Very interesting..............

It's been a crazy week - busy working lots to get ready to go away with my man for a week!!  Cannot. Wait. Been. Too. Long!!!!!

For those of you who don't know - I'm adopted and for the first time ever this past week I've had contact with both my birth brothers from my birth father and they sent me a pic of my Birth Father - very surreal!!  Hoping to meet them soon!  Am sooooo excited!




Here are a couple of the pics.............This one is of my Birth Father and my two brothers.

 This one is of my Birth Father in 1990 - he passed away 10 years later.

Packing for a trip with all these new restrictions for bags, checked and carryons...........oh my!  It's almost more stressful then getting my work caught up enough to go!

I  promise to share pics of warm and sunny places..............TBA!

I need one of these......................

My kitchen is pretty fabulous.......but it is missing one of these!! :)

We went to Whistler with the kids last weekend and we always have one meal here...............

We all love it and it is such a treat.  I'm thinkin' dieting would be easier if I could just throw some vegies down with a little sauce in the middle of my kitchen every night :)

Great weekend.......the only thing missing was the sunshine :(

A Day in Seattle

This last week was Spring Break for Em's school and so she headed to Arizona with the school choir on tour.  She turned 17 while she was gone (first one of my kid's b'days I've missed ;{ ), and on her b'day they sang the National Anthem at the Diamondbacks game.............................

Em on the right with her friend Lily

 

 

 

 Since Randy and I were temporarily empty nesters we decided to have some fun too, so on Wednesday we spontaneously headed to Seattle for the day.  We checked out the Marina there............definitely planning to take the boat South this summer.  The Marina is right downtown at the waterfront...............

Fried Macaroni & Cheese - our appie

 We had an early dinner at the Cheesecake Factory - My most favorite meal ever is from there....it's the Chicken Madeira and I didn't get a picture cuz I was so excited to dig in when it arrived!!

 

We ended up by going to the Ballard Locks and arrived just as a tug was bringing a barge through - very cool!  I hadn't been there before and the park is absolutely breath taking right now with everything in full bloom.  Definitely want to go back on a warmer day (don't you love my afghan?)

More to come later on what else we did.

My girl gets home late tonight - can't wait - it just wasn't the same without her around!

A girls weekend

Saturday morning we headed down south. I let Emily take a couple friends and I took a friend and we shopped, saw a movie, spent the night, shopped - and came home!

I only took one picture because I didn't want the wrath of my daughter (I don't know how she expects to have pictures in her photo album!!). We were sitting outside Starbucks waiting for the movie to start and I snapped this picture without them knowing. I just had to capture this moment!!
All three girls were sitting there texting, Mikki had just put hers down to take a drink when I snapped the photo. Doesn't this just describe this generation??

We went to see "The Last Song" - personally, I loved it! It was a very good movie, very clean and make sure you bring kleenex! I definitely could see it again, and I'm not a Miley Cyrus fan.

On the way down Sat., we stopped in Marysville at the Outlet Mall and I spent all my shopping money (I had some thanks to my sweet hubby) in the first store we went in - Ann Taylor - what a sale they were having!!

Sunday we headed to Alderwood Mall. It was a beautiful day and Val and I enjoy coffee and then later, lunch outside while we soaked up the sun.

Hope you got to soak up some sun this weekend. Next week promises to be even better!!!! Yeah! Now if someone could just turn this blasted wind off!! I MIGHT take pictures of what I acquired just to show you the awesome deals I got!!

Finally!

We had planned to take Brandon and Alex out to the islands on Saturday if the weather cooperated - and it DID!! Alex is from Alabama, so we wanted to show him one of the gems of the Pacific NW - Sucia Island, and the San Juans.

