arizona

The Ducks played a good game at the National Championship despite their loss...here's a couple pics from Jeff's 48-hour trip to Arizona for the big game! He got to meet up with lots of friends and family on game day, and had an awesome time getting to see his good buddy Josiah too.

Right to left: Phil (brother), Jeff, cousin Michael, and his wife Rikki who live in Baltimore

You played well, Ducks!!

we can't wait to meet you, baby meakins!

SURPRISE!

We are SO excited to have one more member joining our family this year - we can't wait for the little nugget to arrive so we can start taking him/her on some adventures and developing a taste for delicious cuisine! :)

The big arrival date is July 22 so I am just over 13 weeks along, and feeling great! We just had our second ultrasound a couple weeks ago and it was confirmed that all is looking healthy (so thankful!). Now...we patiently wait for 8 more weeks while I try and play the guessing game with baby Meakins' gender....any guesses??

Stay tuned!

the ducks (and jeff) go to the national championship!

Jeff is such a LUCKY DUCK - today he flew to Phoenix, Arizona, so he can attend a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity of an event...if for some reason you don't know already, the Ducks are playing against Auburn in the BCS National Championship game on Monday. Yes, this was a bit of a splurge for us, but who knows if it will ever happen again?! Jeff has been a passionate Duck fan since a very small age, and this was one game he just couldn't miss.

I hope you are all watching on Monday - it's going to be an intense game but I know we can win it! GO DUCKS!!

snowy sunriver

Happy New Year my dearies! I have been such a lazy blogger lately, but maybe life will resume back to normal now that the holidays are over....not that I don't LOVE December, because I do...I thrive on hustle and bustle, and love getting to catch up with all of our family.

The last weekend in December we spent a few very relaxing days in Sunriver with my parents. Jeff suggested the idea only a couple weeks prior and I had no idea we'd actually find something so last minute, but we did, and a very nice place at that! A cozy house, with a huge fireplace and a hottub, that even allowed us to bring Chloe. The weather was spectacular - sunny and below freezing - perfect for a winter getaway. What a BEAUTIFUL place Sunriver is, especially in the winter. One of my favs for an easy weekend away.

The highlight of the trip was a 7-mile cross country ski adventure to Tumalo Falls, just outside of Bend. Jeff had to be persuaded a bit, being the dedicated snowboarder that he is, but we all had fun. The rest of the weekend we read books, ate yummy food, slept like babies, and soaked in the hottub. We didn't want to leave!

Chloe had an absolute blast running around exploring in the snow!

Mom on a ski trail by the river

On the road to Tumalo Falls

Beginning our adventure...

We made it to the falls! Cross country skiing is SUCH a great workout - don't ever let anyone tell you otherwise!

Inside the cozy house in Sunriver - we kept a fire blazing at all times!

holidays

Whew - that was a whirlwind! But definitely a relaxing couple of weeks. I need to catch you up on December - what an enjoyable month it was!

Highlights:

• Getting to have dinner with Jeff's Uncle Bill and Aunt Jan who were visiting from Tacoma
• Holiday parties!
• A memorable evening at Irving St. Kitchen to celebrate one of my dearest friend Maggie's graduation from nursing school - CONGRATS!!!
  
• Christmas Eve at Jeff's grandma's house. A house full of relatives, ugly sweaters, good food, and people I love.
  
• Christmas morning with Jeff's mom and stepdad. Yummy breakfast, delicious lattes, and present opening!
• Christmas afternoon with Jeff's dad and stepmom. Dinner that was to-die-for, lots of couch and relax time, games, laughs, and late-night fun!
• Spa day at Gervais with my lovely sis-in-law, Brook, on the day after Christmas. SO AMAZING!
• Jeff finding out that he gets to go to Arizona to watch the Ducks play in the National Championship game - a once in a lifetime opportunity! He was over the moon.
  
• A special dinner at Serrato (our go-to) with my parents last week.
  
• Spending the weekend and NYE in Sunriver with my parents: 7 miles of cross country skiing at Tumalo Falls, lunch in Bend, TONS of snow in Sunriver, a cozy house, lounging, hottub, delicious food, Chloe time, and cold, cold sunshine! It was spectacular.

Coming away from such a jam-packed month with all of our family and friends, we couldn't be more thankful and feel more blessed to have all of you in our lives! May your 2011 also be richly blessed with people you love!

la buca

Introducing this cozy, comfy, yet incredibly delectable restaurant - our new "go-to". On one of my favorite streets in Portland - NE 28th Ave. - also home of Crema coffee house, Screen Door and Ken's Artisan Pizza.

