She's a Senior....

Here's a sneak peek at Kaitlyn's senior photos. She's so cute...and its not just because I'm her Mommy! I can't believe how my little girl has grown into such a beautiful young lady, inside and out.
Her photographer is a family friend and knows I have absolutely no patience! The photos were taken Monday night and tonight when I got home, I had an email with these two photos as a sneak peek to tide me over until the proofs are ready. Thank you Shelley!
I can't wait to see the rest.

Tim & Little Miss Lily

Saturday we spent the day out in Lake Washington. We started out at Ivars on Lake Union where we met up with our friends John & Pam and their 2 1/2 year old daughter Lily. They adopted Lily last year from China. What a difference a year makes! She is totally adorable and quite the talker. After lunch they launched their boat and took Pam's brother and sister-in-law on a tour of the lake and then met up with us again in Andrews Bay. We rafted the boats together and spent the afternoon chilling and chatting. Lily wanted to go for a ride in Uncle Tim's little boat. So out in the dinghy they went.

San Juan Trip: Days 6-8

Day 6: Happy Birthday Timmy! Today Tim turned 45! Friday Harbor was foggy this morning and after a stop for Tim's breakfast fritter and coffee, we headed northwest to Roche Harbor. Once we docked up, we took the kids for a short hike to the Mauseleum. Then we had a rousing game of Bocce Ball, where the boys beat the girls (whatever!). Dinner was unexciting and then back to the boat. Kaitlyn had an allergic reaction to something and broke out in hives and her eye swelled. We gave her benadryl and off to sleep she went. The boys rented a movie and I finished my 4th book of the trip. I have no idea what I'm going to do on Day 7, as I am now out of reading material!
Day 7: It's a sunny morning in Roche Harbor, no real fog, which is great. There was a few minutes of sprinkles (like 3) and then the sun came out. We are starting our journey home today, with a stop at LaConner for the night. Tim has sort of planned our route, so we'll see if we run into any issues. It was smooth sailing through Deception Pass and into LaConner, which is a cute, but sleepy town. We found a mexican restaurant for dinner, Derek rented another movie, and I bought book #5 for the trip.
Day 8: Going home! The weather has been overcast and crappy since Tuesday. We are all tired and want to go home. We stopped for lunch in Edmonds and then back through the Locks to Lake Washington. It is slow going and makes you crazy when you know you are close to home. After a quick stop at Gram's to pick up Bailey, we pulled in about 9:00. I have piles and piles of laundry to do....but it can wait until morning.

San Juans: Days 4-5

Days 4 & 5: We spent the night in Port Sidney BC, the "sophisticated oasis". From there we headed North to Ganges Harbor on Salt Spring Island. We anchored out and took the dinghy in for lunch. Then we headed back into the US and spent the night in Roche Harbor.

This morning, on our way back toward Friday Harbor, we boated by a few private islands and stopped at Jones Island. It is a Washington State park. We anchored out and took the dinghy in for a short hike to the other side of the island. Then back to the boat for a picnic lunch and off to Friday Harbor to meet the kids. Their ferry from Anacortes was late, so we enjoyed a few margaritas prior to their arrival. We also had time for a dinghy ride around the harbor to check out the other boats. Once Kaitlyn and Derek were all settled we headed into town for dinner and to get D a toothbrush. It doesn't matter where we go or how many times we remind him, he alwasy seems to forget it.

San Juan Trip: Day 3

It is beautiful and hot in Sidney, BC. Yesterday we were in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. We left Port Townsend Friday morning in the fog and chilly temperatures. We headed through the Strait of JuanDe Fuca with just 3-4 foot swells. It was much less taxing than the day before through Admiralty inlet! We docked up in Friday Harbor about 12:15. We had lunch and walked around the town. Of course we had to go to West Marine, one of Tim's favorite stores! Tim bought a brush to clean the salt water off his boat. For heaven's sake, we are going to be in salt water for the next 5 days, but Tim felt better having a clean boat. Whatever makes him happy!
Today we took off from Friday Harbor about noon and hit Sidney about 1 1/2 hours later. Clearing Customs took forever and a day, but once that was over, we docked up and headed for town. This place is really cute and the views are amazing. Right now I am paying 10 cents a minute for internet access at the Marina office. My laptop can't connect to wireless for some reason. That's the reason for no photos. I'll add photos at the next stop where I can connect with the internet and my laptop. I am doing laundry and then we are off to dinner on the pier. Tomorrow we head back into the US to Roche Harbor. There are amazing boats in this marina. Ours is pretty, but is teeny tiny compared with the motor yachts here! We have 30 foot-itis! One day! We chatted with some guys on one of these mega yachts that suggested we go up north about an hour to Gagnes to check it out. We might do that. I'm down to my last 2 minutes. Will update more later....

Updated: Photos!

Self Portrait in Friday Harbor

The Instant Gratification in Port Sidney.

Sunset in Sidney

the

San Juan Trip: Day 1

We launched in Lk Wash this morning. We were delayed by the lake closure due to the Blue Angels practice. There are worse ways to spend the day than sitting on a boat in Lk Wa watching the blue angels fly directly over head. Had a swim and a sandwich and then headed for the locks. Made it smoothly thru the locks and headed north. We ran into some chilly weather and rough chop in Admiralty Inlet. The water was flying in Tim's face, coming over the bow and splashing in over the swim step. I finally gave up trying to wipe it up and just sat down and said a little prayer. I was a little afraid, but kept telling myself "boats are made to do this". It helped! We made it to Point Hudson Marina in Pt Townsend about 5:30. We docked up for the night, went to a local brewery for dinner, walked around the town and now we are sitting in the boat blogging and Tim is reading his boating books. It is pretty windy and not exactly warm here. Funny, last night it was too freaking hot to sleep and tonight we have on sweatshirts. Gotta love washington!

