Joel, Chris, and Dad install Joel's Birthday Gift

Joel is wonderful about taking the trash and the recycling out whenever the bins are full in the house. The trash and recycling cans are tucked along the side of the house, hidden from view by our beautiful fence and gate. The downside of this, is that it can get pretty dark out there when Joel is getting the trash and recycling ready for morning pick up. Ever since we moved in, nearly two and a half years ago, Joel has had the same item on his Christmas and Birthday wish lists; a motion sensor light for the side of the house, with installation. (I always thought his "with installation" clause was pretty funny.)

I thought for sure his dad would get this item for Joel each year, but it never came to be.  For Joel's birthday this year, Chris bought him the light. I would like to note that Chris was thoughtful enough to find a light that would match our existing exterior lights. My dad offered to come down from Lynden to help the guys install the light. So Friday night, after his weekly poker game, my dad drove down and stayed the night at our house, ready to get started on the project first thing in the morning. Joel was so excited his dream of light was finally coming true! Chris and Jackie came over on Saturday morning to assist with the installation as well.  After a few trips to Home Depot for some overlooked items, the light was installed. They even added a light switch on the inside of the garage to operate the exterior light (should we ever wish to turn it off) and an extra outlet in the garage (Joel is always complaining about the lack of outlets in the garage). It was a very exciting and satisfactory Saturday for Joel and his crew of buddies.

The hole is drilled and the wires are run, now all we need is a light! 

Dad and Joel, making sure every detail is perfect.

Everyone wants to help! (Julie, Dad, Joel, and Chris)

Jackie thought my flower beds needed weeding. Notice how she is wearing my bunny slippers outside!

Everyone is having fun! (Jackie, Julie, Chris, Dad and Joel)

The girls are looking pretty and the boys are working hard.

American Gothic: Jackie and Julie's version.

The newly installed light switch and electrical outlet.

Ta-Dah! Joel, Dad, and Chris are very proud of the job they did installing the motion senor light. Once the caulking is dry, Joel will paint the white board to match the siding.

As soon as it was dark outside, Joel wanted to test his new light. It works!

Joel is one happy guy! No more taking out the trash in the dark!

A big thank you to Chris for getting Joel the best gift he has received for his birthday this year (according to Joel). Another big thank you for Chris and Dad for helping Joel install the light! He couldn't be happier with the results!

James Family Camping Trip

This year the James family, which is my mom's side of family, planned a group camping trip to Bay View State Park located near Padilla Bay. We couldn't have picked a better weekend. The sun was out all weekend without a cloud in the sky and the breeze from the water kept us cool. Even though not everyone from the James family could come, there was a bunch of us there.  Most of the group arrived on Friday and went home on Sunday afternoon. Mom and Dad brought the little pop-up camper they bought back in 1986. I still can't believe a family of six spent so many wonderful summers in what seems like such a tiny little camper now that I'm older. Jaisha and Steve, and little Kaleb too, came in their trailer. Aunt Karen, Leann (cousin), and her boyfriend, Sean arrived with tents, ready for some camp fires. Jackie and Chris shared a tent site with Joel, Julie and I. Tonna (cousin) and her daughters Riley and Sidney, along with Moriah (cousin) and her daughter Maddie, arrive on Saturday for a fun filled two days of tenting.



Jack Rabbit wanted to come with us!



This year, I was determined not to fall too far off the wagon as far as my eating and work out plans go. I planned in advance to eat super healthy meals, drink lots of water, and even planned a work out I could do without weights or an elliptical. We ate oatmeal and greek yogurt for breakfasts topped with lots of fruit, tuna sandwiches for lunch, and turkey meatballs with quoinoa for dinner. We had trail mix, apples, oranges, and cottage cheese for snacks. On Saturday, Joel, Julie and I went down to the beach to work out before everyone else was up. We did burpies with push-ups, bench jump-ups, tri-cept dips, Russian twists, leg circles, and plank hi-fives. Then Joel and I went on a five mile bike ride for our cardio. After a quick shower, we joined back in with the fun and could enjoy the rest of our day. 

