Sun and Cerveza

Today is Sunday, our second day in Cancun and we have reached the point of total relaxation! The sun, cerveza and service is plentiful!

After a long day of travel on Friday, we headed straight to the bar on the beach and enjoyed a couple cervezas and the stories of the local bartender. It was early to bed so we were ready for a full day of relaxation by the pool.

Saturday started with breakfast in our room, enjoying the sun rise and then down to the beach by about 8:00 for a long walk. We spent all day down by the pool, in the ocean, and at the pool bar. We ran into a few ladies from Portland who were on our flight so we shared some stories over a Mai Tai. By 3:00 we were pretty red from the sun, so it was time for a siesta. We went to a local mexican restaurant (La Distilleria) for a great dinner. Chris had steak and I had fish. Excellent service.

Sunday we started the day with a long walk on the beach at 7:00 and then had a mexican breakfast at the hotel. We decided to stay out of the sun today and headed into town for some shopping at the local markets and take in some of the culture. Everyone wants to show you their crafts and goods they have for sale. We met some nice people while having a cerveza (imagine that) and the cutest little boy came over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. We got back to the hotel just in time for a siesta - I could get used to this :-)

We are so excited to be here and to be able to just relax together for a week. This is Chris´ first vacation in many years so he deserves this time.

I hope all is well with everyone at home. We are thinking of you and will talk to you soon.

Bear Update!

It's been a while since we've had an update on Bear. We received a letter from Ken and it is below. All is well, and it sounds like Bear may be a little skinnier than when he left us - wish I could say the same - ha!

Chris -

Hi. Nice to hear from you again.

Bear is doing great! He and Echo have become quite the dynamic duo. They often sit together for hours at one of the glass doors and watch over the yard, making sure there are no unwanted cats, deer, or squirrels.

We are walking together twice a day, every day. 2.5 to 4 miles first thing in the morning and another mile in the late afternoon. He especially enjoys getting toweled off after a rainy walk. What a character!

Bear had his first grooming here on the island. He was very well behaved and took it like a veteran. So he's looking quite handsome and we think he's even slimmed down a little with all of the walking.

Echo and Bear even touch noses occasionally. There are the usual expected tussles and growly exchanges, especially over favorite chew toys. She's still the boss though and he knows it.

We are so thrilled to have him. He is very affectionate and loves to snuggle up. We're enjoying him so much.

Have a safe trip. I'll send some photos of the little guy when I can. - Ken, Morgan, Echo & Bear

Fun in the Sun

Do you ever have a weekend where you just go WOW? I had one of those weekends, and it seems lately that I've been having a lot of them. The added bonus for this weekend was the SUNSHINE! When the sun came out on Saturday I don't think Chris and I were inside until 9:00 p.m. that night. We exercised, walked on Alki, had lunch and margaritas and went to a barbcue at Jake and Heathers and sat on the deck all evening. It was so AWESOME to see the sun all day. Sunday we encountered a few sun breaks but mostly clouds and some rain. This didn't ruin our fun though. We had breakfast on our deck and then biked to Marymoor and played tennis (or tried). That afternoon we went to an Alehouse in Seattle for an IPA fest. Chris taught me how to properly shoot pool (this is a long process for me) and we played darts and had dinner. The best part was neither of us were in any hurry to do anything but laugh and relax all weekend. Everytime I think life is so great and can't get any better.........it does!

On another note, Chris and I leave for Cancun in less than 2 weeks - we can't wait! This is Chris' first vacation in several years and my first in two years. We are ready, we got the flip flops, the swimsuits and each other. What else does one need?

I hope this finds everyone doing well and enjoying life as much as I am.

St. Paddy's Day Dash - Whoo Hoo!

Last Sunday was the annual St. Patrick's Day Dash, which I have done for a number of years with friends. It is always a fun event getting out there in the morning for some exercise with all the people in there crazy green costumes and then of course drinking beer afterwards.

This year was especially fun because Chris did his first "Dash." We had a great time and actually jogged a fair amount of the way. The race was followed with Lisa, Chris and I heading to Fado to drink too much beer and have many laughs. This will be an annual event for us and anyone else would like to join us.

