Willamette University

It's crazy to think that only about four years ago, we didn't even know Willamette University existed, let alone how to pronounce it (Will-AM-ette), and now it has become such an important place in our little family's history. Willamette University, located in Salem, Oregon, is the oldest University in the west, and looks like an east-coast school planted in the middle of the beautiful Northwest. Here's a taste of Willamette campus for family that weren't able to come to Grant's graduation and for those of you who have wondered what Grant's school looked like. We think it's pretty beautiful.

Above, the mill race in the center of campus where Eliot and I would go to see the ducks. Below, the state capitol, which is located literally across the street from campus, and a view looking up from in between the "star trees," a formation of five gigantic Sequoias that make the shape of a star when you look upward. Campus lore says that if you kiss under the star trees it means you're destined to be true loves ... so of course we did!

The Law School. Below, all decked out for graduation!

Above, Eliot finding daddy in the WUCL 2010 class picture. Below, the Lady Justice statue in the law school foyer and rows and rows of legal books. I know that Grant and his peers rarely even used these books since virtually everything is online now, but I still love how they look.

The law library, where Grant lived ... well, until he decided his assigned carrel outside the men's bathroom was not for him, so he overtook one of the former law review offices as his private study space. He kept photos on the desk and everything; the janitors even asked him if he wanted them to lock it up for him over Christmas break. Who does he think he is, anyway?!

Beautiful campus, we will miss you ... kind of!