Blessed Beyond Belief

SNOWBOARDING - ARNETTE STYLE

2011-05-23T13:21:00.000-07:00

How do you get up a mountain when you're going with the crew from Arnette? Well since they don't have their own rig yet... you take one of the Oakley trucks. We loved it! we got pointed at, people gave us thumbs up and hang loose signs and the guy at the snowboard shop called out the rest of the staff to gawk at the rig... I'll admit it, it was fun.

Day two of our trip of a lifetime was with the Arnette crew, John from Oakley had outfitted us properly (yes we ARE in Oakley from head to toe... ) and Arnette hooked us up with their brand new goggles which haven't been released yet (you have to admit that's cool) we loaded up the rig in Forest Hills and headed up to the bunny slopes at Mountain High. it was a beautiful drive about an hour out of town. Brent took us up and once there we met up with Joe (global brand manager for Arnette) and they geared us up with rentals and took us to the slopes. I won't lie and tell you I mastered snowboarding, in fact by the end I sucked so bad I walked my board off the hill but I will tell you, I aim to try again and conquer this!

Checking my chapped hands. learning to snowboard without gloves is a bad bad bad idea....

Keith and I on the chairlift with our goggles ready for fun!

zipline - piholo ranch

2011-04-07T09:04:00.000-07:00

We chose to enjoy an adventure (on Maui Jim) at Piholo Ranch Zipline. It was stunning, amazing and some of the most fun I've ever had! I conquered some of my paralizing fear of heights, started to feel more comfortable not being strapped in 100 ft up and climbing up a moving bridge... started...but once they strap your trolley on the line, it's the safest feeling ever! They take their roles extremely serious but we all still had a blast! safe was good!!

Keith and I both posing for the camera! What a fun sunny perfect day!

The gulch that we zipped across in Makaoa, leads right to the ocean, such a beautiful sight! the bazillion colors of green, the bring orange flowers in the trees, just spectacular!

You want me to climb up WHAT? 2 at a time so you don't rock it off... um...

the first and easiest tower...cause it had stairs. LOTS of stairs!! this is easy??

This is actually US zipping down the line at an insane rate. I'm in HIT THE BLOCKS form and Keith is still rockin a starfish... starfish is SLOW DOWN, you spread your arms and legs and push your chest forward. I'm in landing form so I don't hit anyone with my legs and so that my trolley doesn't come back and wack me in the face after I hit the brake ;)

all of our trolleys and gear waiting for us! KNOW YOUR NUMBER was what we were DRILLED on.

The trip - highlights!

2011-04-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

this is going to be scattered, not in order and I just don't care! I mostly DON'T want to forget all of the amazing things we did/saw/experienced and scattered and picture descriptions will be an easy fun way for me to capture it all!

Mikayla's party!

2010-08-02T18:29:00.000-07:00

The LAYOUT! I think it actually came out pretty cute! some purchased, some handmade and all fun. I made the happy birthday mikayla banner with scrapbook paper, hand cut the lettering and hand tied all the pieces to each other. I also hand tied the cartoon to all of the bags and hand tied ribbons on all of the 125 lollipops, then I painted the styrfoam blocks and tied eyelet tagged tags to them to mark which flavor of lollipops. insane amounts of ribbon (thank goodness for sales at Michaels).

I purchased the lollipops on etsy.com, I'll have to say they came out amazing! what a great look!

I purchased the cakes from a gal I met on craigslist, they were green and purple inside, homemade fondant and super super cute.

the treatbags with the cutest cartoon of Mikayla jumping! wished I could have made a poster of this cartoon but just ran out of time

Mikayla birthday prep

2010-07-27T07:57:00.000-07:00

Mikayla's party work in progress!

The candy bar is just about done, I'm about 75% done with projects but I have some cutting still to do... the lollipop stands are done, Mikayla's M is done and the table cloth is done as well. I have a little bit of decoration left to do to the candy containers but we're doing great!

the lollipop stands (with tags) the giant M and the happy birthday Mikayla banner.

The M is one of the 12 inch cardboard letters from Michaels, I painted it green and then with a chopstick painted light green, white and purple dots over the entire thing.

the lollipop stands! 4 styrofoam bricks that I painted and then made tags for with the flavors 0f the lollipops and then tied on. the lollipops will be stuck into the top. I still have to tie ribbon on the lollipops (tonight late maybe?)

cheap and effective ways of doing a cake/candy table...

2010-07-07T14:58:00.000-07:00

Alright my brilliant bloggy friends. I ordered the lollipops (lime green) and the invites are lime green, purple and yellow... I love the idea of having the cake and goodies all as a focal point. here's the inspiration pics to get you started
stealing the paper banner from this one.... and kinda like the lollipop presentation.

the smaller stuff is what appeals here, with the tablecloth hung as a background...

LOVE the table cloth. love the tall pixie sticks and the colored containers.

freaking out about the lollipop presentation...

OVER THE TOP!!!

I need ideas on how to present the lollipops, how to make things tall and fill space and what cheap fun candy I can get to fill containers...

Mikayla party idea 2!

2010-07-06T19:25:00.000-07:00

Mikayla party idea 2!

We're going to have a candy bar, not too over the top but some colored candies and such and I was on etsy and found this!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/AmysSweetDream?ref=seller_info

she's going to make lime green lollipops in the COOLEST flavors! Cherry Limeaid, Keylime Pie, Watermelon and MOUNTAIN DEW!!

we're going to tie them off with bright purple ribbon (I think) and now I'm trying to find a cool way to present them. sticking out of a spray painted stryofoam shape? in a vase? I'll hit the web for some inspiration! anyone have ideas?

ideas for Mikayla's bday...

2010-07-01T17:22:00.000-07:00

in part one of this series.... just kidding. I'll be posting a few ideas I have for Mikayla's party. this however is supposed to be a fairly hands off party as we're paying a "place" to do the party. I'm responsible for treats, cake, basic decor and drink (the easy stuff!)

so we're going with Purple, Green and Yellow.... no real theme other than fun bright colors at this point...

I'm ordering candy and treats in those colors but I think I'm going to go handmade on some of the treats. My recent candy making experience has me thinking I could handle this...

so idea number 1:

http://www.twigandthistle.com/blog/2010/06/chocolate-dipped-rice-crispy-popsicles/

ripped off from one of my favorite websites (twig and thistle) is these really cute rice crispy treat popsicles. I think I'll use dyed white chocolate (purple and green) to dip them in and then I'll wrap them in cello bags tied off with ribbon as a take home treat.

I'm also working on little boxes of colored candies and treats (HUNTING FOR GREEN BOUNCY BALLS!!!) and little prizes and such in the right colors for favors.

Stay tuned, more ideas to come.

Vancouver/Whistler Part 2

2010-06-24T10:02:00.001-07:00

The next leg of our journey (after a very big breakfast...) was to Granville Island. I don't know how I've gone this long in my life without going there. rediculous! It's like Pike Place on superdrive!

The poppies had JUST arrived (first of the season) when we arrived and I nearly lost my mind. These pics are just my phone pics, my camera pics are even better!

Granville has all the "market" feel of Pike with the addition of MUCH more prepared food, meats and salads, etc as well as hand crafted items. I could seriously spend a week going through the place but Keith hit his max at a little over an hour. it was a great trip!
also there... lily of the valley! gorgeous!

Next stop on our journey was to Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge. it's a little smaller than Capilano, but free! and the hike on the other side of the bridge was fantastic! We hiked DOWN (and down) to a spot on the river that pooled up this beautiful color, blue, green, I don't know how to describe it other than the most beautiful deep rich color of aqua! we knew it was going to be a bear to get back up after climbing down the hill and the stairs but about half way through...

THIS started getting real old... climbing back up these stairs nearly did me in, but it was gorgeous and totally worth it, the weather was great and spending time with Keith was fun, he was in rare form...

and can I just say KUDOS to me... I hate heights, hate bridges over water and I walked tentitively at first over the suspension bridge but by the time we were leaving I was running across it, not thinking about my fear, just enjoying the beautiful place. YAY!

I highly suggest Lynn Canyon, the visitor center was amazing, the suspension bridge is stunning and the hikes around are great and fairly easy.

the ultimate cake!

2010-06-07T14:22:00.000-07:00

I have to share my latest creation...

Chocolate cakes filled with homemade strawberry rhubarb jam topped with vanilla whipped cream and the topped with fresh strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.

Vancouver - Part 1

2010-05-26T08:13:00.001-07:00

We started our adventure to Vancouver with a trip to the Everett clinic to get Keith cleared for travel after his fun day with Kidney Stones, they gave us the all clear and off we went!

We took the scenic route up Chuckanut and it did not disappoint! The tide was super low so at the first view point we could look out and see the oysters at Taylor Shellfish, I've never seen that before. So great. We had a nice time chit chatting and heading up to the border.

We made it up and through the traffic and got to our hotel, interesting story, when using priceline make sure you're sure about which area of town you want your hotel in, ours was ok, not fantastic but we had fun anyway. We stayed at the Coast over by Stanley Park, the rooms were like little apartments with small kitchenettes and living rooms. Definitely doable. We only had one night so we took a recommendation from a friend for dinner and Keith was a trooper, we headed to Sha-Lin noodle house, I loved it, Keith wasn't thrilled. Lesson learned, when in a strange town, don't go for the most exotic thing you can find...

We finished the evening with a walk down to the safeway a couple blocks from our hotel to get Mikayla her special Canada request: Pickle potato chips and Ketchup potato chips. I rounded it out with tim tams (my fav) and ketchup. why ketchup? it's sweeter in canada and I love it. I stocked up and we're set for a while...

Friday morning I took Keith to a breakfast place I had researched... Paul's Omlettry. It was delish! Keith got a pancake breakfast and I got blackstone eggs benedict (bacon on the eggs benedict instead of ham) it was killer!
My favorite part of the breakfast? when you order coffee or tea, you are asked if you want milk or cream. HECK YES! CREAM! I'm moving.

things I should have posted... Halloween 09!

2010-03-18T13:32:00.000-07:00

See I'm catching some things up!

This halloween I had the bright idea of Mikayla and I making her costume... to save money....

yah right. we ended up spending a bit more than we would have just buying her something but I will say, she loved what she had, it was unique and really pretty easy (and quick)

Here's the run down.
We purchased 6$ worth of red swim suit fabric, about 10$ in tulle and a little bit of elastic at the fabric store. We also bought a 1$ headband and I had black pipe cleaners and yarn.

Mikayla sewed the red swimsuit fabric into a tube with the sewing machine following my pins (yay!), we then took a sharpie and drew the circles (dots)

I read instructions on how to make a tutu, your warning... it takes forever, you feel like you've tied tulle onto that string for eons, that and you cut the tool into about 1000 pieces. but it did come out really really cute.

I made two little pom poms with yarn and wrapped them with a pipe cleaner around the headband. actually came out super super cute!
Here she is!
The makeup was a little over the top, red lips and all. don't you love her eyes! liquid eyeliner is NOT fun to take off of an 8 year old though. you've been warned.

our very cute family carved pumpkin guarding our fireplace.
We had a blast, we went to my Mom's early to say hi, then to the church for our big festivities (with Keith AND Marina) then we went over to my Aunt Dewey's and trick or treated in her neighborhood, it was Marina's first trick or treat experience and a total blast!

some new favorite blogs!

2010-03-06T07:42:00.000-08:00

So I HAVE to share! I found some blogs that are fantastic and just have to share!