Chris - thank you for being so willing to do new things with me and accepting of my friends. I love ya!

Natalie and the Violin!

Natalie has just started to play the voilin! She brought it over this weekend and played for us everyday. She has already mastered Mary Had a Little Lamn and Hot Cross Buns and is working on Jingle Bells. I can't believe how much she has learned in such a short time. I'm proud of her, and enjoyed listening to her play this weekend!

I remember when I started to learn how to play the piano - it was so much fun. I had the nicest teacher. She would always say to me, "Read your notes Honey." The guitar followed the piano and I also had a short stint with the clarinet. The greatest feeling was when you finally got that one song down you had been practicing and practicing.

I had to share this as I am very excited for Natalie and hope she sticks with it.

Weekend Excursion

This past Saturday, we ventured up to Burnaby B.C. with the girls. Chris' cousin was getting married, and we wanted to attend the Muslim ceramony. Mostly to support them in their new adventure, but to also make ourselves more aware of their religion/culture. We were glad we went, although their ceremony is much different than anything we are used to. The most important part is we were able to see relatives we only sees a couple times a year.

Sunday Uncle Fred and Aunt Marianne were cooking breakfast for us and most of the "relative clan." It was great to visit with aunts, uncles and cousins. They were very glad to see us, and happy we made the trek to the wedding.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the Peace Arch on our way home.

Bear's New Family

Saturday we planned to take Bear to a Play Day with other Norwhich Terriors, in hopes to do some networking to find a new family for Bear. A home where people were home every day, would walk him every day and had some area for him to play, not to mention someone to play with. Not thinking this would happen so soon, we met Morgan and Ken and their dog Echo - the nicest people. The couple was immediately in love with Bear, as he was of course on his best behavior. Morgan and Ken work out of their home on Vashon Island. They walk every morning, have a few acres that is fenced off and are close to the beach. Chris' many months of saying he needed to find a better place for Bear was right in front of us, with all the things Chris was looking for. Needless to say this was a very hard day for everyone. The next afternoon, we received the above picture of Bear and Echo sleeping after their morning walk. Bear is snuggled up to Morgan. Ken also included the below email, which reassured us Bear is going to be so loved, taken care of and have so many exciting times in his new home.

Chris & Joan - Bear, Echo, Morgan and I are having a ball! Bear is such a wonderful little dog. We are enjoying him so much. He's been so well behaved and very, very lovey.
We stopped at Lincoln Park near the Fauntleroy ferry dock for a much needed walk before we hopped on the ferry home yesterday. Big day for everyone yesterday. We walked through the wooded paths, then down to the beach.
When we arrived home, Bear made himself right at home immediately, checking out everything. No real problems between Bear & Echo. Echo snarled when Bear decided that Echo's newest chew toy was extremely interesting and another time on the couch when Echo thought Bear was just a little too close to her & Morgan, but that's been about it for problems between the two of them. We figure they'll work it out for themselves.
Bear and I had a very enthusiastic round of fetch and tug with one of Echo's squeaky toys. Way fun! He's very strong ... and very determined.
Bear slept in his doggy bed next to ours last night and slept through the night. I put your shirt in his bed as a pillow for him. Thanks for thinking of that. I'm sure he felt much more at home with some familiar smells.
We got up this morning at 6:00 for a brief (and fast) run down the hall to go outside. Then it was back to bed for another hour or so, this time with both dogs on the bed. We all dozed off again. Big day yesterday for everyone and I think we all needed the extra rest.
Morgan & I had our coffees and then it was off in the truck to the Burton Loop. Walked about 2 miles, stopping and sniffing just about everything possible along the way. Then it was back home for breakfast and Sunday paper. Both dogs fell asleep together on the loveseat. They're getting along great!
Now that the sun is shining, we're off for a Sunday afternoon romp on the beach.
Have a great trip! Please stay in touch. We'll do the same. More pictures...and more news...to come.
Thanks for everything! - Ken, Morgan, Echo & BEAR!