is it fall already?

Time has been flying by lately. We have been slowly working on the house which you will see below. Floyd built a very nice patio /front porch and we have planted lanscaping. The new front door will be delivered tomorrow. YEAH!!! Once I get it prepped and stained, Floyd can install it and finish the siding. We actually have all the new windows installed. Ok with one exception-the big living room window that is being turned into sliding doors for that still imaginary deck(coming next spring). Besides a paint job, the exterior should be almost all done. We had 6 big trees taken down this week. How much fun to watch! Of course, Floyd managed to get out there and help. Sorry Amy, they all needed to come down but don't worry we still have 8-10 BIG trees in the yard. With the trees gone, the others will be able to fill in and grow more. What is really exciting is that we will be able to grow grass in the backyard! (I know that means I will have to cut the grass but it will be much nicer than the dirt and weeds that have existed there for years)

I finally decided to go back to school for my associates in architectural engineering at North Seattle Community College. It is a 2 year program but hopefully, I can finish it early. The program is interesting and I am finally getting adjusted to being back at school-still behind in the reading-I guess some things never change. Wow has it been a long time since I have had to use trig and calculus!

I think that about covers what is going on in our lives for now.

Craig, Alaska

Floyd and I, along with 6 others from our church went on a mission trip to Craig, AK. The trip is thru the isaiah connection. http://www.isaiahconnection.com/

Our travels began with an 1 1/2 hr flight from Seattle to Ketchikan, AK.

We had a few hours to hang out so we visited the local Walmart.

Mom this picture is for you!

Here we are loading up for a 3 hour ferry ride to Craig. Floyd tried Reindeer Sausage while onboard. We faithfully kept our eyes out for whales but none were spotted. We did catch a beautiful sunset on the first night while on the ferry.

While in Craig, our mission was to do work on 3 things: an Upward Basketball Camp, Backyard Bible Club, and construction work.

Upward Basketball Camp is to teach kids sportsmanship and to play basketball. (along with daily devotions-bible verses). We had about 25-30 kids every morning. The camp was from 9-12 at the local school.

In the afternoon, from 2-4 we had Backyard Bible Club. We had songs, recreation time, bible story time, crafts, and of course snack time. There was anywhere from 10-20 kids a day.

So that is what I was doing during the day. Now for Floyd's assignment. The church was in the process of residing the entire building including the gym area. Floyd and Roy did a wonderful job and came very close to finishing the project. They ended up finishing up one side and was one row shy of of finishing the end of the gym. The other boys were able to paint the end they finished.

It wasn't all work, we did get some playtime too. The beach was only a few blocks away. Still kept our eyes out for whales.

Here we are waiting for our last ferry ride-3 minutes to get to the airport on a tiny island. Still no whale spottings yet.

As the week came to an end, we were tired but glad we came. I hope that we can go back next year to see the kids and watch them grow in their faith. And still waiting to see a whale......

ok, I know, I have seen whales in Washington before.

Surprise! Floyd and Rich's 30th Birthday Party

Kate and I threw Floyd and Rich a surprise 30th birthday party-which they really knew nothing about! We pulled it off. It was getting pretty difficult by party time. We were sweating it to say the least. For the birthday celebrations, we went to the Mariners vs. Detroit Tigers (what timing) on Friday night. On Saturday, we told the boys we were having a girls day and they should go play pool. When they got back, there was a backyard full of their friends waiting to celebrate those wacky, wonderful boys. Nothing too crazy for the old men, just a good BBQ and hanging out with friends.

The boys were shocked and confused.


This cute little girl is our goddaughter, Ellie

It wouldn't be a party with out a pull-up/chin-up competition.

ok ok, it has been a long time again!

We have been busy and one of these days I will post some pictures. Currently, we are replacing our old windows. Floyd put in 3 last night and should finish the last 3 for upstairs this weekend-weather permiting. I am finally painting the island in the kitchen. We should be building a deck soon-if we can agree to disagree about getting a permit. We shall see who will win that one.

