Trailblazers defeat the Champs, the Boston Celtics.
Ryan was upset by his team's loss, compounded by the heckling he received while leaving the arena... as he was ALL-GREEN! But the evening was redeemed when Uncle Drew took us to the players' parking garage to collect autographs from our favorite players. Will and Ryan were up close and personal with a number of Blazers players
(Ryan and Drew are with Travis Outlaw, in this picture)...the Celtics were not so friendly because they lost... but Ryan had an exchange from afar with both, Ray Allen and Doc Rivers. It made the Holidays for the boys! They went to sleep nowhere ahead of midnight...they were hyped by their experience.
I spent soooooo much money fueling myself, my wife, and even my new sister-in-law with Starbucks. We promptly returned to Hillsboro to witness Holly and Kevin seal the deal August 1. The Mishlers and Kinnamans have gone into business together and both families are very excited. We arrived late Wednesday night. Thursday, Lisa and Mom went to tea with the ladies. DJ House and myself entertained the kids at the park, visiting Uncle Drew a work on the dirt crew (who loaded Abby with 20 oz. of Mountain Dew; imagine what that was like), and killing time in Target. Thursday night Drew, DJ and I picked up Kev AFTER rehearsal. (Since his exit from the ARMY, Kev took a position with the El Paso, TX police department. He is now working through their version of "boot camp.") His police training would only let him have one day off. We promptly returned and went to bed because...
-- a great experience for my kiddos, as is was the first they have ever been a part of, or even witnessed, for that matter. It was good to see people and great to see Kevin and his fantastic bride. She and Lisa get along greatly... and my kids are sooooo into their new aunt, Holly!
