my good friend amy told me that if i didn't get up to speed on this blog that i was going to have to join facebook, so i'm typing as fast as i can. i tried facebook once, and i couldn't handle the pressure. (i was also a little disappointed in myself when i found out that ALL of my ex-girlfriends are now vegan yoga-nazis)

when tiffany and i got married we decided that our one rule was "keep it simple", and by the time it rolled around we had shuttle buses, bagpipe players, and the event had turned into a three day nuptialooza. likewise, this summer we decided to "just take it easy" and have some people out to visit. consequently, we had 6 weeks straight of guests and manic travel plans that took us from crater lake to canada. being around friends and family for so long was a real joy and seemed to put life back on track after being temporarily derailed by cancer. we also got to see and do things that we would have never done if not infected with the enthusiasm of good company.

(picture above: austin and john making snow-based cocktails at crater lake)
a highlight of the summer was a flight over crater lake, piloted by our friend rob. i'd never been in a plane that small, it felt like "herbie IV, herbie learns to fly".

looking down on crater lake from 11,000 feet or so.