To entertain ourselves, the group decided to head down to the beach area for a game of bocce ball. It is amazing how entertaining it is to throw a ball at another ball. It was fun to see everyone's strategies for winning, or like Joel just aim for the current winner and try to knock their ball away from the goal. It was a good thing multiple bocce ball sets were available because everyone wanted to play. When we tired of playing, we sat on blankets, enjoyed the warmth of the sun on our skin while catching up with family. We decided we should get pies from Lenning Farms Berry Barn to celebrate Steve's birthday (which is coming up quick) while we were all together. So we piled into cars and went to get pies and ice cream. It was so good! I love to get ice cream here whenever we are in the area, which is mostly when we are returning from the ferry terminal in Anacortes. If you have never been, it is worth the trip!

Playing bocce ball.

Tossing the frisbee.

Dad and Mom enjoying the sunshine.

We surprised Julie with official Bear Bait t-shirts.

There was a mix up with the sizes, so the little girls got the extra shirts. They were very excited to be included in the joke.

Jaisha and Kaleb ready to play.

Jaisha and Julie ready to play Slide 5.

Hanging out with Aunt Karen, Julie, and Leann

Sean is just so excited to be camping!

More frisbee action. Joel just loved having so many people to play frisbee with.

Even Kaleb wanted to play frisbee.

Maddie and her crown of daisies.

Joel, the world famous frisbee player in action.

Another James Family Tradition: The Cousin Pyramid!

The rest of the trip was filled with sunshine, camp fires, laughter, playing "telephone" around the campfire with my younger cousins, tossing the frisbee, and telling stories. It was hard to know the weekend would end and it would be back to the working-world. With plans already in place for returning next year, a new tradition is in the works.

The Whole Gang
Back Row: Joel, Jessie, Jaisha, Moriah, Steve, Julie, Aunt Karen, Mom, Dad, Jackie, and Sean.
Front Row: Sidney, Tonna, Riley, Maddie, and Leann

A Very Americana Fourth of July

This year the Fourth of July was on a Wednesday, which limited our activities a bit.  With both Joel and I back at work on Thursday, we decided not to make the drive up to Lynden to celebrate with my family. I was disappointed to miss out on time with the extended family, being able to light some fireworks myself, and the famous Maberry firework show next door, but I think we did a good job celebrating the Fourth on our own.

We started the day by sleeping in. My weeks get so busy that even on the weekends, I wake up by 8:00am or 9:00am so I can hit the gym for a workout, get back home in time to get some chores done around the house before starting in our planned weekend activities. Sleeping in until 10:00am is such a luxury these days! Then I drank my coffee on the back patio while talking on the phone with my mom and watching Jack-Rabbit run around the back yard in the sunshine. He is so funny whenever we take him outside, as he will stay right by our side for about ten minutes before he decides he is safe and then he won't come near us. He is just too busy exploring and being a brave rabbit to come over for an ear scratch.

Then Julie, Joel and I headed into downtown Bothell for the Freedom Festival Grand Parade. I haven't been to a parade in years! It was a lot of fun to watch all the different floats go by and the kids waving and jumping up and down when their favorites would roll by. My favorite float was the gymnastic float which was a giant trampoline being pulled behind a truck, on top of which girls were doing tricks and jumps non-stop. I have never seen anything like it!

Gymnastic flips on a moving trampoline!

The Peace Arch and Princesses.

It just isn't a parade without a marching band!

After the parade, Joel was so hungry we decided to eat lunch at our favorite cafe, Alexa's Cafe & Catering. Located on Main Street in Bothell, this cafe has a home-like feel with mix-matched kitchen tables and chairs, mason jar cups, and simply good food. Specializing in breakfast and lunch, there is something on the menu for everyone. My favorite item, hands down, is the tomato basil soup. I have ordered three cups of this soup once because it is just that good good. Joel is love with the bacon at Alexa's. It is thick cut and cooked perfectly every time we come. I was so famished and excited to eat, that I forgot to get pictures for the blog! This place is just that good!

