Happy 4th of July

I like that I'm writing this 4th of July post on Halloween. It just seems right.

Conor flew into Washington a few days before the 4th to spend 3 weeks at home. The second he got home, I dropped him off at Fernando's house so they could have a bachelor party for him since Fernando and Glenda were getting married in September. We got to spend the 4th together, and we were both pretty tired after our bachelor/bachelorette parties. I'm not sure what to call Corene's husband, because at the time he was a fiance, but since I'm 3 months behind, he officially became a husband, so we're just going to call him Dave. Follow?

Dave's parents live out in Monroe on a beautiful patch of land that overlooks the Sky Valley. Conor, Corene, Dave, Horia, Caroline, Brandi, Martin, Corene's cousin Chandra, and a bunch of Dave's family and friends were there to celebrate together. There was great food, a swimming pool, hot tub, and s'mores pit, but my favorite discovery of the night came from the Brakke's - cornhole. It's an outdoor game, and it's my new favorite. I will make a set sometime, I think it might be my new project (that means it'll take at least a year to finish.)


I'm obnoxious, but this sort of gives you an idea of their view. Well, not really. Whatever. I apparently didn't take pictures of anything that we actually did, so this will have to do.


In true Washington fashion, it was FREEZING outside. Cheryl, Corene, Caroline and Martin.

We had a great time hanging out, and the night ended with a sky full of fireworks. Although the fireworks were far away, we must have had over 10 different shows to look at. Thank you to the Repnik family for having us over for the 4th!

Dendermuffin

One reason I was so excited to come home this summer is because my beautiful friend Corene was getting MARRIED! She met a wonderful guy, and I couldn't be any happier for her. But, before she got married, we had to take her out for one last night of debauchery. The night was filled with male strippers, lots of cocaine, and menage a trois's a plenty! Corene was ready to get CRAZY!

Well, if you knew Corene (or any of us, for that matter) you'd know that Corene wouldn't be caught dead doing any of those things. So, we did what we do best - hang out! Caroline, Brandi, Tien and myself had plans to take Corene out in downtown Seattle to happy hour, walk around Seattle, and a fun, dueling piano bar.

We started by meeting out at Corene's house in Snoqualmie.


I made Corene her favorite - white chocolate chip cookies. After hanging out for a bit, we hit the road.


Brandi borrowed a minivan from her brother so we could all cruise together in style.

Our first stop was to Peso's for some happy hour. Brandi loves this place, so she knew all the right things to order - they had the best chicken quesadillas I've ever had! Next stop was downtown Seattle for the Seattle International Beerfest. It was a beautiful Seattle day and we didn't want to spend it inside. We ended up seeing a few RHSers we knew, but the funniest part was that we ran into Corene's fiance Dave and his bachelor party group! Totally unplanned - neither Corene nor Dave knew where their friends were taking them!


They couldn't keep their hands off of each other, but how could you not? They're so cute!


It kind of looks like the Space Needle is growing out of my head.


We are ridiculously good looking.


The whole group - Corene's bachelorette party, and Dave's bachelor party.


Typical Caroline and Cheryl picture.


I lurve this picture - the guy behind us kept offering to take us on a bike ride wherever we wanted to go - the only name I can think for it is rickshaw, but I'm positive that they do not call it that.


After beerfest we started walking to our next destination, and had to take the opportunity for some photo ops in front of the fountain. Corene is hot.








Wow. That's a lot of Cheryl's arm for one photo, and what on Earth is happening with my toe?

We decided to head over to Chopstix for the rest of the night - Chopstix is a dueling piano bar, and we were one of about 5-6 bachelorette parties

Friend shots





Favorite picture of the night.


The pianists (hehe) had all the available men in the crowd come to serenade Corene.






There was an awesome light park just across the street from Chopstix, and Tien's friend took some pictures of us.


We love you Corene!

Home Sweet Home!

When I first got home, my mom was out of town, so I had the house all to myself. It was nice those first few days to be able to adjust to the three-hour time difference, make a visit to see Ann at school, go to McAuliffe to see my old students and staff, and to see as many friends as I could. I also decided to take advantage of the free time to drive down to Oregon to see Jon, Jen and the Supergirls!

I was only planning to stay a couple of days, but Jon and Jen asked if I would like to stay longer and take care of Olivia and Gabi while Jon, Jen and Madi went on a church hike for a couple of days. Uh, duh. OF COURSE!

The thing I love about visiting the Wilsonville Beans is that no matter what we do, we have fun. Playing games at night, awesome meals throughout the day, video games with the girls - it's definitely the way I like to spend time with family.

I had two requests this trip - I wanted to take a tour of Jon's box factory, and I begged Jen to take me to Voodoo Doughnut in Portland. Jon runs Alliance Packaging in Beaverton - basically he rocks the corrugated world. Voodoo Doughnut did not disappoint. That's somewhere I've wanted to go for a long time - if you're ever in Portland, you have to go. Other than that, we followed the girls around to their basketball and soccer practice/games, and just hung out.


I wish I had taken better pictures of Madi playing - she is really good at basketball! She's the hottie next to number 42 in the white jersey.


SCARY! Madi drove us to Jon's office. Let me repeat. Madi DROVE us to Jon's office. Learner's permit. Driving. Freeway. Jen. There isn't anything much more fun that watching a 15 1/2 year old drive with her mom in the front seat. Love you Jen! Madi is a great driver, but that is going to take some getting used to.


Jon's office at the box factory - notice the piles and piles of corrugated beauties back there!


Gabi at her dad's desk. My favorite part of this picture is the husky in the back. Jon was on the phone with a client a little later in the afternoon, and Gabi went up and pushed the button on the Husky making him sing UW's fight song! I thought I was going to pass out I was laughing so hard!


We went to an awesome place for frozen yogurt one night, and this statue was nearby. Being the awesome aunt that I am, I paid them each a dollar to touch his butt and pose in a photo.


I'm happy to be such a positive role model for these girls.


This sign is right outside of Voodoo Doughnut, and it's easy to do. I love Portland.


Jen and I were joking because Madi thinks there are a lot of weird people in Wilsonville, she is so cute and sheltered - Portland is where all the crazies live!


They have lots of bumper stickers for sale.


Gabi in front of the display case.


Gabi eating her donut on the way home.


My three choices - the traditional Voodoo donut (chocolate bar shaped into a voodoo doll with raspberry jelly and a pretzel stick stake), a maple and bacon, and a cap'n crunch one. All delicious.


Oreo donut - we wanted more of it, but this was the last one.


Orange tang powder on one side, orange sprinkles on the other.


My finger for reference - this thing was as big as my face! I have cravings for this place, they were all really good.

When it was time for Jon, Jen and Madi to leave, the fun really began. I first took Livi and Gabi to the grocery store to stock up on junk food and movie rentals. We went out bowling, watched movies, played lots of video games, and just had a really fun time!


Apparently no one else likes to bowl on Thursday afternoons...


Gabi and the fan.


Total hottie. Probably didn't want to be seen with her aunt, but luckily for her if you refer back to the picture of the bowling alley, she didn't have to worry about being seen with me.


After the first game. PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!


2nd game. PEANUT SPIKEY JELLY TIME!

Thanks Jon, Jen, Madi, Livi and Gabi for showing me a good time!