Secrets of a Super Mommy - oh my gosh! from a recipe book for her daughters easy bake oven to the cutest ideas for taking care of her family. this is hands down my favorite blog right now!

Skip to my Lou - a great site for ideas, easy crafts, and just plain CUTE!!

Love Actually - a fantastic site with lots of cute ways to show love to your husband. I've been loving this site for a couple weeks now and holy cow it's GREAT!

Twig & Thistle - crazy finds and fantastic crafty goodness!

Fistful of Coupons - my favorite coupon blog, it's cute, there's a specific safeway page and it's well laid out and lots of links. LOVE IT!

Frugal NW Living - the best local frugal website ever. coupons, deals, ideas, just great

HAVE FUN EVERYONE!!

Portland trip

2010-02-23T10:57:00.000-08:00

This falls into the category of things I should have blogged but didn't...

In January we made the trip down to Portland to see my bro in law Mike with his Cavaliers

some exciting things that happened (besides the Cavs winning)...

1. it was my first time to see Shaq in person.

That is one big boy. I actually think I stared at him the entire game like he was a circus freak or something... I made the comment to Mom and Keith that now I think I know what David must have felt like when he saw Goliath. danggggg.

2. it was my first time in the Rose Garden and let me tell you, Portland loves their Trailblazers and it was a GOOD time, everyone was friendly and getting to the game on the max was AWESOME!

3. The MAX. public transportation done right. wow. pick up the train outside of the hotel, get dumped at the arena and then scoots you back to the hotel after. loved it

4. Our first trip to VooDoo Donuts. I don't think this place was around when I was in Portland more often and if it was the locals who took me around Portland should be shot (that was '94)

5. Breakfast at the hotel restaurant unlike any I've ever had before (the Original http://www.originaldinerant.com/index.php)

great eggs benedict, the place is like an upscale old diner but the most delicious food ever!

6. Our hotel! Courtyard Marriot city center. the place was gorgeous! great everything. we'll be back. LEED Gold and great artwork and the bedding was fantastic. loved every minute.

7. Our Waterfall trip - on our free day we walked around Portland in the morning and everyone bore with me while I scooted up to see if my pursemaker was open (not yet boo!) and then on a whim we decided it would be fun to head out to Multomah Falls. It'd been a long time between trips for me. The last trip would have been on the way from Portland to Walla Walla in '95? yowsa! It's a gorgeous drive along the Columbia river to the most beautiful waterfall I've seen in some time!

Keith and Dad and I walked up to the bridge and Keith continued on to head to the top of the falls, he almost made it before he realized he was fully out of communication from the rest of us and as he wasn't sure how long it'd take and how long we wanted to wait he came back down. We had a great bite to eat at the lodge and then hit the road for home.

8. the food... We had a big breakfast (the original) then a snack at Multnomah and then I forced my family to try German food (eh they say but I loved it) then we headed north to Spiffy's for the biggest, baddest, most awesome banana cream pie EVAH!!!

9. A trip to Cabella's... Mom and Dad hadn't been yet and I knew they'd freak! it was great! Dad could have made that his destination for the day and Keith and Mom and I had a blast! i heart you Cabella's.

We had a blast on the trip, it was so fun to see Mike and such fun with my parents! And Portland, you're pretty dang cool. I can't wait to get back!

Dining room lighting delima

2010-02-17T08:49:00.000-08:00

Ok, I'll admit it, I'm frugal. some would say cheap. but I like to get alot of bang for my buck and I'm a careful girl!

Our dining room has a cap where lighting can be installed (say a chandelier or what have you) and I've got a great idea but no idea how to implement...

here's what I LOVE...

The top two are my absolute favorite but I love the versatility of the third...

I found a tutorial on the one below:

her inspiration:

http://www.apennysavedblog.com/2009/06/diy-chandelier-tutorial.html

What she came up with:

have any of you messed with lighting? it looks like with a few parts and some muscle this is possible. have you seen anything? I'd like to keep the project under 50$ so that I have some room in the budget to paint the dining room wall and do an inexpensive window treatment in there too...

HELP!!!

A contest is a coming!!!

2010-02-08T16:03:00.001-08:00

I HAVE OLYMPIC FEVER...

and I have been contacted with a neat proposition...

so... to start the fun, please respond with what you're looking forward to MOST about the Winter games in Vancouver? Apollo? Ice Skating? Curling?

and make sure you check back later as I'll be putting up the contest details tonight!

Mikayla quotes...

2010-02-08T12:51:00.001-08:00

So I was at the church all day saturday so Mikayla was with Mom and in the evening on our way to the grocery store was the first time she had to talk to me... one of those moments that I just love!

She asked me "Kim did God really have us planned out 100 years before we were born?"

we talked about that for a while, she asked a few more questions and then busts out

"Isn't it weird that canadian bacon tastes like ham and not bacon?"

now that's a random change in conversation...

gotta love the little moments where she's so free to talk about anything and everything but dang she threw me off! ;)

favorite things about this weekend...the quick version

2010-02-08T11:01:00.000-08:00

1. I got to ring the bell at our church...

2. I had the pleasure of meeting a new couple at our church and coordinate (helped anyway) their reception.

3. I got to help with a wedding all at the same time (two events at the church at the same time)

4. I saw a 4 month old on a potty.

5. I saw groomsmen walk into the star wars theme, but cool

6. I saw a photography team of 4 photographers shoot quite a wedding. yes 4.

all in all a great Saturday ;) feel free to ask questions, I dropped some bombs out there ;)

fun hilarious customer comments...

2010-02-05T13:06:00.000-08:00

Occassionaly I find something hilarious. thought I'd share...

These are real customer Reviews on Real products and man do people get creative and have FUN!

http://www.amazon.com/Mountain-Three-Wolf-Short-Sleeve/product-reviews/B002HJ377A/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://www.amazon.com/Zenith-Tourbillon-Titanium-Chronograph-96-0529-4035/product-reviews/B001K3IXW8/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Sapphire-Diamond-Necklace-ARPELS/dp/B0029T4GAU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=jewelry&qid=1265397482&sr=1-2

have fun!

formal shots - the beach

2009-12-01T08:46:00.001-08:00

Family Pictures - Johnson Style - Baseball field=home

2009-12-01T08:21:00.001-08:00

We FINALLY got our calendars to work with Hannah's and off we went. Two locations, two "changes" of clothes and some amazing pictures later! This was our first stop at a little league field not far from our house. we couldn't get into the field without breaking in so these are outside the actual field. I was hoping for a recreation of the proposal picture (Keith kneeling on third base is a pretty good shot) but these came out pretty fabulous!

Hannah scaled the fence and took some shots through the chain link, they came out really cool!

Here's us teaching Mikayla the toss the bat, one hand over the other to see who goes first trick. that was a new one. I win by the way. ;)

this one is going next to my bed. I love it.

One last daisy of the year and I'll have to say that this pic is the money shot.

Insta Snow experiement at Mikayla's 8th Bday

2009-08-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

Steve Spangler you have done me proud!

I purchased a container of the insta snow and it was such a hit! We started by gathering all the kids around Matthew and I talked to them about what a polymer was (teach Kim!) we talked about the inside of a diaper, how it works and then we got to show off the insta snow!

I put a small amount of the powder in Matthews hand and started pouring the water. It was so fun to see the kids explode with squeals and then RUN to go do their own!

This one is a winner!

Matthew taking one for the team! can you believe how much water goes into that!

I love Caroline's face in the pic, seriously made the party for me! they loved it.

Keith helping his table with their "snow"

dry ice rocks!

2009-08-05T11:11:00.000-07:00

First photo of the party and the one I'm going to blow up and frame! The first kids showing us their excitement with the dry ice in the punch! This one got an amazing reaction didn't it!

Josiah, Mikayla and Bekah

It's almost party time!!!!

2009-07-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

last of the shopping and set up tonight (made tissue poms at 6am this morning, now that's dedication!) and then.... party time.

Wish me luck, I'm playing science teacher Kim tomorrow. A role at one time in my life that I thought would be my daily adventure! let's see if I really did have it! ;)

I'm so excited to teach 20 kids about polymers in a real way and what the real world application is! so fun!

Thanks SO much to Steve Spangler who has made science fun for me again, it's been amazing to see my kiddo get excited about our world and why and how things work!

Also lauging that the science experiments that I picked out over a month ago are PERFECT for this hot week, making ice cream and insta snow. it's like Christmas in August!

party timeline and script. what do you think?

2009-07-29T16:10:00.000-07:00

Party timeline and script.... CHECK!

I'm feeling good, feeling organized! this is going to be a great party and... we're in an air conditioned room for the party! WOHOO!

Mikayla's party is in full swing, I've pre portioned all the experiements, everything is boxed and ready to go to the cabana, I've lined up tables and help and I'm SO excited! this is going to be quite an event!

I have bracelets (like what you get for passing the swim test at camp) in different colors to show who is in which group, I have signs for the tables and all the paper stuff ready.

Here's the lineup of what's going on!

PARTY TIMELINE

As children enter give bracelets, with table numbers

Ice cream on each table to shake while waiting for all the kids to show up

Take one shaken ice cream apart to take tastes, then move buckets into the kitchen

Insta snow experiment with partners

Play time (with the snow on their plastic plate)

Put snow into their zip lock bags (sharpie to write name on their bag), Wash hands in kitchen by table number

Ice cream and singing (still on debates on this, looking for an easy thing to do since we’ll be taking tastes of homemade ice cream??thoughts?? Mikayla wanted ice cream with nerds on them but she’s not totally sold on it, I want something EASY!!!)

Presents

Wipe down tables and reset for next experiment (quick wipe and bring out next bucket)

Slime experiment

Send home with bag of goodies

Each table to have favor bags with experiments in separate tubs

Ice cream experiment

Jugs, ice, ziplock bag, milk mixture, rock salt
The science of it all…
Fill the coffee can or large plastic jar half full with crushed ice.
Add about 6 tablespoons of salt to the ice. Seal the container and mix for a few minutes by rolling the container back and forth on the floor. Hey, you might even have to wear gloves! Why? Measure the temperature of the mixture with a thermometer. The salt and ice mixture gets down to about 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C)!
Use the quart size zipper-lock bag to mix the following ingredients:
1/2 cup of half & half cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Seal tightly, allowing as little air to remain in the bag as possible. Too much air left inside may force the bag open during shaking.
Place the bag inside the coffee can with the ice mixture and seal and place the lid on tightly. Here comes the fun part... find someone who will roll the can back and forth on the floor with you. Only the people who help get to enjoy the ice cream! Roll it everywhere... on the floor, over the bed, under the table, on top of Uncle Bill... just keep rolling it. Five to eight minutes is adequate time for the mixture to freeze into ice cream. You might need to check on your ice cream concoction after 5 minutes to see if it's frozen. If not, keep rolling.
Remove the bag from the can and rinse it well with water. You don’t want any salt water accidentally getting into your ice cream.
Use your spoon to eat the ice cream right out of the bag!
How does it work?
What does the salt do? Just like we use salt on icy roads in the winter, salt mixed with ice in this case also causes the ice to melt. When salt comes into contact with ice, the freezing point of the ice is lowered.
The lowering of the freezing point depends on the amount of salt added. The more salt added, the lower the temperature will be before the salt- water solution freezes. For example, water will normally freeze at 32 degrees F. A 10% salt solution freezes at 20 degrees F, and a 20% solution freezes at 2 degrees F.
When salt is added to the ice, some of the ice melts because the freezing point is lowered. Always remember that heat must be absorbed by the ice for it to melt. The heat that causes the melting comes from the surroundings (the warmer cream mixture). By lowering the temperature at which ice is frozen, you were able to create an environment in which the cream mixture could freeze at a temperature below 32 degrees F into ice cream.

