Arctic Flood '08???

It doesn't even feel like Christmas Eve, December went by fast. My parents came into town this weekend, just before the huge snow fall. I can't believe we are getting all this snow! We are watching the news closely to make sure the airport doesn't shut down...we fly out for our honeymoon to Hawaii on Friday. We've pretty much been packed for over a week (we did that on the first snow day) and we can't wait to get out of here. The first couple of snow days (last week) were fun, it was nice to see everything white. Now we've been a week and a half with snow and I'm over it. It would be different if we lived in a city that actually anticipated the snow and did something about it. Hardly any of our streets in Tigard (or on the west side) are plowed or rocked, and having to deal with people who DO NOT know how to drive in the snow has been annoying. I saw someone yesterday in a little 2 wheel drive car without any chains on trying to drive up a hill and he couldn't move anywhere. He was blocking 2 lanes of traffic. Really dude? Have you not been watching the news or looking outside for the last week? Really???

Now for some bad news...referring to the post title "Arctic Flood '08". Monday night, our next door neighbor came over to warn us that water was leaking into their house on the top level, and since we share a wall, we may want to check out our house. (For those of you who don't know, we live in a 3 story townhouse, so we share walls on both sides of our house.) Sure enough, we found water seeping through the carpet on all four corners on the third level. We found out it's a problem that is happening with many of these townhomes, since they are only 4 years old, it's a flaw in the design of the homes. The bigger problem is the construction company can't do anything until all the snow and ice melt off the roofs, so the flooding in our house will get worse. They told us we can pull back the carpet and padding and put up a towel barrier to help soak up the water that's coming in. Eventually it will soak through the floor, and come in through the ceiling on our second level, which is our living room and kitchen. We pulled back all the carpet that was wet, ripped out the padding, made towel barriers and put a fan and dehumidifier (thank you Waddoups family for lending the dehumidifier) in our room to dry things out. Here are some pics of the snow, ice and our latest remodel.

An inch or so of ice covered everything!

Snow Dogs

We woke up this morning to MORE SNOW! Portland is really getting dumped on this week. I find myself getting bored since I've been home for most of the week...there is only so much cleaning up and tv watching I can do. So...I had a great idea to get all dressed in my snow gear and dress up our dogs for a picture in the snow! Bentley (he's the white and grey one) HATES wearing anything, so it was a challenge to keep the hat on him. Pepper Dog was a good boy, all we had to do was promise him a Good Boy Treat! I had to hold the doggies still to get a good pic. I'm also posting a couple pictures of our Christmas tree.

Snow Day

Yesterday we got a couple inches of snow! The snow shut down most of Portland and the same goes for today. All schools are cancelled and since Alex took my car (I have all wheel drive) to get to work safely, which means I am stranded at home. The roads are so icy and we aren't supposed to get above freezing for the rest of the week! Here are some pics from yesterday and today...the boys are staying warm and cozy!

Bentley blending in with his stuffed animals

Lazy Doggies!

View from our balcony

Lots of snow!

Honeymoon at Newport

The Newlyweds at Depoe Bay

Bentley and his Baby

Pepper fast asleep with his tongue hanging out!

Wedding Pics!

Alex is "playing the piano"...


Me and my chicas

Family Time

Alex and I sharing a moment

Searching for the garter...

I'm channeling Tyra for a Top Model pose

Married!!!

I know, I know...I've been a huge slacker at updating our blog since we got married! Newlywed life is not much different than engaged life, except now we are more mushy to each other...who knew how fun it would be to call each other husband and wife! We are still waiting to get hard copies of our professional pictures, but our photographer has them posted on his website. It's www.pfeifferimages.com, click on clients and the password is Schenbeck to see all our pics. Some are very up close and personal! The wedding was wonderful. Alex and I had the best time and we were so happy that most of you were able to attend. Thank you all so much! From the flowers, to the ceremony, the food and the cake...everything went smoothly and looked beautiful. It's true what people tell you, that your wedding day will fly by...we wanted to spend more time talking to everyone, and before we knew it, the night was over! So much planning went into one day and now it's a million memories. We had a nice and relaxing honeymoon at Newport. We had a few nice days, we walked the doggies on the beach and visited the aquarium. We also had a couple of rainy days that we just stayed in our pajamas and watched movies all day. We definitely needed the break and the sleep, planning a wedding in a few months was tougher on us than we thought it would be. Now our main focus is packing for our big honeymoon to Hawaii. We leave the day after Christmas and stay for 1 week. We are so excited to get out of the cold, especially now that we got a few inches of snow in Portland today! Alex and I have never been on a big trip together, so this will be extra special. Hope everyone is doing well and we promise to update more often! I'll post some recent pics for everyone.