Tomorrow we are headed for Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Our friends are supposed to meet us there, but they've been sick, so we won't know until morning if they actually show up.

It is TOO DAMN HOT!

Update: at 6:30, the car read 105! That is flippin' ridiculous!

Tim & His Dinghy!

Tim is so very proud of his new addition this year to our boat...he got a dinghy. This little dinghy is not a cheap little toy. After you buy the dumb thing, then there is the "kit" you need to attach it to your boat, and then the engine. The dollar signs just keep increasing. Even though Tim was very creative with this dinghy expenses, making some of the parts himself and rebuilding a 1960 3 hp engine he bought from a friend, this little sucker still ran about $1000.
Anyway, yesterday when we were in Gig Harbor it came in very handy. We went to the Tides Tavern for lunch. All the dock space was taken, so we anchored out and took the dinghy to shore (which was not Aimee's favorite idea!). After lunch (and several beers!) Tim dropped me off on our boat when the sailboat next to us asked for some assistance. Their girlfriends were out in their dinghy and the engine wouldn't start. Tim had to tow them back to their boat. Of course, he didn't do it for free....that's not Tim's style....he charged them the fee of a beer. That is the going price if you want anything from Tim out on the water....as long as you have a cold beer, he'll be happy to help you! :)
The weather was incredible!

Office Visitor

This Peregrine Falcon spent a good part of the day with me today sitting outside my window at work. He hung out for about 3 hours. If he comes back tomorrow, I'm going to have to give him a name!
It was pretty weird to turn around today and see him sitting there, just staring at me. He would look right at you and follow you when you moved around the office. He fluffed his feathers a few times and shook off some dust, but that was about it. Otherwise, he just sat there watching.
I was told they eat pigeons. There is another Falcon that visits another manager on the other side of the office sometimes. We know this is a different one, because his leg wasn't banded. Anyway, this other Falcon has been know to spit up bones on the windowsill after eating his lunch - the pigeon special. Sounds like something fun to watch....NOT!
Hopefully "my" Falcon will have better manners and do his eating elsewhere!

Happy Birthday Aimee

Today we celebrated Aimee's 33-DD Birthday. We spent the day in the Sound on the Lady Barbara, a 47 foot boat belonging to some friends of Aimee's parents. We left from the Tacoma Yacht Club and headed to downtown Seattle. Along the way we passed the pirates ships that were landing in West Seattle for Seafair.
It was a beautiful day on the water, but hotter than heck when we hit the city and decided to walk around the Pike Place Market.

It was a great day with friends, food, and plenty of adult beverages. Tim hadn't even finished his first beer when he was trying to sneak a peek at Aimee's cleavage. That's my husband! :)

Happy 17th Kaitlyn!

Today, Kaitlyn turns 17 years old! My little princess has grown from an adorable little girl into an amazing beautiful young woman. I am so proud of her!
Happy Birthday Princess! I wish you the whole world, served up on a silver platter, with nothing but joy and happiness to carry you through this year and all of the exciting years ahead!
I was able to surprise Kaitlyn last night with a little party with some of her friends. Shockingly, she didn't have any idea what was up. Even after Charlie and Mackenna arrived, she still was a little clueless. It wasn't until Ryan walked up the driveway that the lights dawned!

Team Merrill Lynch - Relay 09

Relay For Life '09

This weekend was the 25th Anniversary of Relay For Life, which started right here in Tacoma, by one man. Now 25 years later it is the largest fundraising event for the American Cancer Society held in over 5000 locations and in 19 different countries.
This year Team Merrill Lynch was affected by all the changes that have taken place over the past year and the down turn in the economy. There were still over 40 employees and family members that showed up to walk the track over the 24 hour period. The team raised over $12,000, which is nothing to sneeze at, but doesn't even compare to the funds we've been able to raise in the past.
Kaitlyn and Mackenna were both on the team this year, raising funds and taking their turn on the track. Their goal was to stay until about 3:00 in the morning. However, after the week of finals and the last day of school taking their toll, by 11:30 last night they were ready to head home. Can't say I was too sad by that news. I was tired myself and happy to go home to my bed!

The Graduate

Thursday night Rose graduated from West Seattle High School. The ceremony was at the Seattle Center at Memorial Stadium.

Her grandparents flew in from Chicago so they could attend the graduation of their very first grandchild.

After graduation the whole family +2 (Rose's boyfriend Shea and Kaitlyn's friend Charlie) went to dinner at The Cheesecake Factory in Tukwila.

Rose hasn't solidified her plans for next fall. She's thinking of taking some time off and working for awhile and possibly attending Gene Juarez beauty school next January.

Memorial Day 2009

We took Kaitlyn and her friends Ambra and Mackenna boating today on Lake Washington.
We anchored in Andrews Bay (off Seward Park) and the girls were brave enough to go in the water....at least for a few minutes. Kaitlyn and Mackenna were out of the water in a nano-second, but Ambra was able to take it for at least 3 or 4 minutes. I will admit, it is still really chilly this time of year!