30 August 2006

amy's birthday (8-27-06)

Well, the youngest among the Hammer clan has turned 24. Though Amy's birthday was actually on Sunday, we celebrated the day before. Saturday was full of shopping for myself, Mom and Amy. We went to Pasadena and spent a couple hours in Anthropologie, where she spent most of her birthday money. Then we went to the Brea mall for MORE shopping. The day was followed by an evening of eating, LOTS of eating. Mom prepared a 5-course meal, complete with appetizers and two kinds of dessert! It was so great to have the whole family up. Even Jon and Julie were in town from San Diego. Well, Happy Birthday Amy! I hope the day was all you hoped it would be. Maybe next year you'll get the bike.



I just need to take a quick moment and comment on the fabulous creativity and patience of our mother. She made this afghan for Amy for her birthday. That's nearly 300 little crocheted squares, which were then sewn together, after which she crocheted several rows around the whole thing. Its AMAZING! And inspiring. Mom, you truly are talented, and don't let anyone ever tell you differently. Oh, and how do I get one?

Posted by hjw at 9:01 PM | | Comments

28 August 2006

the wedding


On May 6, 2006, Caleb Weston and I were married. The day was exactly a year from our first date, it was my dream ceremony, held at the church I grew up in. My grandpa did the ceremony and almost everyone important to me was there. Most importantly, I married the man of my dreams, making the day absolutely perfect.
For the rest of the photos, click the link to the right that says WEDDING PHOTOS, and I hope you enjoy reliving our special day. It really was one of the very best days of my life. More blogging to come!

Posted by hjw at 9:08 PM | | Comments

24 August 2006

Mt. Whitney


For a long time now I've wanted to post, pictorially, my trek up the Continental United States' tallest peak, Mt. Whitney. It stands 14,465 feet high, a rather intimidating monolith, jutting up among the Eastern Sierra Nevada range. Climbing it has been on the my list of 100 things to do before I die for a long time, and in August of 2005, I did it. My dad and Caleb (at the time just my boyfriend) came with me. We had a great time, and conquered the mountain. Below you'll find a few pictures of the event. If you look to the links in the sidebar at the right, you can go to a page with a more complete summary of our two-day trip.



After more than 3 hours in the car, we can finally see the mountain almost hidden in the range.



We were up early on Sunday morning, packing and getting ready to hike ...


Dad's ready!


Last chance to turn back ...


We would do this for hours and hours and hours and hours and hours and ....


Gotta pause for a few picturesque moments ....


This is actually the area where we camped for the night. Unfortunately, there were no campsites on the grass ... we pretty much slept on granite slab. But the scenery was nice.


See the granite slab? This is early the morning we climbed the summit. I'm standing in our campsite. The day started out cold, but beautiful.


When we finally reached the top, I got to do what I'd wanted forever to do ... sign the guest book at 14,495 feet up. The top of the world. My name is there now! (So are Caleb's and my dad's.)


Me and my dad ... this was his third time up the mountain.


Me and Caleb ... on top of the world.


And then we had to come back down. We walked from the summit to the car that day ... getting back long after dark. We got to Carl's Jr. for dinner JUST before they closed for the night at 10. And then we drove the 3 hours home, every muscle in our bodies longing for a good massage, sleep, spa ... something! However, as sore as we were, we were conquerers, overcomers, climbers, adventureres, explorers. We'd beaten the odds, climbed the mountain, proven to ourselves it wouldn't beat us. That night, we were sore, but we were content. And boy did we sleep well.


Posted by hjw at 9:52 PM | | Comments

23 August 2006

Welcome!

Many of you have probably seen this picture, because it was part of our wedding invitation. But I thought it a good beginning for my first-ever blog, and hopefully it will welcome you in, like an old blanket, familiar and comfy. I'm still learning this whole blogging thing, but having a blast. Check back now and then and you're sure to be entertained.

Posted by hjw at 9:04 PM | | Comments

Welcome!

  • Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. (Helen Keller)

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  • The Known World, Edward P. Jones
  • The Brothers Karamozov, Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  • Desiring God, John Piper

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