Insta Snow experiment

Premeasured snow
Premeasured water
Plastic plate
Ziploc bag with name

Does anyone know what this is (Diaper)
What does it hold, how does it work? (pour bottle of water in it)
These are both excellent examples of a polymer!
The science of it all:
put the premeasured powder in your hands (over your plate)
Have your partner pour the premeasured water into your hands (over your plate)
Quickly pour all of the water into the cup with the Insta-Snow powder. Don’t take your eyes off the erupting snow!
Go ahead... put your fingers in the fluffy fake snow. It looks so real that special effects artists are now using it in movies. If you let the snow sit out, the water will evaporate and the once fluffy snow will turn back into the dry powder. That’s right... it’s reusable!!!
How does it work?
Insta-Snow® is actually derived from the superabsorbent polymer found in baby diapers. The only difference (and it’s a big one) is that the Insta-Snow polymer not only absorbs water but the long chains of molecules swell to an enormous size. The polymer soaks up water using the process of osmosis (water molecules pass through a barrier from one side to the other). When water comes in contact with the polymer, it moves from outside the polymer to the inside and causes it to swell. The polymer chains have an elastic quality, but they can stretch only so far and hold just so much water.
The Insta-Snow reaction is a great example of a physical reaction - a reaction where the substance itself does not change. When an ice cube melts, a physical reaction takes place where the solid ice turns into a liquid, but the substance (water) never changes - it's still water! However, in a chemical reaction, a new substance is formed and energy is either given off or absorbed.
If you think of the Insta-Snow powder is millions of tiny sponges, it's easy to see that neither the Insta-Snow powder or the water was changed. If you allow the water to evaporate, the Insta-Snow powder dries out and returns to it's previous state, ready to be used again.
How long does the hydrated snow last?
The snow will start to dehydrate after a few days due to evaporation. Just spray the top of the snow with water and fluff the snow with your fingers to give it a fresh, fluffy look. You can also let the snow completely dry out to use it again. The dry form of Insta-Snow powder will last forever!
Why does the snow feel cold to the touch?
Since the snow is almost entirely made up of water, and the water is bound to evaporate. The process of evaporation produces a constant cooling effect. That's why it's so much fun to touch!
Will the snow ever turn back into water? No, the fake snow will not melt since it is not really ice. However, the water can be released from the superabsorbent polymer by adding salt. The addition of salt destroys the water absorbing properties of Insta-Snow® forever.
Does Insta-Snow have to be on a special surface?
No, Insta-Snow can be used on almost any surface except untreated wood. Keep the snow off of any surface that might be damaged by water. Surfaces that are ideal include tile, plastic and glass. Insta-Snow will not stain fabric, but normal care should be taken when applying this water-based material.
Can Insta-Snow be thrown away in the trash?
Insta-Snow is very easy to clean up and can be disposed of in the trash. Just brush the surface clean or use a vacuum to pick up the snow. Eventually the hydrated snow will turn back into the dry powder and can be easily swept or vacuumed. Insta-Snow powder is a non-hazardous, non-toxic, environmentally safe polymer.

Slime Experiment

Test tube (baby soda bottle)
Premeasured ingredients
Plastic plate
Talk about the baby soda bottle, show what it can do, give them the website to check out more experiments www.stevespangler.com

The science party... the experiments

2009-07-14T10:41:00.000-07:00

I got smart. and decided to do the projects a little differently, no stations, just all of us working on a project together, combined effort!

1. Make snow:

We will be working with a polymer called Insta Snow, each kid will get some to do the experiment together as a group. we'll discuss what a polymer is and uses for absorbant polymers (inside baby diapers, cleaning up oil spills, etc)

2. Make Slime:

Each child will get to make some to take home, with play time at the party

3. Make Ice Cream

We will work as a group to make a container of ice cream (by tossing it around together) it takes about 15 minutes so this one is what we'll end with.

Then we'll have our ice cream bar.

Ice cream bar will have home made ice cream and toppings (green slime, nerds candy, etc)

then cake and gifts and if we have time we'll watch some experiments on you tube from Steve Spangler.

Sound good? any ideas? should we plan for a game?

Introducing the coolest webpage/person ever... Steve Spangler!

2009-07-14T09:43:00.000-07:00

I have stumbled onto the coolest place in the world. All because Mikayla loved a science experiment on the Ellen show. This guy made exploding foam and it's all I heard about for a while. Well, in researching cool experiments for her party I found Steve Spangler. I'd like to introduce you to him...

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

his store

http://www.stevespangler.com/

his really cool blog!

and what we've been watching non stop?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG4nS5wrZmc

and his motto that I love!

Don't try this at home... Try it at a friend's home!

Birthday Favors / takeaways

2009-07-14T09:40:00.001-07:00

Ok, the science party is in full swing!

next topic: Gift bags, favors, takeaways.

I always kill myself on this because I want it to be memorable! Last year we had the giant pixie stick wands and this year with the experiements they will already be taking home the following:

Instant Snow (powder polymer that absorbes water to look like snow and can be kept and reused for a LONG time)

Slime in a full little container

Pop rocks

a glow bracelet

and fun slime soap (green apple scented) in a test tube

Sound like enough? or should I make a cute bookmark or have a pencil made with the birthday party stuff on it? thoughts?

It's official... I'm planning the coolest birthday ever!

2009-07-01T13:06:00.000-07:00

Mikayla and I were in deep discussions Saturday... Very very important matter we were discussing??

What would you like for your birthday party missy!

We've done a Luau (4), baseball (5), Hannah Montana(6), and Fairy Festival(7) so what can top it all for our 8th birthday???

We brainstormed in the car and talked about crafts, ocean (disecting a fish was the topic, I saved you from that one), and suddenly she remembered a very cool science experiement we saw on tv and the idea was born!

We're having a Science party! but not just any science party, everything will center around chemical reactions! boring right?

nope.

I've brainstormed with a few of you already but am putting this out there for help. I plan on having 3 -4 stations with a different experiement on each, the kids will rotate, we'll have cake and then we'll take them outside to do this:

Here's my current ideas for the stations:

1. make silly putty

2. make slime

3. make ice cream in individual ziplocks

I have some ideas for the treat bags too (poprocks are a must) and punch is taken care of (dry ice is AWESOME) but would love ideas, decor, a learning scavenger hunt? ways to teach at the stations, etc.

ALL HELP WELCOME!

Snoqualmie Falls

2009-06-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

Snoqualmie Falls you never dissapoint. Even with the dad letting his little kid pee on the sidewalk we still had a good time!

Sunday on our way home from Yakima we road tripped! We stopped at the Cle Elum Bakery and had apple fritters and donuts and then to Salmon La Sac and then after a traffic jam on the pass, Snoqualmie Falls!

Keith and Mikayla jumping into the crowd to take a better look!

This was our fathers day as we'll be leaving the big man on his own this next weekend as we go camping without him. I think we did a pretty good job of spoiling him!

Salmon La Sac - new and improved?

2009-06-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my 2nd favorite campground of all times. Salmon La Sac just outside of Roslyn, Wa.

I grew up going to SLS with my Mom's side of the family and have very fond memories of my Grandpa taking a leap off the bridge into the deep frigid river that runs through the front gates of camp.

We haven't been in a few years, some because of the campground being flooded and rebuilt, some because all of us kids are too busy getting married, having kids, etc. just busy! but the first reason (the flooding) was what I wanted to check out. We knew they had reopened but no one had been to check it out.
Here's my report.
1. There's NO water in camp. they have pit potties now (not that gross except nothing to even wash your hands with (purell needed!) you also have to bring in any water you may need. being 30 minutes from town this is a bit of a hassle. I'd like to have checked out Wish Poosh on the way to see if they have water?
2. the lake on the way to camp (that I don't even remember) is HUGE! it's covering trees and amazing. We'll have to check this out further. it looked like wish poosh was right there?
3. Camp - new pavement throughout but the sites look beat up. there's lots of rocks exposed and the sites look pretty uneven.
4. I did notice LOTS of new stone hearths? they look pretty cool!

And for all you Grahams, look close at these pics, I went to the old combined site and that's what we took shots of. hope you like em!

Sally got married! (oh yeah, I guess Joel was there too!)

2009-06-15T11:34:00.001-07:00

On Saturday we had the pleasure of heading over to Yakima for my cousin Sally's big day! The weather was great the trip was great (except for Mikayla asking in Issaquah if we were there yet) and we had a GREAT time with the fam!

Oh yeah and Sally was the most beautiful bride of all times and she made me cry, I in fact cried through most of the wedding. like an idiot.

And the pastor (Mr. Starr) gave the most wonderful wedding sermon I think I've ever heard. he based it on Phillipians 2:1-4

1 Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others

This exact passage was a theme of my Awana/Sunday School 4th grade girls this year too so I perked right up.

How hard is it in life to "do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourself"

I'm still learning this!

Mikayla and Keith watching the service. SO CUTE!

My office transformation!

2009-06-15T11:27:00.000-07:00

When I first arrived here this was my office space, it's a remodeled closet that I share with my office mate. I have cube in the way of the window and I got the bug... let's make it cute!

Before above and after below

It really did all begin with my love for black and white. I started at Christmas with the black and white paper over the cube wall to decorate for the annual holiday cube decorating, I had BIG glitter red snowflakes and a red tree. But for after Christmas my love for poppies (see my cute purse that I've had now for 3 years!) took over!

Michaels had these really cute rub ons of poppies and I made my pencil cup first, then I went to Goodwill and happened on the rectangle and square frames, they were gold at the time and under 50 cents each so I got black lacquer paint and painted them, took water color paper and affixed the poppies and then stuck them up on the wall with 3m removable tack.pretty good for under 8$ for the whole project. Oh and the black and white paper was a roll of table cloth from Ikea that I got for 3$.

My pencil cup with only black pencils and our cow mascot!

On this particular day I headed down to pike place market and found a bouquet of poppies for 5$ they died the next day but the pictures made it worth it all!

Hope you enjoyed the tour of my office! aka home away from home!

The table is FINALLY gone...

2009-06-09T14:40:00.000-07:00

I'll have to say I'm a little sad. After a year of trying to sell this table (really took long because my schedule is so brutal) I finally sold it on craigslist to a really nice family in Snohomish!

Goodbye my faithful set!

but I NEVER have to move it again! wohoo!

Dad's 70th! chocolate cherry cream cakes!

2009-06-09T14:38:00.000-07:00

What a fun reason to use my tiered cake platters (thanks again Mrs. Spaid for the awesome wedding present!) don't the cakes look amazing!

Didn't they come out great! reminder, do this one again!

FREE CHOCOLATE FRIDAY!

2009-05-15T15:18:00.000-07:00

https://aws.realchocolate.com/

so I hate chocolate but the rest of my family ADORES it! and I know alot of you do too! M&M Mars is giving out free chocolate to 250,000 people every friday, here's the link, you do the rest!

weigh in on this one...Mothers day for you or your Mom? or HIS Mom?