For the longest time I have been reading rave reviews about La Buca...if only I had tried it sooner! Jeff scouted it out for lunch a couple of weeks ago, then the two of us had dinner there on Saturday night. The atmosphere is somewhat dimly lit, romantic, and modern. We found the bar area to be a bit cozier - just a few tables and an intimate room in the back. Everything on the menu looked superb, and my Italian-lovin' self was in sky-high heaven. What to choose?!!?! I settled on a vodka tomato-cream penne with Italian sausage ($8). Jeff ordered chicken marsala ($11). Mine came in a simple bowl and was nothing fancy, but tasted wonderful. Jeff's was very large - his chicken was piled on top of freshly whipped mashed potatoes, a light marsala sauce, and perfectly wilted spinach as a topper. I am fairly confident that everything on that moderately-sized menu is just as wonderful as what we both ordered.

Impressive to me is that the owners of La Buca serve such quality food and keep their prices so low. This is the best date spot - for $40, two people can have a salad, wine, bread, and an entree. I saw a couple kids in there, yet it still felt grown-up and romantic (no offense to those of you with kiddos, but my favorite spots aren't usually where all the kids eat :). The seafood special of the night was a fillet of fresh king salmon with prawns, all served over pasta....for $12.50!!!!

One of my favorites has always been Piazza Italia - because of its simple, affordable, and authentic Italian food. La Buca was some good competition - and although I will be back FOR SURE, Piazza Italia still has my heart (partly because of Allessandro, the little old man who kisses me on the cheek each time I am there, serenades our table, and never fails to drag women out of their seats to dance with him.

Try either one on your next date night! :)

christmas without a tree?!

I can't believe I'm letting it happen. Christmas without a Christmas tree. Yes, it's true that I'm not very sentimental about some things...but when it comes to the holidays, I always have loved having a (real) tree. I was just telling someone today - having a yummy smelling, twinkling, freshly chopped Christmas tree makes coming home that much more of an event. I love cozying up on the couch in my PJs in our living room, next to this wonderful thing I wait all year for.

But alas...no tree this year. Jeff says we shouldn't, and I suppose I agree. Reason: We are selling the house (still), but as of this week we finally have it listed with a realtor (let's get this house SOLD). A tree will take up too much room, making the house feel smaller...thus not playing into our deception of trying to make buyers think our house is HUGE. :)

So, this is my tribute to all of the wonderful Christmas trees out there - in my friends' houses, department stores, shopping malls, downtown, and even at my workplace - these trees that I will that much more enjoy this year because I do not have my own. :( If I am at your house and you see me sadly gazing at your tree in an obsessive manner...you will now know why!

last stop: rothenburg

This little romantic town looks like it is straight out of Beauty & the Beast. We had heard it was magical, and it WAS. Rothenburg is a medieval city which started flourishing around 1150; its signature feature is a giant stone wall surrounding the entire city, which guests can walk inside (and we did!). I loved the cobblestone streets, colorful houses, and cute little Christmas shops. Definitely a romantic city!! We were able to coordinate and meet Jeff's sister Katie and her husband Jason here, who live a couple of hours away in Bitburg.

Entering through the outer wall of Rothenburg - this was used to protect the city from attackers

The main town square - many of these buildings were built in the 1200s.

A shot of the city wall - we walked all the way around.

View from the tower

Spectacular, right?

Some of the city was bombed in WWII, but the main part stayed intact.

Most adorable little streets

Katie, Jason, and Jeff about to climb up into the wall

I picture a fairytale happening here...

Highlight of Rothenburg: Nightwatchman's Tour!
This was a reenactment (OBVIOUSLY), but the nightwatchman used to walk around at night and guard the town from danger, as well as watch for fires which could burn down the entire city. This guy was hilarious, and gave a very interesting history of Rothenburg!

Our pub crawl through Rothenburg :)

This bar, called "Hell", is a legend in Rothenburg, so we stopped in for a beer. It was built in 918!

The four of us spent the night at Hotel Spitzweg, just about the most charming place I have ever stayed in my life. Jeff's and my hotel room was from 1556, and was definitely decorated in traditional German style. All of the hotels here are just like this - there are no Marriotts, Hiltons, or chain hotels - which is what we adored about Rothenburg. Our hotel owner, Herr Hocher, was warm and welcoming, and reminded me of Santa Claus. We were treated just like family!

Cutest little room ever - and spotlessly clean!

Rothenburg was a great ending to a fantastic trip - and seeing Katie and Jason in the country they are living in was really special. Our last day we said goodbyes, packed up the car and drove to Frankfurt where we stayed for one night before flying home on Halloween.

Another successful adventure crossed off the list for the Meakins! :)

6th stop: munich

One thing I haven't talked much about is the driving in Germany; and more specifically, the Autobahn. One word: WOW. The normal driving habits of people on the German Autobahn would land a person straight in jail for wreckless driving if it were in the US. Jeff drove our car upwards of 100 mph (or 160 kph) just to keep up at times, and people were still FLYING past us, one car after another. And I do mean flying. It was truly a sight. There is often no speed limit at all on the Autobahn, so people do take advantage.

