Oh, bummer. Where has my summer gone? It has been a pretty good one, considering I've only been to the beach oh...maybe 4 times! Counting Chelan and Birch Bay! Not good! But, Kian, Jeff, and I all have somewhat of a tan, although they will disappear fast, and I'm proud to say we got them while using sunscreen!
Today I had the honor of hosting 4 mothers/friends from MCEP (Marysville Cooperative Education Program) to paint my classroom while another one stayed home with Kian and Brooke from 8:30-1:30! I am so blessed to be part of this program! We worked from about 9-1 and got 2 coats of paint up! It looks so lovely! Now I can move forward in high speed finishing putting everything in its place.
Tomorrow, the kids and I have a lunch date with a friend of mine (I hope they are happy enough so we can actually visit for a while). After Kian's afternoon nap, we will head to Family Day at the Casino for food, fun, rides, and the like! We have another playdate Thursday with my friend Tamara, who has a little girl Brooke's age and a little guy who's 3. Should be fun!
Nothing else too exciting...Jeff started back to school to get his BA degree online with Arizona State University and I'm stressed about getting everything done for school...it will work out. Thank you, Lord, for all of our blessings, but most of all for our health, happiness, and peace.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
a Hunting we will go, a hunting we will go...
Well, we started off our day, today, August....ummm.....Tuesday, August 16 hunting for breakfast. Yes, apparently that's what you have to do in Birch Bay on a Tuesday, even in the middle of the summer. One might think that many places would be open for breakfast. But, no. We asked at a restaurant last night where a good breakfast place would be (we aren't eating out that much, just happened to be two meals in a row.) Thunderbird Cafe, right down there past the intersection. We rode our bikes down last night around 7 and it was dead. Apparently, they don't serve dinner. So, we set off on our bikes this morning around 9. We headed north to the Thunderbird, but it was still dead. We see no hours, nor people. We give up on that place. We turn around and head south to the little place by the C Shop (our fave ice cream stop.) Choices, choices...hmmmmm....breakfast sandwich or breakfast burrito? AND they are both pretty much microwaved breakfasts...not out of the freezer, but still. Burritos for us, and they weren't bad.
We continued south after breakfast to find the State Park. We head along the water, then I spot a sign that says, State park 1 mile, take a left; even though the road we're on continues right along the water. So we take a left and head up a quick but steep hill (I'm pulling Kian), along a country road with no shoulder and rough pavement for what seems like a few miles, at least! We finally find the State Park and head in. Through the woods we go, coming out on a familiar looking road right down by the water. Huh....we coulda gone that way, avoided the big hill, and gone probably a little less far. Oh well, it was good for us!
We meander back (and by meander, I mean, weave back and forth across the road-it was very quiet and I was having fun looking at the water, the beach houses, etc.) Jeff makes fun of me, but I love it! We stop to talk to a sweet older lady trying to sell her boat. Take it she's a widow, very sweet, no idea what to ask for it. Jeff gives her a little advice, she admires Kian (who doesn't!), and off we go again!
Kian goes down for a record setting nap of 15 minutes, lunch, and then we're off to the beach to hunt for out dinner! A fellow condo0-dweller recognizes us and sees us digging stupidly in the sand for clams that break apart even with Jeff's hands. They tell us to move south a few hundred yards to the rocks...those manillas just fall into your hands. JACKPOT! A minute later, we find gold. Kian's happy sitting on a bed of seaweed, sucking on rocks and clamshells while we are breaking our backs digging for tomorrow night's dinner! But, alas, an hour later we both have our limits! We trudge back to the condo for Kian's LONGEST record breaking nap (sea air is the ticket, I think!) of a little over an hour, then we're off to the pool!
My darling husband doesn't love the water, but to appease his sweet wife and play with his adorable son, he joins us and I am so happy! I love our little family playing in the pool and soaking in the hot tub.
Oh yeah, during Kian's shortest nap, mommy managed to bake a new recipe of pecan brownies (I threw some choc. chips in them too) with a peanut buttery goo on top! They are DELISH! I shared some with the front desk and maintenance, and a co-op family also staying here...they like me now! LOL!
We are gonna be sore tomorrow....
We continued south after breakfast to find the State Park. We head along the water, then I spot a sign that says, State park 1 mile, take a left; even though the road we're on continues right along the water. So we take a left and head up a quick but steep hill (I'm pulling Kian), along a country road with no shoulder and rough pavement for what seems like a few miles, at least! We finally find the State Park and head in. Through the woods we go, coming out on a familiar looking road right down by the water. Huh....we coulda gone that way, avoided the big hill, and gone probably a little less far. Oh well, it was good for us!
We meander back (and by meander, I mean, weave back and forth across the road-it was very quiet and I was having fun looking at the water, the beach houses, etc.) Jeff makes fun of me, but I love it! We stop to talk to a sweet older lady trying to sell her boat. Take it she's a widow, very sweet, no idea what to ask for it. Jeff gives her a little advice, she admires Kian (who doesn't!), and off we go again!
Kian goes down for a record setting nap of 15 minutes, lunch, and then we're off to the beach to hunt for out dinner! A fellow condo0-dweller recognizes us and sees us digging stupidly in the sand for clams that break apart even with Jeff's hands. They tell us to move south a few hundred yards to the rocks...those manillas just fall into your hands. JACKPOT! A minute later, we find gold. Kian's happy sitting on a bed of seaweed, sucking on rocks and clamshells while we are breaking our backs digging for tomorrow night's dinner! But, alas, an hour later we both have our limits! We trudge back to the condo for Kian's LONGEST record breaking nap (sea air is the ticket, I think!) of a little over an hour, then we're off to the pool!
My darling husband doesn't love the water, but to appease his sweet wife and play with his adorable son, he joins us and I am so happy! I love our little family playing in the pool and soaking in the hot tub.
Oh yeah, during Kian's shortest nap, mommy managed to bake a new recipe of pecan brownies (I threw some choc. chips in them too) with a peanut buttery goo on top! They are DELISH! I shared some with the front desk and maintenance, and a co-op family also staying here...they like me now! LOL!
We are gonna be sore tomorrow....
Monday, August 15, 2011
Gotta love Birch Bay
Well, we are in the throes of enjoying our weeklong vacation in Birch Bay, thanks to Mom and Dad Bray! We arrived Friday evening, after a somewhat busy day doing errands and packing. I kept feeling like we were packing too much, so I left a few items off the list, and now regret that. I wish I had brought Kian's little floatie for the pool, but we'll survive without it. Turns out, we forgot quite a few things that were more important, so Jeff actually had to make a run home Saturday morning. While he was at home, we realized the main thing he THOUGHT he had forgotten, was here all along. Even as he was driving back, I also realized I forgot to pack extra swim diapers. When he arrived back here, he found out he had packed no shirts...only undershirts! Soooo, a trip to the mall was in order for Sunday.
Our goals for the week are:
1. Eat out once a day (except for ice cream and/or shave ice...that's allowed every day!)
2. Spend a little time almost every day out on the beach, swimming in the pools, and biking.
3. Relaxing, reading, sleeping, napping, resting, you get the picture!
The resort/condo here at Birch Bay feels as if maybe we are in Hawaii, or at least another state. It reminds me of the Worldmark resort in Kihei, Maui. The condo is right across the street from the beach, and there's somewhat of a view from almost every unit. We are on the back side this time (we were here when we got engaged, Friday, June 13, 2008), with less pool noise but more maintenance noise. But, we also had some cool ambiance music from the bar across the parking lot yesterday afternoon! Having a one bedroom unit, and having a son who is used to sleeping in his own room, we are making due by putting his pack-n-play in the closet! No jokes here, please! It is working pretty well, though Kian is often up before 6, where at home he is not awake until 6:30-7 sometimes. Still hoping it will get better before we leave. At least he is still sleeping all night and taking decent naps.
Kian experienced his first taste of an ice cream cone Saturday afternoon. Daddy let him taste his...he soon regretted that, since Kian confiscated it and made it his own. Better Daddy than me...I don't know if I would have let go so easily! We have the cutest pictures of the four steps of take over! Sunday evening, Kian warranted his own, kiddie cone! More laughs and giggles were had by Mommy and Daddy, as he devoured his own cone, down to the last bites! Mess was made, but hey, it's vacation!
Some time was spent shopping for groceries and shirts yesterday (Sunday), and we got to have lunch with friends Shawn Jenkins and her family between winning soccer games for daughter Dominique!
We are off now to listen to a presentation for the condos, which will bring mom and dad 1,000 points, and a gift card for us! Hope it's worth it. We'd love to own, but just don't have room in the budget for now.
Happy Summer!
Our goals for the week are:
1. Eat out once a day (except for ice cream and/or shave ice...that's allowed every day!)
2. Spend a little time almost every day out on the beach, swimming in the pools, and biking.
3. Relaxing, reading, sleeping, napping, resting, you get the picture!
The resort/condo here at Birch Bay feels as if maybe we are in Hawaii, or at least another state. It reminds me of the Worldmark resort in Kihei, Maui. The condo is right across the street from the beach, and there's somewhat of a view from almost every unit. We are on the back side this time (we were here when we got engaged, Friday, June 13, 2008), with less pool noise but more maintenance noise. But, we also had some cool ambiance music from the bar across the parking lot yesterday afternoon! Having a one bedroom unit, and having a son who is used to sleeping in his own room, we are making due by putting his pack-n-play in the closet! No jokes here, please! It is working pretty well, though Kian is often up before 6, where at home he is not awake until 6:30-7 sometimes. Still hoping it will get better before we leave. At least he is still sleeping all night and taking decent naps.
Kian experienced his first taste of an ice cream cone Saturday afternoon. Daddy let him taste his...he soon regretted that, since Kian confiscated it and made it his own. Better Daddy than me...I don't know if I would have let go so easily! We have the cutest pictures of the four steps of take over! Sunday evening, Kian warranted his own, kiddie cone! More laughs and giggles were had by Mommy and Daddy, as he devoured his own cone, down to the last bites! Mess was made, but hey, it's vacation!
Some time was spent shopping for groceries and shirts yesterday (Sunday), and we got to have lunch with friends Shawn Jenkins and her family between winning soccer games for daughter Dominique!
We are off now to listen to a presentation for the condos, which will bring mom and dad 1,000 points, and a gift card for us! Hope it's worth it. We'd love to own, but just don't have room in the budget for now.
Happy Summer!
Friday, August 5, 2011
Chelanagain!
We got to spend another short weekend in Chelan last Sunday and Monday, but it was better than the long weekend we had a couple of weeks ago. We got to spend time with friends, go out on Kian's first boat ride-he loved it, of course-and spend time at the pool and the beach.
Summer has finally popped out here in Western Washington, though just barely...only a few minutes or so above 80 degrees, but I don't mind much! I like this 70+ degree weather, not too hot, but warm enough for summer fun! We are headed to Birch Bay up north for a week with Kian and hope the weather holds pretty well for us, since we will spend lots of time biking, playing on the beach, and swimming in the pools at the condo, thanks to Grandma Janie and Grandpa Brian! My nephew Matt will stay here to dog/cat sit for us.
We just had a family picnic in place of a full-on reunion, since hardly anyone from out of town could come (Happy to see Kelly Jo and her family from Georgia and cousin Ron with his granddaughter, Summer from Oklahoma). It was nice seeing aunts, uncles, cousins, and 2nd cousins that we don't get to see very often-we all live around here from Deming to Sedro Wooley to Camano to Marysville but life happens.
We are off to Anacortes for a while again this weekend to see Bray family for birthday celebrations! Should be fun! Kian is walking everywhere now, though still pretty wobbly. It's so much fun! He's going to keep us busy!
Summer has finally popped out here in Western Washington, though just barely...only a few minutes or so above 80 degrees, but I don't mind much! I like this 70+ degree weather, not too hot, but warm enough for summer fun! We are headed to Birch Bay up north for a week with Kian and hope the weather holds pretty well for us, since we will spend lots of time biking, playing on the beach, and swimming in the pools at the condo, thanks to Grandma Janie and Grandpa Brian! My nephew Matt will stay here to dog/cat sit for us.
We just had a family picnic in place of a full-on reunion, since hardly anyone from out of town could come (Happy to see Kelly Jo and her family from Georgia and cousin Ron with his granddaughter, Summer from Oklahoma). It was nice seeing aunts, uncles, cousins, and 2nd cousins that we don't get to see very often-we all live around here from Deming to Sedro Wooley to Camano to Marysville but life happens.
We are off to Anacortes for a while again this weekend to see Bray family for birthday celebrations! Should be fun! Kian is walking everywhere now, though still pretty wobbly. It's so much fun! He's going to keep us busy!
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