2009-05-08T13:17:00.000-07:00

While hanging out with a bunch of my girlfriends a topic came up that I wondered if all of you had an opinion on? What is your ideal thing to do on Mothers day? take a hot bath, watch some chick flicks, get breakfast in bed, get pampered and spoiled all day, or are you a weirdo like me who just wants to spend some time with my Mom and then play some softball. I don't need a present but it would be nice to be acknowledged for the hard work I do as a step mom, but truthfully, Keith does a pretty good job of the acknowlegement all the time so the one "holiday" a year doesn't matter too much to me.

Do you have a Mother in law or Mom that live close? do you celebrate them while not really getting a day for yourself? or do you wish you Mom was still around to celebrate?

I know people in alot of these camps.

Tomorrow my Mom and I are hitting the road to head to Yakima for my cousins shower and we're very excited to go to the cemetery and visit with my Grandma (Mom's Mom) on Mothers day weekend. She was an amazing lady, Mom and Grandma and it just seems to be a perfect Mothers day trip for us.

Sunday Keith works so Mikayla, Mom and I are going to do lunch with Dad but there's nothing big planned. We have two softball games in the evening so...

So what about you? what are you doing? is there someone you'd like to celebrate? someone you wish you didn't have to celebrate with?

oh and Happy Mothers day to Joyce, Kristina, Niki and all the other Momma's I know. Thanks for loving your kiddos!

game postponed

2009-04-24T11:25:00.003-07:00

Hey real quick, Jordan's game has been postponed, I'll update as soon as I hear.

Real Baseball

2009-04-20T12:52:00.000-07:00

Here's your invitation so you can't say I didn't give it to ya!

Saturday (4/25) 11:30am Alderwood Boys and Girls Club - our little buddy Jordan's baseball game, not just any baseball game but a game that will make you remember the fun of the game and the wonderment of life. Jordan and all the members of his team (and the whole league) have special needs, they have life challenges but on that field those challenges seem to be no biggie. Walker? so, you can still hit a ball without a t, Blind? We have a ball for that. If you want to see something that will amaze you and bring a tear to your eye you should be there.

Keith and I both sat on the fence Saturday just amazed. We both think they should require major league players come out and help out. it'd change some whiny boys attitudes I think.

Here's the link to his Mom's blog, she just posted about their game last Saturday, it was awesome.

http://sbodger.wordpress.com/

See ya Saturday.

The egg hunt to beat all egg hunts... Mill Creek we love you.

2009-04-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

After the 10am edmonds hunt we headed up to the noon egg hunt in Mill Creek, it was AMAZING! huge and over the top! Mikayla and Tiffies group was a full football field of egg, thousands of them! It was put on by the City of Mill Creek and The Journey Church (impressive church!)

Face painting! all done by church volunteers (love that!)

Heather (my twin) and Tiffy!

we waited SO patiently as we got there a full hour early (oops!) and when it was time! whooo! they went for it!

I'm a bucket head.

look at my loot! ;)

Easter Egg hunt in Edmonds

2009-04-17T14:32:00.000-07:00

Saturday I had the absolute pleasure of taking Mikayla (and meeting Heather, Tiffy and poor Taylor tagged along with us!) to the Edmonds Egg hunt, we planned it out that we'd meet and head down not knowing what to expect, it was ok, there were a LOT of kids (they grouped age 4-10 all together) and they had thrown little chocolates and other candies all over the grass and it was a FREE FOR ALL! fun but not perfect...

This is about 1/4 of the kids, it's a TON!
the announcer messed up and said ready set or something and the kids just RAN!

Tiffy and Mikayla picking all the goodies out of the grass.

Halloween at work!

2009-04-17T11:57:00.001-07:00

My dear lovely wonderful Mom picked up Mikayla and brought her all the way downtown to partake in 12 floors of tricker treating! let me tell you, she made out like a bandit! It was her first time coming to the office and she was just amazed at our buiding (she said it looked like I work in a palace! ha!) Mikayla with her visitor badge!

In front of the building!

waiting for the shuttle

shuttling back to the car

Stocker farms! Our annual pumpkin hunt

2009-04-17T11:46:00.000-07:00

Our big annual pumpkin hunt, which really is our big annual photo op. But anyway... We had a blast!

The Johnsons!

Grossing out Mikayla, I aim to please!

Our Pumpkin, getting SO big! dang.

my favorite non person pic of the day, they have JEEP wheelbarows! wohoo!
The annual how tall are you pic!

Dad needs in too, cause you know he's a growing boy too!

The Russell kids and our Wizard of Oz night!

2009-04-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

I owe you all SO many things so I'm starting with this one... in September we had the priveledge of house/kid sitting for the Russells, I have to give CRAZY props to Keith who worked out his schedule so he could spend a ton of time with them during the week and then I had the whole troop on the weekend.

In discussions we found out that they hadn't seen the wizard of oz so I thought we could have a fun Saturday afternoon/evening with treats and the movie and boy did we!

Nathan dishing up witches broom sticks (pretzel sticks)

Andrew and Becca filling up on lollypop guild lollypops.

Keith made it just in time to enjoy ruby red pepper slices with emerald city ranch dip!

Here's our troop!

The yellow brick road with witches broom sticks, ruby red peppers with emerald city dip, lions and tigers and bears animal crackers, green witch face gatorade, follow the rainbow skittles and lollypop guild lollypops (please let me say here that we'd had dinner already! I didn't feed these kids junk food all night, just for movie time)

The kids and I had a blast making signs, setting everything up and then going crazy on the junk food!

So the group concensus? not big wizard of oz fans, some thought it was kinda scary others critiqued the special effects. ha! but we had a fun day planning and perfecting!

love you Russells, you're pretty amazing kiddos!

wow, time flies...

2009-04-03T09:22:00.000-07:00

As I get ready to head off to Women's retreat today, I can't help but think back to a very different time in my life and a very different retreat. So today, I'm having a thankful day of gratitude! It really does amaze me how much things can change with time. Amazing.

I'm a shopping fool...

2009-03-24T14:26:00.000-07:00

So, I officially bested myself last night on the grocery game... 47% savings AND I used my 40 cents per gallon off! wohoo for safeway!

thinking of Niki...

2009-03-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

I’ve been thinking about my poor pregnant sister a lot this week, she should stop reading now because what I’ve been thinking about is what food things will probably put me over the edge when I’m pregnant (hey it COULD happen someday) and this is what I’ve come up with. Remember I love food but I am quirky… here goes.

1. My least favorite now that I’ll probably still hate then? Sweet and sour sauce mixin it up with the rest of my delicious chinese food. I hate when sauce corrupts the rest of the goodness.
2. Eggs with Ketchup. Now don’t get me wrong I like eggs and I like ketchup but the smell, thought and lord knows the taste puts me over the edge now. I can only imagine.
3. Fishy seafood. Yes I know I grew up in Seattle, yes I know I’m supposed to love seafood, I just don’t really. Especially fishy smelling or tasting seafood.
4. The smell of syrup in the morning. I’m not a sweet in the morning kinda person and someone here at work orders pancakes EVERY morning and the syrup smell is enough to make me want to jump out the window. And I’m not pregnant. So what gives?
5. Milk. I already hate it. The smell when you open the dairy case at the grocery store EEEEWWW!

Okay folks, what put you over the edge either now or when you were pregnant. Do tell…

Did I mention my kids a genius?

2009-03-18T11:43:00.000-07:00

Mikayla is a genius. and not just to us ;)

Mikayla was 3 chosen out of the entire 2nd grade at her school (2 classes) to attend the annual Young Authors conference at Skagit Valley Community College. She'll be learning about writing poetry about nature (right up her alley)

She was chosen after writing a short story, when she gets it back I'll post it.

This weekend we both will be going to Jr. Retreat (Berachah Adventure) it will be Mikayla's first time at camp, I'm a little nervous, one about me being there with my 4th graders and NOT smothering dear Mikyala and two, Mikayla's first time getting ready after swimming.

pray for me, I dont' want to smother her! I want her to have fun like my girls do!

I sure owe you all a catch up!

2009-03-17T11:55:00.000-07:00

CATCH UP TIME!!!

I've been threatened with a beating if I don't post an update and "get with the blog" so here goes, and I promise I'll start up with updates again starting now.

January,

We both worked a ton.

February,

We both worked a ton. I'm clocking in about 50 hours each week and Keith always pushes too hard.

We celebrated Keith's birthday (next post I promise!), then Valentines where I worked and Keith closed, no date night for us. Then duelling piano's at the church on the 20th and candlelight dinner at Panda Express with the Muters and Jamesons. Oh and we started softball practice!

March,

the beginning of March has just been fabulous! We've both gotten sick, we started co-ed softball, last week we were SNOWED out, and we worked.

sense a theme?

I'll be posting a few more photo/blogs to get us caught up!

Merry Christmas

2009-01-02T16:44:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Sarah posted this and I just am feeling in the mood! Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, this year it was all black and white with a snowflake touch, last year it was all brown craft paper (which is my favorite way to do it, with raffia bows)

2. Real tree or Artificial? I grew up with the worst fake ever in the history of the world. For a LOT of years I demanded a real big bushy douglas fir but after the Christmas 08 debacle in our house, I bought a fake this year as my ultimate deal of the year on black Friday (7’ tree for 20$!!) It’s ok, if we ever DON’T live in a third story condo I’ll think about getting a real one again.

3. When do you put up the tree? The earlier the better. This year it was the day after Thanksgiving but the ornaments didn’t make it until Christmas. Long story. Keith works retail, so this time of year is UGLY!

4. When do you take the tree down? It’s still up. Because it’s cute and I like it. Tomorrow night I want to sit with a nice glass of red wine and read in my living room with just the Christmas lights, then I’ll take it down.

5. Do you like eggnog? Passionate about it. Mikayla tried it for the first time this year and oh man! New favorite at our house. We couldn’t find it on the 24th and Keith and Mikayla actually called me at work to tell me they’d found it at the grocery store on Monday. Good times.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? Wow, either the keyboard that I begged for for months, or the beautiful cabbage patch kids that my aunt made and the rest of the aunts and my mom made clothes, carriers, etc. for all of us girls. It was an amazing year and probably the ultimate Graham Christmas.

7. Hardest person to buy for? my dad, he’s ridiculous.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Mikayla

9. Do you have a nativity scene? I do, I think I inherited it?

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Neither this year, next year we’ll do it, just too much this year.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A microwave when I thought I was getting an engagement ring. But I needed the microwave!

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I really love Elf a lot. A LOT!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I already started and it’s January 2. ;)

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don’t think so but I wouldn’t put it past me.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Aunt Wendy’s cheesy potatoes and ham with Aunt Sue’s cabbage salad. OH! And Cornmeal mush. With sausage but no syrup.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes, only little white ones though.

17. Favorite Christmas song? This Baby (Steven Curtis Chapman), How many kings (Downhere), Merry Christmas Darling (the Carpenters) and the entire Nat King Cole Christmas album.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? I just want to be in Yakima.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer's? yep!

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? We prefer a snowflake! ;) from our wedding

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Like Jesus, we unwrap our presents on Christmas (Pastor Fred Joke)

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? My husband is in retail, enough should be said.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Snowflakes, silver silver silver with black and white. However, I have broken down and done color and silver ornaments on special request from the kiddo this year. Next year a tree in her room! ;)

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Ham, cheesy potatoes, cabbage salad. I’m an old school purist. And I love laughing at my cousins dipping their ham in ketchup. Crazy Grahams!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Knives and Wii Cheerleading allstars (got the wii game!)

Happy Anniversary!

2008-12-08T12:48:00.000-08:00

Happy Anniversary to us! Can you believe a year ago at this very moment I was standing in front of friends and family becoming Mrs. Johnson. What an amazing year and what an amazing adventure.