We went home to Michigan for a visit in May. My mom has officially finished her radiation treatments and has been given a clean bill of health-cancer free!!! Our goddaughter turned 1! I am going to Winnipeg for a friend's wedding in July. And off to Alaska for our mission trip. Floyd and I are going with 7 other folks from church to Craig, AK for a week. We will be working on a basketball camp and devotions.

This weekend, I am walking in Race for a Cure. pray for nice weather. ok off to lunch but that is a quick update from our end. I would love to hear from everyone!

It's been awhile...

Hey all!
I haven't forgotten about updating the blog. Just been lazy. And Floyd deleted everything off our computer and it still isn't fully restored yet. OOPPPS! He gets sidetracked. Currently, it is by the big stump in the backyard. He is determined to get it out by himself. The stump is probably at least 2.5 feet in diamter with a ton of huge roots to dig up. It has been keeping him busy for a few weeks. We are in the planning stages for new windows, deck, and garage door. I'll keep ya posted. One of these days I will add more pictures. Hope everyone is enjoying spring!

Driving to Hurricane Ridge
Mt Baker
Sunset (this is my favorite)

Well there are the highlights from our weekend in the Olympics. The last picture was taken from our balcony. Floyd enjoyed watching the boat pull the logs.

It has been a long time since I lasted posted anything. I have been promising that I would update pictures soon. Floyd is installing our new lights as I type. We purchased a 3 bulb hanging mini chandelier for the entryway, a 2 bulb semi-flush for the kitchen table, and 2 pendants for over the island. We also bought the handles for the cabinets but I think I am going to return them. Go figure, me change my mind! Besides that the kitchen is pretty well done, with a few exceptions of course.

We took a nice weekend a few weeks ago and went to Discovery Bay. It is half way between Port Townsend and Sequim. Floyd finally took me to Hurricane Ridge for a hike. The snowbanks were taller than me! I will put some of those pictures up. It was wonderful to get away.

We decided not to get a dog right now. We both thought the other one really wanted the dog. I think I might be a one dog woman. At least for now, Hobo still has my heart and I'm not ready to share it yet.

Floyd's parents are coming out for a visit in a few weeks. Not sure if Floyd has told them yet but they are helping us install new windows and maybe a front door. Don't worry it won't be all work, we have some fun planned too!
Well, the dishes are calling my name. I wish they could load themselves into the dishwasher. Wow I sound lazy!

It's snowing, again

Hey All,

It is snowing again. I didn't think it was supposed to snow in Seattle. We are taking a lazy day watching the snowfall. I have been sick all week and have finally given it to Floyd. I was really wondering if he was ever going to get it. My mom taught me to share everything, ya know. Our last kitchen cabinet has arrived and the flooring for the dining room has been installed. Now we just have a few more things to finish up and it will all be done. OK, I know I keep saying "just a few more things" but really less than 2 days worth of work and it will be done. Realistically, it will be done by summer maybe spring if we're ambitious.

We might be getting a new member of the family. His name is Justice and he is a 5 year old red chow mix. A guy came out today to check out the yard and us to make sure we would be a good home for Justice. We past inspection-we were worried with the condition of our house! Just waiting to get the final word if we will be getting him or not and when we get to meet Justice. I found him on petfinder.com I love that website. You can view his story. http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=7664194

I had to include a picture of my favorite new cabinet. That is the greatest thing for us short people. I put all my most frequently used dishes in there. No more reaching with a stack of heavy plates over my head. LOVE IT! Floyd is getting sick of me telling him this so I thought I would share. If you ever remodel a kitchen and you are short, you need to include a counter to ceiling cabinet! An absolute must! Plus someday when the kids arrive they can reach the dishes to set the table! I'm already putting them to work and they aren't even born yet!

Enjoy your weekend!

To start the new year off right

Out with the old (look you can see snow in thru the door)

In with the new