Little Things

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Blessings

I write to you today, sitting in the Sea-Tac airport, awaiting my return flight to Fresno, listening to Amy Grant's Christmas Album...one that never gets old, reflecting on the past week.  (To you in the great Northwest, I am sorry that I did not tell most of you that I would be in town, but it was a quick 48 hours in Seattle. I will be back in January and will see you then!)
In the past week, I have turned another year older.  I am now 24. What better way to spend the day than with friends, another trip down Christmas Tree Lane, and good food.  It was a splendid day.  There are a few goofy thoughts that come with being 24 for me. Let me explain:
-next year I will be a quarter of a century old. Thanks dad for telling me.
-I am now the age I will be when I get married. 
-I am the age I will be when I graduate college for the 2nd time. 
-I'm almost a grown-up.  I beg to differ, but mom says June 23 I am officially a grown-up.  Weird! 
Another accomplishment for me in the past week is that I took my last final exam ever...EVER! I can hardly believe it, I know, I know, I have an exit exam next semester and that should count but for me, I say it doesn't. I won't be sitting in a classroom writing an essay or filling out a scantron; it doesn't count. 
As of December 19, my dear friends Daniel & Anukina Garrison have now been married for 2 years.  I was blessed to be apart of their wedding and I continue to be blessed to have them in my life as well as Greg's.  Congrats you two!
Being a crafty girl and doing something that I have been wanting to do from pinterest.  I will show you a picture later, but if I disclose the picture at this point, I will be showing someone their Christmas gift, and I just couldn't do that!
Lastly, I have returned to my first home.  I am continuously corrected when I say, "I am going home." which home does that mean? I know I have shared with you before my love for both places, although for polar opposite reasons.  I have my home in Lakewood; the house I grew up in and my parents still live, where I sleep in MY room and have precious memories overwhelm me each time I come back, where my baby piano resides and I get goosebumps all over again each time I play it, as if it was the first time in all over again.  I also have my Fresno home; where I (with the help of many others) have made an ugly salmon pink condo adorable and perfect for us, where I have the privilege of living with my sister and Makenna, where I have begun my own traditions and made more unforgettable memories. So, as I said, I returned to my first home Thursday morning.  
I flew inThursday morning with my mom meeting me at the airport. We spent the day in Seattle looking at bridal shops, Pike Place trinkets, windows shopping, and simply browsing the streets.  We then headed to University Village to continue our wandering day.  We found great stuff, Christmas presents, and possibly the place settings for my future home with Greg (I need his approval before I can tell you what they are).  The evening concluded at The Keg.  I am fairly certain I have blogged about this spectacular restaurant before, but it was the perfect evening of dinner with my parents, good food, and great laughs (even a few snorts).  I got to hear the other details I had yet to hear about how the ring was picked and all the sneaky stuff I didn't realize was happening. It was priceless.  
Alright, but flight is boarding now, so I will have to tell you about yesterday at a later time.  All I can say is I am blessed by the people around me in both Fresno, Lakewood and many cities in between.  Have a Very Merry Christmas Eve.  God Bless you and your family on this special weekend.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Christmas Joys

As I posted last week, it is the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, and if it wasn’t last week, it certainly is now.  I wanted to take this moment to share with you a few of my favorite moments of this hustle and bustle.
During this time, I love…

-walking down Christmas Tree Lane with my dear friends and my fiancĂ©.  This was the 4th year Greg and I have walked the lane together.  4 years ago we walked down the lane and Greg asked me if we could have “the DTR talk.”  Following this, he had to explain that DTR means to ‘Define the Relationship’ where he explained that he wanted to date me.  Now we walked the lane talking about our wedding.

-driving to see family, even if it means hours in the car.

-cheering my parents on from afar while they are opening a new grocery store tomorrow.

-Starbucks Christmas Blend each morning.

-driving spontaneously to locations far away in search of blessing those that have blessed us with Christmas gifts.

-putting the lights and bright colored ornaments on the tree with Lisa and Makenna.

