The Big Move, Part 2
Returning to Penn's woods in January, 2002, there was little doubt love would be found. Scott was gone at WEMT camp for March, leaving Lori in the capable hands of the McCracken family. In April, the happy couple moved together to Lansdale. After break-in periods for both of their jobs, the new apartment, and several camping trips, it was becoming clear something needed to happen. (At least it was clear to Scott).

Popping the question
Scott planned a camping trip--big surprise! The weather didn't want to cooperate--big surprise! As the trip grew closer, Scott started emailing Lori weather updates that said that the rain and clouds were going to clear up by late Saturday (October 12). Sunday would be beautiful. Every hour or so of their rainy 5 hour trip to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania, Scott said it was clearing up. It never stopped raining. They cut the trip down to a hotel stay and a mild hike to see the Grand Canyon. Lori suspected nothing. Hiking in the cold and rain has become their thing. Scott even asked Lori to pose for a picture. She complained that she was drenched and looked awful. Also their thing. Scott fumbled for the camera, but came back with a ring in his pocket. There wasn't much intelligible conversation through all of their crying. Scott asked Lori to marry him and she replied "of course!"

Bo was characteristically excited when he heard of our engagement (Oct 13, 2002)

The Honeymoon
Once the hangovers had faded, our fabulous heroes journeyed on a restful vacation to Spain and Italy. Then, at a rainy ceremony in mid-July, we officially became Sydney Weaver's Godparents.
Elsewhere, 2003 quickly established itself as the year of the weddings. May 10 Jill and Greg Kunkel. July 4 Ellen and Adam Koehler. August 9 Laura and Rich Rohrbaugh. October 18 Toni and Steve Kildow.

The First Year
For those of you who have never had the opportunity to be married, you gotta try it sometime: it's great! Throughout the year, between Scott's ice climbing and med-school-application-related-activities and Peru training, we still had the chance to get out a bit. Included was a mini-vacation to TN and VA to break up the long February. We decided to celebrate our first anniversary on multiple weekends, going wine tasting and then to a taping of Prairie Home Companion.

The inspiring casa de Thomas Jefferson (Feb, 2004)


Looking not-too-in-shape at Niagara Falls, ON (Sep, 2004)

The Years Together, Two
Our second year of marriage got off to a rocky start for Scott, as he spectacularly failed in an attempt to apply to medical school, then in an attempt to climb mountains in Peru. Despite these shortfalls, he was convinced that Lori needed more stress in her life and that he should end his 6-year career at Lutron Electronics. So, while Lori pulled extra hours working at Girl Scouts of Freedom Valley, Scott cast fate to the wind, and enrolled in the Drexel IMS program.

In the midst of this, we managed to get in a road trip to GA (link takes you to our photo album, a visit to Niagara Falls and Toronto, plus some of the usual shenanigans around PA. But in leaving his job, Scott had disrupted the career focus of the family. In 04-05, not only did he apply to medical school again, and Lori to school for social work, but even Bo was considering a career change (bodybuilding wasn't working out for him). So, armed with acceptances to Drexel (Scott) and Bryn Mawr (Lori), we headed off into the sunset, and for a wicked road trip of the southwest US, as our 2-year anniversary celebration.

When we returned, it would be on to the much-anticipated Act 4: Philly Ed!