Memorial Day Weekend

What a fun packed weekend we had this Memorial Day weekend! Kevin and I started by going to the Chris Botti concert at St. Michelle winery on Friday. We enjoyed great music, wine and a picnic.

I got these pictures in the wrong order but will just go with it. Monday Kevin, Jordan, Torrin and I went for a 5 mile hike up Little Si. It was quite a challenge for those little girls but they stuck with it all the way to the top.

There were lots of cool branches and rocks along the way.

On Sunday Kevin and I and the girls went to Remlinger farms. I forgot the memory card in the camera so have not photos. It is a cool place for kids under 10. There were pony rides and carnival type rides and a petting zoo. When we got home, Kimberly got off of work the Remferts came over for a barbecue and bon fire.

Crystal has become quite the photographer, unlike her mother.

Kimberly brought the makin's for smores.

Earlier we were watching Jacob riding his motorcycle. Carson was sneaking hand dips in my wine glass. He has a premature taste for adult beverages.

Jason crashed while riding Jake's motorcycle on his knees.

He squished a slug.

Jayson put training wheels on the bike so Jake would not be afraid of falling.

Even Jordan had fun on the little bike.

Carson is not quite ready for power but looks good on it.

Jacob is a stud motor cycle boy.

And So School Begins

Well, the summer of "best days ever" (as described by Jordan) finally came to a close with the first day of school. The day started with waking those sleepy girls up. Unfortunately for Jordan and Torrin, Grandma thought the clock said 6:30 but it actually said 5:30 so I got them up a little early. Opps! As it turned out, we had just enough time to figure out how to get dressed, eat breakfast and get to the bus stop by their apartment before the bus arrived. This was a new school for the girls but they both had a great first day experience.

Sleepy head Torrin

Groggy Jordan

Bright eyed and bushy tailed

At the bus stop

Waiting to be let into the school

Jordan putting on a happy face in spite of some anxious feelings.

August is here and it is Kevin's Birthday Month

I know. That was a long title. But, August is Kevin's birthday month so start it off with a bang I painted the ceiling of the roof over the back patio. You may be thinking that does not sound so grand but it was a lot of work. Kevin had requested this a week or so ago so I decided to do it while he was out of town. It started out all white and then I did this...

followed by this...

I have not decided it I am done. There may be more to add but who knows. Kevin liked it.

Sunset Run to Drums

Did it again! This time with Maggi and Kimberly in Seattle's Myrtle Edwards park. We did the 5K Sunset Run to Drums this weekend. It was a beautiful evening for a run/walk. I still can't run the whole thing. Maggi and I have about the same level of endurance. We walked and ran while Kimberly ran most of it. Kim said it was hard to run keep running without Crystal there to encourage her. The drums part of it was a group playing African drums for our return to the finish line. Now, what next?

WE DID IT!

I know Crystal already posted our amazing accomplishment on her blog so I will just add more pictures for you to see of the See Jane Run 5K event Crystal, Kimberly and I participated in. As all 2000+ women were gathering to start the half marathon and the 5K we felt a little like underachievers just running in the 5K. After the race I felt quite proud of myself and my two wonderful daughters for running the 5K. Of course I could not run the whole thing but Crystal and Kimberly did. They amaze me. We have already signed up for another race, the Irongirl in September. It is just a 5K or 10K. No swimming or biking.

If you look real close you will see that this was me getting ready to cross the finish line. Crystal came back to run in with me the last .1 of a mile while Kim took the picture. I was going so fast she could only get this far away shot.

Yeah!

I have the cutest little girls. They are my inspiration. Thanks for getting me off the couch and on the road. Let's do it again! Maybe Maggi and Jan will join us next time.

2011 Graduations

WOW! This was definitely the year for graduations. First up was Crystal graduating from the University of Phoenix with a Master's in Business Administration. Followed by Nathaniel and his girlfriend Linda graduating from Central Washington University with a Bachelor's in Accounting and Actuarial Science, respectively. And finally, today we celebrated the graduation of Ashley Thayer, daughter of our good friends Angelita and Jerry, from Tahoma High School. Congratulations to all our our children. We are very proud of you and wish you all the success in the world.