Happy moments at home.

My sister had surgery on her arm a few days before we arrived home for the memorial service. Because she isn't supposed to pick up Aubree for several weeks, I got to take care of her for a few days. Man, I just love this girl. She's such a ray of light. And, tons of fun when she's in the tub.

When we came back, our own baby was happy to see us.

A tale of a broken toe and a broken pie.

Nearly a month ago, I broke my toe walking around on Foster Island. Our motivation for that walk was purely to pick the yummy wild blackberries that grow everywhere here. The following weekend, we kept to ourselves waiting for news about S's dad. In an effort to keep our moods positive, we decided to turn the 4+ cups of blackberries into a delicious pie. That would surely bring a smile to our faces.

We cleaned the berries, purchased the ingredients, and drooled as we watched our creation burbling in the oven. When the timer buzzed, I took the pie out and laughed as I watched it spin in its glass dish. Oops! I guess I must have over-greased the dish. When the spinning stopped, I held the dish up to see if the bottom had browned. When I did this, the entire pie literally FLEW right out of the dish and smashed all over the floor and interior of our oven. The dish was still in my hands! In a desperate move, S declared that we needed to scrape some of the pie off of the oven so we could have just a taste that night. This plan worked to some degree, but we were pretty much left pie-less. All that plus the broken toe left me a little disenchanted.

Fortunately, there is a happy ending. We took a walk in Magnuson Park the following week and ran across a huge, largely unpicked batch of berries (see photos above). We grabbed a bag out of the car and went nuts--scraping our arms, snagging our shirts--desperate to eat a blackberry pie. We headed straight to the grocery and baked one helluva pie that evening. I very carefully took it out of the oven this time, and my... was it ever yummy. =)

Back.

We are back in Seattle... safe and sound. Going to try to resume normal living until we leave again in a handful of days. Really looking forward to a relaxing trip overseas...

In memory.

Because some of you have been asking, memorial donations can be made in Dave's name to McMillan Adult Day Center. They really helped care for him over the past several years--from providing activities to keep busy during the day to supplying meals on occasion. He even appears in some of the photos on their website. I smiled when I saw the shot of him painting Easter eggs under the current newsletter.

Gone.

We lost Shawn's dad, Dave, this morning at 7:00. He was 65 and has been battling health issues ever since I met him nearly ten years ago. This year has been particularly challenging however. Last week, he suddenly came down with severe pneumonia that he just couldn't beat. We'll be heading home later this week to join with family and friends in remembering him.

Think like a tree.

Soak up the sun.
Affirm life's magic.
Be graceful in the wind.
Stand tall after a storm.
Feel refreshed after it rains.
Grow strong without notice.
Be prepared for each season.
Provide shelter to strangers.
Hang tough through a cold spell.
Emerge renewed at the first signs of spring.
Stay deeply rooted while reaching for the sky.
Be still long enough to hear your own leaves rustling.

-- Karen Shragg

Hurricane Ridge: Part 2

Just a few more pics from last weekend's excursion. We're off to the Cascades this weekend, but with the broken-ish toe, I'm not sure how much we're going to get to hike etc. But, hey, at least the forecast is calling for decent weather! ;)

Hurricane Ridge: Part 1

Remember the last time we went to Hurricane Ridge? It literally filled with fog within two minutes of our arrival. Quite disappointing given how long the drive was. This past Saturday, we went despite forecasts calling for an overcast afternoon. It turned out to be chilly at times, but we were treated to a clear enough sky to keep things interesting. We spent nearly five hours hiking along the side of a ridge, gazing at wildflowers, attempting to spot marmots, and checking out British Columbia from various view points. It was a lovely day indeed. More photos forthcoming...

Freak accident.

So, we had a pretty great Saturday wandering around Olympic National Park's Hurricane Ridge with Nathan and Duane in tow. There were some clouds, but it was beautiful. I took a lot of photos which will soon be forthcoming.

Then, yesterday happens. We were walking around Foster Island on the hunt for wild blackberries. Heading back to the car, I somehow strangely kicked Duane's shoe and either broke or dislocated a toe (or two or three) on my right foot. All I know is the following:

1. I looked down and my pinkie toe was facing the wrong direction.
2. I felt like I was going to pass out.
3. My head started to hurt immediately afterwards.
4. Approximately 1/3rd of my right foot is now swollen, bruised and purple.
5. It's hard to walk.

Boo.

Glowing bride.

Better late than never, eh? It's been nearly a month since E&G's wedding, but there were over 1,700 photos to sort through. So, the reason for the delay seems obvious. ;)

Anyhow, the whole weekend was amazing--from the great hamburger cake at the rehearsal dinner to swimming just after the luncheon at Mom's on Sunday. On the big day, the love and happiness in the air was contagious, and the weather was perfect. E&G are so natural together. They are such good friends which I think is the most important thing. And, I have never seen my sister look so beautiful.

Here are 250 of my favorite images (taken by 5 different people):
Shutterfly album

And a handful of fun ones here, as well:


Sis & I make her bouquet on rehearsal day.


Erika at rehearsal.


Greg's mom, Joyce, and her amazing "hamburger" cake at the rehearsal dinner.


The newest love in our lives, Aubree, on the big day.


Me, trying to make sure she's feeling calm just before the ceremony. Don't I look like the one about to vomit, though?


Heading out to the ceremony.


Greg awaits his glowing bride.


And did I mention that the Super Bowl ring came to the wedding? My dad was loving that!