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!

New Home and Other Fun Stuff!

It is so nice to be "officially" living with Chris (and his girls when they are there and of course Bear) and creating our home the way we want it. Chris has done a great job of making this our home - not his place that I moved into (if that makes any sense at all). I feel like I'm at home :-) We welcome family and friends anytime - no invitation required. There is always time for a chat and coffee or dinner and some wine with many laughs. Our address is below, so if you find yourself in the neighborhood, please stop by.

15662 NE 102nd Way
Redmond, WA 98052

I have found Redmond to be a great place, and I'm getting pretty acquainted with the whats and wheres. I even ran into my Aunt Joan at the grocery store last Friday - that was fun! I also just joined Redmond Athletic Club down the street and have found it to be a warm environment.

We have also started planning for the wedding. Once we decide on a venue, the rest will fall into place easily enough. I've fallen in love with having the wedding at the Mayflower Park Hotel, so Chris and I will visit it in a couple weeks and go from there. It's a great place because all you have to do is show up - everything is done for you. Definitely my kind of place - ha!

Other fun stuff:

I get to go shopping tonight with my sister and Chelsea for bridesmaid dresses for her wedding. This will be fun, as she isn't making us wear pink or died shoes or crap like that - ha!

Friday night Chris gets to meet one of my best friends from high school - Jen and her husband Skip - now a dear friend of mine also. We are meeting in Snohomish for burgers and beer at Fred's tavern - a local favorite. This will be so fun - they are great people and will love Chris.

Chris and I are going to a Muslum wedding in Canada in a couple weeks. His cousin is getting married. I am very interested in their ceremony and the tradition, so this should be a great cultural experience.

That's about it for now. I hope everyone who reads this is happy and healthy and enjoying their week.

Park City

This last weekend I was able fly to Park City for a couple days with some girlfriends. We enjoyed sleeping in, shopping, wine tasting, good food and good company. It was very relaxing. We thought maybe we would see some stars because we caught the tale end of the Sundance Film Festival, but I don't think we would have known if we would have seen them 0 ha! Friday night we were able to see Matt and Amy, which is always a great time. They also joined us on Saturday night for dinner. Danielle - it was great to catch up with you - good luck in Alaska the next couple weeks. Lisa - thanks for letting us stay for free - loved it! Matt and Amy - wished you lived closer so we could laugh like we do more often.

Saturday, February 28, 2009

This date seems like a long ways away, but not when you are planning a wedding! Chris and I decided on this yesterday, so please mark your calendars. There is going to be some serious celebrating going on that day!

On Sunday, Mary, Mom and I went to a wedding show at the Everett Events Center. It was a little overwhelming, but none the less met some very nice vendors, etc. As Chris said a while ago, anything with the word wedding in it - double the cost. He is right ;-) It was a fun day, but I was happy to get home and sit on the couch with Chris and a beer, watching the football game.