Joel and I after lunch at Alexa's Cafe and Catering.

Julie and her "Boyfriend" after lunch at Alexa's Cafe and Catering.

 After lunch, we headed home, took a sun-nap in the backyard and then headed to the gym for a quick workout before the main event of the evening. The City of Kenmore hosts a Fourth of July Fireworks show at Log Boom Park each year. We decided to head down early and get good seats for watching the fireworks over Lake Washington. After a quick stop at Safeway for picnic items, we were setting up our chairs in the prime location Joel settled on after scouting out the entire park. We played rounds of Uno and Crazy Eights waiting for the show to begin while watching kids run around and play with excitement and anticipation for the show to come. I became so cold from sitting in the evening dusk for an hour and a half, that I talked Julie into playing a game of tag with me. I just needed to get my blood moving and what better way than chasing down your sister through a large crowd. Julie was a sport and let me tag her it until I was warm and tired. Back in our chairs, we counted down until the big show. It was a great show! There is nothing like a free, professional fireworks show over the water! The fireworks were big and bright, so many colors and patterns, I couldn't help but ooohhhh and aaaahhhh over them.

Enjoying our picnic dinner with our patriotic hairstyles.



Waiting for the show to start.

Even the ducks came early to get good seats for the show! I had fun watching them swiming in the water along the shoreline.

 



For not having much planned in advance, I think the three of us did a pretty good of celebrating the Fourth of July!

The Rock Wood Fired Pizza

Joel, Julie and I went out to dinner last to celebrate a great review I had at work, but really because we didn't want to cook something for dinner. Joel decided we should go to The Rock Wood Fired Pizza and Spirits up in Lynnwood. I like their pizza because of the thin crust and variety of topping combinations that always leaves me trying to decide what to order. Their menu describes why their pizzas are so good, "While the cooking surface of our ovens is between 500-600 degrees, the upper chamber of the oven can reach over 900 degrees. The heat produced is very dry, which is perfect for sealing in flavors and juices. We use almond wood in the ovens for two important reasons: the dense hard wood creates more heat, while also imparting a sweet, fruity aroma." Their dough is also hand tossed, which is always fun to watch.

I decided to splurge and order a beer. I decided to order the Wild Thing: Honey Wheat Beer. Joel decided to order the Beer Sampler which included each micro brew they have on tap; Jump'n Jack Black, Lite My Fire: Very Pale Low-Cal Ale (which was surprising flavorful for a very lite, low calorie beer! I might order this one next time!), Rock Steady Red, Sledge Hammer: India Pale Ale, Suicide Blonde: Bohemian-style Pilsner, and Wild Thing: Honey Wheat Beer.


Joel ordered the Beer Sampler. He likes to tell us about each beer as though he is a great connoisseur.

Cheers to us!

We ordered the Garlic Mozz Bread appetizer. "Our legendary dough, brushed with crushed garlic, extra virgin olive oil, pecorino romano and topped with mozzarella then baked in our brick oven". It was very, very good! ($.599)



I ordered the Stairway to Heaven, which was amazing! This pizza has garlic butter brushed dough, topped with fresh mozzarella and baked. Then it is topped with fresh baby arugula, diced tomatoes, prosciutto, parmesan cheese and finally, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. So light and fresh tasting, it was perfect.

Joel ordered the Flirtin' With Disaster. This pizza is topped with hot Italian sausage, andouille sausage, caramelized onions, fresh crushed garlic and red chili flakes. Joel said it was very good and he would order this again!

Julie ordered the Bang a Gong which has garlic butter brushed on the dough, then topped with grilled chicken, green peppers, white onions, pineapple, mozzarella and romano cheese. Then the pizza is drizzled with sweet red chili sauce and finished with fresh cilantro. I have a bite and the chili sauce was so good on this!

This is a great place to go with a group of people with differing tastes. You can order any pizza in a 9", 12" or 16" size. We decided to each get our own pizza and went with the 9" size. This was the perfect amount of pizza, especially since we ordered an appitizer and beer.  There are also plently of salads, burgers, sandwiches and wraps to pick from too. There is something for everyone here!

