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.