Well wait, before I start talking about the adventure south I must give proper detailing to the week leading up to the departure. Before taking off we celebrated the the last days of Portland with our dearest friends, favorite food and of course family. Brett and I KNEW we would miss Portland's food and so we were happy to meet friends all week for meals and drinks. The last weekend before leaving we took a very short trip down to Southern Oregon to spend time with my family and closest relatives for my cousins wedding. In my last blog we celebrated Amanda's bachelorette party so I was incredibly excited to be with more relatives that I do not get to often see to celebrate her wedding.
On Friday we left Portland right after Brett left work... a.k.a. his very last day at Target. I honestly thought this day would never come. It was a weird day I think for both of us, because I knew it made our new transition choices a reality. He has worked for Target for six years which is crazy, but from this picture you can tell how excited and anxious he is about doing something new after such a long time at a company. Target was, of course, very sad and disappointed to see him leave but he left on a great note and always has an open door to come back.
So we made the drive down and got into town to start the celebration. We met up with my folks for dinner at the local pizza place for dinner. It was fun to catch up and talk about the crazy week of work, packing, and of course the next adventure to Cali! We crashed pretty early that night and woke up the next day to my sister bringing home breakfast. She just got into town from Vegas so she drove down from Portland that morning and brought yummy food with her. We spent the morning as we usually do in the Dutton household - in our jammies and with coffee in hand discussing this and that. My brother even graced us with his presence for awhile! It wasn't long before we had to start getting ready for the wedding so we 1) broke out the booze and 2) started to get glamourous. Booze of choice for the weekend was Sweet Tea Vodka w/ Iced Tea for the women (which is AMAZING!) and classic margaritas for the men. Of course my mother, sister and I took over an hour to get ready while it takes my dad and Brett approximately 8 minutes. Grrr! Hey, we all looked great and that is what matters. So great that my sister and I actually brought the same color dress to wear. I guess we're related! We were running late so took off in a hurry because the wedding was 30 minutes away in Central Point.
We arrived nearly late, but just in time because it was so humid and it was an outside wedding. We made our fashionably late entrance and then no joke minutes later the wedding started. It was short, sweet and very emotional for the family. Too cute! Amanda and her husband Shawn were the center of attention and it was an amazing celebration. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to attend their wedding and for
Brett and I to see all my relatives before leaving. Most of my family has met Brett, but not all and it was great again for everyone to get some time to engage with both of us because we rarely get to see family, especially him since his family is scattered all over the US, but most in Indiana.
C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E! Vows were shared and then it was time to party, which might I add us Duttons know how to do! We drank, danced and ate the night away. We had a great time and then it was time
to go. The next day we spent the morning again over coffee and family chatting. It wasn't too long before we all had to take off, but it wouldn't be too long before we would be back. It was Brett's and I's plan to go back to Portland go to bed, wake up Monday go get the rental truck, pack up the house, walk through with the new tenants and leave all within a day. It was craziness! I will share this in the next blog.... you'll just have to wait!