-driving through neighborhoods, randomly taking the long way home, to look at houses with Greg; both their lights and the houses themselves, dreaming of our house to someday decorate together.

-getting packages of cookies in the mail and devouring them quickly.

-finding the perfect gift for someone and wanting so badly for them to have it that I almost can’t wait until Christmas for them to open it.

-wearing scarves!

-getting close to Greg’s family; my soon to be family.

-hanging Christmas lights on our house.

-sitting by the fire and reading a good book…I can do this now, since I don’t have school books to read.

-baking Christmas goods; pumpkin, German, and chocolate alike.

-spending extra time in my PJ’s simply because I can.

Are you enjoying your Christmas hustle and bustle?  I hope you are.  I know this crazy season is easy to get wrapped up in the dizziness of the times.  Remember the craziness is not all that counts….

Monday, December 5, 2011

Hustle and Bustle

School is drawing to a close, Christmas hustle and bustle is nearly in full chaos, decisions are being made, and life is flying by. These are my reasons for not posting. I apologize. My semester is nearly finished and I will be able to blog the way I wish to blog.

I first want to share with you my wonderful Thanksgiving. I was blessed to spend Thanksgiving with Greg's family...nearly my family. His family tradition is to go to Santa Barbara and attend a horse show. For the Hessler family...I apologize for any terms that are incorrect...I will learn, promise. Greg's sister, niece, and nephew, show English Riding and his family all goes to watch. Both Taylor and Logan did very well in their showing riding their own horses; Bravada, Jeff, and Gabby. I was amazed at their abilities...far better and far more brave than I would be on a horse.

On Thursday evening after the show finished for the day, we had dinner with the other families, stables, and riders from the show. What great fun! I will admit, my line dancing skills have greatly improved. Hehe.

Also, my baking skills have apparently improved as well. I made Pumpkin Spice cupcakes to take with me. Thank you dear Amy for giving me the recipe. These a the best cupcakes that I have ever made in my life! (I made them again for the volunteers on Wednesday night and they were still as amazing as they were the first time). Yum!

Unfortunately, we had to head back to Fresno Friday morning since it was the busiest day in the retail world and Greg works at Eddie Bauer. We left at 5am and right around 6 I had a keen sense and found Starbucks and Chevron in the same exit...sounds easy, I know, but in the middle of nowhere, not so easy.

Needless to say, it was a great time with many more to come. This was just the beginning of the seasonal adventures. Ready or not, here we go!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Decisions...Decisions...

Ok, anyone will tell you I am an indecisive person. I always have been, and at this point probably always will be. It drives a few people nuts...I won't mention any names, but you can probably guess.
To give you some insight...
...now you know how I feel when facing any decision.

This weekend was a far different experience for me. I made all kinds of decisions, with my mom of course. My wonderful, creative, artistic, and visually imaginative mom flew to Fresno on Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon, when I was off work, we hit the ground running. Almost literally. Without a doubt we put a new definition to power shopping!

Mom and I were a great duo with incredible support from many others...including Greg. He was there for the food and wine, chose to be studious and studied through the flowers, the napkins, the dresses (because I said he couldn't come; my two Lisa's were the perfect supporters here), answered all the text pictures for approval and told me he loved me many times.

So, needless to say, I feel very accomplished. I feel very confident with my abilities to plan a wedding; but only because of the support of the ones I love. I feel excited. I am still going to impatiently await the day I call him my husband.
Thank you mom and everyone for all your help this weekend. I couldn't have done it without you.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Simple Thoughts

As my dad would say, simple minds entertain simple thoughts.  Here are my simple thoughts from yesterday; that have also carried on to today. 
I have not been feeling great the past few days and Greg was incredibly sweet and brought me a Starbucks Tea yesterday.  There is almost nothing better than a great cup of tea, but it got better.  Yesterday was November 1.  This means that Starbucks Christmas cups came out.  Wonderful!  I love Christmas and if Starbucks starts…so do I.  Bring on the Christmas tunes and start decking the halls!

