May Sweet 16, Confirmation and a New Place

May brought lots of change and events!

We celebrated our youngest's 16th birthday!

It's hard to believe he's that old.

We have yet to allow him the privilege to get behind the wheel of the car.

A checklist of items needs to be ticked off before that will be allowed to happen.

He started his day off with a stack of 16 pancakes!

We had a big family dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in which he brought along his good friend.

On Mother's Day we made the drive south to our friends who live just north of Vancouver WA.

Their son is our Godson, who had the confirmation of his baptism ceremony in church that morning.

We were happy to be there to witness this major milestone in his life, then enjoy a grill out afterwards socializing with his family.  A good day indeed!

We end this post with how our month started....moving to a new place!

After 9 years in a great house, we realized that we were spending more money then we needed to for a place that was just too large for our current needs.  2 empty rooms and one unused room will bring you to that conclusion quickly, not to mention the fact that we were paying to heat and maintain those empty/unused spaces as well! 

We really desire to move into the city and live a more urban life, but we realize that will be more ideal in 2-3 years, after the youngest is graduated and on his own!

So, we found a great 2 bed 2 bath apt, one mile from the old house, which keeps us in 'our' neighborhood we love so much and the baby in his school. 

New place = new furniture!

I was so happy to get new furniture and I am so in love with it, how it looks, feels, everything!



April iphone photos

I have been very remiss this year in picking up my camera and shooting pictures.

I miss it, yet I don't!  When I really miss it is when I look back on my photos from each and every day last year.  Makes me sad I didn't do it again this year! =(

My idea of downsizing to just monthly photos hasn't worked as well since I haven't been using my camera.  I didn't pick it up once in April!  All my photos are from my iphone this month.

We spent the better part of the month packing up to make the move to a new place.

I failed to get photos of that process. 

In place of it we have:

One of our favorite barista's at 'our' Starbucks.  Shelly...she's so much fun and so funny!

Bailey Easter basket!  Michel wanted me to pick up one of those kiddy pre made ones for his Easter this year....just before he turned 16.  It was pretty funny. 

Morgan, snoozing on the sofa one of the Monday's I watched her.

Then we come to the Marinier's game that we went to with some friends.

We had great seats close to the field along the 3rd base line and got a kick out of the hot dog vendor with the hot dog hat! 

March Madness

I'm rather late in posting for March, given that it's almost the end of April!  I have been very poor about picking up my camera as of late.  It's not that I don't miss it, I just haven't made it a priority and have been very busy with other more pressing matters. 
March was a month full of sadness and delight. 
We said goodbye to some dear friends who left for a new life in Texas.  Even though C&E didn't live just up the road and we only got together a few times a year, just having them close enough to get together when we wanted will be greatly missed!  Having only met them 4 short years ago, they are good people who we enjoyed spending time with....now we'll just have to plan to do it via a trip! ;) 
Some sweet treats were discovered this month, the new cake pops from Starbucks are delightful!  Birthday cake (the pink one) and Rocky Road are both good, but I think birthday cake edges out the RR by just a slight bit.  I came across Lindt's delicious dark chocolate with a hint of salt while babysitting my friend Julie's kids one afternoon.  Seriously good stuff!
After a long, dark, windy, cold winter...we finally started to see some signs of spring!  Unfortunately these are the only signs of spring so far, the weather is still cold, windy and wet! =P 
March marked my first ever 5K race!  I ran in the St. Patty's Day Dash in Tacoma.  Of course it was wet for my first race, but I didn't care.  I had a great time, went into it with the goal of  finishing in 30 minutes or less.  My official time was 30 minutes 12 seconds.  I'm extremely happy with my time and the accomplishment.  Michel and I have decided to do one 5K a month for the year giving consideration to 10K races next year!  We are skipping out of a race this month (april) due to busyness that is all consuming and will be disclosed in next month's post! 
Hope your March was full of good madness!

Features of February

February was pretty low key. 

Of course there was the celebration of Valentine's Day.