The LAST Night...

Tonight is the last night Alex and I will be "single" people...tomorrow is the big day and we are so excited! Thanks to everyone for all your love, support, advice and help!

First comes love...

Then comes marriage, then comes the baby in the baby carriage. Today we visited a close friend of mine, Jen, and her husband Adam and their newborn daughter, Rubie Ann! Rubie was born on Tuesday, October 14th (she was due on Nov. 6th), and even though she arrived early, both she and mom are doing great. It's so crazy that I finally got to meet the little person that had been growing inside Jen's tummy...and when we were at work Jen would let me feel her push and move around, what a miracle. Rubie is such a doll, I can't wait to watch her grow! This is also GREAT birth control, as Alex and I both agreed that we definitely are not ready for kids yet! That's the great thing about working with kids and having many friends with babies...you can still enjoy and spoil them without having to be the responsible parents! :) Besides, we already have our hands full with our 2 furry boys...

Jen and I with Baby Rubie!

My dad, stepmom and brother came up from Bend for the weekend (last weekend). We went out to the Grand Lodge so they could see the wedding site! We were able to walk through the cottage and take some pictures. So far, we've pretty much got all the planning finished...now we just have to worry about paying for it! We have been very fortunate to have our parents contribute to the cost of the wedding, we thank you and love you. Here are a few pictures of the Grand Lodge.

The front of the Children's Cottage

My brother Nick playing bartender inside the cottage

The ceremony room, we will be married in front of the fireplace

Some special shout outs!

• Alex's lifelong best friend (and best man), Lee, and his wife Kim welcomed their first child, Ethan Ransom, into the world on Tuesday, October 14th! Everyone is doing great, congrats you guys, we can't wait to meet your little boy!
• One of Alex's brothers is going through some tough times in his life and marriage...our thoughts and prayers are with you.
• Alex has reached ONE MONTH without smoking, yeah baby! Thanks everyone for the encouragement.
• There are a million (or so it seems) birthdays coming up! So, happy birthday to:
  Mema, my grandma, Oct. 25th
  Elizabeth, my student, Oct. 28th
  Alex, my fiance :), Oct. 28th
  Lisa, my chica, Oct. 29th
  Me, myself and I, Nov. 1st
  Delani, my mom, Nov. 4th
  Shelly, Alex's mom, Nov. 13th
  Mike, my student, Nov. 14th
  Jen, friend/new mommy, Nov. 15th
  Anna, Alex's niece, Nov. 30th
  Nancy, my friend, Nov. 30th

October

So weird to think October is a day away. We had beautiful weather (almost 90 degrees, right?) today in Portland...it made me forget that my favorite time of year is approaching. I can't wait to get all of our Halloween decorations out and decorate the house. It's probably one of my favorite things I did growing up...my mom and I would get all the decorations out and spend at least a couple hours finding the perfect spot to hang up our monster pictures, which ones belonged down the hallway and how we could position them just right so it looked like they were watching your every move (I still don't like the vampire face, Mom). Such fun memories! I remember the first Halloween Alex and I spent together, he came home to find ghosts with streamers hanging in the doorways and spider webs covering the mantle. He thought it was pretty silly, but it's grown on him and now he enjoys going to the store and looking at all the fun and scary decorations. Anyone dressing up for Halloween or going to a party? Let us know if there's something fun going on!

