Nisqually YRE

It's so hard to make outdoor plans around here because the weather is so unpredictable.  Today was supposed to be sunny & 64 degrees but ended up cloudy and cold, barely making it out of the 50's.  Nevertheless, Scott, Gabby & I decided to stick to our plan to do the YRE walk at the Nisqually Refuge.  We completed the 6k route which included walking on the beautiful new mile-long boardwalk that stretches into the saltwater marsh.  We saw quite a bit of wildlife including herons, cranes, ducks and some sea otters. 

That is a Blue Heron.

A Heron and a Crane.

Gabby & Scott at the very end of the boardwalk.  I didn't think we'd ever make it to the end!  After walking 10k yesterday this walk seemed to go on forever...my legs were pretty tired.

Scott & I

The Twin Barns which were part of an old farm where the Nisqually Refuge now sits.

I saw lots of beautiful wild Lupine.

I'm not sure what kind of flower this is, but it is very pretty.

Steilacoom YRE

This morning Jennifer, Clarissa and I travelled to Steilacoom to participate in our first Volkssport YRE (year round event).  This is different from the Volksmarches we normally do in that it's something you can do at any time.  The weather had been predicted to be cold & showery, but it ended up being sunny & mild.  We took that as a good sign to do the 10k instead of the 5k.  We walked down to the Steilacoom waterfront and saw fabulous views of the Sound.  It was a lot of fun!

Clarissa & Jen with the Sound in the background.









The Narrows Bridge in the background with Chambers Bay Golf Course to the right.



Jen & Clarissa taking a little break.  10k is a long ways!  I love that beautiful house on the left which is now a law office.

I put the camera on that bench & used the timer to get this picture of the three of us.

Ferry boats.

We saw so many beautiful flowers in bloom.  I took a few pictures to share.  This was a really beautiful Rhododendron.  We saw many different colors.

Beautiful Poppy.

Really gorgeous lilacs are in bloom everywhere!



Trip to Victoria

This past weekend Corey took a trip to Victoria, B.C. with the BHHS marching band.  They stopped first in Bremerton & Port Townsend to march in two separate parades, then took the ferry to Victoria.  Corey said there was a lot of teen drama going on, which she didn't really care for, but overall she had a pretty good time.  She was disappointed that they didn't get to explore very much of the island.  She did get to go into the Empress Hotel, but didn't go into the Parliament building which was something she really wanted to do.  She was pretty exhausted when they fnally made it back Monday night.  The house was so quiet when she was gone.  We are so happy to have Corey home!

They arrived at Victoria aboard the Coho.

Picture of her friend Emily.  They were happy that they were able to room together.

The Parliament Building

A real person all covered in bronze.  Corey said they were able to take pictures without being accosted.  Remember the tin man in San Fransisco, Rozanne?  I think Canadians are nicer :)

Corey took this picture because the store name is upside down & backwards.

Corey outside their hotel.  She said it was in a dubious part of town.

The Empress Hotel

I think the hotel is very pretty, but those trees in the front look like dementors.

Fan Letter

Earlier this school year Gabby was given an assignment to write a fan letter to an author that she liked.  She brought the letter home from school today.  I thought it was really cute and so decided to post it to the blog. 

Rehearsal Photos

Gabby took some great pictures during Peter Pan rehearsals...enjoy!

Gabby is 2nd from the right.

Peter Pan Ballet

After countless hours of rehearsal Peter Pan is finally here!  This Friday we will be going to the Washington Center to watch Gabby perform.  We are so excited! 



Another Facebook snag.  There is Gabby in the very front of the group (with no headband) in her Indian Princess costume.  She will also dance the part of a Lead Lost Boy.  



Braces

You may have noticed in a few of the earlier posts that Corey has gotten braces.  She got the brackets put on about a month ago, but they did not put a top wire on because they had to pull one of her teeth first.  So yesterday she finally got a top wire and now we can "officially" post a picture of her with her braces on.  She is happy to finally have that top wire because all the kids at school kept asking her why she only had brackets.  She said it was very annoying! 

I  had to take her photo in front of my blooming cherry tree.  The weather has been so awful, it's hard to believe it's spring.  But the trees know it because they are blooming now.

The tree in full bloom.  So pretty!

Tacoma Rainiers

Last night Jennifer took Clarissa & I out to Cheney Stadium to watch the Tacoma Rainiers play against the Las Vegas 51s.  It had rained pretty much all day, but by the time we got there the sun had decided to make a brief appearance.  After the sun set it got pretty cold and we were all wishing we had thought to bring blankets.  We did get to see the Rainiers win 4 to 3. 

Clarissa & Jennifer in front of the newly renovated stadium. 

View from our seats.  It's a small stadium and pretty much all the seats have good views.  Luckily we were behind the netting & didn't get hit by any wayward balls.  There were quite a few foul balls.

The Army ROTC from Seattle University had sponsored an event there tonight (that's how Jen got us these tickets).  They had a couple of guys parachute onto the field.

Jennifer all bundled up next to Ben Cheney (who the stadium is named for).

Promotion!

Scott found out today that he was selected to work in Professional Relations (PR).  This means he will no longer be adjudicating, but will be part of a team that works with outside medical providers who submit records to us or provide medical consultations to claimants.  He will spend some time recruiting potential medical consultants and providing program information to outside agencies.  He will also be doing some traveling which will make his days a little more varied.   He's very excited to start his new job on May 16th.  We are so proud of him!