Welcome to Town Event: Change of Venue

Because of Lakers-Celtics Game 7 tonight we've decided to move the Welcome to Town event at 7pm tonight from The Cooler (too crowded with Laker fans and not 'kid-friendly') to McMenamins North Bank, which is directly across Club Rd. from the Residence Inn along the Willamette River.

McMenamins are great restaurants with locations all over Oregon (http://www.mcmenamins.com)

We are really looking forward to seeing everyone!

Directions, etc.

Map of Eugene / Events

As we're getting closer to the big day, there are still a few hurdles yet to cross, but we wanted to post some last minute details:

(1) Getting from PDX airport to I-5 South

• We prefer taking I-84 via downtown (the views are great)
• But, I-205 ring road is certainly more straightforward

(2) If anyone is coming into EUG airport, the best way to get to the hotels is taking a cab (or there are so few flights into Eugene there are pretty good odds that the person next to you at the baggage claim is also headed to the wedding-- make a friend and share a ride)

(3) Directions from I-5 to the hotels (...pretty confusing)

• Take the I-105 / 126 exit towards the Univ. of Oregon
• Exit at the Coburg Exit (the first on the right)
• Continue in the far left lane straight through the intersection (not left on Coburg or right'ish to Oakway
• Take the frontage road to the next intersection and take a left onto Club Rd. (follow sign for 'Autzen Stadium')
• Residence Inn is past the next intersection on your left, La Quinta is a further 500 feet on your right

(6) On Saturday we're asking everyone to carpool out to the venue (37034 Conley Rd. Marcola Oregon 97478) and then we'll have shuttles starting up at 10pm to get you back to the hotels

• Directions to Cal and Eric's farm are relatively simple from the hotels
• Get back onto I-105 / 126 and head east into Springfield
• Get off at Olympic St. / 42nd St. and take the exit back under the highway
• Take a right on Marcola Rd. up the Mohawk Valley (enjoy the beautiful scenery!)
• After ~7 miles look for a red house (we'll have a sign on the road) that is the right turn
• Look for another sign directing you to parking in a field

(5) For anything else (seriously) please feel free to give us a call

• Elizabeth: (541) 912-7650
• Ian: (541) 222-9267

New car!

As the first tangible sign that our lives are beginning to change (and that I have a "real" job finally as a 32 year old), we went out and bought our first new car!

Lute looking excited to get some dirt in the new car.

Bridal Shower

A couple of weekends ago, the Albuquerque "Aunties" hosted a beautiful bridal shower for me. The Aunties (Shirley, Susan, Laura, Jean Ann, Ellin, and Kate) are Amy's good friends and have know Ian most of his life. The shower was so lovely, they planned an amazing and delicious French lunch that they cooked themselves (so good!), gorgeous flower arrangements, a yummy cocktail named "The Elizabeth", and so many pretty touches. The weather was perfect and we were able to eat outdoors and enjoy the sunshine and the garden. The Aunties are a fun group of women and I'm so glad I've gotten the opportunity to get to know them. Thank you for the shower and for making me feel so welcomed and special!


Ellin serving lunch. The Aunties had aprons made that listed all other couples who have been married out of their group of children.


The beautiful flower arrangements


Another picture of the flowers and pretty table decorations


My mom, Amy, and I with the Aunties

Dr. Parkman

After five years of hard work, Ian has earned his Ph.D.! On Thursday Ian successfully defended his dissertation, “Two Essays Examining Design Briefs as Knowledge-Based Assets: Contents and Cross-Functional Collaboration”. I was able to attend his defense and he did a great job. I was so proud! Overall, Ian has made the process of getting a Ph.D. look easy. Besides earning the degree, Ian has also had a journal article accepted for publication, spoken at several conferences, and received a teaching award. However, these last few weeks before he turned in the dissertation and leading up to the defense were pretty stressful and Ian had quite a few long days (and nights) trying to get everything finished up. But I know that the hard work has been worth it and that Ian truly enjoyed the process and experience of being a Ph.D. candidate. Now we can look forward to graduation and to Ian’s new job as a faculty member at Loyola University Maryland.


Ian at the defense



Our cat, Lola, giving Ian some emotional support as he works on his dissertation

Second Most Important Event of the Summer

Let's not forget the second most important event of the summer, the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa!

Last World Cup a group of us would get together at The Cooler Bar in the early mornings to watch the big games and enjoy a hearty breakfast.

This year the US vs. Slovenia game falls on our wedding weekend and I would love to get everyone together to cheer our boys to victory over the hated Slovenians.

The game is Friday 6/18 at 6:30am (I know, I know...)

I hope to see you there!

Also, to get you in the spirit, check out this amazing ad campaign from Puma:



USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

Hotel Links

A couple of you have asked for hotel recommendations here in Eugene, so here is the information for;

Residence Inn
(541) 342-7171
http://tinyurl.com/ykum79u

and

La Quinta
(541) 344-8335
http://tinyurl.com/2cxmxz

Each hotel has blocks of rooms-- be sure to mention the Parkman / LaDu wedding for the special rate.

Both are very close to all of the planned wedding activities and centrally located (its not a very big town).

Looking forward to seeing everyone!

Tyson Anthony Roberts

Keeping with Elizabeth's art-related theme, I thought that I'd post a great video of another of our favorite artists. Tyson Anthony Roberts is a Northwest painter whose work we both really love-- he seems to capture the feel of the Northwest incredibly well.

Painting Progression from Tyson Anthony Roberts on Vimeo.

We're looking forward to putting up a print or two in our new place in Baltimore to remind us of Eugene.

La Noce

A few days after Ian and I got engaged we went to Paris, and while we were there we visited the Georges Pompidou Center. Although Ian and I had both been to Paris before, it was our first time to the Pompidou Center. The Pompidou's modern art collection is truly spectacular and as modern art appreciators, Ian and I enjoyed our time there. Once piece in particular caught our eye: Marc Chagall's La Noce (The Wedding). Being newly engaged, we couldn't help but to be drawn to the subject matter. We loved the image of the bride and groom surrounded by, and celebrating with, those dear to them. The wedding Chagall depicts is simple and humble but full of joy. We have both kept this image in our minds as we have planned our own wedding and hope that our day reflects the same sentiment.

Beer Fest

Back in February, Ian and I met up with some friends at the KLCC Brew Fest here in Eugene. This is an annual event that we have attended in years past. Micro-brews are kind of a big deal here in Oregon, one of Portland’s nicknames is beervana, and Ian likes to joke that Eugene is the only place where college kids prefer drinking a heavy micro-brew all night instead of PBR or Natty Light. The brew fest not only features local and state beers, but also beers from around the country and world, and always makes for a fun night out. While we were there we stopped by our friends Jeff and Eriel’s booth. They are the owners of Oakshire Brewing, one of the first local breweries in Eugene. They have generously offered to provide beer at the wedding, so all of our guest will have the opportunity to enjoy a true Oregon Micro-Brew.

Check-out the Oakshire website at:

http://oakbrew.com/