Summer Fun

I'm joining in on the fun and entering the Summer Love Photo Contest sponsored by Skinny Cow and the winner takes home $500!
Running through the sprinklers is still a favorite pasttime for kids, especially in this hot Texas heat!

BSM: They're Never Too Old...

...to receive words of encouragement in their lunch boxes.



Domi is starting his 2nd week of high school marching camp and it's intense with this 100+ degree Texas heat. But somehow, they survive it.

Henry and Marley

Anybody who knows me well, understands that I'm not a huge dog lover, especially of BIG dogs that like to constantly lick you, or sit in your lap, and when those big dogs who think they're human and want to sleep in bed with you. It's not that I dislike dogs, I just don't particularly care for their shedding hair everywhere, nor the slobbery, wet licks they smother people with. I've always found it strange when I see owners, not only let their dogs slobber all over their entire faces, but kiss them back at the same time. Ew.

However, when I met Henry, and got to experience his adorable, super fun, and loving personality, he just about converted me. This dog is awesome.

And when he snuck in bed with Liza and I, I didn't even kick him out.





And this is Marley.
So laid back and chill. He's an old soul.

Seattle: Downtown Kirkland

Our first evening in Seattle, we were treated to a terrific sunset dinner on the waterfront in Downtown Kirkland, which is minutes from Dawn and Jeff's home.

Best Shot Monday ~ Where I want to be on Saturdays

For my BSM, I have three shots from Pike's Place Market from my visit last week to Seattle. With the weather so gorgeous there right now, I can see why people want to spend their Saturdays outdoors. Grab a cup of coffee, shop for local produce, veggies, seafood, and flowers, and enjoy the waterfront. And they can stay out all day because the weather is not scorching hot. *sigh*

We almost moved to Seattle a year ago. There was discussion with Mike about a promotion with the company. I had never been to Seattle, so I didn't get too upset when corporate dropped the topic like a hot potato (now, it all makes sense since CompUSA went out of business early this year). But can you tell I'm now mourning the fact that we didn't move there?







For more images from this amazing Farmer's Market, see my post directly below this one.

And for more BSM, head over to Mother May I.

Seattle: Pike Place Market

I'm posting these today because I won't have time tomorrow since Mike's family is in town.

This was probably my favorite place in Seattle. Pike Place Market. Oh, the sites at this place. Located on the waterfront and talk about an AWESOME farmer's market. I absolutely love, love, LOVED it. The fish market, where employees throw fish to each other rather than passing them by hand, was fun to watch. When a customer orders a fish, an employee at the Fish Market's ice-covered fish table picks up the fish, and hurls it over the countertop, where another employee catches it and preps it for sale. The crabs were enormous. Fresh Seafood everywhere.

Add to that, produce and fruits in masses like I've never seen. Blueberries and cherries are local! And the rows and rows of gorgeous flowers ready to sale (and tons out just for decoration, and they don't die). Everywhere I turned, there were flowers. And when Dawn told me her husband's office is right up the street and he can come by and easily pick stuff up, I thought that was the coolest thing ever, and almost envious.

Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Vancouver is breathtaking.


Stock Photo

Just from the glimpse I saw (we couldn't stop at any lookout points because of the Olympic construction), I could see why Vancouver is rated in the top 3 cities, of highest quality of living in the world. It's gorgeous! It's rated in the top 10 of cleanest cities in the world. But of course, overpriced real estate, coming in right after Los Angeles. The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held here and in Whistler. Merchandise is already being sold. All I managed to pick up was a bookmark cause who needs a sweatshirt in Central Texas?

The drive was nice too. We opened the sunroof, reminisced about our childhood memories, and jammed to ColdPlay while the cool wind blew through our hair.

I needed more time here and I will be back to visit.
And next time, I'm figuring out how to bring my family.















I have many more photos to share and will be back to post tomorrow with one of my favorite places we visited.

Look Honey!

I cleaned out and organized the closet under the stairs today, per your wishes.
Need a wide-angle lens to get the whole thing, but can you at least see the organization?



