Troopers.

Back in August when I was in NYC with the girls, I made a point to pop by and say hello to Doreen and Brandon who also live in the city. Haley and I checked out their new-ish apartment and we engaged in small talk about Life Lately. "You'll have to let us know if you and Tyson are going on any trips this year." Brandon said at one point. "Actually, we are going to Utah in October." I said, quickly pondering how fun it would be if these friends joined us. I threw the idea out there nonchalantly with a mini urge that if they were interested they could certainly jump on board. And well, they did. Brandon and Doreen booked and are flying in from NYC, and Haley and Josh booked and are flying in from Minneapolis. To Utah. Next weekend. Over my birthday. Eeeek!

Tyson and I have had no shortage of good times with the four people mentioned above. In fact, they have been a part of some of our greatest adventures and I hope they know how much I appreciate their willingness to take a leap next weekend. They are troopers!

EXAMPLES IN TROOPERNESS
Doreen's recent visit to Seattle:



Haley and Kristi flew out to Seattle last year in a surprise visit to watch me run my marathon.



Over the years, both Haley and Doreen and their respective partners have been staples in PNW awesomeness.

Years ago, Haley and Crow were out in Seattle on a Girls' trip where we spent a day hiking in the mountains. She and Josh were here a few years before that for a snowboarding trip to Whistler, and even several years before that, they both came out (Kristi and Mitch too!) and we road-tripped the Olympic Peninsula.


In 2008, Doreen and I tackled Steven's Pass snowboarding and only a few months later she and Brandon joined Tyson and I on a backpacking trip in the Enchantments area that was a highlight for me that summer, and required not one post, but two.




I look SO forward to seeing what the convergeance of the six of us will look like. I have no doubt it will be a total blast and I cannot believe it is all happening over my birthday! We leave in a week next Thursday morning. Stay tuned.