I love you Keith.

Adopt a Family

2008-12-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite Christmas memories is the year that my Grandparents decided that we as a BIG family were going to adopt a family in need and make their Christmas AMAZING! I was amazed that everyone pitched in and got in the spirits and I fondly remember being so happy, and I remember that the family was happy but I swear we were happier.

Which leads me to this year.

We are blessed as a family and my office gives us the opportunity to adopt a family. I jumped. I should have talked to my husband first but I jumped. I just felt like we should do this and when I went downstairs to pick the family there it was. a stocking that said " JOHNSON FAMILY OF 3"

Seriously. it was like God said, "hey Kim, this one, this one!"

Now the fun part. The family isn't asking for much. The Dad wants a jacket and some gloves (vague!) and the Mom wants pajamas and a robe and comfy boots (again, very very vague!) and the little 4 year old boy, he wants a spider man toy, big legos, and a big wheel.

I hate big wheels so forget it. ;)

But duplos and me go WAY back. I put my mom on the mission and she found some on craigslist, we're working that angle but...

I'm wondering if any of you have any bright ideas. Great places for good deals so we can stretch our budgeted money on the most wonderful things for this family.

Your help would be super appreciated. Oh and it has to be fast! I have to have everything wrapped and here by the 16th!

Kim cammo

2008-11-20T15:39:00.000-08:00

So this is the pattern on my cubical wall (the black and white)

and this is the sweater I bought and showed up to work in today...

They all say I'm wearing Kim cammo.

One word...

2008-11-18T13:09:00.000-08:00

If you could have a favorite word, either that describes you or your outlook on life what would it be?

Mine is HOPE

now lets hear yours...

The times they are a changin!!!

2008-11-17T10:55:00.000-08:00

Our insane family life has hit the SUPER INSANE point. love it some moments, hate it others! I owe you all an update so here it goes...

Keith and I BOTH started new jobs in late October. The same week actually. which was an interesting experience that I don't suggest. We didn't time it that way, it just happened. He went to training for 10 days while I started my new position. Training brain has set in our household. the laundry needs catching up on but yknow, there's just some things that can wait sometimes!

Mikayla is doing great, she tested to be placed in an advanced class and passed but is waiting for a slot to open up, this will be a big change for her as well. We're thinking that after Holiday break something will open up but who knows!

We're jumping into the holiday season, trying to figure out what to do for Thanksgiving. (do we go with the family, do we do our own thing, do we go on strike about the whole thing and go to McDonalds) it's a challenge. My family is 3 hours away for their big day, Keith opens at 4:30 in the morning the next day, the weather is never predictable, etc.

I'm loving my church kiddos right now, Awana and Sunday school are in full swing, I have a few of the same girls both Wed & Sun and that has been so wonderful! Yesterday was the first day of selling Angel Breakfast tickets (much more on that later) and we sold over 100 tickets in between services. Insane.

Last weekend we took advantage of Keith having time off of work and escaped to Canada. We went up and stayed in Richmond and played in Vancouver. It was great after Keith being gone that long to just be the three of us! (next post on the amazing hotel we stayed in!)

I owe you some back posts and may try to do that as well! Kid/House sitting at the Russels, Pumpkin patch, Our last baseball games of the year, etc.

See ya soon!

In perhaps the most humorous snl skit ever...

2008-10-20T11:08:00.001-07:00

I caught this on SNL and just had to share. I love me some Sarah!

are you there???

2008-10-15T12:38:00.000-07:00

Yes I'm here. It's been just too crazy for words! I'll be posting A TON tonight from our adventures with the Russell kids to our last Mariner game for the year! Hope everyone is doing great!

my ketchup wall! the how to...

2008-09-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

I'll start from the beginning. First off, this DARK DEEP RED, that was a feat on it's own. I painted a primer coat, then three coats of the red. I painted it so thick that alot of my edging came up when I took off the tape (and then had to be hand done)

Here's the wall. I just love it.
Then I spent a couple evenings putting the whisk up just where I wanted it on the wall. I purchased the vinyl art from a lady on etsy.com. If you don't know about etsy, it's my favorite website in the known world. It's like ebay only everything is hand made! amazing.
Once it was where I wanted it I did the rub and then carefully began to take off the backing, All while using my fingers to make sure that the whisk was adhering the way I wanted it to.

And here's the finished project! all my red pots and pans and my aqua accents look so amazing.

Jane IS the cutest. There's even been a vote.

2008-09-26T12:12:00.001-07:00

Our very dear friend has the most adorable granddaughter I think I've ever seen. While at softball he mentioned that his daughter had signed her up for this thing in Mukilteo called cutie pie of Mukilteo sponsored by a local photographer. We knew they'd be in the parade and the announcement on who was the winner would happen afterward down at the festival.

Here's Jane in the parade with her Mommy and Grandma (she's the youngest hottest Grandma I think I've ever seen...) We had so much fun cheering for them when they came past! Jane was smiling the whole dang way!
Here's Jane at lunch right before the big announcement. Don't you agree that she's pretty stinkin cute!
So we waited and waited through a delay in the show and then the photographer got up and without any lead up or dialogue announced that Jane was the winner! She'll be in a ton of print media for next years contest and they received a HUGE amount of photography for her for the year. Congrats Jane! We love you!

Mukilteo Lighthouse festival!

2008-09-26T12:05:00.000-07:00

We met up with the Lewis's for the lighthouse festival, starting with the parade just a few blocks from their house. I highly suggest this parade, it's the most kid friendly parade I've been to yet! lots of candy, lots of home town, just great!

The biggest float of the day, the Tulalip, who pays my mortgage indirectly! ;)
Mikayla sitting right before the parade started. Once it started the kids were down on the sidewalk collecting as much junk as they could!
Josiah being hugged by his uncle Matt who was, yes people, pizza. Good times. After the parade we headed down into Mukilteo for the festival. The festival was fantastic! not as many food options as we would have liked but plenty of pizza for the kiddos! I had salmon dinner which was great! And yes the picture shows that I'm imposing my political beliefs on my kid. she has no idea what that all is about, she was just excited for a sticker! You can't see clearly but Josiah's shirt says ladies man, he got comments from EVERYONE about it. gotta love it.

open house

2008-09-26T11:59:00.000-07:00

Mikayla has started the 2nd grade! We attended her open house and spent some time with her teacher and blew a ton of money at the bookfair. So it was a success right? Keith and I both so enjoyed getting to see her in her weekday environment, meet some of her friends and see that she's so happy and smart and being nurtured to grow!
blurry picture of the back of the class.
Marina looking over the front of the class.
Mikayla's journal where she stated that she loves the winter because she gets to sled down MEDIUM hills with her Daddy while her step mom doesn't sled because all she does is take pictures (and blog them right??) she even drew a little camera. I was impressed at her handwriting and spelling, she's just so dang smart.

On that note, her new favorite thing to do with me on a lazy Saturday? watch the show about the pet cops on animal planet, get out her notebook and take notes on the show. seriously. I'll have to take some pics cause it's just so cool.

Ketchup anyone?

2008-09-05T17:12:00.000-07:00

Just a sneak peak before I share the "how I did the wall" post. Here it is in all it's glory! The ketchup wall as I'm calling it!

I'm uploading photos from the last couple weeks tonight and will be posting posting and posting late tonight! Things are going great, Keith and I are still getting fit and we're well into "normal school year" mode.

Darrington

2008-08-28T23:20:00.000-07:00

I had the pleasure of going with Keith and my Dad up for a "day in the life of" my Dad today. We went and picked up a load of wood, met the guys he works with, it was SO fun!

What a beautiful trip up to a beautiful place.

our pants don't fit

2008-08-26T12:34:00.000-07:00

Newsflash! Keith and I both are too skinny for our pants. What a huge day!

The blog may be a bit quiet for a few days, for updates on our crew check Tammy and Sarah's blogs and Niki too! That'll teach me to not take pictures!

kisses!

could she be cuter??

2008-08-22T10:25:00.000-07:00

Sunday we headed out for our family camping trip and Mikayla ACTUALLY LET ME DO HER HAIR! I can count on one hand the amount of times she's let me touch her hair in the last 3 years, but this day, she said sure why not. HUH? So I made pig tail buns and told her about Princess Leia and she loved them. So I ask you people. How cute is this kid! Oh and bonus, the outfit is super cute right? shirt and skirt under 7 bucks. together. yeah baby. :) She is my human barbie doll!

Front and Center

2008-08-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

The aquasox love continues! Last night we had date night at the Aquasox. It was Edgar Martinez night and unlike the nuts that were standing in line from 4pm, we didn't meet him. That's ok. We had a great time in our FABULOUS seats (row 1, seats 1 & 2, right behind the batter). Both of us love sitting and watching ball so for us, this is the perfect night out.

We took our seats at the beginning of the game, Keith and I both loved seeing the game from that spot and about 2 innings in we looked to the right of us and there was Brad. Yep our pastor who was skipping out on softball just like we were ;) We had a fun little chat about the guys injuries (we must be getting old) and the game. Gotta love it.

I attempted to do my standard self portrait and Keith decided it was prime time to ham it up, hope you enjoy his humor as much as I do. This is what happens when you turn the camera on my husband. Yes, in public.

This coming school year could be my favorite yet!

2008-08-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Some of you know that I work with our church's AWANA program and Sunday school and in my ideal world what is shaping up to happen this coming school year is exactly what I've always wanted!

For 4-5 years I've been working with boys on Sundays, the need was great and I had so much fun being a tom boy with them but alas, I'm burnt out on boys. This last year put me right over the edge, it wasn't because the boys were bad or any different than any other year, I'm just different. So I was ready to take a year off and do some adult things, an adult sunday school class perhaps? but that never felt right either.

Our childrens director was totally with me and understood, we were talking about me working every other Sunday or some such, I don't know that she knew that I'd rather be with the girls but she must have had some divine wisdom.

She called last week and left a message and I called her back yesterday to find out that...Next school year? Sundays I'll have a group of 4th grade girls AND a helper who used to be one of my Awana girls so let's say we know each other. Wednesdays I'll stick with the 3rd graders (I love the newbies!). I hope to make bonds with these ladies and be there for them with their questions, prayers and hopes.

I'm so stinkin excited! Bring on the school year!

Keith's Mom is GETTING MARRIED!

2008-08-21T15:48:00.000-07:00

News flash news flash! Keith's Mom Joyce is getting married in early November. Time to start saving for airfare! I have no further details yet but will keep you all posted. Kristina, fill us in! Lord knows you got more info out of your Mom than your brother my dear husband did.

Looks like Oroville in November??

Time to start begging to help! need a bouquet? I'll bring the punch bowls! ;) YEAH A WEDDING!!!

The big change in our home...

2008-08-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

Let me preface this post by telling you this is probably the first and last you'll hear me talk about this subject because normally, I hate when people focus on their diets, health fads, etc. but with the big changes we've started I thought I'd share some of the new loves of my life :) it's the off season of softball and Keith and I have decided that we need to get our lives organized, shed some baggage (weight and stuff) and do a all around purge this fall/winter.

I started this 5 weeks ago when I finally decided to get on track with my fitness/body image. My goal is not weight related, my goal is to be able to chase my kiddo (who is getting VERY fast mind you) without getting winded, my goal is to have a healthy diet that will keep me healthy. Lord knows my genetics are stacked against me so why make it worse! The weight? well that's a bonus. This week I will hit the 10lbs lost marker and it only gets better from there.

