Stand Up Paddle Boarding!

Joe and I borrowed a couple Stand Up Paddle Boards from our friends at Strongwater today (Thanks KB!) and took them out to Frenchtown Pond.  I've been wanting to try SUP for a while & was super stoked when the opportunity presented itself. 

Getting up onto it wasn't as hard as I thought, but getting the dang thing to go the direction I wanted it to was another story. The multi-talented Joe was fine right away zipping around the pond (and falling off), but it definitely took me a while to get the hang of. 

(Capturing a "near fall" moment)

We each only fell off once, which surprised me, but we are definitely still beginners!  I can't believe people run rivers on these things. I couldn't help but think today how much fun these would've been to have in NC.  The other benefit of SUP is that it's a phenomenal workout! You really use every muscle in your body - down to your feet.  I can't wait to take these out again sometime!

(YAY! I'm doing it!)

(Joe showin off)

On another positive note - WE HAVE A KITCHEN TABLE! I am so excited! I found it at this awesome little consignment store earlier in the week. It's the perfect size for the space. Only downside it only had 3 chairs, but it won't really make a difference until we have company.  It still needs some table decorations & what not, but it's so nice to finally have a complete kitchen!

With love from Missoula!

Jess

Sam + Sundance = Best Friends Forever

I don't have class on Fridays, so Danielle & I took the pups for a hike and let them play all day long. Sam & Sundance love each other so much & it's nice for Sam to have a buddy to play with in Missoula. I didn't take my camera with me hiking, but I snapped some of these pics at the house.  Happy Weekend Everyone!

Hip Strip Fashion Show

Just before you hit the bridge over the Clark Fork to head to the heart of downtown you pass through a little area of shops called the "Hip Strip."  It's got all sorts of great local business (Edge of the World included).  Every year they do a block party where they shut down one of the streets and have a bunch of booths, music, food & whatnot.  They also do a fashion show which most of the shops (floral shop & bakery included) participate in. EOW is not exception. It was quite the event. All of the girls in the show went and got their hair & makeup done at BoomSwagger, the local salon.  Needless to say I was more than obsessed with my hair do, it was so much fun I didn't want to take it out!

We couldn't have been luckier with the weather after all the rain and cold of last week.

All the little boys were stoked on Joe as he walked by giving him high fives and yelling for him.  And I thought he did an awesome job!

I had to pull a quick clothing switch underneath the stage as I had to go back out in outwear with Cheyne, another EOW employee. 

I kept my hair in all the way until I had to go to bed last night. I was tempted to leave it in; unfortunately, I had to do my first interview for my Clinical Interviewing class & thought it would be a little too unprofessional if I showed up with half my head in corn rows.

Life in Missoula couldn't get much better than it is right now!

With love,

Jess

Linville Gorge- Grand Canyon of the East

For my last free day in NC Jeff took me on a hike down to Babel Tower. Its about a 45 minute hike in and an hour hike back up. The Linville Gorge is the biggest gorge in the East and starts at Linville Falls which we visited earlier in the year. We started with a hike to a huge overlook in which you had to scale/climb to get on top. The view was amazing. Probably the best I saw on our adventures this summer. After that we headed down to a waterfall and cooled off in the creek. A great last adventure exploring the outdoors in NC. 

The view from on top of Babel Tower. The Linville River with Hawksbill and Table Rock in the background. 

Waterfall at Babel Tower

After working the river last Saturday Jake and I got in the car and headed back west. We drove all night and a total of 24 hours to Boulder, Colorado. We visited Preston, Helen, and there baby boy Ronin. Unfortunately, dreading any more time in the car and the traffic of Denver, we did not make it in to see Mike and Bev. 

Sundance enjoying the ride

Preston and Ronin 

Helen and Ronin 

During breakfast we noticed the sky was getting darker... view of 4 mile fire outside of Boulder. Biggest fire in CO history. So far 170 homes and moving closer to Boulder. Hopefully it is contained soon.

After breakfast we spent the day relaxing, met up with Tony Perez, walked around downtown Boulder, and played horseshoes in Preston's backyard. It was nice to hang out for a day and be able to walk/skate everywhere we needed to go. 

Early Tuesday morning we got back in the car setting sail for Missoula, MT. After another 13 hours we arrived home about eight. 

Feels great to be back in Montana! 

How we all felt after 3 days driving across the country. 

With love from Missoula! Riz 

Little Bits at a Time...

Joe got home on Tuesday night and the two of us are getting even more settled into the house. I thought I'd post some pictures of the inside of the house with our stuff in it (and our "lack of stuff").

Our bedroom with the photo wall & new coat of green paint

Still lots of empty space to be filled

The office/guest room

The new futon/guest bed... all ready for visitors!

I LOVE the kitchen!

All those dishes are clean btw! ;o)

The empty space waiting to be filled with a kitchen table

Our living room complete with the new TV (Thanks Mom & Dad!)

"Sam's chair" (he's been banned from the couch & loveseat)

Macin off on the couch

We are still in dire need of:

1.  A kitchen table

2.  A book shelf

3. A coffee table

4. A desk chair

5. Random house decorations

6. Some feng shui in our living room

Any crafty friends/family members that want to come visit and help me our would be much appreciated! I will also accept all positive vibes/energy in helping me find a kitchen table (I've look EVERYWHERE!)

With love from Missoula!

Jess

Getting Settled

*Note: I wrote this the other day, then the internet I was stealing kicked me off.. :o(**

First of all, I apologize for not posting anything sooner. Unfortunately, it took 10 days before our internet could be hooked up due to how many people move around this time of year (and we live in a college town).  I've slowly been getting unpacked and settled into the new house. Tony, Judi, and one of their friends helped me get moved in a week & a half ago & I will forever be grateful for all their help!  I wasn't sure where I wanted anything to go, so we put all of our belongings in the living room!

I thought we had a lot of stuff, but boy was I wrong! There's lots of space yet to be filled in the new house.  One main thing being a kitchen table (which I'm still on the hunt for).  I was able to find a futon on craigslist for $20 to go in our office/guest room. So friends and family... COME VISIT!

(Sam kicking it on the porch)

In the midst of all the moving in madness I started school last week. I had a 9-hr orientation/retreat on the Saturday before classes which was long, but really fun. I'm only in school Monday - Wednesday, which doesn't sound like a lot, but when you factor in all the outside work it turns out to be like having a full time job!

All the work aside, I feel so lucky to have gotten into such an amazing program at a wonderful school like the University of Montana. My cohort is comprised of 15 individuals and everyone is really nice! Our professors are great as well. I know it'll be a lot of work, but I know I chose the best program for me.

Between all the schoolwork and unpacking Samuel and I have gotten out and explored Missoula a bit. The best thing about our house is that it's walking distance from everything! We go to the river and hang, porouse the downtown shops and go running on the Clark Fork River trail.

Sam also turned 2 on September 2nd. I didn't quite decorate or go all out as I did on his first birthday, but we still went on a really long walk around town and went to the Big Dipper for ice cream! (They give free complimentary "pup cones").  All the little kids thought it was so cute a dog was eating an ice cream cone.   I think he's finally starting to feel like he has a home again which is nice. 

(Fighting off boredom with a little photobooth action)

And most importantly.... JOE COMES HOME TONIGHT!!! I couldn't be more excited as I feel like now I can really make this house feel like a home. Not to mention it's been 3 1/2 weeks & I've really missed him.

Anywho, I'll post some more pictures of the place as we get the rest of these boxes unpacked.

With love from Missoula!

Jess