As you may know, the Christmas cups have different quotes written on the top of them with great red and white pictures of animals ice-skating and other such Christmas activities.  My first Christmas quote says, “When we’re together, I know I’ll never fall.”  Priceless, from my FiancĂ©, even better.

On top of Christmas season starting and my cup quote being great, the sleeve says, “Let’s merry.”  I know this is for the Christmas season, but coming from my future hubby it was just the whip cream to my coffee (ok, it was tea…no whip cream; consider my lactose intolerance, and it wouldn’t have had whip cream anyway.  It just sounded better than icing on the cake when discussing Starbucks). 
Those are my simple thoughts.  As this Christmas season is beginning, it is all about remembering the simple thoughts, simple moments, and simple pleasures that bring the Christmas Joy. 


Wednesday, October 26, 2011

1st-Prince Charming...2nd-The Carriage

I am still in future bride bliss.  I will be the first to admit that I often catch myself staring at this beautiful ring on my finger.  I have been on pinterest (I'm sorry to inform you of your newest addiction if you are not yet on...google it).  Anyway, I have been on pinterest for quite some time, and yet I find myself unable to leave the wedding & events section. I have been making plans and writing my first list (I'm sure there are many more to come) of all the things I want to get started on. 
And now, I will admit that even my pumpkin reflects my new found emotion of future bride.  We craved pumpkins last Friday night.  Before I get to what I carved, let me tell you, never before have I carved a pumpkin outside at 8pm in a t-shirt.  I went to a pumpkin patch in a T-SHIRT!!! Sheesh! I had to put on a scarf just to remind myself that it really is October and almost Thanksgiving. 


Ok, so with bride on the brain, I will say again that I have officially found my Prince Charming.  I am so blessed to have this wonderful man by my side.  I am thrilled for the day that I can call him my husband and I am excited to spend these next few months planning that day.  
*I really did find a white pumpkin to carve!

Every girl deserves her Prince Charming.
I found mine.
Every girl should get her Cinderella carriage to ride to the adventure of her life.  
I made mine.
*Greg's pumpkin took far more work than mine.
And you can't possibly carve pumpkins alone, so here are some of the many other great ones at the BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin...in case you were still trying to figure it out) Party the Garrison's hosted.

 
*There's at least one in every bunch....

Saturday, October 15, 2011

The Surprise...The Future...

Did you figure it out?  Did you notice the ‘something special’ in the first picture of the post from earlier today?   OK, well some of you know, some figured it out, and others…here you go…
I’M GETTING MARRIED!!             
In the most glorious of fashions, Greg had it all figured out and proposed to me 1 week ago today.  He chose to ask me to marry him while my parents and grandparents were in town “…for the football game”…yeah, right. 
It all started with a card earlier in the week which read:
Would you mind very much
If I had a little crush on you forever?

I would love to tell you that I knew it was coming and I saw all the hints…but I didn’t.   Per the usual, I was the last to know.  And looking back, I sure could have put all the pieces together. 
     
·         I didn’t see Dad give Greg the ring on Thursday night after they flew in from Seattle.
·         I didn’t catch on to the, “we haven’t hung out just us in a while, lets hang out for a bit before family dinner.”
·         I didn’t see Daniel & Anukina’s car in the parking lot (although apparently they parked a mile away so I wouldn’t).
·         I didn’t notice that Greg stole my scrapbook out of my room.
·         I was completely thrown off by Greg’s continuous asking if 6 months was long enough to plan a wedding. 

It was picture perfect.  I am not sure what the best words are to use here.  So as it was picture perfect, here are the pictures.
*Greg had made me this scrapbook after we had been dating for 1 year. 
He took it out of my room, updated it, and the last page of the scrapbook is this:
*He then took me to meet up with my family at Alvin's house:
*Mom Bette Hessler:
*Sisterface is excited too!
In the near future, a short 251 days from now, I will become Mrs. Gregory Hessler.
Thank you to everyone who continued to fool me, who let me talk as if they knew nothing was going on, who bit their tongue when they wanted to chime in, who took pictures and filmed the whole thing, who drove from all locations to celebrate with us.  I am continually blessed by those around me and I am excited to share this next adventure with you as well. 