So meet my new friends, Weight Watchers and VEGETABLES!! at first I had to force feed myself veg and now I've figured out how to sneak them into almost everything! Watch for some recipes that we've found that we LOVE!

Meet my other new friend. The Danskin weight ball. Keith and I are working with this little bit of loveliness every night, we've started out with small time and reps and our goal is to work up to 50 reps with the three excersizes we're doing. All in the hopes to get my swing up to knocking the ball out of the park next season! I really thought I'd hate this but I'm having a fun time with my hubs and that's always a good thing!

Meet our other new friend. The Wii Fit. I'm telling you right now, this stupid thing has changed my life. I RUN home to get on the thing. I'm learning Yoga poses (I RULE at the Warrior) and I'm working on my balance which is just horrible. I love to hula hoop, I LOVE to do the ski jump and I'm the step aerobics champ in the house.

What a fantastic weekend!

2008-08-19T10:59:00.000-07:00

First off I have to apologize because I was SO busy with everything that I did not take but two pictures all weekend. There were shutterbugs everywhere though so soon enough I'll post photographic evidence of my fantastic weekend!

Friday night started with a paper airplane contest here at the office. Which I won. yep. totally smoked the hoity toity architects ;) My plane was simple and fun and crushed the goal of throwing from the mezzanine of our office into our lobby.

Friday night I headed for home, collected the projects I needed to finish that evening and headed to my parents house to see Niki, Greg and Addie who had flown up from LA that afternoon. Finished the melon kabobs (thanks to the rest of the family because I had some crazy allergic reaction to the melon?) made a few more tissue balls and all of the other odds and ends got tied up too.

Saturday morning I went to my WW meeting, (lost .9 more!) and then to the grocery store to get the items for the punch, the party store to get the balloons and then Fred Meyer to get the sticky stuff to put up the sign and tissue balls.

I arrived back at the condo at just about 10am, got everyone up and showered and cute and then we collected all of the party stuff and headed down to the cabana to meet my parents and sister and the rest of the family and get the room ready for the party!

Food out, decor up, game ready and off we went into party mode!

I'll post more party info upon arrival of photos! My sister, cousin and uncle are all supposed to be getting photos to me so hopefully tomorrow. It was beautiful and my Mom had a great birthday!

Sunday we headed out to Belfair state park to camp with my Parents and sis and bro in law (and neice) and we had a great ferry ride/drive over, the campground is stunning, but it rained. and rained some more. It got so bad that yesterday we headed into town to bowl and hang out at the mall because there was nothing we could do at camp in the rain!

We came home last night, dropped off Mikayla just after 8 and came home and just passed out. What a fantastic weekend!

I just want to sleep in, is that too much to ask???

2008-08-14T13:37:00.001-07:00

This has turned out to be a week where I would KILL for a little more time in each day. Last night was softball, tonight is Bunco, tomorrow night Niki and Greg and Addie are here and Saturday is the party for my Mom. Am I ready for said party? heck no. do I have enough minutes left in the remaining days to GET ready? no. Will I make it happen? heck yes!

Still to do:

Buy food, punch, balloons and sign stakes. (thank goodness for the party starting at 1pm!)

make signs for punch bowls

get out votives, vases, etc and start assembling the "take to party" box

finish tissue poms (done with 6, need 20 more) HA!

put labels on water bottles

finish tidying the condo

empty mess in car and reload camping gear (did I mention we're camping Sunday and Monday, oh yes we're nuts)

and I've been staying up WAY too late watching the olympics, I'm a dang addict.

bummer

2008-08-14T13:32:00.001-07:00

Last night was our big chance, we'd never even made the playoffs before and yet we found ourselves playing in the championship game! To say we were excited might be the understatement of the year but alas, the nerves are not good for the soul.

We had to lose two to get knocked out of first place and they did it to us (we did alot of it to ourselves as well) So we ended the season as the 1st place losers (my way of saying second place, and yes I quote Ricky Bobby often) but yknow what. It's still FAR above what any of us could have hoped for and we got a really neat trophy that I cannot wait to have at my desk (we're sending it on a tour of everyones spaces)

So thanks everyone for a fantastic season. I know I'm not great and for the most part I can be a liability but man did we have fun. Here's to an off season of getting fit and ready for next year!

BLUEBERRIES!!!!!!

2008-08-13T13:20:00.000-07:00

I had THE MOST LOVELY Saturday morning I've had in some time. I went to my weightwatchers meeting and continued my downward spiral to down the hill to not chubby anymore land ;) then I went home and called Cori and we hit the road!

First trip. Manna Mills. She was looking for gluten free food, no problem there and I was on the hunt for a few things to supplement my snackiness and breakfasts and found them! rice crips (look like a skinny rice cake) that I can eat tuna on (1pt people!) and almond breeze (almond milk) a great milk substitute for those of us who really shouldn't push it with dairy. Fantastic trip. reminded me of trips there as a kid when it was the Natural Foods warehouse. My Mom used to drag us kicking and screaming in that place. oh but now. I get it...

Then we headed out to Snohomish to Blueberry Blossom farm. A blueberry farm that a good friend had told us about. 1. 25 a lb for u pick blueberries.

aren't they beautiful!

We then headed to Stocker farms in Snohomish in the hunt for raspberries but alas, due to the rain that morning no one was picking. The fruit is just too delicate for that. But we did find some corn, green beans and snap peas. good score there!

We then headed back towards home and stopped at Trader Joes. I got a great Carne Asada roast (which we ate for one dinner and topped a homemade pizza with last night! YUM!)

much needed girl time!

party preperations...

2008-08-13T13:11:00.001-07:00

My Mom is turning 60 in 4 days. Holy cow. Her party is this Saturday and my sister and I have been having so much fun planning! The party is at our cabana and is going to be some party if I can get everything done while still having a game tonight, going to bunco tomorrow night and leaving everything for Friday and Saturday morning. good times.

The above is one of our punch bowls based on the pic below and the tissue poms and tulle I wanted my sister to see.

we're having blueberry limeade which will look VERY similar to this picture and Cranberry Raspberry Orange sparkler which will look similar to the punch with the oranges in it farther down. Aren't they gorgeous!

Today I have to print the labels for the water bottles and finish some poms tonight. Thank goodness the olympics have been on late to keep me awake until midnight! ;)

How are my friends in their 40's??

2008-08-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

Our dear friend Brian celebrated his 40th birthday this weekend. His wife threw him a WONDERFUL suprise party and we enjoyed ourselves beyond all. It was out at some friends house and let me tell you. this house... beyond anything I've seen. GORGEOUS!
Here's the birthday boy.

Dean and Todd playing some ping pong.
The Ric, Todd, Mick and Brian. This was the MAN game of the day.

Kent is telling us something VERY important.
aw, thanking his wife for a nice day!
Marshall on the grill!

Keith doing his best to put away a dog.

The presents. Prune juice, in a victoria's secret bag. outstanding.

Happy Birthday Brian. And thank you Susan for all the work! It was a beautiful day to celebrate a very cool guy.

Again with aquasox love...

2008-08-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

Saturday night we had 3 tickets for the Aquasox game and since Mikayla was spending much needed Mommy bonding time in Sedro Woolley we took our friend Katie! Katie is our really good friend's daughter and one of my favorite kids of all times so we knew we'd have fun and when we have fun, everyone has fun!

Here's Keith and Katie, they weren't psyched about me having the camera out all night but they were good sports. It was frogstock at the park that night so there were lots of prizes and goodies, we ate hot dogs, too much junk and won a couple fun things too!

Aww shucks, self portrait

The grounds crew does a dance just like at the mariner games! Thriller, it was HILARIOUS!

Toss a ball. you buy a ball for a buck and get to toss it after the game from the stands to try to get it into one of the hula hoops they place on the field. I LOVED this!

And the best part of the night? FIREWORKS! olympic themed even. love it!

favorite elements of the fairy festivities.

2008-08-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

Some of my favorite elements of the big day...

The giant size pixie stick wands. I posted the tutorial but here's some helpful hints.

1. get heavy duty paper, what I purchased was silver origami paper and it was as if you had glued aluminum foil onto copy paper, too thin. Melissa came over and cut these all out and then we used white glue to stick them together and to the pixie stick. You'll need LOTS of heavy books to weigh them down!

Angie and Jeremy came over and helped me tie ALL the curling ribbon onto the wands. Aren't they the cutest!

I ran into a hot deal at safeway on the roses. I love flowers.

always have a pen handy for kids to write their names on their cups (and adults too!)

pixie sticks in the vase for the adult sugar hounds
pixie stick bundles for all the kiddos
Fairy fluff punch (raspberry sherbet & sprite) YUMMY!!!
the cute cutlery!

decorate your cupcake

2008-08-11T10:15:00.000-07:00

What's a busy working fairystepmother to do when time is out and you haven't even MADE the cupcakes yet, let alone come up with some cute way to decorate them to match the party??

Get smart...

First off a big thank you to Cori who made 48 cupcakes the day she had Mikayla and Josiah home with her (ON HER DAY OFF!!!) we talked it through and came up with this.

A decorating contest! That way each person can decorate their OWN!!

The table turned out so cute! Cori brought the undecorated cupcakes and frosting and I made labels for the sprinkles that said "PIXIE DUST" and we let them go for it!
bring to the fairy stepmother for photo and judging!
Mikayla working on her masterpiece!
Claire's looks pretty good to me!
Mikayla and Rebecca working on their cupcakes

Stephanie with the Bodger Family cupcake (that looked like a cute fairy!)

Cori and her tinkerbell special!
Dave and his... plain cupcake. real original dude.
Leah used cucumbers, blueberries and confetti to make a butterfly! Love it!
And lesson number 580, don't buy those sparkler candles. NO ONE can blow it out. I will say, it was fun to watch her attempt it! ;)

Fairies everywheries

2008-08-11T10:03:00.000-07:00

Back to the party...

My favorite part of the party? Good friends and family who as grown adults will don a pair of wings. WAY TO GET INTO THE SPIRIT OF THINGS! we had so much fun cracking up at each other and dancing around with wands and wings. I totally get Mikayla's facination with pixies and fairies. what a fun make believe world!

So here's the pictures of us grown ups acting silly. Boy did we have fun!

we could be the champions people!!!

2008-08-07T14:15:00.000-07:00

I play softball. alot of softball. Keith plays softball. alot of softball. we play together and on our own respective teams and the womens team that I'm on (our church sponsored team) took third place in league (6-4) after years of having fun for years but almost always finishing the season with a losing record. not this year!! WE'RE EXCITED! last night was the first night of playoffs and we won BOTH games! It was just so much stinkin fun!

This is a posting from my hubs blog. He's excited for us. I had to post it here too! I'm just so tickled that he wrote this for us (and to us) I married well.

FROM KEITH

When I came on the scene there were games every wednesday night without much hope for victory in sight but you you all played it for the fun! The passion and excitement that you all played the game with was evident, although I thought you guys were crazy it was always something to behold. Here is a dedication to you all.

Wednesday games were played for fun
coming out each game under the sun
Now, look what you've done!

some women left some stayed
And the games still got played
playing for fun not getting paid!

this year something diferent was in the air
Beany and Ellen even cut their hair,
kids crying, heads spinning
from all the games you were winning
a sight to see Bonnie cracking the whip
ACC is headed to the championship!

