Rock the Boat

Us Worzniaks never turn down an opportunity for some good ol' fashioned family bonding. (Even though the air conditioning brought us all back under the same roof for the past couple days.) We went on a two-hour tour of the Willamette River and went all the way down to Oregon City to Willamette Falls. Good thing our driver kept spinning and getting us wet because it was SO hot out!!!

Linds and I in front of Willamette Falls.

What the boats look like. We were cruising!

I Run For Life

"I run for hope

I run to feel

I run for the truth"

-Melissa Ethridge, "I Run For Life"

This weekend was the Tigard Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Almost every city in the Portland area has one over the summer and this year was Tigard's first solo relay. I've been helping for the past 6 months and it was so fantastic to see this event come to life! We raised over $12,000 (!!!) and even though it was like the 2nd hottest day of the year, I somehow managed to avoid a sunburn - go figure. Luckily there was a dunk tank, water balloons, a hose and a 7-11 nearby to keep everone hydrated.

The first lap of the relay goes to cancer survivors. Will someone please hand me a tissue?

One of our entertainment segments - hula dancers. We also had an 11-year-old rock band that dazzled us with hits from Nirvana, The Doors, The Beatles and Greenday, and someone who played on the main stage at this year's Blues Festival.

The whole point of this relay: to give HOPE. A display of candles during the Luminaria ceremony where names of cancer victims are read. Good thing I hung onto that box of kleenex.

God Bless America!!!

God Bless America!!!

Ah yes, Independence Day. Our Nation's Birthday. It conjures images of hot dogs, fireworks, baseball. Well, at least I saw some fireworks. It was a roaster, so some friends and I went hiking in the Gorge on a well-shaded trail and ate dinner under an umbrella. If you haven't already discovered this jem of a drink, you MUST try the beer milkshake at any McMeniman's restaurant. Mm-mmm!

Definite photo-op!

Underneath the waterfall from the picture above. Dang if I didn't want to jump in there!

Another one bites the dust

"What do you like better, Christmas or Wedding Season? Mr. Grey? Yes. The answer would be, um, Wedding Season? "

Ah yes, wedding season is alive and well this summer and mine officially kicked off this 4th of July weekend. I can't think of a better way to start it either. Well, it FINALLY happened!!! Justin Greene and Nicole Ralston are FINALLY husband and wife. Woo-hoo!!! They couldn't have asked for nicer weather or a more beautiful setting. Everything about the evening was so "them": baked potatoes and chicked for dinner, (blue) gummy sharks and jelly beans for favors, cupcakes for dessert and the bride in her wedding flip-flops. The highlight of the whole thing (After my reading of course, but that just kind of goes without saying), was when Justin said the vows he had written. Justin - who knew you could be so sweet?? I doubt there was a dry eye in the place - either that, or a lot of people had allergies, but I like to think it was because of Justin's "love at first sight" explanation. There was even a Linfield tennis reunion (on you!) with Pat and Carl and some members from the both the guys and girls teams.

Taylor and Christine made the 16+ hour drive from Vegas. We celebrated New Year's together when I went to visit Nicole and Justin last December so we also celebrated our 7-month reunion!

Dang, who are these hotties?? Who knew tennis boys cleaned up so well?? Taking a break from busting a move with some of my favorites guys: Mays, Berry and Layman.

First kiss as husband and wife.