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear Dad,
Happy Birthday to you!

Dad,

I hope you have a wonderfully relaxing day at the beach.  Remember:  it is your birthday, RELAX!  You can only be on your phone to experiment with your new iPhone…no business.  Thank you for everything you have done for me.  Your gift will be arriving later…sorry for the delay.  I am so happy that I got to spend last weekend with you for your birthday.  It sure was a great celebration weekend…
*ok, I realize this looks slightly awkward from this angle...but I was giving him a hug!



Here is a piture for you of your 3 favorite women.  We love you like crazy!
*Photo taken by Matt Weir


*P.S....notice anything special about picture #1...??

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Thoughts from Wednesday.

Ok, I had written this blog on Wednesday morning, and discovered today that I apparently never clicked POST.  So, now I have clicked post. 

Finally...
Ok, I understand that those of you that have had cold, rainy, fall weather for quite some time might not understand this, but Fall has FINALLY arrived in Fresno. In fact, I have a feeling we are jumping straight to winter, but I don't mind. A few days ago it was nearly 85* and I got a sunburn. Today however, it is 65* and raining. It started raining in the middle of the night. It has hardly stopped since. You Northwesterners....this is our kind of rain. Not the typical Fresno drizzle. I can't believe it. I love the cold weather. I love the rain. I love wearing a scarf and mittens. I am ready!!

Thank you fall for FINALLY arriving, please do not go away any time soon.

P.S.  I finally got my opportunity to have a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I have this attitude that I can't drink one unless it actually feels like fall outside.  Today it does!

*Friday:  I think I will get to drink another Pumpkin Spice today!  ...Still Fall!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Piercings

Why is it that as young girls all we want is to get our ears pierced?!  I had to wait until I was 13. And yes, I say, I HAD to wait. Needless to say, I was not exactly thrilled. (I'm sure my parents would use a different word.) Maybe this is where my lack of patience began...although it was probably much before that.
*So, on my 13th birthday I got my ears pierced.


At 16 I got second holes directly behind the first holes. I had wanted these for a while and my dad constantly said no. I think the words he used were, "Why would you want another set of holes in your head?"  Then Mom decided that she wanted them as well, so I won! I got them done with Mom. I have never been satisfied with the placement of these second holes. Girls you will understand this, boys...bear with me...the second holes are so close to the first holes that I cannot wear two pair of studded earrings...they simply don't fit.


That was 7, nearly 8, years ago...and I have been disappointed ever since. So, for the past few months, I have been thinking about doing it over. Letting the second holes close and piercing them again further back.
Mom was here last weekend. She has the straightest eye of everyone I have ever known, so I asked her to come with me and did it. I remembered it being far more painful, stressful and nerve-racking. It was nothing like that. Piece of cake!


**Here you go Dad - Referring to something as a "piece of cake" is often used to describe a situation that was easy, or required little effort. The idea of cake being “easy” originated in the 1870’s when cakes were given out as prizes for winning competitions. In particular, there was a tradition in the US slavery states where slaves would circle around a cake at a gathering. The most “graceful” pair would win the cake the in middle. From this the term “cake walk” and “piece of cake” came into being, both meaning that something was easy to accomplish.  The term was first used in print in 1936 by Ogden Nash who wrote, “Her picture’s in the papers now, and life’s a piece of cake.” Today the term is commonly used to describe tests at school, or friendly competitions.


Now, holes fixed. Happy to wear two studs. Why didn't I do this years ago?

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Skip

With a skip in our step...we carry on. Be it from the forever-altering attack on the Twin Towers 10 years ago, from the anxious wait, or from the goodbyes to the hellos...we carry on.

Thank you to those of you that are skipping with me. To those dear friends if mine that are serving and protecting my country and me. To those of you that have been holding your breath: you can breathe now.

Add a little skip to your step tomorrow..it may just get you farther than your walk...

And let me also remind you: God is Good. His timing is perfect. And His plans are greater.

For now...thats all.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Today a Chef...