Jen came and Rose to the top
And nita pitched while Lisa brought some POP!
Margaret went on a hitting spree
Tracy still ran fast on a bad knee
Young Kelsey ran down every ball
Kimi got more hits to fall
Andrea smacked some hits to the crowds chants
And Cori hit better than Mr. "hot Pants"

After running through the players roll call
here you are standing tall
just one more thing one more tip
Have fun your in the championship!

Just look what you've done!
If I missed someone who should be included let me know and I will add the name or names. Great job women It was a blast getting to be a part of all the fun! Thanks for showing us how to enjoy ourselves! Now let's play this game already and hoist that trophy!

us girls, muscles and all!
Thumbs up, we're the winners!

Hey if you get a moment, one of our teammates is having surgery today (Nita) to have an implant put in so she can hear! it will be very exciting to see her hearing us!

Thank you notes...

2008-08-06T15:31:00.001-07:00

Everyone was so generous to baby girl that she's going to get a hand cramp from all the thank you notes she has to write! WOW! Thought you'd want to see some of the fun things she received for her big birthday!

Cori and Lupus research!

2008-08-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

I don't do this normally but, My dear friend Cori has Lupus. Which just plain sucks. I wish for nothing more for her than to be able to wake up refreshed and feeling great but that just doesn't happen much.

So in the name of Lupus research for others like Cori whose bodies just don't get it! I've added a thingie on the right to donate to her campaign for Lupus research. If you feel lead, she's got a goal of 2500$.

Mikayla's birthday fairy festival!

2008-08-04T13:26:00.000-07:00

See this kid? yep she's cute. She's also WAY into all things fairy...

So this year the theme and fun all revolved around a fantastic fairy festival! Happy 7th bday miss priss!
The entry with the giant pixie stick fairy wands, tutorial on that one to come. Thank you Melissa, Jeremy and Angie for making these! Don't the look GREAT!

Our "cake" undecorated lovely cupcakes with all the fixins (including fairy dust) to decorate for our competition. The sign said "Faith, trust and pixie dust" " please decorate your cupcake and bring to the fairystepmother for a photo and judging" easy way to do it and everyone had SO much fun with it! Thank you Cori for baking all those cupcakes!
And the most fun?? The adults got in the mix. Fairy wings, wands, crowns, sparrow men hats. Oh yes it was quite an afternoon. This is my husband and my Dad acting like clowns. or fairies. you choose. lots more to come soon!!!

Melease

2008-08-01T10:14:00.001-07:00

Last night, Cori and I arrived early for the dinner, my work/bus schedule and she had an errand to run ahead of time meant that we both arrived about 30 minutes before the crew. We grabbed a table in the bar to talk (cause we can always manage to do that!) and I looked across the bar and saw this girl that looked JUST like my friend from College. Waiting tables? Couldn't be...

So the bartender comes back to us and I ask him, Is that girls name Melease? He turns around and says "yeah, do you know her?"

KNOW HER! ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!

Melease was one of my first real friends when I moved to Walla Walla. She and I cheered together for two years (6 days a week, 7 months a year, you get to know your girls!). I stayed with her family when I came back early for cheer in the summer before Fall quarter. Her Mom was our coach, and the Dean of Students and my Mom while I was there. And every time I see a Rottweiler I think about her dog Spencer. Her Mom taught me my famous snicker salad!

Melease took me to my first college parties, she was the one that invited me over to the party where I met my ex husband (maybe I should kick her for that...). She made me wait tables with her at a steak house in Milton Freewater. She could carry 6 cast iron skillets of steak out and I'd drop the two I was given. I remember more than a few nights laughing, crying, yelling at each other... yeah, I might know her.

But she'd fallen off the planet, I hadn't seen her in probably 8 years? But it was so fun to see her! She gave me her contact info and I'm going to make her come out for coffee to catch up. So much has happened in the 8 years for me, I can just imagine her too!

Bye Laurie! We'll miss you!

2008-08-01T09:56:00.000-07:00

Last night some of us girls got together to wish a fond farewell to our friend Laurie who is leaving us for California. We met at Anthony's home port in Everett (NOT EDMONDS LORENNA!) and had a great time eating, talking, laughing like we do. I've decided we need to do this more. lots more. Cause it was a good time.

Here's our group! Me, Reine, Laurie, Sarah, Lisa, Sherrie, Tracy, Cori and Lorenna.

I think we were telling George Lopez jokes here? not sure...
Lisa, Laurie, Sherrie and Tracy.
Lorenna and Cori are deeply in like with each other. Either that or they just wanted us to all laugh? you pick.

Doesn't Sherrie look pretty tonight!

Lots of funny jokes, stories about family camp, good times we've all had! What a great fun time!

Tracy's trough of salad. 20$ of salad is dang huge.

Laurie picked up and left this morning with the UHaul and we're going to miss her terribly! Thanks for letting us have a fun night celebrating you out!

while visions of fairies dance through my head...

2008-07-30T16:39:00.000-07:00

Mikayla is turning 7 in 4 days people. her party is Saturday. I have about 1% of what I need done accomplished.

But these things always work out right? And I'm no less a fairystepmother if we have a sheet cake and friends right? ;)

Well, if you know me you know that sentence doesn't flow. I'm done with ideas for food, treat bags, treats for everyone attending (even the adults will get their pixie dust!).

I think I'm ready... I just have to shop for the food, get the favor bags done, glue gun 35 fairy wands together, prep the craft, find a prize for the game, yeah. I'm almost there (she says smirking)

I need some pixie dust myself I think!

THANK YOU THANK YOU!

2008-07-29T09:52:00.000-07:00

Well with Marina still recovering we've become full time parents, a new gig for me, Keith is an old pro. We've had her 3 of the 4 weeks in the last month (family camp, VBS week and now this week) and this week has been well, interesting. We're tired. And I can only imagine that my Mom is tired (Mom's had her all day for a few days now!) We both work full time and with no lined up childcare, we're juggling! Thank goodness my Mom is around! I don't know how you working parents do this.

We've had a TON of help and I'd like to take a second to thank some people!

My Mom - who is laid up with a bum leg and still made VBS happen last week and is watching her Mon, Tues, Thursday this week. Thanks for keeping her busy! She's been having Mikayla write a list of things she can pick to do all week so she doesn't hear "I'm bored" genius. I'm hitting Michaels tonight for more things to add to that list.

Cori & Dave - Thank you so much for taking her with you to your company picnic Saturday, she's still talking about laser tag! And Cori gets her ALL day Friday too, THANK YOU!

If you want to see how much fun she had Cori has a great slide show on her blog HERE and the picture above of her and Josiah, love it!

Karli - who heard what was going on and jumped in to take her off my Mom's hands for a few hours today! THANK YOU! Mikayla loves hanging out with you guys anyway so this is PERFECT!

Play dates are always welcome!

Keith is off and with her tomorrow and also getting off early to take her to her game Thursday (IN BURLINGTON!!!) he's my hero.

Plan for next week? If Marina still isn't feeling up to it I've looked into having her at the boys and girls club, Josiah is there too so they'd be unstoppable and the price is right. We're just playing it by ear.

Tourists in our own town

2008-07-28T13:12:00.000-07:00

It's turning into an annual tradition. Our Tourists in our Own Town day of fun. This year we tried to do things that were free/cheap, things we haven't done (one of them I hadn't even done) and kid friendly.

Keith picked up Mikayla from VBS and headed downtown. He arrived at my office around1:30 and we had until 4:30 when I had to be back at the office to relieve my receptionist for a dr's appointment. Handy that we were down here anyway, love when it works out!

We started with a walk up to Uwajimaya, I've taken Mikayla but Keith was a first timer. He didn't love it, I knew he wouldn't but he was a sport and tried. We walked around the store first and into the Hello Kitty section and then hit the food court. I FINALLY tried Pho and loved it. Beef broth with onion, scallion, thin sliced beef, rice noodles, bean sprouts, lime. it was SO good. Keith and Mikayla went for basic chinese take out. Orange Chicken, rice, chow mein. He didn't love that either. Next time Korean BBQ I think. or Hawaiian pulled pork that looked AMAZING! After lunch we hit the road and went under the city into the bus tunnel

Mikayla in the International district bus tunnel station waiting for our northbound ride.
We took the bus tunnel north to University and walked up a few blocks to the Seattle Central Library. It's gorgeous! The kids section is huge and we spent some time there researching Basilisk lizards and then headed up to the Columbia tower.

The Columbia Tower is the best and most inexpensive view in town. for 13$ for the three of us we had an almost 360 degree view on a beautiful day. (the space needle is MUCH shorter and more than that per PERSON)

They played in the rotating door a couple times. How funny.
Smith tower and my home in pioneer square, the red circle is my office.

I-5 looking south into the International district.

Looking North into downtown.
The Harbour, my old view. the water was beautiful!

Qwest Field in the distance

Two huge cruise ships over at the south pier, there was yet another up at pier 69. Busy tourist day!
Green roof. I'm a nerd but I think it's pretty cool!

We then headed to Magic Mouse toy store and didn't spend a cent. I don't know how. Mikayla loved it there. So did Keith, there's so many great family games, toys that use your imagination. It's a great place!

We then headed back to my office and Keith and Mikayla played on my computer while I was up at the front desk. Mikayla drew my boss Larry a picture, it was so cute.

We headed home and sent Keith in to get the BIG BIRTHDAY suprise ready and Mikayla and I went to the Safeway up by Tracy's to kill time and find my Kashi and instead we ran into Jim. Yep it finally happened. It was fine, short and sweet. I did however not waste any time in getting out of there after that and back to the condo we went to start playing

The Wii. yes people, we broke down and bought the Wii. It was Mikayla's birthday present, my mothers day present, his fathers day present, our whatever else present. let's say we won't be getting ANY presents for a while. And we went easy on Mikayla's party (i.e. no aquasox party or libby lu for her this year!) and it is SO FUN!! I can't even tell you how fun it is.

We stayed up way too late playing Mario Kart and bowling. good times.

Better than premarital counseling

2008-07-28T09:26:00.000-07:00

I've decided the best way to find out how well a couple is going to work out is to have them build something together. Be it Ikea or in our case a Target dining room table and chairs. I think they should make you do this at your marriage encounter class or your one on one visits with your pastor. Only he can't help...

I ordered this gorgeous table and chairs to fit in our little cute dining room. I have had my eye on this thing for months and it finally went on a really good sale (30% off AND free shipping). It came in one GIGANTIC box. Evil sign number one...

Keith drug it in off the porch and brought it into our dining room and we started hacking into the 4 times covered box. Talk about over packaging but it came safe so that's all I care about!

My husband is not normally handy but man is he getting good! He put together 3 chairs and the table (with my assistance in handing him pieces and tools) and we did great (he also changed light bulbs this week!)

Last night we sat at the table for dinner. Real live dinner at the table. what a great thing. And it fits in the room so nicely that the room looks BIGGER!

Marina is home!

2008-07-25T09:43:00.000-07:00

Marina was discharged yesterday. Wohoo! She's home resting, not quite comfortably but resting.

Keith and Mikayla went up for her soccer game and then went to their house for visit. Sounds like she's doing much better, just healing and getting that blood count back up. Keith says she's still pale in the hands (for a tan gal pale is strange I'm sure). They had quite a talk. Something we've been praying about for a long time.

We've been praying for Marina and our family and friends have been so wonderful to her (and our little strange family) and it's not going unnoticed. The chaplain stopped by to visit with her and asked if she goes to a church and she said that while no she didn't her ex husband, daughter and me are very involved in a wonderful church that had great people. So thank you guys, you're showing Jesus in your actions and it's definitely making an impression. Some of you sent cards to her in the hospital, I know who you are. Thank you. She needed that and so did we.

