Dylan's Senior Year

I can’t believe that Dylan is a senior. Where did time go? I think I was just getting used to this whole teenager thing, and now I have an 18 year old in his last year of school! I still look at him sometimes and see that dark headed little boy who made funny faces to make me laugh, played hard and built Legos all day. I am very proud of the responsible young man he has grown to be.

We are now looking at colleges, graduation caps and gowns and had his senior pictures made. Dylan, of course, would prefer not to get his photos taken, but I thought these turned out amazing. He did the regular yearbook picture with a dress shirt, and then did these to represent more of his personality and passion for wakeboarding. He went on Lake Sammamish and the photographer, Ellen Go of Beautiful You Portraits, got some really good shots on the lake. It was cloudy that day, but the clouds look cool in the photos.

We are in for quite a year!

Summer 2009

I can’t believe summer is almost over. This was a wonderful summer. The weather was beautiful in Seattle, and we had an eventful summer with great memories. Here are some highlights:

• We had several milestone birthdays. In June, I celebrated my 40^th Birthday Party. We had a party with friends and neighbors and it was great fun. Dylan celebrated his 18^th birthday in July, and Madison celebrated her 10^th birthday in August. It’s hard to believe the kids are that old! School starts on Wednesday. Dylan starts his senior year. Madison has enjoyed playing all summer and riding her bike.

• In June, we spent 7 days in Hawaii to celebrate my birthday and Brian’s. The weather was so beautiful and it was so relaxing. Hawaii is my favorite vacation spot. We spent a lot of time on the beach enjoying beautiful views. We spent the day at the Kualoa Ranch in Oahu. We went horseback riding, went on a catamaran, Brian and Dylan rode ATVs while Madison and I hula danced. The northern half of the ranch is Ka'a'awa Valley which has movie locations sites, and the southern half that includes Hakipu`u Valley and an island. The ranch has been the site of TV shows & movies such as Jurassic Park, Pearl Harbor, Godzilla, 50 First Dates, Hawaii 5-0, Magnum P.I. and LOST. It was a fun day!

• In July, Brian and I went to three concerts.We took Madison to see American Idols Live.She loved it!The following week, Brian and I went to the Steve Miller Band Concert at Chateau St. Michelle with our friends and neighbors.That was the most fun I’ve ever had a concert, and the venue was gorgeous.We went to the Daughtry Concert, and I got to meet Chris Daughtry again!This time I got pictures!It was a great concert and was filmed live for the Jimmy Kimmel show.

• In July, we made a trip to Ohio to visit family. We also made a trip to Ohio University to celebrate 40^th Birthday Bash. It was a group of us from Ohio University who lived on the East Green and North Congress Street neighbors who just turned or are soon turning 40. It was a great excuse to get together at OU to see old friends. It was so much fun to see everyone again and be in Athens. I had so many wonderful memories from that place and this event made that many more

• One of my favorite things about summer is lots of fun summer gatherings at Dahlia Park. We had lots of impromptu gatherings on the patio with our neighbors and friends. We had several neighborhood functions, July 4^th celebration on Dahlia Park and a Steel Drum Band yesterday. We love our neighborhood, have great friends and can’t imagine living anywhere else.

I’m sad to see summer end. It’s been a blast.

Happy Holidays

November was busy. I went to Costa Rica for work and it’s been super busy at work. Holidays are fast paced but fun. At home, we also hosted Thanksgiving at our house with our neighbors. We have a great neighborhood and we’ve made good friends. We feel very fortunate to be surrounded by people we enjoy. Brian enjoyed cooking and we had a great time.

December has brought snow in Seattle. Winter Break started a few days early for the kids. Everyone enjoyed playing in it, but I don’t like driving in it! It’s different than Ohio when it snows here, because people are not prepared for it.

Madison and I were snowed in, so we entertained ourselves by taking PhotoBooth pics on the iMac. Look how much Rufus is cooperating, until he discovered that Madison had on Mommy’s scented lip gloss. Then he wanted to take a taste, which made Madison go into a giggle fit! We entertained ourselves indoors!

Wishing all of our friends and family a happy holiday season! 2008 was a good year.

Fall Events: Halloween and Homecoming

How is it November already? October was a very busy month for us.

Dylan went to homecoming at the beginning of the month. He looked so handsome in his tuxedo. It’s a strange feeling seeing your 17 year old drive off to pick up his date. We took plenty of photos, and he actually let me before the dance.

We had a wonderful Halloween on Friday. Madison dressed up as Wonder Woman! She loved the costume and the weather was actually warm enough to cooperate. Madison had a blast walking around with her friends. Dylan, of course, was too cool to dress up this year but he did stop for pictures with Madison. Our neighborhood had a nice trick or treating event that contributed to the festive atmosphere on Halloween night in Dahlia Park. There were carved jack-o-lanterns lit up in the park and the neighbors volunteered to serve refreshments during and after trick or treat. There was hot chocolate and hot cider as well as 'Smores station and marshmallow roasting for snacking.

Best Healthy Places to Retire: Issaquah, Washington

US News & World Report rated Issaquah Highlands the Best Healthy Places to Retire. Something to look forward to in 26 years! :)

I love Hawaii

We had such a good time on our vacation to Hawaii in February, that we went back to Oahu for a family vacation the week before school started the week of Labor Day.  I am so happy that we did.  We planned our time better this time, and let everyone have a planned day.  

• On my day, we went to the beach, did some shopping and went on a Catamaran Dinner Cruise with a luau.  There were double rainbows that evening, and the sky and water was so beautiful.
• On Brian's day, he talked us into to climbing Diamond Head.   The entire hike took 1 hour and a half.  We walked a mile long trail on unpaved and uneven rock, then climbed 271 steps (up then back) down a spiral staircase.  Once we got to the top, it was totally worth it.  the views were beautiful.
• On Dylan's day, we wanted to surf, chill on the beach, and go to a restaurant called Coconut Willie's.  
• On Madison's day, she wanted to swim with the dolphins!  She got to get in the water and kiss the dolphin.  She was thrilled.   
• On our 5th day, we enjoyed a day of sun and watched the sunset on the beach.  It was a perfect way to end a fantastic vacation.

We had such a wonderful time.  I was sad to go and can't wait to go back sometime.

My girl is 9 today

Today is Madison's 9th birthday.  It's hard to believe my little girl is getting so big! She was excited to have her Granny and Pops visit from Ohio, as well as her Aunt Terri and cousin Chaz from Florida.  Madison had a busy day when her neighborhood friends came over.  I decorated out in the park only to come in to find it rained.  My table cloth blew off, the party hats got wet, and I was running around the park catching the paper plates and treat bags in the wind.  so, we had to make a last minute adjustment.  :)  She had a great day.