Today I was feeling motivated to try something new.  I attempted an ambitious meal, while I was all alone in the kitchen.  My sister and roommate are both experiencing different adventures in other cities at the moment, so dinner is up to me.  I am cooking the best way I know how: in my Bulldog t-shirt, rooting them on from afar, my piggy slippers, and my mom-made apron.  Thanks to this team of inanimate, however important, objects that are supporting me. 
I will now admit that I am addicted to Pinterest.  If you aren’t, too bad; and if you are, I feel your pain.  I keep seeing all these wonderful looking food things and decided that I should try one tonight.  So I have tried these beautiful sliced potatoes. 
Sliced baked potatoes: thinly slice almost all the way through. drizzle with butter, olive oil, salt and pepper. bake at 425 for about 40 min. These look so tasty
I also cooked a stuffed pork chop (thank you Fresno Meat Market) and baked asparagus.  YUM! Therefore, tonight, I will call myself a chef.  I have succeeded in this large overwhelming meal all by my lonesome.  I will also admit that it is spectacularly delicious!!
Now, I did not eat this meal all alone; I would never cook such a large meal for just myself – bring on the popcorn if that is the case.  Greg has joined me for this adventure, though he was sleeping on my couch for the entire cooking process.  To be fair, he had a wonderfully long night yesterday at a Jr High boys all-nighter – where he obviously stayed up nearly all night – doing boy things…I don’t ask questions.  Even he said he would give it an 8 out of 10…pretty good if I say so myself (I’m ignoring that he is biased).
P.S. we have now been dating for 2 years and 7 months…but who’s counting…
P.P.S.  He is amazing and brought me a bouquet of pink and red daisies and roses.  I love him!

Now off to try the dessert...Cake Batter Cookie Bars.  I will let you in on the votes for those later...
Cake Batter Cookie Bars

Friday, September 9, 2011

To-Day

Many people that know me, tease me for my lack of patience. I am terribly impatient when I know something good is upcoming, like waiting for my mom to arrive in 6 days and to see her again with my dad in one month, when I know a smile will cross my face. I will also admit that I am not to patient when it comes to the person in line that's taking to long, waiting for the restroom, and waiting for an email, among I'm sure, many other things. My response lately has been, "I have no patience for the little things, so that I can save it for the big things." I know this is wishful thinking, because I am not patient with those either.

Today however, while I am waiting with my anxious attempt at patience I was reading a book called "Facing Forward: Poems of Courage". I am blessed to have received this book from my Aunt Nene and Grandma Carol. It was my Great Aunt Elsie's book (many people know her as the Swedish Pancake Queen; it is her recepie that I use when I make them). Anyway, this is her book and I love reading it, I love turning the delicate yellow pages; I hold my breath every time I turn it for fear of ripping another page; I love the way it smells, I love the feeling of the old leather binding (that I have re-glued more than once), I love the way it smells, and I love especially knowing that she was reading it and that the woman of my family have read it also.

I read one poem and here I post my decision for my impatience...at least today's.

To-Day
Why fear to-morrow, timid heart?
Why tread the future's way?
We only need to do our part,
To-Day, dear child, to-day.

The past is written! Close the book
On pages sad and gray;
Within the future do not look,
But live to-day - to-day.

'tis this one hour God has given;
His Now we must obey;
And it will make our earth his heaven
To live to-day - to-day.
Lydia Avery Coonley Ward

So Today, I spend my patience working in the garden and now off to be with friends. I choose to live to-day - to-day and wait to see what will happen tomorrow. Thanks Aunt Elsie for the words of encouragement.

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Love

It has come to my attention that this post was blank. Although love can often leave you speechless,that was not my intent for yesterday's blog. Here was what I attempted yesterday.

It is a very special day for my family. It is a day honoring the people who taught me how to love. These people taught me that love is so much more than words alone. As Pooh said to Piglet, "you don't spell it, you feel it."