Captain Randy - Happy to be out in the boat again! (Pardon the cheezy grin!)
Our friend Katie came along for the day - she always adds great conversation and lots of laughter!! :-)
Leaving the Marina.....................
Nothing like a campfire overlooking the ocean! Perfect day!
We had lunch, the guys kayaked, we snacked, laughed, visited, had some great conversation, and enjoyed God's beautiful creation! It always amazes me that God cared enough for us to give us beautiful places to enjoy - to HIM be the glory for the gorgeous place we live!
On the way back, Randy had Alex captain the boat. He loves having people try out the captains chair and showing them the ropes!

Back to reality - and weather not suitable for boating! This week's forecast is NOT looking stellar, so I guess I have Saturday's memories to live off of! Brandon is back at college and our household is down to 3 and quiet again - I already miss him!

Life lessons

Last week we were blessed to spend 5 days in Palm Springs (thanks Debbie and Marty!!).

We headed out EARLY Tuesday morning with Emily and her friend Sarah (wonderful BFF Marla chauffeured us at o'dark thirty!!!)
and hopped on Allegiant in Bellingham direct flight to Palm Springs.

We arrived in PSP about 11AM and Marty picked us up at the airport. He and Debbie own a spot at Outdoor Resorts and they have a beautiful 5th wheel parked on it, along with great outdoor furniture and beautiful pots of flowers. They let us use their Honda Element that they leave down there, so we were all set!
Here's where the life lessons come in........................this is a HUGE resort, about 1200 spots! It's a small city. It's obviously full of middle aged to "God's waiting room" aged people and as I watched these people come and go I saw something VERY CLEARLY!

IF I DON'T TAKE CARE OF IT NOW - IT ISN'T GOING TO MOVE VERY GOOD LATER!!!! Seriously - there were people that I reckoned lived their lives like me - hating exercise!! And then there were people playing tennis, riding bikes, walking, etc. and they were having fun!

So - what does this life lesson mean?!? ......................for now I don't know....................but something HAS TO CHANGE...............stay tuned!

More vacation pics to come.

More Olympics!

Not a lot to say, just want to share some more great pics from our day at the Olympics!

This was the last run of the night - AND - it was the team that won the gold medal. We were so close!! I asked Randy if he thought I would get arrested if I patted them on the head as they went by.......I just got a "look" :-)!
We walked (hiked) up to the top where the race begins and stopped for an anniversary picture - 24 years that day! So glad he's mine!

The timing on this one was a miracle - first bob sleigh of the day and I caught him going right over the circles!
Me and BFF Kathi enjoying the sunshine! Thanks for taking us along - great day! After all, you were standing by my side 24 years ago today (we haven't changed a bit!!)
The girls - Kathi, me, Hana and Jodi! What a fun group of gals I got to hang with. So fun getting to know Hana a little bit! Always a treat to be with Jodi too - although I must say I have camera envy now!
Stopped for dinner at Boston pizza on the way down with everyone, and they brought us a Anniversary dessert - NUMMY!!
Happy Anniversary Honey! (Do we look tired and wind/sun burned or what?)
A great day with great friends!

You've got to be kidding!!

Yesterday we headed up to Whistler to attend the Olympics - couldn't have had a more beautiful day!

We left here at 7AM and once we arrived we headed into the village to stroll AND to get red mittens!! These red mittens are the #1 souvenir of the 2010 Olympics,and they cannot keep them in stock.

When we arrived to the official olympics store, we encountered problem #1 - a line up to GET IN THE STORE! Can you believe it - and of course we waited in line!! As we were waiting in line we heard the sad news - problem #2 -only junior mitts were left! ARGH!! It wasn't even 10AM!! I decided once we were in the store that I was going to go look at the kids mittens to see if I could fit into a XL - I do have small hands and I was desperate!! I got over to the bin and it was apparent the only size left was SMALL. I dug around hoping to find a pair, but I didn't.
What I DID find was one mitt - YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING!?! My hand fit into it and now I was determined to find it's mate. I didn't want to ask any of the others digging in the bin, because if they found the mate, it could've turned UGLY!!

I turned and quietly asked a clerk if she thought there might be a match and she stated that sometimes they fall under these big bins, she bent down and voila' pulled up a dust bunny filled glove with a tag - adult size s/m PERFECT!! Happy, happy, me!
Now, as you can see, I fit in with the group!
Lot's more to blog about the Olympics, but since I won a gold medal in Red mitten shopping, I figured I'd better share this first!!!

Did you say "Olympics"............

......why yes I'd love to!!!!
Sunday is our 24th (woo hoo!!!) Anniversary and we are going up to Whistler to watch the Bob Sleigh Event (I've been told NO ONE calls it the Bob Sled - that is incorrect!). BFF Kathi picked up tickets for us when they were up there on LOVE day, so we'll be heading up the hill at o'dark thirty Sunday morning! Can't wait -for the Olympics that is - not too fond of the o'dark thirty idea!

Enjoy the beautiful sunshine today - I'm STILL NOT WEEDING (my hubby did spray for weeds in some areas outside, but I am not responsible for his irresponsible behavior in Feb. ☺)

A little R&R..............................

Last Wed. night I headed to Boise to spend a few days with my BFF Judy and her family. I try to get over at least once a year and I always am so sad to leave when it's time to come home.

Judy and I are "foodie friends", and if you don't know what that means you won't "get" this picture!! :-)
We picked up a chocolate cake that they had been sampling at the store (we're such suckers - what can I say - it was NUMMY!!), and Thurs, evening we had the kids cover their eyes...........................(Notice we put forks in their hands too!!)..............................
......then we told them to open their eyes and the 4 of us dug in.................. I must say those McKays know how to have fun!!
This is how I spent a lot of hours while I was there. Either a latte' or diet coke in hand reading scrapbooking magazines! Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Just what the Dr. ordered after my January!!!
This was Hailey's week to be Star Student, so Friday Judy and I headed to school to hear Hailey do her "presentation" on herself and then we "stole" her away from school early and went out for Ice Cream! I love being an "Aunt" that can spoil!!!
Hailey is taking piano lessons, so I got to play a duet with her - I LOVE IT!! Keep practicing Hailey - you're doing awesome!! A natural!!
I didn't get any pictures with Spencer - but I had a blast with him. He's 16 and such a fun kid! We went out for ice cream my last night there. Spencer is the best big brother anyone could ever have - I'm so proud of him!

Back to reality, but I love being home! I worked yesterday, came home made tater tot casserole, enjoyed dinner with Randy and Emily and then putted around in my office until I fell into bed (see previous post) from exhaustion and was asleep by 9:15!!

P.S. I did work on my Daily December album and I only have 2 days to go.............pictures of completed project coming soon!!!

Thank goodness for angels..............

Did you know that when you board a flight in Seattle at 10:45pm and the flight is SUPPOSED to arrive in B'ham at 11:45pm - IT DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK?!?!?!

Yes, I just spent 5 great days with Judy and family in Boise - but it did not end pretty. I'll blog the good stuff later - this is for venting............

I booked the last flight out because it required fewer airmiles for a ticket. My sweet husband had called and said he would stay up late and pick me up instead of dropping my car off for me in the parking lot (for those of you who know Randy - staying up late is a HUGE act of love).

When we started boarding the flight they mentioned that there was fog in B'ham and it could become an issue (flashback to my travel agent days: FOG + TINY AIRSTRIP=no landing!!). The flight attendant said "the captain says it looks fine and shouldn't be an issue - jump forward to 11:45........................"folks, this is the flight deck and we need 1/2 mile visibility to land and right now we only have 1/4 mile so we're going to stay in a holding pattern for 30 min and hope we get a window to land". Now, jump forward 30 min. "ladies and gentlemen, the captain has turned off the seatbelt sign if any of you are needing to get up and use the restroom".......................................I'm not stupid, I know what this means!! I had been watching B'ham from overhead for 30 min now - the marina, the mall, grouse mountain, the little dipper, I could see cars, ambulances heading somewhere - clear as far as I could see.........................anywho - we headed back to Seattle!!!!!!!!!!

Randy headed back home. They offered us a $50 rate at the Ramada Inn, but we had to be back at the airport by 6:30 to check back in - that would be $10/hr to sleep - no thanks. I decided to just sit it out at the airport.

The VERY SHORT version is a gal from our flight was sitting in baggage claim waiting for her sister who was driving down from Abbottsford to pick her up (yes I'm right on the way home and I was biting my tongue!!). The young lady was a beautiful Christian gal and she and her sister brought me straight to my front door-they offered - God is so good!!!! It was such a blessing and I so enjoyed talking with 2 young married ladies that are serving the Lord.

I crawled in bed at 4:15AM - but in my own bed - and I didn't have to pay $10/hr to sleep - although if you divided our mortgage by 30 days............................I'm not going there!!

To market, to market, to buy a.............

This last Friday night I headed down to Seattle - the big city if you will!!

I took Em and her friends to a party and then hit the freeway South. I have money that Nathan gave me for Christmas that I had not spent yet, so of course I stopped in Marysville at the Outlet mall! I was able to unload all my money at the GAP just fine! I know everyone has a place that like to get their jeans and I must say, the GAP is that place for me. My favorite is the "long and lean" jean - not that I'm long and lean - but they work!!

After about a 1 1/2 hour stop I headed on down and met Trisha, Lavon and Kim at the hotel. From there we went to the Cheesecake Factory and enjoyed a great dinner and of course CHEESECAKE!! Then, we headed back to the room and looked over the catalog with the rep we would be meeting with the next day. Of course, those 3 are the masterminds and I just watch in awe as they pick things out and talk about trends and looks. You know me, I did give an opinion now and then (probably more than I should have:-), but they definitely didn't need me.

You obviously needed a scarf to be in this group....................
Wouldn't you just love to know what is in those bags?!?!?
The days were long(these girls are night owls), and my feet thanked me every night when we crawled into bed. But it was such a honor to be asked to join them and I am so blessed to have a job I love and have bosses that treat me so well. Of course you throw my friend Kim in the mix and it made for a great weekend!!

On the road again!

This last weekend brought a last minute trip to Boise to see Brian and Judy.
We decided that our good friends needed some encouragement, laughter, and US! We headed out Friday afternoon about 3pm with Dan and Marla and arrived at McKays at 3AM! Judy knew we were coming, but Brian had no clue - we wanted to surprise him. I called about 11pm (Boise time) and asked him how long it took to get to his house from Pendleton, OR - he answered - with kind of a confused tone, and then I told him he'd better get a blanket and lay down on the couch cuz' we'd be there in about 3 hours! What fun! I love surprises - and he was pretty blown away!

The NAG-IVATORS - the term Dan decided was appropriate for us - ok only me!
We had a blast! We literally did nothing, but eat (a lot!), relax, laugh, pray together and only left the house to run to the grocery store and to church with them on Sunday morning. I did fit in a cookie making session with Miss Hailey - how I adore that girl.
I also got to give Spencer a "wet willy", which he hates -so I give him one every time I see him - all I have to do is lick my finger and head for his ear and he tweaks out :-) - love that boy!
Of course Hailey talked the men into playing "Pretty Pretty Princess" with her. The women took their turn so the men had to too!
I took LOTS of pictures of them once they started putting the jewelry on - but I just couldn't reduce their manhood and post them on the blog. I will however put them in my album someday - so if you want to see them............................:-)
We left Boise about 9:30 Monday morning and the drive home was beautiful over the pass in the sunshine with the changing colors.

What a blessing to spend a weekend with friends far away. The visit was long overdue, and we promised we won't wait so long for our next road trip to Idaho.
The only thing that would've made it perfect, would be if Jeff and Kathi could've come along. We will definitely be making a road trip come springtime with the whole group!

Love you McKays - you blessed us quite possibly more than we blessed you!