Our first day in Munich was low-key. We both just wanted to walk the city to explore the different neighborhoods and adorable boutiques. Started off the morning strolling through the outdoor market and loving all of the fresh foods. Walked through the English Garden, stopping for Jeff to get a snack in the biergarten there. Stood around to watch the Glockinspiel - a huge clock in the main square that has figures which dance on the stroke of an hour (as I heard a tour guide explain - "ten minutes of your life you will never get back" :).

At the Virtualien Markt - loads of fresh foods, and all so pretty!

I could probably eat cheese forever. There were so many.

In the English Garden

At the Seehaus Beer Garden (notice I do not have a plate here - I was boycotting. It was so greasy!!!)

English Garden

Glockinspiel (the clock goes off occasionally and the figures "come out and dance" - very anticlimatic)

Our last night in Munich was absolutely a BLAST. We were exhausted, must've walked at least five miles that day, but we forced ourselves out on the town. First stop: Hofbrauhaus! This place is jolly, lively, and wonderful. Everyone is happy, the beer is flowin', and the loud traditional German band is playin'. We sat down at a long table next to a Brazilian couple on their 25th anniversary trip. They only spoke Portuguese, but somehow in a combination of dramatic hand gestures and random word combinations we attempted to communicate, and somehow got by. At the far end of our table was a businessman from Denmark, quietly pounding back liters of beer (yes, liters plural) and chuckling to himself at the exchange between us all. By the end of the night we had lured him in, and were all laughing and chatting. I love our world! Such a jolly time. We finished off the night at one of the best restaurants, Brenner, which the Danish businessman recommended for us. They make their own pasta, the food was for foodies, and the service was outstanding. De-lightful! It was a fun and eventful night out to say the least - maybe one of my trip favorites. Below is a video to help you capture the jolly "scene" at the Hofbrauhaus that we loved so much...at the end of the video you can hear Roberto (our new friend) trying to talk to Jeff in his loud, boisterous voice...and then Jeff's puzzled look as he tries to understand Portuguese...:)

Jeff and I at the Hofbrauhaus - first round!

Our Brazilian friend, Roberto, who we met at the table

Best restaurant in Munich!

5th stop: eagle's nest & dachau

On the 27th, we left Salzburg and headed back to Germany. On our way to Munich, we stopped in Obersalzburg to visit Hitler's Eagle's Nest. The actual Eagle's Nest was closed for the year due to snow - the road is very steep and ends at the top of a very high mountain. This building was constructed for Hitler's birthday, but he only visited a few times because he was afraid of heights. We did, however, get to visit the Documentation Museum and the bunkers below where many of the leaders of the Nazi party resided during the war. These bunker tunnels go on for miles in all directions, and are fascinating to see. The museum gave us a very detailed account of World War II from the very beginning and included hundreds of documents from that time period.

These two stops deserve their own post. There is so much horror that went on during WWII, and most of us can't even begin to imagine it. For me, just seeing these sites made it so much more real. Jeff and I kept saying over and over throughout the day, "I just can't believe this was only around 70 years ago"... And to think there are still so many people living today who survived this era, but are having to live with those memories. My grandpa was in the German army (not by choice, but because he was a German citizen), and all I could think of was how many questions I would like to ask him. We did have a few good conversations about the war before he passed away, but now that I've seen these things, it brings up a hundred more questions. If you have a grandparent who lived through WWII...pick their brain!

Documentation Museum sitting directly above Hitler's underground bunker tunnels

The bunker tunnels that go on for miles and miles - I will admit, a bit spooky

While processing all of the World War II information and sights at Hitler's bunker (it's so much more real when you are actually there), we headed to Dachau concentration camp for the afternoon. Definitely a heavy day for us. Dachau was apparently the smallest of the concentration camps, killing around 33,000 prisoners. The horrific fact is that these numbers are infinitely smaller than most camps. Sickening. To see it all in front of us was powerful, and so, so sad. The acts that were committed there are bone-chilling. Maybe these pictures aren't the best to look at, but I feel every human needs to be aware of and see what atrocious acts went on there.

The entrance gate to Dachau - prisoners arrived by train, which was just to my right, and then walked straight through those gates.

The gate through which prisoners entered the camp - the words mockingly say "Work makes you free"

Where the bunkers once stood - rows and rows of concrete rectangles mark on each side (two are still standing for viewing purposes). Hundreds of prisoners lived in each one. It's crazy to imagine that these trees are the same ones there during the war.



Inside the bunkers - when overcrowded, they would sleep maybe 4 to a bed. Everything was to be kept in meticulous order or else prisoners were punished (shoes lined up, towels folded, sheets aligned up with edge of bed, etc).

"Brausebad" means showers or bath - prisoners were told this, but it was really a lethal gas chamber.

Crematorium