What an Incredible Weekend! Jeff & I joined Anya & David deLancellotti along with David's brother, Paul & his wife, Kendall Bergstrom up in Portland, Oregon this weekend for our first Outstanding in the Field dinner. Jim Deneven started this a few years ago, bringing local growers, farmers, ranchers, cheesemakers, vitners, etc together with local chefs to create fantastic community dinners throughout the country. We chose Portland (Dundee region of the Willamette Valley) at David & Anya's suggestion since they were planning to be up there visiting their family at their vineyard & winery. Paul & Kendall were awesome hosts, showing us around Portland wine country's finest wineries which are mostly known for their Pinot Noir. We ate, drank, snacked, ate, drank and drank some more all weekend long. We HIGHLY recommend the dinner - wherever you can go to experience Jim's art. Enjoy the pics!
Jim & co's 1953 tour bus
Our B&B - The Black Walnut Inn...if you are ever in Portland wine country, try to stay at this incredible place. I got up at 5am and went for a hike around the vineyard, taking this shot as I was headed back to our room. Their breakfasts were off the charts good!
The view from the B&B of their lavender, vineyard and Hazelnut orchard.
Our host, Mark, at Drouhin Vineyards holds some of our tastings that day. He was an incredible tour guide explaining the process of creating a perfect Pinot!
At Drouhin, the vines are a meter apart, vs the normal measurement so the equipment all had to be brought in from France in order to work the vineyard. Something to do with the yield of the soil, stressing the vine to get a better fruit...(I was obviously more focused on the delicious wine, than paying attention to the technical aspects of winemaking).
Fresh new French Oak barrels, never used. Ready to receive a fresh batch this fall! We got to smell the insides which clearly influences the taste of the final product.
Paul & Kendall's barn at Bergstrom-deLancellotti vineyard. They have an incredible 360 degree view of the valley and are creating some amazing wines.
The lavender fields are so beautiful & fragrant! We had to buy one and bring it home (a single plant that is, not a whole field...although I wouldn't mind having a field of them).
L-R David & Anya deLancellotti, Paul deLancellotti & Kendall Bergstrom with the dinner's venue, Domaine Serene in the background.
Our appetizers, Freshly shucked oysters with trout caviar.
The man...Jim Denevan. He announced the way the dinner works and introduced our host, Domaine Serene winery, along with our growers who joined us that evening.
The mushroom farmer (they were OUTSTANDING ;o)
The lay of the land (and dinner table for 180 people).
Eugene, Oregon's finest pork, provided by Patrine, the pig lady (her description), and sliced by the owner of 10-01 - the restaurant who created our delicous dinner.
Yours truly, and Anya enjoy the event.
Like any good dinner, the memories & friendships are lasting...(Jeff & Paul)
Brothers David & Paul discuss "the possibilities of Soil....that's SO not Gretchen! (inside joke)
Domaine Serene's rep serves up a fine Pinot Noir with dinner
Jeff & I checkin' out the tour bus...
The pastry chef from 10-01 of Portland preparing our dessert.
Jim, 10-01's head chef (in red) and pastry chef enjoy the view and a good Pinot after the dinner
Jeff & I get our obligatory shot with the artist & founder of Outstanding in the Field
The MOST Outstanding guests of the dinner (as you will see in the following shots)
Something got us going...
Go Anya, go Anya...
I can't let Anya have ALL the fun...
David & Anya pay tribute to Patrine, the Pig Lady (who brought us the delicious pork loin for the entre).
Next year??? Austin? New York? Napa? Ojai? We'll be watching in March when the '09 dates are released and we hope to see you there!
Now "That's what I'm talkin' about!" says Lucas of his Indy car-racing with Poppa.
Some more S'Mores??? The special treat after the firework show at the Nataupsky-White lakehouse with Aunt Cynthia.
We left Lake Arrowhead and gave the boys their opportunity for some aqua-action at Crystal Cove beach. The water wasn't much warmer than the lake, but it sure was fun trying to jump the waves...
...and play in the surf! 
Some serious baking going on. Aunt Cynthia shares the ancient chocolate chip cookie receipe from Mimi - it is impossible to eat just one...and if you try the cookie dough first, you will be hooked for life! They were SOOO yummy!
Have no fear, Cap'n Underpants is here! Lucas enjoys his new shark-fin goggles. They're actually pretty scary when he swims with his head underwater. The fin sticks up and looks like a shark is headed your way!
17 June, 2008. An historic day for families like ours... 
Arriving for our 8:00 am appointment at the Santa Ana Courthouse. The courthouse was filled with excitement as we approached the Clerk Recorder's Office. Once inside, the staff was all smiles and there to help us through the process of first obtaining our license to marry then facilitating the civil ceremony. Both Jeff & I were jittery as we tried to anticipate the process, manage our two children and review the official documents while the press were asking a zillion questions about our day, our lives together and our children. 
Carmen performs the ceremony as I place Jeff's ring on his LEFT HAND!!! (Lucas did a GREAT job as ring-bearer as Kate continues to sleep ;o)
More press capture our moment as we are introduced as married spouses for life;
Some links from our big day:
