Seattle

Since it has been MONTHS since I have seen my sweet niece, Esme, I decided it was time to go to Seattle and visit her - and Paige and James! It was just me and Olive traveling this time and it was fun to have some one-on-one time with her - that just doesn't happen very often these days!

On the last day - actually on the way to the airport we went to Pikes Market. It's one of my favorite places. Here are Olive and I with the crabs.


Here we are next to the famous pig - Jesse and Tricia just got their picture here a few weeks before.


Olive and Esme got matchy-matchy "I love my Auntie" shirts - they had to show them off:


We spent a day at the Tulip festival. James' company walked in the Tulip Festival Parade in La Connor - then we went to Tulip Town to get some pictures with the beautiful flowers - Olive and Esme got to be matchy-matchy again!



Shawn got to spend some QT with Joss and Jackson in Phoenix. I got updates daily on the goings-ons. They took 5 PM naps and stayed up till 1 AM, they slept under tables, they got to see How to Train Your Dragon, and spend some time with Little Gramma. I didn't ask a lot about what they were eating (although I did notice about the same amount of fruits and vegetables were still in the fridge when I got back), but when I came back, they were happy and healthy - with the exception of Jackson's eye - apparently no one knows what happened to cause this! When the momma's away...


Thanks to everyone who helped in getting me there. Thanks to Paige and James for taking good care of me while I was there. Thanks to Shawn for being an awesome husband and daddy to be 100% willing to take on this challenge. It was a breeze for him!
I'm so lucky to have this AMAZING family of mine!

Roller Derby

Last Saturday we went with Rod and Kathy to the Roller Derby. The Brawlerinas vs the Surly Gurlies. I thought it was amazing. It took awhile to figure out the rules and how to score points, but once we figured it out it was very exciting and fun to watch.

There wasn't a bad seat in the house (unless you got smashed into by a Brawlerina).


This blurry guy in the green was one of the mens Roller Derby-ers, Quadzilla. He was definitely the best! When he was the jammer, the other team didn't stand a chance. During half time of the girls bout, he had people lay in the lane and he'd jump over them. He kept adding more and more - I couldn't believe he cleared all these people, and I couldn't believe how stupid these people were to lay down there!


Towards the end, Joss informed us that she had finished watching - so we left a little early - but it was fun - something we haven't done before!

Renaissance Festival

Every year for about 8 weekends the Renaissance Fesitval comes to Phoenix. We decided that we should finally go! They have this midevil town set up with jugglers and magicians and they have an amazing jousting show. It was a fun family day.

Here are the knights at the beginning of the jousting tournament. Our knight was the guy in red and he died right away - BOO!


Here are Joss and Jackson next to one of the buildings. They were all so cute!


Joss and Jackson's favorite part was this huge rocking horse. They loved it!


Jack(son) Spratt could eat no fat...


His wife could eat no lean...


And so between the both, you see, they had a great time at the Festival!!

Why did Shawn have to get new socks?

BECAUSE HE GOT A HOLE IN ONE!!
That is right - Shawn and I played golf yesterday and on this very hole, he got a hole in one!! It was VERY exciting.


So I wonder when we get our BMW? Isn't that what's supposed to happen when you get a hole in one?