Yesterday, we went to a friend's (and client of mine) house to watch the Charger game. It was a slow start, but in the end we beat the Raiders by 10 points! Thanks Brad and Tammy, we had a great time...next game is on us, ok?

Wedding planning is in full gear. We went cake tasting, bought Alex's outfit and ring this weekend. We go out to the Grand Lodge next week to decide on a menu and layout of the site. If you haven't returned your RSVP cards yet, please do so! We need a head count by the end of this week, so if you can or can't make it, please return the cards or email us...thanks! Again, a big THANK YOU to everyone who has offered to help us plan for the wedding (or heard me stress over it). We are so thankful and blessed to have family and friends who love us! I never thought I would lose sleep over invitations...crazy!!!

Thanks Meredith for the bakery recommendation, we went to Beaverton Bakery to sample some cakes...delicious! Also, a quick note to my grandma, Mema (her name is Donna, I've always called her my Mema), I'm thinking about you and I hope you are feeling better and getting some sleep, hugs and kisses!

Chargers Baby!

FINALLY our team, the San Diego Chargers, won a game against the NY Jets in Monday night football!!! Hopefully they can keep all their players healthy and injury free this season so they can make it to the Super Bowl. Alex and I were cheering (and some screaming) at our tv tonight...some day we will make it to a game! Go Chargers...oh yeah...uh huh...(doing my victory dance) :)

Also, I would like to apologize to one of my co-workers and friend, Tasha, who is also helping plan my bachelorette party. I didn't include her name on my first blog, so sorry! She and her husband are two of the nicest people anyone can meet and I am so thankful to have her as a friend. Thanks so much Tasha...I'm in need for a girl's night, so spread the word!

PS...Chargers rock.

Fall is here

Hi everyone. Alex and I decided to set up a blog spot so we can let friends and family know what we are up to. We've both been super busy with work and wedding planning, so we haven't been able to keep in contact with everyone as much as we'd like to. Today is a cloudy, cold and rainy day in Portland, so I figured it was a nice time to relax on the couch with a blanket and start our blog. Hopefully we will be able to post something once a week. As most of you know, we are now getting married in Forest Grove, Oregon at McMenamin's Grand Lodge on November 22nd. We were supposed to get married in Hawaii, but unfortunately timeshares fell through for family and it is just way too expensive for hotel rooms. Alex and I are really excited that all of our friends and family will be able to celebrate with us on our special day. Also, we are both so THANKFUL for everyone who has offered to help us with wedding and party planning. My friends Sara and Amy are planning a bachelorette party (which I've already tried to get info from Alex and his lips are sealed...), and my grandma (Mema) is planning a bridal shower, so an extra THANK YOU (with a hug and kiss) to you ladies. I have my dress, shoes, rings and I just bought our decorations at Ikea today with the help of my very artsy and talented BFF (Maid of Honor) Lindsey. If anyone has recommendations on a bakery for a cake, we'd love to hear them!

Is today the first day of fall? It sure feels like it! Today is Alex's quit date to stop smoking! He has tried several times before, but his doctor prescribed Chantix to him and for once he feels confident enough to quit. He hasn't smoked all day, I am so proud of him. I told him it would be an extra challenge to quit during football season (especially since our Chargers are having a tough time winning a game), but hopefully with the help of the medication he's on, he will be successful. He can use all the support he can get, so please feel free to comment on our blog spot or send him a text to keep him motivated!

As far as everything else goes, Alex and I (and the doggies) are doing fine. I've started working at a pre-school (Young Learners) a few mornings a week in addition to my 1:1 ABA Therapy sessions at Building Bridges. I assist in a pre-k class of 19 students and I am having a blast. I adore the kids and am learning so much from the teacher. My new fall schedule with Building Bridges is going well. I've been working with most of my kids for the last 2 years and it's so exciting and rewarding to see how much progress each one has made and to be a part of their journey. The kids and their families are amazing, and in a way I feel like they are a part of my extended family :) Well...I should get off here and prepare myself for the next work week. Alex and I thank you for taking the time to read this, we hope you enjoyed it and check back here often for updates and pictures!