We don't make a big deal out of the day, as we express our love throughout the year, not just on this one day.  He did surprise me with some tulips (my favorite) that he brought home during his lunch and left on the counter while I was out on a errand.  That was a sweet surprise. 

I hosted my annual scrap-a-ganza with my scrappy friends.

It was a productive and fun day. 

The end of the month brought a 5K race for Michel.

I chose not to participate in this race, which would have been my first, due to the fact that I don't like the trail it was on.  Thankfully that was the case as it was coooold that morning!  22*! 

I froze while I waited for Michel and we hung out to see if he won any 'door' prizes, he didn't.

He did run a good time though...a bit better then he had hoped. 

So proud of him for braving the cold and running the race.

After the race we headed south to celebrate our friend's 40th birthday.

they live on a berry farm south west of Portland Or.

They have a cute little guest cottage that they left for our use.

Time went far too quickly and we plan to head down again for a longer visit when the weather gets a bit warmer. 

January Highlights

I didn't pick my camera up much this month.

I missed it less then I thought I would.

I'm still finding my footing for this year's project.

A photo a day is out, so I'm going to just focus on highlights of each month.

This will also go hand in hand with the move in scrapbooking I'm wanting to make.

Simplified and easy.

Highlights for this month:

A beautifully amazing winter sunset.

The addition of lime green (which I'm offically calling Xbox green) to the teen boys room.

Rainy day boots for shopping.

Penguin love note left for me by my sweetheart.

A self portrait before heading to the opera.

Winter afternoon sunbeams.

Heart shaped krispie treats.

Paper heart garland.

Clean me note to remind me to clean the lazy susan.

Double heart delight...new mug from my hubby and some fresh baked cookies.

The lazy susan mess that the sticky note reminded me to clean!

Day 365 [NYE]

The last day! 

This was actually within the last 10 minutes of the year!

I'm looking a bit on the downhill slide...and I was! 

It was not pretty long after this.

TOO many drinks poured by the bartender with a heavy shot!

We had a great time celebrating with the Rosemond's, once again.

I am proud to say that I made it the entire year with a photo a day.

As much as I love this project, I don't know if I'm going to put the pressure on myself to do it again this year.  Instead, I'm thinking of doing a highlight montage in photos for each month.

Stay tuned to see what I decide!

Day 364 [S.A.M.]

Today the husband and I ventured into the city for a visit to SAM.

That's the Seattle Art Museum.

They are hosting a special exhibition of Picasso!

The first ever exhibit of Picasso in the US! 

It was quite something to take in...this is all work that is usually housed in the Musee National Picasso in Paris, which is currently under renovation. 

There is no photos allowed of the Picasso exhibit, but some were allowed in the main area of the museum.  

This particular piece is amazing!

It's made of 40,000 military dog tags.

Just stunning to see in real life.  Takes your breath away.

We had a lovely day taking in the art at the museum, strolling around the city, having dinner and then a hot drink after seeing the Picasso. 

Our last date for 2010 = a good one!

Day 363 [White Blanket]

This morning we arose to this.

We were expecting it, as they discussed it on the news last night.

Just more then a dusting.

Enough to make everything look pretty for a few hours, but it certainly makes for not ideal running conditions!  We are hopeful that the sun will melt it on the sidewalks and it will warm up enough for us to make it out for a run today.

Day 362 [Movie Date]

Yes, another picture of paper!

Honestly, the camera has been sitting the past few days as the days have been less then exciting.

Today was spent trading out cable boxes and modems, hooking up the new ones and undecorating Christmas.  We went for a run in the afternoon, our first in 4 days!  Talk about feeling sluggish!

Bailey had a sleep over at a friends, so we headed to the movies.

We attempted to see this on Christmas Day, but because I took too long making my hair look pretty, we missed the start time and bagged it that day.

We were delighted to find out that Tuesday is $1 small popcorn night at our movie theater....$2 if you upgrade to the bucket.  We stuck with the small...that really is more then enough for 2 people!

We really enjoyed The Tourist.

Made for an enjoyable evening out.