Dinner: Salmon and Caprese Salad

After a long day of running errands and preparing for the upcoming work week, Joel and I decided on a simple, yet delicious dinner. I started with two salmon fillets which I covered with a mix of freshly squeezeed lemon, fresh dill, and butter. With the fillets in the oven at 400* until they reach an internal temperature of 145*, I started on our salad. I saw this on Pinterest and wanted to try it for myself. I bought nice big beefsteak tomatoes and placed each tomato over a bed of baby spinach. I then cut 1/4" thick slices into the tomatoes, stopping about a 1/4" from the bottom of the tomato. Between the slices of tomato I added a piece of mozzarella cheese and a fresh basil leaf or two. I then drizzled a bit of balsamic vinegar over the top, letting it drip down between each tomato slice. This was amazing! The balsamic vinegar was able to add flavor to the tomato, mozzarella cheese and the basil leaves, then served as dressing for the spinach leaves. Complemented with fresh salmon, it was the perfect healthy and light dinner!

For desert, Joel decided on a bowl of fresh strawberries and from-scratch whipped cream! What a perfect ending to a perfect day!

Seattle Symphony presents Disney In Concert Magical Music from the Movies



Great Seats!



My favorite Disney movie growing up was Cinderella. Over the years the list has grown, but I will always enjoy watching a Disney movie now and then. My sisters and I like to play a game we call "Guess Which Movie". We listen to a song and guess which Disney movie it belongs to. This can be difficult given the many instrumental pieces between the better known lyrical songs. Over the years we have become very good at identifying our Disney songs. So when I saw tickets go on sale for Disney in Concert: Magical Music from the Movies by the Seattle Symphony, I jumped at the chance to surprise my younger sisters tickets. With a quick email, I told them to hold the date and time on their calendars without telling them what we were going to be doing. Julie couldn't stand not knowing, so I gave her four clues:

1.      It is in Seattle

2.      You have to dress up like you would for the ballet

3.      I have mentioned this before

4.      It involves animals

She didn't have a chance of guessing and it was so entertaining to listen to her try! Jackie on the other hand, guessed what we were doing two weeks before the event.  Oh well, she was just as excited to see the show and I got within two weeks of the event before she figured it out.



We had so much fun! During the show four individuals came out on stage and sang for some of the songs, while other songs it was only the symphony. I am not sure how I felt about the guest singers. At times they drown out symphony and were super cheesy with overly dramatic facial expressions and movements, but it did get the attention of the children in the audience. For the songs with no singers, just the beautiful music, I could hear kids whispering to their parents, "which song is next", or "where are the singers, did they go to the bathroom?".  Overall, I think they Seattle Symphony did a wonderful job of connecting with young and old during this performance.

Here is the playlist from the evening's performance:

Arr. Bruce Healey: Disney Classics Overture

Alan Menken: Disney’s The Little Mermaid Orchestral Suite

Alan Menken: "Colors of the Wind" from Pocahontas

Alan Menken: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Orchestral Suite

Richard M. Sherman / Robert B. Sherman: "I Wan’na Be Like You" from The Jungle Book

Richard M. Sherman / Robert B. Sherman: Medley from Disney’s Mary Poppins

Alan Menken /arr. Michael Starobin: Disney’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame Orchestral Suite

Alan Menken /arr. Danny Troob and Bruce Healey: Disney’s Aladdin Orchestral Suite

Klaus Badlet /arr. Ted Ricketts: Pirates of the Caribbean Suite

Elton John, Words by Time Rice, Score by Hans Zimmer /arr. Brad Kelley and Ted Ricketts: Disney’s The Lion King Orchestral Song Suite

Richard M. Sherman / Robert B. Sherman /arr. Ken Whitcomb: It's a Small World 

It was a magical night!

Lion King!

One of my favorite songs from Aladdin.

I forgot to bring my camera, so we had to make do with my cell phone... everybody squeeze in!