Love Sweet Love

Maria left us! We had so much fun with her while she was here, we wanted her to move in! We got to do so many fun things...Whidbey Island, Barking Frog, Woodinville Wineries...Engagement Pictures!!!

Here are some other pics from Whidbey Island.

Deception Pass (above)

Fort Casey (below)

Flannel Bros.

Keith! We miss you! Come back soon and you and Erik can play with cannons again!

Just thought I'd add this pic I took a few weeks ago...

Ballard Locks With Our Okie Friends!

Its always fascinating to visit the locks and watch the boats rise and fall.

The Fish Ladder allows salmon to swim at a gradual incline while bypassing the locks. There is an underwater viewing gallery where visitors can watch the fish fight the current.

Technically speaking...this is caviar...but I wouldn't eat it if I were you...

We are seriously deficient. Get it? Deficient of seriousness.

"Salmon Waves" by Paul Sorey. These stainless steel sculptures represent waves made by juvenile salmon as they make their way upstream.

Love this girl!

He's pretty great too.

Josh, we miss you! Come back yo!

Its Been a Long Time...

I haven't posted in quite awhile, but I have a good reason! I've been working! I got a job as a preschool teacher here in the Seattle area! My class size varies everyday, usually I have about 9-12 students and an assistant teacher.

The kids are so unpredictable! The other day a little boy started chanting "Barack Obama...Barack Obama" and within minutes the entire class had joined in, barely able to pronounce his name.

Bumbershoot is taking place as we speak! Kelsea treated us all to tickets yesterday, so we took a cab downtown to check out the action.


What a great place to meet new friends!
Kelsea and Herb really hit it off...


Travis really loves to share...

Arthur taught Josh that sharing...is caring...

and Maria got to touch fingers with the world's tallest Asian...

Back to School at Egan's

Just got back from Ballard. We stopped by Egan's Jam House to watch a local jazz band perform a couple of sets. They were pretty good- especially for being so young! Erik was invited to jam with the guys Tuesdays and Wednesdays at Owl 'N Thistle.

So is anyone else finding themselves addicted to the Olympics???

I don't know if its because its being broadcast in HD, or that I'm somehow living vicariously through the athletes or what...but its been so fun to come home every night and tune in.

Well I have a job interview in the morning and I am so excited! Please pray for me! Its time to start making money again. No, seriously. Its time..

Today was a great day! Ruth (left) and I went down to the Kirkland waterfront and walked around and talked for awhile, then she took me up to the church and taught me how to play the drums! Then we went home and made fun of game shows (but watched them anyway) Then we had garlic chicken pizza!! Then we played the guitar and sang together. I love her! (and I promise I won't post like this again! Then we did this...then we did that...then we..........) haha

oh- and I found this old picture on my mom's computer of all the girls I used to babysit! aren't they adorable? and they're all growing up so fast! :))

love you all!

RoadTrip!

We're baaaaack!! Last Friday we left Seattle for Brainerd, MN where our family met for a reunion! Mom couldn't make it this year (we really missed her!) She was helping her parents move in Colorado. This was one of the smallest reunions we've had so far (there were about 60 people) but we still had a really great time! We stayed at Cragun's Resort on Gull Lake.

Grandma and Grandpa with their four kids and grandkids!

My beautiful cousin Malyssa!

Family softball game




After the reunion we took Kelsea to Minneapolis to fly home, then Erik, dad, and I drove south to Belmond, IA where my aunt and uncle live.



Belmond is a darling little farm town. My aunt and uncle have lived there over 30 years!



After a few rounds of golf (dad played 3 in one day! haha), we got back on the road and headed west to Mt. Rushmore.

This guy rode alongside us: I heard he's a big-time history buff...



One day Erik...one day.


After Rushmore we drove to Crazy Horse to see the carving in progress.



Then we went back to the visitor's center to see a group of Lakotas perform a tribal dance.



From Crazy Horse we drove ALL NIGHT to Yellowstone National Park. Since all of the rooms were occupied, we parked the Tahoe in the Snow Lodge parking lot and slept there. As tired as I was, I couldn't stop laughing because my dad was laid back in the driver's seat covered by nothing but a pair of jeans. The next morning we awoke to lodge guests coming out to their cars and peering at us through the windows. It was...memorable. Let's just say it was a good thing mom wasn't with us. haha. Then we went to see Old Faithful!



We drove the "Grand Loop" and saw all kinds of cool things (including Erik's long lost twin- pictured below).


Yellowstone was gorgeous! It was great to be out in the middle of nature with the two guys I love most!