Brodie versus Rope

Joseph and I checked out a park we had not been to before, near Alki. We came across this great dog toy! I used my new cell phone video camera, turns out I have to buy software to edit the file type...so unfortunately the free software I used threw a water mark on the video...I think you can still see the Mr.'s excitement though!

Helicopter Ride!

Joseph and I went on a scenic helicopter ride for his B-day. The ride was pretty amazing. We went to Snoqualmie falls and then back to Ballard to see the locks, swung by the space needle and the Seattle piers. The wind made it a bit more exciting than usual, but we beat the majority of the rain. Joseph was in the front seat and got some great shots with his i phone. This is my first video edit, I may have had too much fun with music :)

Holiday Card

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Hey Guys! I had to do it, even though it is pretty silly. We went to Red Hook Brewery with Alison and Brent last weekend. Alison posted the photos so I went ahead and used those shots to create this awesome holiday card :) Enjoy! Blog only, not facebook, don't worry A&BT :)

Kindle 3

I finally made a decision! I have been debating between the kindle 3 and the color nook e-reader from Barnes and Noble. Both have great unique features so it took me awhile.
The title does give away my ultimate decision for the kindle 3. The winning factors where that the screen for the kindle is not back lit like a computer screen and so it is easier on the eyes for reading long periods of time, plus the battery power lasts longer. I also liked getting the 3g as well as wi-fi capability especially since I don't have to pay for the 3g connection, and that means that where I don't have internet I can still check e-mail (without paying for data on a smart phone) and get new books. The color nook only has wi-fi, meaning that while that devise will do more, the places that I will find myself able to use it are places that I can have my laptop working, and I love my laptop. If I had lots of magazine subscriptions the color nook may have won out. I also liked the fact that sharing books was easier with the nook, hopefully the kindle can work on that aspect, but it wasn't a deal breaker for me. I guess in the end the color nook was like a simplified laptop and I already have an awesome laptop, and I wouldn't want to read a novel on it.

The best news is that I received money for my Birthday from my mom and dad (in law) and I am finally spending it on something fun...and something that Joseph only likes b/c it means that we don't need to have shelves of books.(Meaning that I won't ultimately find my new gadget in the hands of my gadget crazed husband) Thanks for the amazing gift guys! I know that the popular opinion in the family would have been to get an i phone, or really any smart phone but I just cant quite commit to the increased monthly data bill...I have been pricing that too though, so maybe one day soon I will pull the trigger.

I did have to order the kindle online. Staples and Best Buy advertise that they carry the kindle but none of the ones I checked knew anything about the device and had none had it in stock. Only one physical store even had one that worked--played the display sequence that is. Got to give it to Barnes and Noble on the salesmanship and availability. For people that want a multi-device that they can navigate before they buy and/or they don't want to wait to have an item shipped then the nook will win every time.

Something I love

I mean come on, this is endearing!!

New front fence & garden

Yeah it is summer! Things are blooming and growing and our fence is coming together...just need to finish the arbor. Living the dream ;)
The 4th photo down is our blooming cactus it is the chick and hen succulent, I didn't even know they could bloom!!

Finish detail projects

Joseph finished the top cabinets by the side door, wrapping the boxes with the finish wood and putting the handles on. This was one of those someday projects and luckily today was the someday! Also we took out a half wall by the toilet and put down ceramic tiles in the bathroom. So this is still in progress but we have the grout done now we just have to trim and paint the walls. Fun fun!!

Tree adventure

Got the tree up and the room re-arranged to fit everything...that is medium on demand on the TV...seems a little odd in the photo.
Closer view of Chris the tree with all his beautiful decor
Joseph, Brodie and I back at the car triumphant with our tree, Chris.
Joseph taking a photo at the end of the trail. We tried to make it to Scout lake but this was where we were officially blocked.
Photo op at the ice waterfall. I think Brent and Alison could send this out as the official photo of the year.
Joseph, Brodie and I eclipsing the beauty of the ice waterfall. :)
Here is the ice waterfall in all its glory.
There may or may not have been a sliding incident that ended with me and this tree becoming good friends.
Joseph, Brodie and I getting ready to find our tree!

Kitchen Backsplash

We finally got the backsplash up. So we took some "finished" photos, but like everything we seem to always find more we can do. We may decide to go a little brighter with the wall color...let us know what you think!

Our favorite Niece Hailey!

It all started with the hair net that she put on her head. Then she found the feather cat toy/wand. After showing her parents the new found wand they showed her an awesome wig that she sported well and then there was just the wand.

Happy Halloween!!

We had a two night Halloween fest! These photos are a mix of the two nights. Friday was the Ride sponsored party at Evo in Fremont and Saturday was an awesome house party at Peter and May's house in West Seattle. Joseph made an ice coffin beer/liquor luge which was well used and the Misfits even performed...sounding better then ever!! At the Ride/Evo party the robot won best male costume, David Bowe won a snowboard on a raffle...and although we have no photos of it I won best female costume! Shocking!! On Saturday you will see that I was reunited with my sister mummy at the house party which confused more than one person-Rachel and Kate now know each other well :) If you were at the party you know why...
I did my best to get a mix of all the costumes we saw but there were really so many great ones! Everyone went for it this year! As you saw in the photos, Joseph was cookie monster...only this cookie monster made people eat mystery food for prizes and was a ice luge pro!

Ride Snowboards “Tweak Show” Halloween Party @ evo // October 30th

http://culture.evogear.com/2009/10/ride-snowboards-tweak-show-halloween-party-evo-october-30th/

We are heading to the first Halloween Party of the Season in Fremont tonight. It should be awesome! Joseph is helping to set it up so you know it will be good!

Looking for fun camping trips

I just found this site on Ross Lakes Blog: The Explorers do fun camping trips but then they make good videos about them. http://thenwexplorers.com/

Below is a video they made about the Elwha River Valley. I would have included the Ross lake video but the video didn't have the embed code. http://thenwexplorers.blogspot.com/2009/08/ross-lake.html

May 2009, we ventured through the 4-5 mile loop in the Elwha River Valley (a.k.a. Humes Ranch Loop Trail). It's a Northwest hike at its best. Historical cabins, wildlife, valleys and amazing meadows are among the few things you will encounter.

Carrie and Kevin

Kevin and Carrie were married this weekend! It was so beautiful!! Here a few photos we took. I am excited to see the professional ones! Blaine and Claudia looked great, I especially like Claudia's dress :) We also got one photo of Joseph in a tuxedo, so handsome!!