Day 361 [Lunch Date]

Michel and I headed out to meet a friend and his little girl for lunch today.

I failed to bring my camera out! Boo Hoo!

We enjoyed a good lunch with them at Claim Jumper, even though our waitress was less then chipper.

After lunch Michel and I headed over to Barnes & Noble for a stroll through the book aisles, then decided to 'pop in' over to the mall for a quick look.

NOT a quick pop in or quick look!  Parking was a nightmare! 

We really should have just left when finding a parking spot proved to be difficult, but no, we had to be victorious.  Once we got in the mall it wasn't too bad, but there was nothing of desire to purchase.

So after about 30 minutes of looking around we left, empty handed, and headed for home.

Day 360 [Friendly Competition]

The day after Christmas we had some friends over for a visit.

Chris and Stanley are two of Michel's childhood friends.

When they get together they revert back to those boyhood days and play video games.

It's cut throat, smack talking, competitive play!

We are talking serious business!

It's always a good laugh for Laura and I to take in this boyish sight.

Good times!

Day 359 [For REAL]

As I was about to post this picture as Day 360, I started to realize that my calculation was off! 

I went back and realized my mistake dates back to day 187....if you look, you will not find day 187!  I went from 186 to 188...so I've been off since July!

Anyway....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Today's post is about the BEST gift!

This is a gift that was not purchased in a store for me, rather a gift that came way of my Mother's china cabinet.  My Mom's Mother, my Grandma Severson, passed away when I was 10 years old.  I have very fond memories of the short time I was able to know her. 

One of my most vivid memories is of the day, not long before her passing, that she bought out a tea cup in her kitchen, showed it to me and said that it was mine.  Her Mother had given it to her on her 9th birthday (i don't recall if is was purchased new for my Grandmother or not)  and she wanted me, her eldest Granddaughter, to have this tea cup.  Her hope was that one day I would pass it down to my Granddaughter.

She told me that she would give the tea cup to my Mother to keep for me until I was grown.

It has remained in my Mother's china cabinet since that day, 30 years ago.

I have requested my tea cup many times since I have been married, but left sad and frustrated when I was told not until I had a china cabinet to house it in.

Since I have no need for nor plans to purchase said cabinet, I've been left without my beloved tea cup.

I requested the cup at Thanksgiving but left empty handed.

Last night, during gift exchange with my family, there was one box that was unmarked.  My Mom said it was for me, but it was not a present.  Confused and intrigued, it was the first item I opened. 

Inside was a note from my Mother, which brought me to tears, explaining why she had kept the cup for so long, due to her being very close to her Mother and having a hard time letting go.  She was sorry for keeping it from me for so long. 

This was by far the most touching and best gift I received last night.

I will be soon looking for a case for my tea cup so I can safely display it in my house.



Day 359 [Peace Be With You]

On this Eve of the birth of Jesus, I wish you a Joyous Day.

Day 358 [Ho! Ho! Ho!]

I have been looking for some fun little treat to make up for Christmas, like I did for Thanksgiving, and was coming up empty handed.  That all ended yesterday when I was looking at a friend's photo album on Facebook of her cookie party.  When I saw these little guys I knew I had to make them! 

How stinkin cute are they!?!?

SO easy too!  Nutter Butter cookie, tube of white frosting (for the 'glue'), pretzel antlers, chocolate chip eyes and an M&M nose.

Bailey and I worked together on these and had them done in about 10 minutes.

Fast, easy and CUTE!

I plan to package a few up for my nephewn to take home tonight to leave out for Santa. 

Day 357 [Classy Dining]

After a long day of shopping...I did all the holiday food and present shopping today!

Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

Michel took me out for dinner.

He wanted to go someplace different then our usual choices, so he chose the roadhouse in the next town over.  They have good food and the environment is very casual.

So casual in fact, there are peanuts on the bare wood floors.

I looked down during dinner and saw under our table the sight of this reciept, fork and peanuts.

I, quite honestly, couldn't have created a better picture to capture the place!

Since my camera goes everywhere I do, I pulled it out and got to snapping!