Corey's 8th Grade Picture

Corey "hates" it but I think it looks cute!

P.A.W.S. to Read

Today when we went to the library, we didn't realize that the P.A.W.S. to Read event was going on. Luckily Gabby was able to participate by reading a book to one of the dogs there. The event was put on by the Delta Society's Pet Partners program which trains volunteers and their pets for visiting animal programs in hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, schools and other facilities. Today they were at the library encouraging kids to read by having them read to the dogs. Gabby got to read to Emma, a 10 yr old Newfoundland. She was a very nice dog and she made such a huge impression on the girls. Corey said that when she has kids she wants to buy them a Newfoundland. It was a neat experience for all of us to learn more about the program and Emma. Luckily I had my phone handy to take a couple of pictures.


Gabby reading to Emma.

Gabby & Emma-she was so sweet.

Puyallup Fair

We finally made it to the Puyallup Fair this year! We talk about going every year and then never go. I think the last time we were there was when Corey was 2 years old and she turns 14 next month, so you can see it's been a while. We were lucky to have sunny weather. We saw many animals including bunnies, turkeys, horses, alpacas, cows, pigs, etc.... My favorite were the pigs. They were huge! And so were the draft horses. The girls loved the bunnies and the guinea pigs. The girls got to ride several rides and had a great time, but I think we're good for another 10 years. After living in Southern California and having year-round passes to Disneyland, we are pretty much spoiled for these types of events. Still, I'm glad we went and now we can say "We did the Puyallup!" in 2009.


Waiting for the ferris wheel-the girls wanted to ride this first so they could get a good view of the fairgrounds to see what other rides they wanted to ride. Pretty smart.

Kind of hard to see, but that is Gabby waving.

Next they rode the Wild Cat

I was glad to get a pic of them as they passed by.

A pretty cool ride I hadn't seen before.

The girls really liked this ride.

Here they are going into a "pirate" ride which turned out to be really lame.

We took a break from the rides & went to see the animals. Here is Gabs getting to pet an alpaca.

The girls and a goose. Not sure if it was supposed to be Mother Goose or not.

Gabby in front of a giant pumpkin.

Cute bunny topiary.

By a replica Clydesdale. The horses we saw were humongous!

After lunch Gabby said she wanted to ride the big wooden coaster. Here she is in line. She went all by herself because Corey didn't want to go.

Partial view of the coaster.

There is Gabs in the 3rd seat.

Here she is getting off the coaster. She said it was really scary but lots of fun!

Next the girls went on an old favorite-the Spider.

The girls waiting for the Monster Mouse.

Here they are on the first drop.

Their last ride was the giant slide. I remember going on this with my brother when we were kids. The Puyallup Fair really hasn't changed much after all these years.

Here they come!

Almost there!

The finish line.

McChord AFB Volksmarch

We are back! It's been a while but today we completed another Volksmarch (our 9th) at McChord Air Force Base. It was a good opportunity to visit a place we normally would be unable to go. We walked 6k and half-way through we stopped at the Air Museum. There were lots of cool planes on display. Luckily they had opened up two of their larger ones to the public, which I guess isn't always the case. We got to go into a C-124 (Globemaster II) and a C-141B Starlifter (Tacoma Starlifter). These planes were deployed in the 1950's to 1970's. It was pretty cool to see a little piece of history. Afterwards we stopped for lunch at a pizza place in DuPont. (There are no pics of Corey because she did not come with us.)


At the beginning of the walk.

Gabby & Bear at entrance of Holiday Park

One of several planes on display.

Gabby trying to reach the wing. I think she will need to jump just a little bit higher.

Going into the C-141B Starlifter

Cockpit

Gabby on one of the bunks-they did not look very comfy.

Gabby decided she wanted to be the co-pilot.

Here she is as the navigator.

Inside the belly of the beast.

The C-124. I thought it was cool that it opens in the front. It was first deployed in 1950. The sign says you can fit 720,000 Elvis Presley Albums in there. Why would you want to?

View from other side.

Climbing down from the cockpit. It was way high up.

Me at the entrance.

There were tons of Knockout roses everywhere, so I took this one for Rozanne.

Gabby at lunch. The food was good even though they only had Pepsi products.

Jennifer's Bday

I'm glad that Clarissa was in the Tumwater office these past couple of days because we were all able to celebrate Jen's birthday together. I baked Jen a heart-shaped chocolate cake and then the four of us (Scott came, too!) went to River's Edge restaurant at the Tumwater Golf Course for lunch. The food was yummy and the weather was beautiful-we even got to sit outside! It was a pretty good birthday I think, even if she did have to spend it at work.


Jen & me outside my cubicle. Jen scrunched down-I guess she didn't want me to feel short.

Jen cutting her cake.

Clarissa and Jen at the restaurant.

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday Wishes go out to my good friend Jennifer. Now you are old like me :) I will miss you lots when you go to Seattle.........