Love is an open heart, a kitchen closed, holding hands, yard work, deep true conversations, picking the right movie, lists of projects, making tacos, helping each other grow, buying secret gifts, a caboose changing to a house, tongues sticking out, Harley rides with wine in sight, vacations, and my list could go on forever.

Needless to say, it is my parents wedding anniversary. They have been married for 29 years and I have been blessed to be apart of their marriage for the past 23 years. Thanks fornsharing with me. Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad. I love you both!


P.S. Dad, this means next year is 30...The supposed year for pearls!

Saturday, September 3, 2011

GameDay

Ok, I know it has been too long, but here is the deal...I decided to take a Summer Break from my blog. But now, school has started and I am back to work. I will certainly add in my summer adventures as I go through my hundreds of pictures...hehe. So, more on that to come later.

Now, the importance of today. As I said, school has started which means something wonderful starts along with it; Fresno State Football. Today is kickoff and we (we means the Bulldogs, and since I have previously stated that I have Bulldog blood, I can say we...I am apart of the Bulldog family) are playing Cal at Candlestick Park, where the 49ers play.

This game is important for multiple reasons, but it is the start of the first game of my final football season while I am a student. Now, this is certainly not to say that I won't be a Bulldog fan after I officially graduate, but there is just something wonderful about it being My Team while I am a student. Also, we have new unifornms and maybe a few new attitudes, but a new season is a new season. I am ready! We are ready!

I am excited to share the experience of being a Bulldog with my family and friends and football is the perfect way to share it.

Ok, the game is on...on the first run, an interception to which we later scored. Now, there are 7 minutes left in the first quarter and the score is 7-6; we blocked the kick on their touchdown...we are the best in the country about blocking kicks.

So I leave you with this. I am Bulldog born, Bulldog bred, I am gunna be a Bulldog til' the day I'm dead. GO DOGS!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Embarrassed

Last night I was reminded by a friend that I have not blogged in quite some time.  Life has been moving fasted than I can keep up.  I replied, "This is my summer vacation from blogging."  This was a conclusion that Katie came to when we discussed that we are terrible at blogging during the summer and I completely agree.  It must be because the summer sun keeps us out later, there is no good reason to go to bed earlier (since there is no school in the morning), and I don't make it home until I fall asleep the moment I put my head on the pillow.

Now for the embarrassing part, I got up earlier than normal this morning so that I could blog before I headed off to work, but it has taken me the entire time trying to figure out my password and wait for the 'change of password' email from Google.  So, now I have my password, but I'm heading to work.

I will blog later...promise.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Bloggers Block


Ok, this is the worst that I have ever been at writing my blog since this blogging adventure began.  I must apologize.  I have been doing so many things in these past few weeks that I have quite literally not had time or energy to write.  I have simply have Bloggers Block.  I have so much to tell you about, I don’t know where to begin…therefore today, I will begin with pictures.  I know, I know, it is summer…but this is my time to pack everything in before school gets busy again.  I promise; I will relax at some point.  I will relax as I am writing my blog.  Hehe.  I must admit, I will not fit everything into this blog, so I will have to break my streak of blogging everything in chronological order.  I had the most fantastic second half of my trip home with the Markarian’s and Gerald from Fresno and I want to express all the details, but you will just have to continue to have patience.  Thanks!
For now, I just wanted to let you all know that I am still alive, and yes, I still have a computer.  I will leave you with some of my favorite pictures of our adventures on my favorite day of the year....
  It's the 4th of July!!!
*The Fireworks are nearly ready...
*Dearest Katie is here
*Those poor, unsuspecting swimmers are about to get bombarded with water balloons

*Spencer was ready to throw the water balloon at Uncle Don
*The sun is setting for FIREWORKS!
*The Stolz fam plus the boys are all watching in a  line
*The Markarian Family is successfully in the Northwest
More to come...when I relax again...

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Hurry Up and Have Some MORE Fun

Monday began our adventures all over again.  The day mostly consisted of the average stuff, running errands, going to the gym, yada yada yada.  Mom and I went to a flower nursery and hit the jackpot!  We scored big time plants for the back yard to go around the new deck.
*We only had one tree in the back seat...

Then we got a call that my cousin Andy had an indoor soccer game that and wanted to know if Greg wanted to come play too.  No questions asked, obviously the answer was Y-E-S.  So, mom came with me and we watched Andy and Greg play soccer.  I will admit that I don’t know much about soccer, I am learning, but what a team!  I think the score was 15-0 when they stopped keeping track.  They were winning.  Andy played soccer for 4 years in college at Pacific Lutheran University and most of the guys on this indoor team played with him in college.  They were more than the average men’s league team and the other team wasn’t too happy about it, however, we didn’t mind. 
*Andy is in all black.  Greg is in orange.

Tuesday day was much the same, but we headed to the Mariners game that evening.  We sat 2 sections over from 3rd base, but in the 5th row.  It was a very entertaining game including the friendly banter between our friends the Mariners fans and our not-so-friends the Braves fans.  I can’t remember the last time my snort hurt I laughed so hard.  What a game, but unfortunately the score didn’t quite reflect how much fun we had…oh well. 


Wednesday we had a relaxing morning before the festivities began.  More errands were run, it seems like there are so many when the 4th of July is drawing near.  Next was more digging for the plants.  Ok, I must admit, the boys were doing the digging and Lisa and I were sanding down the smore’s sticks, but we were outside keeping them company.  Oh, did I mention that it was raining?  I guess not…it was raining!! 
Alright, I am almost caught up and can finishing making the boys waffles for breakfast…I am trying to type quickly, please pardon the spelling errors if I miss any.
Last night we went to our favorite seafood location Steamers.  We have gone to Steamers many many times and last night was Riley’s first experience.  Even he agreed that it was probably the best fish n’ chips he had ever had.  Plus, our little tradition prize by the railroad was found after dinner because the train ran it over.  Woo Hoo!  For some reason, at Steamers and Steamers only, we play hangman.  It ias become this weird routine at Steamers.  Nearing the end of dinner, I decided to make a hangman game stating   _ _ _ _ _ _   _ _ _ _ _ _ _?  Mom knew without even guessing a letter.  Dad knew after B.  So off we went to Baskin Robbins.  Yum Yum Yum.  Lots of laughs and chuckles throughout this night. 
Today we are working in the yard.  Mom decided it was a good idea to make the boys a good breakfast before we sent them digging…waffles from scratch it is.  Yum (I am sensing a pattern of “yum” throughout this trip, we have certainly not been lacking food).
Ok, I am leaving you now so I can eat my waffle before it gets cold.  Toodles!

P.S. the hot fudge maker gets turned on tonight which means my favorite day of the year is 4 days away!!!!!!!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Hurry Up and Have Some Fun

As I hinted before, I am now in the beautiful Northwest.  We landed Friday night and it has been a whir-wind of adventures since then.  Our motto of the trip so far has been to “hurry up and have some fun.”  Friday early afternoon the six of us headed to Ocean Shores. 
It was a very popular weekend at the Sand and Sawdust Festival.  This is an event where there are multiple people carving wood into various animals and scenes and on the beach there are also sand castle competitions with varying degrees of skill.    

I will also state that this was the most incredible warm and beautiful weekend we have seen in Ocean Shores.  This was even wear your shorts weather…are rare occasion; no matter how strange that sounds.  Between the 2 days we were there the girls watched the boys play catch, we saw the great kites in town, and Greg and I rode my parents bicycle built for two into town, a whole 5 miles. 
*They had to go back out to find Dad's sunglasses he hadn't realized he lost
*The chain fell off about 5 houses down the road,
but Greg fixed it so we made it the whole way
Sunday morning we got up bright and early and drove to Seattle for the Sounders MLS soccer game.  We had fantastic seats and even more fantastic weather.  To top it off…we won!  It made for a very long day, but it was well worth it.  We finished the day with naps on the couch and an early bed time.  All this to start it all over again in the days to follow. 

*Yes, the ball is in the net and the goalie simply wondering what went wrong...

*Times 2

Oh what fun it is to be in the northwest with Family & Friends