Pieces of Utah in Oregon

So we've had "bits of Utah" in Oregon over the past few days! First to arrive was one of my best friends from high school, Amber, who came to stay for a couple days at the tail-end of her visit with her sister in Corvallis. It was so fun to have one of the girls here, though at first it felt a little strange to be mixing my two worlds. Amber and I had a ball just chatting and playing with Eliot, and Grant was a sweetie and came home early Wednesday night so Amber and I could catch a chick flick (Bride Wars -- funny, but VERY girlie and silly -- Grant's SOOOO grateful he got himself out of that one!). I then took Amber to Konditorei, a specialty cake shop here in Salem that Grant and I think is one of the few really neat things to show people in Salem itself. We got some sample slices of their amazing specialty cakes, which we brought home to share with Grant -- YUM! On our way to the airport the next day, Amber and I made an obligatory stop at the outlets, where I found many ways to blow my birthday money, and Amber was there to offer much-needed shopping advice! It was a very fun break in my normal routine, and we were all so grateful for the chance to see Amber, who Eliot thought was so much fun! The dumb thing about Amber's visit -- we did not take one single picture together! We tried to snap one right before the movie started, but we both only had our camera phones, and the pictures turned out super dark. I did realize that I never posted pictures from her wedding that I flew back to Utah for back in August, so I'll post those at least.

The other "bit of Utah" that we've been experiencing showed up the morning after Amber got here -- SNOW! Like 2-3 solid inches that actually stuck! Again, no pictures (sorry, our camera batteries have finally given up the ghost), but it was absolutely beautiful to wake up to. With all of the giant evergreens around the house, it looked like a winter wonderland. However, snow in Oregon always causes a bit of a headache because they're just not equipped to deal with it. For example, Grant had to walk to school (probably a good 45 minute to an hour walk) because the buses weren't running because of the snow, and the main street that takes him downtown was a parking lot with people not able to get around on the icy, snowy streets (so it wouldn't have done him any good to call me and have me take him down anyway). For that reason, I told Amber to take the snow back with her to Utah. Still, it was nice to have a little bit of Utah -- some pretty white snow and definitely to have Amber visit -- in Oregon for a couple days.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from Amber's wedding:

This is my friend Amy, who was Amber's "matron of honor" helping Amber get ready for her big moment. Isn't Amber gorgeous? When people would ask me how she looked at the wedding, I told them she looked like a porcelain doll.

Amber with the "the girls" -- most of my closest friends from high school. L to R: Faith, Lori, Amber, me (looking a little snarly -- sorry!), and Amy.

Amber and her new hubby, Mike. I love this picture because it is so Amber! The expression on her face is the one I have in my mind of Amber. Always smiling and laughing.

This picture had to be included. Only out of my deep love for Amber as one of my longest, best friends did I consent to sing at her wedding along with my friend Amy. Amy may have a wedding-quality voice, but I honestly do not. So I was a little apprehensive about the idea to begin with, but then we had some technical difficulties with the sound system, and the extra minutes in front of the crowd felt like an eternity. So here's a photo my friend Lori graciously took for me of me literally biting my lip as I sweated out those eternally long moments.

Love this picture of Mike and Amber, listening to her brother and sister serenade them (with Beastie Boys?!). Shows off her stunning dress and captures a really sweet moment.

Okay, so Amber's not in this picture, but it's one of my favorites from the wedding. Amy, me, Lori, and Faith. I was especially grateful that Faith was there, also "solo" since her husband wasn't able to fly out, either. I felt a little awkward being at the wedding alone, so Faith and I stuck close to each other.