Paris

There's something exciting about saying "we're going to Paris" that just doesn't hold true with most other destinations.

We had been planning a Paris trip for a while as a late anniversary present to each other. The city didn't let us down!

Since we had both been there before, we didn't have to hit every single tourist destination, but we did go to the Eiffel Tower (our attempt at being romantic), the Arc de Triumph, Mont Martre, the Centre Pompidou, and a few other famous spots.

But we mostly just got to walk around the city (lots and lots of walking) and take in the Parisian sights and culture. It was beautiful but a little overwhelming - I think Brian and I have gotten a little too used to small cities like Portland and Amsterdam and don't quite know how to function in a big city like Paris. But we did okay, aside from a few hangups.

And I seriously don't understand how Americans can think French people are rude... I have never had a bad experience with a French person in Paris! Sure, they might take a little warming up to once in a while, but that might take about two to five minutes and after that they're doing all they can to be friendly and helpful. If only Dutch people were the same (I still haven't figured out how to get Dutch people to warm up to me)!

Here are a few pictures from the trip:

In the city

Brian in front of the Arc de Triumph


Me on the second level of the Eiffel Tower, it was cold and windy and I was not dressed for it!

- Krista

And now on to autumn...

I'm having a hard time believing summer is over... I had a great summer, don't get me wrong, but it just went by too quickly as always. Since I've been back from the States nothing too exciting has happened (hence the lack of posts), although I did turn 23 and we recently gave notice on our apartment (more on that later).

I used to look forward to fall, though in my entire life I've never really wanted summer to end. But with fall brought change, a new class, a new college (sadly that's not a joke, I went to 5 colleges!), a new start. Now that I'm out of school, I have to sort of create my own new beginning every autumn, and that is much, much harder to do. But I have a lot of plans this fall... I'll let you know if any of them pan out.

Until then, I hope you find some comfort in the start of sweater/jacket season, in the first rainfall (or first snow, depending on where you are!), and in whatever change you may be experiencing this season.

We take off for Paris next Friday so there will be plenty to post after that. In the meantime, here's a few pictures of autumn in Amsterdam:

Brian and I at our favorite neighborhood park


Sunny Amsterdam


Rocket and I enjoying the nice fall day

- Krista

First wedding anniversary!

I can't believe it's been a year already! It feels like our wedding was yesterday.

Instead of the traditional anniversary gifts (paper for the first anniversary? I guess a person could be creative for that one...), we decided we'd rather do a joint gift and travel somewhere every year.

So with that in mind, we had a nice relaxed day yesterday walking around the city and visiting some new interesting pubs and cafes around Amsterdam, but there is more anniversary celebration to come - we're going to Paris in a few weeks to celebrate! How romantic (we'll see about this, Brian is the romantic one, not me!).

The picture below was taken this year, not during the wedding - we took inspiration from my brother Todd and my sister-in-law Jessy, who started a tradition to have Jessy wear her wedding dress every year for a photograph. It's a nice way to bring a wedding dress out from the back of the closet, plus Brian and I thought it would be pretty fun to have an album to document how our lives change over the years. And I am happy to say I still fit in my dress!



- Krista

San Francisco Part II

After Whitney left my friend Ann (who I've known since I was 17) flew in from L.A. and we stayed in San Francisco for three nights at her very generous aunt's house in the Sunset district.

We had a great time walking around the city, exploring restaurants and bars and meeting new people. We even made it wine tasting in Napa Valley one day, a really fun experience for anyone who likes wine or pretty scenery!

Here are a few pictures from our time together:

Ann and I in Napa

It wasn't France, but Napa was definitely pretty

Ann and I together in the city

- Krista

San Francisco Part I

During my trip to the U.S., I decided to go visit my friends Whitney and Ann in San Francisco since I hadn't seen them since my wedding last year.

I met Whitney first, who I've been friends with since the 5th grade. I stayed with her family for one night (who I've also known forever) in San Jose, then got up early the next day to go hiking at Point Reyes, a beautiful spot north of San Francisco. We stayed in SF for a night and walked around the city and did a few touristy things in the sunny weather before she had to leave.

It was really nice to see her, especially since I don't know when I'll get to spend time with her again since she's going into the Peace Corps next year!

Here are some pictures from my visit:

Whitney and I at Point Reyes

The view was beautiful but I wished I could have jumped in the water!

Seals in San Fran... this guy cracked me up!

- Krista

Trout Lake

My parents bought a little place (my mom calls it the barn, but it's much more like a cabin inside) in Trout Lake, Washington a couple of years ago we decided to go up for a visit this weekend.

It's only my third time up there (I went once huckleberry picking last year in the late summer, and once snowshoeing in the winter with Brian), but I really like it. Trout Lake is about a 20 minute drive from Hood River, a really cute and very active little town on the Gorge that my Dad loves for its great windsurfing and kite boarding.

We only stayed for a night - I could have easily stayed longer but we had previous commitments - but we had a really nice time. While my Dad kite boarded on Friday (something I'd like to try someday), my Mom and I walked around Hood River and enjoyed a happy hour and some good food in the sun.

We went for a hike on the Sleeping Beauty trail the next morning, and even though the hike was a good hour and a half uphill, my dad even made it kite boarding again that afternoon - I sure hope to have as much energy as him someday.

Here are a few pictures:

The view from my parents' cabin/barn - not so bad huh!

The three of us at the top of Sleeping Beauty

- Krista

Wake boarding

I went wake boarding with a couple of friends from high school the other day - I've been a couple of times before, but not for a long time. I got up, and even convinced my friend Bryan to try it too for the first time!

Me on the water

- Krista