Wedding Bells

We traveled down to Lake Tahoe this weekend to celebrate my brother's wedding. Here's a little photo journal of our visit.

(Lake Tahoe)

(Hot Tub)

(rehearsal, B and new wife)

(flower girl and groom)

(glasses)

(E's first drawing of a person)

(we woke up to snow on the day of their outdoor wedding)

(Mother and Father of the groom, Gram and Papa)

(B getting ready)

(E getting ready)

(flower girl)

(ceremony, the happy couple)

(their motocross wedding cake)

Their wedding was the perfect combination of tradition and whimsy (click on the cake photo to see all the detail). We had a great time, and were honored that D and E could be a part of the wedding party. I'm soo happy to have a new sister.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

It was 3 years, today that you joined us on this journey.
We are so proud of you.

Make 'Em Laugh

It doesn't get much better than this. You used to have to be talented to be in Hollywood, what a concept! This is one of my favorite musicals, and E can't get enough of this exceptional and seamless number by Donald O'Connor (who plays opposite Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds) in Singin' in the Rain. A true example of an enormous physical stamina and talent!

*Apparently he had to take 3 days of bed rest after filming this scene...

correction made:
9/29 - It isn't one take, sorry for the mis-information.

Too Early?

I just can't help it folks, I've already decided on my idea for this year's Christmas Card, but I was looking around to see what else was out there. I found this (and other beautiful card stock creations) on Michelle Brusegaard's Etsy Site.

Little Bit of Ballerina for Your Day

(yes, the soundtrack is by The Wiggles)

When life hands you lemons, buy a fish tank.

I had been looking forward to tonight for a week, at least. Girls Night Out. They don't happen very often, and I really needed it. With 2 1/2 weeks of single parentdom under my belt I was really craving some alone time with fiends. My parents agreed to watch the kiddo, I could already taste the guacamole...

Somewhere between packing Ella's pajamas and her Little Einstein video I forgot to grab my purse. Doesn't this happen all too often? You remember everything for your child and neglect yourself; their needs ahead of your own, I suppose? I didn't realize this until I was minutes from our agreed upon destination, as I was reaching for my lip gloss...no purse. I had no money for dinner, and I was driving illegally. Flustered and totally knocked off my feet, I turned around. I blubbered the whole way home. It wasn't an option to swing back by and grab it and just be late for the meal, I live a ways out of town and it was rush-hour. I was so upset with myself, so sadly disappointed. I reached my parents house, gathered up E, and made our way home.

Blocks away from our door E mentioned something about a fish, and it hit me! I fish tank! Our next door neighbor Mike asked if he could get E a fish for her birthday, and we needed to pick out a tank. I swung by the house grabbed my wallet, and we were off to Pet Smart. As much as I hate to admit it, shopping makes me feel better. It didn't solve my original problem, but I felt better having set out with a purpose and completing my task.

Now we just have to think of a name for her imminent gift...

Do the Puyallup!

This is a fair that I've attended since I was a kid. My mom would take us out of school early, so we could do it up right! Food, rides, animals, flowers, everything. I've only missed one year, and that was in order to deliver my baby! Last year E had so much fun (talking about it for days), that I just had to plan a trip. I got a free ticket (thanks Uncle B) and we packed a lunch, checked the weather, and made the drive. Before we started out I was feeling a little sorry for myself, being a single mom these days and not sharing this with Dave. I try and stay busy but sometimes you're just plain old lonely no matter how busy you are, a true bandwidow today. Well, E's enthusiasm overtook me, we listened to Gorillaz and the sun even came out.

Here's a little photo journal:

(petting a lamb)

("That's a cow, Mom")

(scone)

(flowers)

(motorcycle mama)

(last year she was too small for this ride, she was giggling the whole time)

(on the train)

(jiggle foot)

(driving home, and into the rain with my "have fun" stamp)

(out cold)

A Close Encounter

They've opened up a giraffe feeding station at our zoo.
24" purple tongue anyone?

Puddle Jumpers

So, I gotta do what I can to brighten up my rainy days.

I ordered these (the white ones) for E today!

