Another Fun Book Club

Last night was our July Book Club at Smash Wine Bar in Wallingford. We got to sit outside which at first was great but by the end of dinner we were all freezing! The food took forever to get to us so BC lasted a little longer than usual. I did think the food was great though and we could all hear each other so it was a nice "catch up". I drove home and got all nastalgic thinking about how much I love the group of gals in my Book Club--yah we talk about our books but we all are at different places in our lives so it is so fun to hear what's going on. There is a mom of two, a brand new mommy, an almost brand new mommy, a newly married gal, a "looking at wedding locations" gal :), a moving closer to her boyf & family gal, a gal in a perfect relationship but not sure what and when the next step will be, and a sorta in a new relationship, I'm not sure this is going to work gal. Everyone is always so supportive of each other. . .in fact we are all waiting for an email from Kora sometime today!!! Don't forget Kora. :) I look forward to next month to see what new has happened in all our lives. :) Oh, and guys, I called Marisa last night and left her a nasty message for leaving us and starting her own BC, especially since she didn't even give us a resignation letter. Hmmn

A Night with James

Leah, Lorissa, Kora and I went to the Chateau St. Michelle Winery last night to watch James Taylor perform. While we wished he would have sang more of his own songs (he did a bunch of covers because I guess he has a new CD coming out that is all covers) but all in all, the venue is great and we had a ton of fun. Nothin like sitting in the grass with friends, food, wine and live music in the background. I highly recommend going to a concert at this venue--its great!

I can only drink one bottle. . .

Lovers

On the love luge. . .

Redhook

Last night Leah, Lorissa, Annie, Tanya (and Farrah) :) and I all met at Redhook on their wonderful patio for dinner, drinks and some great conversation. I love meeting for Happy Hour in the summer when you can sit outside! Thanks for a great evening ladies, it was good seeing you all!

A family get together

This weekend my family celebrated my cousin Kelee's graduation from high school. She will be going to Whitman in the fall with a partial scholarship! Way to go Kelee--someday she may be your surgeon. :) The party was in Anacortes on the water where my Aunt and Uncle built a house recently so it was fun to see that. My parents rented cabins about 2 miles away for all of us to stay in so we got to also have a little family vaca--it was very fun!! Richie celebrated his 26th birthday--Happy B Day Richie, I think he had a pretty good time as well. Here are some pics to recap our great weekend.

Kyle & I walking with Sophes

Mom and I taking a rest from playing with Sophes

Happy Birthday Richie!

HA, me wearing Sophia's sunglasses so my eyes look rull close together. It makes me laugh every time I look at it.

The boys makin a run for the casino (unfortunately, not a whole lot of winners)

Grandpa helping Sophia out with her magna-doodle.

Kora & Sophes hiding in the closet, then when we opened the door they would run out and scream. It was quite hilarious.

Kora & Nickerdoodle

Kora being inappropriate with Marisa's chest. Kora!

Look at how cute Joe is--big Senior now!

A hey Amy!

Michelle couldn't make it because of work. We missed her and am glad she can make it on our Moses Lake trip in a few weeks.

Don't Break the Elastic

My mom sent this to me in an email and at first I was just going to delete it but luckily I thought about it twice and scrolled down on the email, boy am I glad I did that. . .I decided rather than send to 5 phenomenal women, I would just put it on my blog--it will get to all the phenomenal women I know, so here's to mom, my sisters, my friends, my co-workers. I love you and thank God every day that I have you in my life.

Don't break the elastic!

In April, Maya Angelou was interviewed by Oprah on her 70+ birthday. Oprah asked her what she thought of growing older. And, there on television, she said it was 'exciting.' Regarding body changes, she said there were many, occurring every day...like her breasts. They seem to be in a race to see which will reach her waist, first. The audience laughed so hard they cried. She is such a simple and honest woman, with so much wisdom in her words! Maya Angelou said this:

'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.'

'I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.' '--This one made me laugh. :)

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.'

'I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life.'

'I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.'

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.'

'I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.'

'I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.'

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.'

'I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.'

'I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'

Please send this to five phenomenal women today.. If you do, something good will happen: You will boost another woman's self-esteem. If you don't...the elastic will break and your underpants will fall down around your ankles! Believe me, I didn't take any chances on MY elastic breaking....
I sent it to a lot of special women I care for.

Happy 4th!

What a great weekend! A bunch of us went to Luke's dad's house on Vashon Island to celebrate the 4th on the water. It was so beautiful watching the fireworks being shot off from Tacoma to Seattle. A great day with good friends, great food and awesome fireworks. I may have more pics to share later when I get them from others but the new header pic is a shot off the deck--AMAZING! Then, on Saturday we went to the M's game to celebrate Mike's Birthday. It was a great day to be at the game and we WON, gotta love that. . .a nice b-day gift for Mike. Happy 4th of July to everyone.

In the Beer Garden in Center Field
Brady and Zach at Hit It Here Cafe

The rest of the crew (minus Annie who missed the shot)

The boys at the Triangle Bar near the stadiums--right in the corner

Laura got some great shots of everyone throughout the evening as well so as soon as she sends them to me, I'll post!

I got Tagged!

Molly tagged me so I thought since I didn't feel like working quite yet, I'd do it this morning. The Rules: 10 photos, take them right away (NO CLEANING UP FIRST), then tag 5 friends. Here goes!

1. Dream Vacation

2. Self Portrait (remember, its early so I am barely awake)

3. What are your kids doing right now?
NO PICTURE OF THAT YET. :)

4. My closet

5. Favorite room in the house

6. Favorite Shoes (I love heels and these are the only ones with flair)

7. My laundry rooom/closet which is in my dining room--can't wait to have a house someday!

8. My second bathroom NOT--it's the one and only! again, can't wait to have a house!

9. My kitchen sink

10. My fridge (yah, that's PBR)

I tag Leah, Amy, Tanya, Sarah J. (I can only tag 4 people because the rest have already been tagged.

Scottsdale Wrap Up

We're back from our Girls Get-A-Way #2. What a fabulous weekend we all had literally sitting by the pool ALL day and dinner/drinks each night. We all decided that next year we will pack only swim suits and cover ups for daytime and a few outfits for night--we all overpacked, it looks like I wore nothing from my suitcase which is still sitting in my room unpacked. We stayed at the Marriott Camelback Inn at a great rate thanks to Bird (we all love you for that Birdie-Boo). In fact we went to dinner one night and each spent more on that than we did for our entire stay at the resort. Love it. Leah and I rode the bull one night (hopefully I'll get the videos of that soon, they're large though). Here are a few pics of the weekend. . .

Group ShotsIs there anything in my teeth? Trying to get on the bull, I had to use his knee as a step--I was so nervous!Leah playin "Ride em Cowgirl" Love her hair!Annie gettin her groove on, again love the hair!I love you guys and can't wait til next year. Oh, who's bringing the casserole? HA