Take Your Sons & Daughters to Work Day

On Thursday we had "Take Your Sons and Daughters to Work" day at our office.  This day normally falls sometime in April, but the local schools had mandatory testing then, so it was postponed to June 23rd.  Our office doesn't usually participate, but this year a few of the folks put together some great activities for the kids.  Since the kids were out of school, we decided to have them come and check it out.  They were given a case to adjudicate, played medical bingo, ate yummy treats, toured the building and got to meet our Director, Duane.  They both had a great time.  Afterwards we met up with Jerry & Brenda for lunch at Brewery City. 

Scott & the girls. 

Our Director, Duane.  The girls were impressed that he remembered everyone's names.  They also said he was pretty funny.



Lacey YRE

Today Jennifer & I walked the 10k Lacey YRE (year round event).  It was a perfect walking day, not too cold and not raining.  The walk took us through the campus of Saint Martin's University (a Benedictine university) where we found a wonderful old cemetery as well as a lovely new landscaped pond area.  It was definitely worth waking up for early on a Saturday morning.  Since we started Volksmarching two years ago I have walked 237 kilometers.  I am almost half way to the 500k needed to complete my first distance book.  We hope to do more YREs now that summer is upon us and hopefully the weather will cooperate.

I forgot my camera so had to take pictures with my phone. The clarity is not great.



The gates to the cemetery.

OSB stands for Order of St. Benedict

6th Grade Class Photo

Last Day of School!

Today was the last day of school for the kids.  I was sad because I had to go to work and wouldn't get to go take the traditional end of school picture of Gabby with her teacher.  So I asked Gabby to take my camera to school and take pictures for me.  Well, I just downloaded her photos and not one of them contained a picture of her and Mrs. Boyd.  However, there were lots of pictures of her and her friends.  Hmmm..........maybe I should have been more specific?

Could It Be??????

Watch out world, my baby is driving!!!!!!!!!

The Phantom Toll Booth

This past Friday Gabby's class performed a play called "The Phantom Toll Booth".  Unfortunately, Gabby didn't tell me that parents were invited to come watch, so I didn't get to see it.  Luckily, some friends whose daughter actually told them that parents could attend, took pictures of the performance.  Gabby played the part of the Spelling Bee. They told me she did a great job, which doesn't really surprise me, as Gabby does love to perform!



Pacific Science Center

Because it is my birthday today Gabby allowed me to chaperone her field trip to the Pacific Science Center.  This was the first field trip I've attended this year.  And sadly, with Gabby going into middle school next year, it will probably also be my last.  We had a great time exploring the exhibits, seeing the laser light show and watching the 3D Imax film, "Born to Be Wild". 

Our group:  Jewell, Gabby, Emma, Lily and Sydney



Obligatory shot of the Space Needle



Donuts, what more is there to say?



Hanging out with the hermit crabs.



Gabby was a good sport and posed for many pictures.  It was part of my birthday gift.



The butterfly exhibit was awesome!  We saw so many beautiful butterflies!



Class photo



Happy Birthday!

For those who don't know, today is Susan's birthday! She is...well, I won't say how old, but I'll give you a hint-older than me ;) Anyways, this post is a tribute to the best mom in the world! (No offense to all the other moms reading this :) You guys are great too!)

You make us Volksmarch, but we still love you.

You love to take pictures, but we still love you.



You love dragging us to rose gardens, but we still love you.



You've been with Scott for almost 20 years, but he still loves you.



You love giant art, but we still love you.



You can be crabby at times, but we still love you.



You force people to take pictures, but they still love you.



You make us dress up, but we still love you.

And you know why we all love you? Because you're you.

Happy Birthday Mom! You are an amazing person and I am so lucky to be related to you! I love you with all my heart! -Gabby

Winnie

Today we said a sad good-bye to our van, YAR.  It's hard to believe we had YAR for nearly 3 years.  In the past couple of weeks I've been to a few car dealerships & driven many different cars.  My favorite was the Volvo C30.  But alas, I couldn't get the payment I wanted, even after some fierce negotiations.  I finally told Scott that I was tired of car shopping, and that I was going to leave it to him to find a car.  I would then take over his car, Lucy.  Scott said he has always wanted to get a Mini Cooper, so today we drove all the way up to Fife and, after more negotiations, we drove a shiny red one home.  Her name is Winnie (short for Winifred).   We are now the 2nd person in our neighborhood with a Mini.  It's funny because we had barely gotten home with Winnie before the other Mini owner came by to invite us to join the Puget Sound Mini Club.  Those Mini owners sure are friendly ;)  Sounds like fun!!!!!!!!!!!

Corey in the driver's seat.  She got her permit today!



The inside is pretty cool.  I like the extra big speedometer since my eyesight is getting worse in my old age.