Are you happy now, honey?
And will you hang up those pictures for me now?
;)

Sophia (and the tots) now have room to sit inside and browse through hundreds of other books. Our own little library and listening center!

Love Thursday ~ Trust

I was inspired by Tanya's post today, and I knew I had to share these images I got yesterday evening. What I love about my husband is captured here. He'll come home from work, start dinner, and still take the time to take his daughter on a tricycle ride when she asks him. He never says, "I'm too busy" or "I'm too tired". What I love the most is he'll get on with her since her feet aren't long enough to pedal. And he doesn't care how silly he looks to those driving by.
This is what Love is all about.







For more Love Thursday shots, ride on over to Shutter Sisters

Whistler, B.C., Canada

Shortly after arriving in Seattle, we were already making our way up north to the Canadian border. It was important to me that we make it to Canada as the only border I've crossed is Mexico's. Dawn and her hubby have a studio in the gorgeous little village of Whistler. Mike went skiing in Whistler many years ago, so I assumed it was a winter-only destination, however, it's filled with summer activies also. There were countless choices in dining, shopping, and there's even a nightlife scene. It truly is a spectacular place.

Let me first tell you about our nightlife scene....

I don't know why, (well...yes I do), of all us gals, I was the one who was the most exhausted while there. I kept telling Dawn and Liza it was due to the fact that I had just flown half way across the country to get there, and was getting close to being awake for 24 hours. They kept poking fun, saying how OLD I was acting, blah, blah, blah. But, I certainly felt it, especially since I wasn't bouncing off the walls like Dawn was (some things never change. Ha!)

So after our 4 hour drive to Whistler, and our activities for the day, and then dinner, all I wanted to do was go back to the studio and sleep. The girls wanted to go dance. I thought they were out of their minds. So we compromised and we went to a bar, had a drink, and then agreed to head back to the studio, and that we would dance the next night in Seattle.

This is where is gets fun....
And so typical of what would happen to us while a top a mountain in Canada.

We all wore our heels for the evening portion, and mine were not broken in yet. Only worn about 2 times.
We sat and waited for the shuttle to take us back to our hotel.

But, no shuttle.
So we wait more.
Still, no shuttle.

So what does Liza suggest? That we start WALKING (!!!) and that we'll see the shuttle on the way and it will pick us up. I think she's out of her flippin' mind, but I don't say anything. I just go along...

Let me just preface this by saying, I would have no problem walking anywhere, however--

1). I was in heels. High ones.
2). I was in new jeans that were way too tight and squeezing any remaining air out of my already exhausted body.
3). The walk was UPHILL.

So we start walking, and things are ok for about 10 minutes, and finally off come my heels because the hard gravel feels better than the pain that my heels are giving my swollen, blistered toes. We keep walking. Then, we pass most of the resorts and the hill gets steeper. We're going higher in elevation, so I'm focusing on just breathing. Also trying to keep up with Dawn, cause the skinny bitch is WAY ahead of us (and she still somehow has her damn heels on). We keep walking.

Now that we've passed all those resorts, there is NO light. All we see is the huge, dark hill ahead of us. And we have a long way to go. Oh, and obviously, the shuttle never appeared. By that point, I seriously feel like I'm going to die, or at least pass out. Then Dawn, says, "Oh, no! I hope we don't see any bears!"

What???

I'm in NO condition to 'be alert' and 'bear aware' because I'm just focusing on not passing out and rolling down the wretched hill. Then I throw in my way-too-late 2 cents, about how we should have just taken a taxi from the village and whoever's idea it was to walk, was out of their mind!

So, what do we do? We're desperate, and I'm ready to hitchike. Soon thereafter, we see headlights and we're waving our arms flagging it down, and it's a TAXI! Thank GAWD! If my feet didn't feel like they were going to explode, I would've done the Happy Dance right there.

FYI: If any of you are in Whistler, during the summer, the shuttle does not run every 7 minutes after dusk.



On our way to the village. Happy and ready for an evening of fun.
This is Liza. Isn't she beautiful?






Shots from earlier that day.
















The 2010 Winter Olympics will be held here in 1.5 years! Preparations are alreay being made.