NW Garden Show pics

Somehow, my pics got erased from my first post. So here they are. Such beauty! I really want to try a succulent container like the ones I saw today.

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NW Garden Show

I spent a few hours this morning wandering among spring flowers and lush greens. The promise of what's to come was so comforting and peaceful. I love knowing that my own plants are lying dormant under a blanket of snow in my own backyard. This year, Jeremy and I are building our own veggie garden. We can't wait to grow our own food! I didn't see a lot of garen set up stuff, other than green houses. But that's ok. I still had a wonderful time among the plants and hanging out with my green-thumb friends.

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Family fun in Leavenworth

Jeremy and I just LOVE to visit the little Bavarian Town of Leavenworth, WA. It's nestled in the Cascade Mountains, along the river and just below the tree covered hills. This week, Derick was out of school for mid-winter break, so I talked Jeremy into taking the week off from work too, so we could vacation. I was bragging to a couple of friends about our plans, and they thought it sounded so good, they joined us! Yay, play mates for the kids!! (and the adults as well)

We caravaned up I-90 for some sledding fun. It was quite a treacherous ride, but we enjoyed the snow play time before heading up Blewett Pass to Leavenworth.

We stayed at our favorite hotel, the Enzian. We were blessed with a gift of a room upgrade just because we are on their email list; we stayed in luxury style this time! It was amazing. We enjoyed a jetted tub, big four poster bed with a little mirror on the canopy, a biday in the bathroom, and a separate room for the kids! I don't know how we'll go back to the standard room again. We just love their breakfast: it's got everything you would want-eggs, meat, rolls, juice/coffee, and cereal or toast for the picky.

The three days went fast. We ate yummy German meals, enjoyed sledding in the snow, played in the pool, and had some nice naps. It would have been perfect, except that the sickies were lurking. I had just started recovering from strep throat and of course, on our way home, the rest of the family got it too! Oh well, someday we'll visit Leavenworth and have a fully healthy experience.

J2D2 enjoyed some sledding on the hill in town after breakfast at the hotel. I remember doing this as a kid and it was a very nostalgic moment for me.

Darla just really didn't like the snow or being cold. I think she was super tired, too. Poor baby....

After the snow play, we did a little shopping. The Hat Shoppe was on the 'must see' list.

I took these after family nap time. We had a nice 2 hour break to rest our heads.

Time to swim!! Our kids are fish! I know they come by it naturally, since I love to swim too. Darla has improved so much after her first lesson experience this month. It was nice to see her so comfortable in the water. Derick continues to learn 'real' swimming a.k.a the crawl stroke. I am so proud of them both!

Of course, we had to try out that amazing jet tub!

Our last dinner out at Andreas Keller. Great food and wonderful company!

This last picture is one of my favorites from the trip. This 70 something old man climbs up on the railing of the 4th floor deck of the Enzian and blows this traditional alpine horn, every morning. Twice. It's a neat sight, and makes me feel like I'm thousands of miles away from home. I will always love my visits to Leavenworth, WA. I can't wait to go back!!

The perfect fort day

It's a sick day for mommy, so that means a play day at home for the kids. I used to love building forts out of the living room furniture. I'm glad they do too.

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Pied Piper Valentine's Day

Some cute pics of the preschool kids enjoying their Love Day!

Derick got some great Valentines, but this one was my favorite. Sophia is one of Derick's favorite girls in class...and she drew him a sweet card. Awhhhh.

One of my favorite songs that Derick has learned at Pied Piper.

Valentine's Weekend Fun

My hunny and I like to spread out the fun over several days when a holiday lands on a weekday. Since V-Day was on a monday this year, we kinda celebrated all weekend long. Here's a few of my favorite moments of the fun.

New sheets on the bed....a gift from me to US. :)

New application on my phone, and I was playing with photos. I like the sepia filter. :)

Roses from Jeremy.

Date night out with friends at a local brew pub. We all had a wonderful time, just being couples.

My LOVE socks....I have a few pair for each major holiday.

More roses pics....and playing with my phone.

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Love Weekend

One of the things I enjoy about my husband is his strange and unpredictable traditional ways, that mix with his need to buck the 'system.' One of the things he does 'by the book' is romance. Passion is different, but, romance he does very traditionally. So, I give you my sweet valentine's day roses. So beautiful......and a little different than the standard red. The balloons are the kids gift from Daddy. We had a nice family night and a lovely way to start our valentine's weekend. Love you, babe!

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Orcas Island 25K

I did it!!! I made it!! I participated in my first 25K (about 15 miles) race on Orcas Island. What an amazing experience. It was hard. Harder than anything I've ever done before. The first part of the course was about 7 miles from Moran State park to the top of Mount Constitution. It was not steep the whole way up, and the beginning hills, I was taking all in stride. The beauty around me was filling my tanks. My spirit was open and I was connecting with Mother Earth. I was walking/jogging with my friend Jenn, my training pal, my sister in spirit. The last mile or two going up was hard for her, and it felt good to be there to encourage her upward and towards our goal. She was doing the race with a sprained ankle! I had NO room to complain.

Me, Jenn, and Arthur before the race.

Goodbye, see ya later; Kiss!

Arthur waiting for his race to start.

Jenn and I, right before our race started.

Cascade Falls

Beautiful lake....like glass.

Jenn, climbing moss walls.

A waterfall of moss.

First views, almost to the top.

Jenn and I rounded a corner and saw a photographer waiting for us. Thanks for the great pic,
Glenn Tachiyama!

Fungus the size of my head.

Foggy trees.

At the top, we rested a little. Ate some soup. Had a beer. Took some pictures and grumbled a little at the fog, blocking our view.

Jenn and I on the tower.

Jenn, double fisting! :)

Then, we started back down to finish the eight or nine miles remaining. It was then that I had to overcome two major mental walls to keep on moving. We ran down a pretty steep section of the course, which was exciting and refreshing. Then, we hit more 'up' trail. My mind (and legs) resisted. I just wanted to sit down and protest. But, I kept on moving. One foot in front of the other. And soon, I was feeling better. The forest around us was gorgeous. Tall trees, new growth, fungus the size of my head, moss hundreds of shades of green or brown, ferns growing on branches above our heads, fog dense and close. It smelled of clean pine, musty mud, and misty mystery.

One of the COOLEST trees I've seen. Can you see the face? Think profile.....

Arthur, Jenn's husband, passed us on the trail as we closed in on the last 4 miles. He was running a 50K (30+miles), and had gone twice the distance as us! He's in another world compared to my own. Just as we found ourselves all the way 'down', I hit another mental wall. As we walked along the lake, it felt endless. My legs were numb. My feet were in pain. I was hungry, so tired, and ready to see my husband's face. I felt like I was a robot, void, just going through the motions. Jenn felt my lack of energy and had to 'pull me along' with her. I felt horrible about that, and I will never be able to express my thankfulness for her presence. It's the only thing that got me to the finish line.

Another cool tree on the edge of the lake.

As we turned the very last corner and I could see the flags and the finish line, I could hear people cheering us home. I started to feel the accomplishment, the pride, and the relief before I even got there. Jenn grabbed my hand and we ran across the finish line with tears streaming down my face.

The last hill....she promised!

Jenn and I as we crossed the finish line.

It was truly amazing. An experience I will never forget. Thank you Jenn, Arthur, and Jeremy for being there with me.

On the way home via the Ferry. Tired, very tired, but happy too!