Keep praying for her, she's got a long healing road ahead of her to get back to work! We're working out what to do with Mikayla next week. If anyone can help out with watching her we'd take any help we can get. My Mom is working out what she can and Keith will take one day off next week but we're hoping to put the word out there and find someone for next week, even half a day.

Fairy party time!

2008-07-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

The birthday party planning is well underway. Last minute...

We're doing a fairy party for Mikayla on the 2nd. BBQ at our cabana, pool, hot tub, games, the Wii (more on that later) and two little crafts but for the most part, not as big of a thing as I've done in years past.

So I was looking for an easy inexpensive gift to give everyone (kids and adults) and look what I found (click the picture for the link to the tutorial on how to make)

Large (16 inch) pixie stix filled with candy powder (1 for each guest)

Shiny gold paper (thank goodness we're going to Uwajimaya later!)

Star shaped cookie cutter (I don't think I'll need this but whatever)

Permanent black marker

Curling ribbon (we will match the wands that were ordered for the party)

Hot glue gun

Aren't they cute! I'm going to make these ahead and put names on as guests come.

Also, we ordered green wings and wands and I ordered supplies to make fairy halos that we'll do as our craft at the party.

I also have two bags of little pixie sticks that I'll bundle together with ribbon and a tag thanking the kiddos for coming. And we're doing mini cupcakes with fairy dust for the kids to sprinkle on the cupcakes.

Anyone have any other fairy good ideas?

Two cute things from this week (already)

2008-07-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

I talked to Mikayla after VBS on Monday and she told me they made an animal out of a pipe cleaner and she tried to make a monkey and it didn't work so she made a snake.

A SNAKE OUT OF A PIPECLEANER! That's hilarious.

she was deadly serious which is more hilarious...

She and my Mom made cupcakes for Marina and Mikayla and Keith took them up and they got a great little visit with Grandma and Papa too! the cupcakes were LONG gone when they left! I'm waiting to hear if Marina gets out today, Keith will call with Mikayla later.

Thank you for all the prayers and thoughts and some of you sent cards! you're so sweet! I can forward anything too so let me know!

Kent and Allen Seats at the Mariner game!

2008-07-22T09:47:00.000-07:00

Last night we had the pleasure of resting our behinds on these lovely recliners up in left field. Boy if you ever want attention, this is where to sit. I won the tickets at Girls night out a few weeks ago and we had a blast sitting here all night!

So cuddly, the end of the game it started getting cold but I was PREPARED! Keith was in shorts and flip flops, silly kid.
self portrait!
A random man took this one. always fun. All night strangers were giving us the "hey how'd you win those?" I must have told the story 15 times.
Here's the only drawback. If you like to WATCH the game like we do. The seats aint for you. They actually sold these seats in front of us the day of, to say it limited our view would be the biggest understatement of the year. They also weren't the best folks to have in front of you. they had HUGE hats on, she kept putting her kid on her lap so as to obstruct the view MORE and when we asked if they could move down a couple seats they got all mad and then the usher asked them, man it was pretty lame. But you know what, we still had a fun night. I was trying to keep book and Keith had a little view and was giving me play by play. good times. this was the view for a few minutes while the one lady moved down.

in the 6th inning we were told to be in the seats because we would be up on the big screen and we told Kent and Bonnie to be there! Here's them in the seats! We had a GREAT dinner with them before the game at Pyramid. Thanks guys we had a blast!
Hey Olivers!

Then the Grounds came up. These two (Keith and Andy) frighten me greatly when they're together. They share a brain or something.
Here's Vanna I mean Andy showing us Jacquelyn.
The Rohrenbachs called while we were on the big screen and came up for a visit too. Isn't Sethy cute.
Then Jason and his buddy came up from their 4th row seats! They were really slumming up with us!

The other bummer, we were so excited about being on the big screen that I have NO picture of it. darn.

It was a terrific night, I'd like to thank my parents again for keeping Mikayla overnight so we could go play. From the report we got after the game they may have had more fun than we did. They got to go out for Chinese with the Olsby's. Mikayla LOVES hanging out with the Olsby's. Probably because the George/Dean combo pretty much ensures she'll get whatever she wants.

what is a family anyway...

2008-07-21T08:43:00.000-07:00

preface...

1. Mikayla spent the weekend with her Mom (which I can't remember happening before) because we are going to have her all this week for VBS at our church!

2. Mom took she and her 14 year old aunt camping near Deception Pass for the weekend.

3. I dropped Keith off at work with the thought that I'd be picking up Mikayla at 7, then swinging by to get him after work and get to our 8:30 co-ed game that evening.

3. I was home cleaning after dropping off Keith with my phone on vibrate (because it beeped in church so I shut off the ringer and forgot to turn it back on). Don't do this, here's why.

At about 3:50 I had this weird feeling that I should check my phone. I actually did the, oh no Keith probably has called me from work to check in and I've had my ringer off. Well little did I know how big of a deal that would be.

I had probably 12 missed calls. From a very upset husband of mine. When I called him the first bit of news I got just sent me into MOVE MOVE MOVE mode. Marina (Mikayla's Mom) had been rushed to the hospital and was in emergency surgery and Mikayla was terrified and I need to get to the hospital in Anacortes IMMEDIATELY. oh geez. Nice work Kim.

In the whole "not being able to get ahold of me and not having his car" distress he had called Cori and being the wonderful friend that she is she had gotten up from her nap and when I called, was just there to pick him up and get him up to the hospital. I was abotu 15 minutes behind them and speeding most of the way while friends and family found out where I and Keith needed to get to. Keith was getting a little more of the story on the way up and we ended up at the emergency room at Island Hospital by a little before 5pm.

Marina's dad met Keith and filled him in a little further (out of earshot of Mikayla) about the situation and what had all happened that day (we were still getting part of the story from Mikayla at 10 last night, she's definitely consumed with it all) From what we can all put together. They all went to bed, Marina not feeling well on Saturday night. Sunday morning she couldn't move anything but her arms. Elaine and Mikayla went to the Camp host for help, who then called 911 and the girls all got to ride in an ambulance (that's the exciting part for Mikayla) to Anacortes and Marina was IMMEDIATELY rushed in for surgery.

The doctors told the family that we're all very lucky to still have Marina with us. She lost half her blood. I'm going to keep some of the details of the whole thing private because quite frankly it's not what is important. What is important is that she'll be in the hospital recovering for 4-5 days and then home to her parents to recover a little further.

When we got to the hospital Mikayla was fine. She seemed still a little excited/flustered about the whole day. Meeting medics, doctors, family arriving, going back to camp to pick up, etc.etc. it had been quite a day already. But she seemed to be doing pretty good. She was smiley, excited to see Mommy when they finally let the family in and playing with Elaine and jumping around and stuff. I the cautious one started watching her immediately trying to get a read. She was just being 6. Processing all of what happened and totally fine to see Mom and still totally fine when it was time to go.

We left the hospital and headed over to Burlington to stop at Haggen and get some dinner and she was asking LOTS of questions and telling us more and more of what had happened that day. I think it was that she was finally alone to think about it all but on the way home she started getting more and more quiet. And the questions, oh they were fun. We cried together. We had lots of hugs (all of us) and we tried our best to all take care of each other. Seeing Marina and watching Mikayla with her has me just so weepy. Last night, I was a mess. This morning, I am a mess. Mikayla seems just fine. A little shook up but kids are SO reselient!

We had an excellent talk and chat about how God takes care of every little detail in life. How God had protected them all and how every single timing thing had just worked out.

We prayed together last night. Mikayla's second time praying (it's been a thing people, I aint pushing her on it) but last night we all passed out together and before it we prayed for Marina and our weird and wonderful family. Mikayla prayed that the doctors would take good care of Mommy and she'd feel better real soon (lots of questions about pain and how bad things hurt and how well medicine works, etc). Daddy prayed for Mommy and the whole family and Mikayla to have a good week. I prayed a thankful prayer of gratitude. I praised God for taking care of Marina. I thanked him for putting the right people in the right places for the girls to get help and for Mommy to get the help she needed. I don't even want to think about what would have happened if one thing hadn't gone right. It's just too much for me to deal with.

So today I'm thinking about my little family and how lucky we are today. I'm also thinking about how bored Marina must be so I'm collecting magazines and if you want to drop her a note I'm going up on Tuesday for a visit.

Oh yeah, it's her birthday tomorrow. talk about crummy.

One year ago Sunday...

2008-07-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

This coming Sunday we have co-ed and I'm already thinking about it. Wanna know why?

It was 1 year ago that Keith and Mikayla proposed to me during that exact game last year! Click here for the old post.

I'm A WINNER!!!

2008-07-17T14:56:00.000-07:00

So..... two weeks ago Tracy called and I had the pleasure of seeing a very clean bathroom and piggiing out at a Mariner game, remember?

While I was at said game we filled out a ton of entry cards for stuff (It was girls night out so there was lots of stuff going on) and I filled one out at the KOMO 1000/Star 101.5 table. I even made a comment about how I won tickets at the beginning of the year from them so was I eligeble and she said yes so I filled the thing out.

They called yesterday. Swear.

I won 2 seats up in the Kent and Allen Recliner seats (up high on the corner in actual recliners!) and a 50$ gift certificate for Pyramid alehouse!

Isn't that COOL!

Keith is going to meet Bonnie and Kent at the church and come down and we're all going to dinner (on Star 101.5's dime!) and then our seats aren't TOO far from Kent and Bonnie's. I'm so excited!

So this Monday we're battling against the Red Sox (oh who am I kidding, we're going to get slaughtered!) but we'll be on the big screen in our cool seats (and usually on tv too so make sure you watch the game!)

Why you don't leave your camera laying around in another camp site...

2008-07-16T12:04:00.000-07:00

I'm telling you now. I'm keeping this clean unlike my girls did...

If you walk away from a campsite and leave your camera for your friends to mess with, they will. I got back to the site, picked up my camera and took a look and though, huh? must be the wrong camera. oh no. it's not...

dang you girls are evil.

packing up. lame.

2008-07-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Keith was scheduled to work at noon on Sunday so Sunday morning when we woke up we ate some quick breakfast and started breaking camp. Folding blankets, organizing clothes, putting the stuff in the jeep, taking down the tent, etc. When he left all I had to do was help my parents pack up (which they are VERY experienced doing so it's pretty dang easy)

After camp, I headed north to drop off Mikayla, then headed back past camp and to Country Burger, got Keith lunch, dropped it by work and headed home. I ran into the Thorsteinsens on the road 2 different times on the way home. hilarious.

I rested about an hour and then headed out to our co-ed game. I'm tired. ;)
Keith and Dad getting the tent BACK into the bag. not an easy job!

Mom packing up camp. boo hoo.
our last view of camp
the Schmidts and Gates leaving. lame too.

Sunday - church outside the way I like it

2008-07-16T11:56:00.001-07:00

Sunday we were able to have church outside in God's creation! It was beautiful! Fred gave a great message, we sang some fun songs and Mikayla played in the dirt. Good times.

aren't my parents CUTE!
Singing with Nan! Hi Nan!

family camp - cute people.

2008-07-16T11:52:00.000-07:00

Lauren is cute people. for sure
Sherry and the family are SUPER cute too!
That Lisa, she's pretty cute (AND AMAZING!)
And Jordan. he's off the charts.
Self portrait. I'm cute when I get some color! WOHOO!