We Moved!

After less than 4 years in Bonney Lake we decided it was time to move to north Tacoma to be closer to Corey and Terrell. And, to be honest, we became a bit weary of being so far out from the places we like to go. We also wanted a rambler with a larger yard for the dogs. It took us just two weeks to sell our house so it was a bit of a stressful scramble to find a new one, especially with all our criteria. Luckily, we finally found one in the West End area that is centrally located to all of our favorite places. We moved out of the BL house on 8/23, spent a few days with Sherry in Spokane, then drove back today to officially get our keys and move into our new house. The movers come on Wednesday so we are staying here and sleeping on an air mattress for a couple days. The puppies are very confused but they are liking the larger yard and new places to sniff. The house needs some updating so our next task will be doing some remodeling of the kitchen and bathrooms. We are really hoping to have some money left over to put in air conditioning and spruce up the yard next year.

They miss the landing...no stairs in our new house!

Our new pink house!

Rosie liked that it was empty so there was lots of room for fetch!

Tacoma Rainers Game #2

We weren't expecting to see another Rainiers game until next year, but Corey got last minute tickets from work and invited us to go on Friday night.  We didn't know it was Husky night so that was a surprise, especially since we were all wearing our Coug gear.  The tickets were Club level so it included free food & drinks.  So yummy!  Scott & I ate so much coconut shrimp, haha.  The Rainiers played the Albuquerque Isotopes.  It was an exciting game, but the Rainiers just couldn't pull it out & ended up losing 6 to 4. Afterward we stayed for the fireworks show which was pretty good.  Whether they win or lose, it's always fun to go watch the Rainiers play.  Until next year...

We sat right behind home plate.

 

Stair Walk on Mercer Island

On Sunday we met up with Gabby & Ethan on Mercer Island to complete another stair walk from her book.  It was a short but strenuous 2 mile walk with 522 stairs down and 329 stairs up.  It took us about an hour to complete it.  We started at the top of Mercerdale Hill then walked down to Mercerdale park, where we paused to use the restrooms. The walk skirted the park then went up into the hillside and through some woods before heading into a residential section. It was a nice little loop.  Afterwards we stopped at Haps in town for some yummy burgers & shakes.  It was the first time we've spent any time on Mercer Island and we were impressed.  It's a beautiful area, but very expensive as you can imagine.  Maybe we'll make it back there some day. The puppies really enjoyed the outing, and they didn't seem to mind the stairs too much.

Heading down from the top of Mercerdale Hill. 

Ethan and Gabby spotted some birds on the trail.

It was nice that they had outdoor seating; the pups hung under the table in the shade while we ate.

A tired dad and pups after we got home.

Tacoma Rainiers Game

On Saturday Scott and I went to a Tacoma Rainiers game with Scott's friend and co-worker Shawn.  The game turned into a double header because they had to make up a game.  It was also Coug Night so the Rainiers were all decked out in Crimson.  Unfortunately, they are not playing well this season and we ended up losing 9 to 4 against the Las Vegas Aviators in the first game.  We only made it through two innings of the second game before we gave up (they were already down 5 to zero).  We still had fun, though!  Now that we will be so much closer to Cheney stadium, we hope to go to more games next year!

Rhubarb and Butch

Dash Dog, who I follow on Instagram, also made an appearance!

I managed to snag a high-five from Butch as he went by.

Big News!

Corey & Terrell stopped by on Friday bearing gifts and big news!  We are going to be Coug Grandparents!  We are so excited and happy for them!  Baby Ware should arrive sometime around the end of March, 2023!

Lake Twenty-Two Hike

Last Friday Gabby & Ethan completed the Lake 22 trail in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. She said it was quite strenuous! The trail is an out & back with an extra one-mile loop around the lake. They started in an old growth forest and passed several big waterfalls. They had to ford several small streams; at about 2 miles they hit a section that required a bit of scrambling over big rocks & hiking up four long switchbacks. In all they hiked 6.5+ miles with 1400 feet of elevation; it took about 5 hours including stopping for lunch by the lake.  The scenery was gorgeous so I guess it was well worth all the effort, but I'm not sure I would have made it.  

We taught her well! Tree hugger!

Corey & Terrell in Westport

Corey took vacation last week and she & Terrell spent one of those days in Westport.  It's been a while since Corey has been there, and this was the first time for Terrell. They spent some time on the beach, visited the lighthouse (but couldn't go up as it was closed), had lunch in town & checked out some shops including a candy shop where they got me some yummy salt water taffy. They had lunch at Blackbeard's Brewing Company, which they both loved, and now Terrell wants to go back every year for a new tradition!

Those are spicy cheese curds which they said were yummy.