Good-bye Summer

Today marks my official "Put Summer Clothes Away," day, although, the Autumnal Equinox isn't for another week. The forecast isn't predicting temperatures to reach above the 60's, so Fall has arrived early, here in the Greater Seattle Area. I mournfully folded up all E's 2T summertime wardrobe and hesitantly pulled out the 3T bin full of hand-me-down (thanks Jen, Nicole Melissa and Laurie) long sleeve T's, jackets, jeans, and shoes for the coming months (and months) of rainy chilly weather.

It's depressing to fully realize that these days will only become shorter, and that the damp gray hours have replaced cheery sunny ones. I suppose that's one reason why Christmas is so important to me; we get to shed a little bit of twinkly light into the long dark nights of winter. But for now I'll relish the occasional sun-break, pull out the flannel sheets, take in the colors of the changing leaves, cozy up in front of our new wood burning stove (thanks Mom, Dad, Trey, Tim, and Bennett) and yes, caffeinate my down-turned mouth with hot mugs of coffee and wassail.

Phase 2

cutting the patio

dig the trench

excavator

rascal the dog

papa movin' dirt

tools

new materials

the old cement pipes

they were big

any wonder our pipes were backing up? look at all those roots!

new pipes + clean out

old patio

filling the hole back up

all filled in

They started work around 10 this morning and were driving off by 5! Everyone really worked hard, and really offered up their best effort. I am so relieved to have an end to this 2-year-old problem! There's still a lot of clean-up to tackle, and after everything settles in a few weeks we'll be able to pour the new cement and use our stairs again.

Phase 1

I've ranted about our pipes backing up in previous posts. Well, my brother and his new wife are moving into the downstairs mother-in-law apartment at our house in a few weeks, and the stipulation I gave was 'No extra bodies until the pipes are fixed.' Anytime we have a party, or when we have guests stay the pipes get clogged, the downstairs toilet and tub overflow with sewage. It's a mess. We're on a first name basis with Rotor Rooter.

My brother got a hold of me a few weeks ago, and was calling in a favor from a friend. They scoped our pipes with a tiny camera all the way out to the street (I got to watch, totally fascinating and not gross like I expected). Luckily the problem was close to the house and not by the street where the pipe is deeper (water runs downhill from your residence). Apparently due to earthquake damage, the pipes are all jogged up and on top of that roots are squirming their way in and catching debris and, there in lies the problem.

So yesterday my brother cut up a 20 foot by 4 foot section of our 6" thick cement patio in the backyard with this crazy water saw. And today they started digging the 3 foot deep trench with an excavator. It's a slow and noisy process, and I'm really hoping they get it done tomorrow...but also extremely grateful I have family that know how to do this stuff. If I had to hire my brother's friend to do that scope thing, it alone runs somewhere in the neighborhood of $600-800!

(E and Uncle B on the excavator)

Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Peanut-Butter-Cookies

The weather is cooling down, you might need a hearty cookie to pack in a lunch. These are my favorites. The recipe makes about 5 dozen, make a batch and freeze some!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Cookies
1/2 c. unsalted butter
1 1/2 c. white sugar
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
2 c. peanut butter (chunky)
2 1/2 tsp baking soda
6 c. old fashioned oats
2 c. chocolate chips

• Add ingredients to mixer in order that they appear.
• Shape into balls the size of a golf ball.
• Place on un-greased cookie sheet.
• Bake at 350 for 12-14 minutes, I switch racks half way through.
• Let cookies cool for about 5-7 minutes before removing from cookie sheet.

* I really give my 5 QT Kitchen Aid mixer a work out with this recipe, and it just barely contains the dough in the end, for smaller mixers you may be able to cut the recipe in 1/2.

9 x 11 = 99

(photo by Bootsy Holler)

When you need something pleasant to remember on this mixed-up day you can think of us. We were married on 9.11.99. 8 years, today, and quite happily I might add.

New and Exciting

Saturday : New Bag!











Sunday : New Skill!











Monday : New Class!






I picked up my new handmade hobo bag this weekend at the Edmonds Farmer's Market. E learned how to write the 'E' for her name. She started her Creative Ballet class at the Lynnwood Community Center, she did great for the entire 50 minute kid-only (parent's wait outside) class and later put on a show for me at home! Dolly.

Bellerina

She starts lessons on Monday