Happy 1st Anniversary!!

A year ago today I stood in front of our family & friends

and said "I do"

I would say it again and again.

Just as I said a year ago

I do

Every day

Always

I do.

Here's to many, many more Happy Anniversaries!

XOXO

New job, sicknesses & football

Yes, I'm lumping it all into ONE post. Don't judge me.

I don't have any photos to post with it either. {{sigh..}}

I started my new job last week. (last week?? well, the week before this past week. I've been there for two weeks now, you get the drift.)

I'm working for DaVita in downtown Tacoma. It's a kidney dialysis company business office and I'm working in Payroll - which is the funnest group ever! I was pretty much thrown into my job that Monday. Since I was the only one who could make it to training, they decided to move my training day to the following Monday. Soooo, Miss Lynnae was introduced, warmly welcomed and a tad overwhelmed.

By Wednesday night I had the scratchy, ashtray throat, want-to-crawl-in-bed feeling. Bleh.
I made it through the week, but just barely.

The weekend came - thank GAWD! - and I was still sucking cough drops, but felt better at Cole's first football game. I was thankful to actually stay home and watch the Seahawks on TV, rather than trekking to the game. I just wanted to rest after my first full week of work.

On Sunday, Cole came down with a 24 hour flu.... Poor guy was drifting in and out of sleep on the couch. After taking some Tylenol and forcing him to have some bites of a Ritz cracker, as I'm tucking him in, he says to me, "Mom.. I feel horrible. Just horrible!" Awwww.... poor guy! He even asked me if he had to go to school the next day. "No" I told him, "don't worry". He did get up after I went to bed and got sick. Shawn was still up, so he took care of him and they watched a hunting show together. Shawn stayed home with him Monday and he was pretty much better by the time I got home from work.

I was doing great until Tuesday night when I got another head cold! Aaarrgghh! I'm so sick of being sick! So, I muddled through the rest of the week with sniffles, sneezing, stuffy nose and a constant sinus headache. Bleh.

Cole had his 2nd football game Saturday and they did AWESOME, winning 30 - 6!! You've never seen the Detroit Lions play like this!

Anna had her first high school dance Saturday night, her Homecoming dance with her boyfriend James. She sent me a photo on my phone and Oh. My. Gosh. She looked GORGEOUS!! Haven't got all the details yet, but sounds like they had a very magical night :)

All in all, things are good. I'm so happy to be employed and it's a little surreal to be working where my friends work and have always tried to get me to work.. and so nice to have friendly, familiar faces :)

Cole's first Flag Football Game!

Cole had his first ever Flag Football game Saturday and let me tell you..

THEY ROCKED!

Cole's team - the Detroit Lions (don't laugh!) - beat the Kansas City Chiefs, get this,

40 - 0

Yes, you hear me correctly:

Lions 40

Chiefs 0

Their league, through Metro Parks Tacoma, is all NFL sponsored and each team is an ACTUAL NFL team name with official jerseys! And although the real Lions haven't been doing so well in the past year, he is SUPER excited to be a "Lions", just like his Dad's hometown of Michigan.

Cole getting lined up for a play, he's a runningback!

The team looked AWESOME! They just kept catching balls and running them into the end zone! And in flag, they don't kick for the extra point, so we kept getting the 2 point conversions as well! We've got a quarterback who has played for this team for the past 3 years and who also plays tackle football, so he's very talented. The coach and his team were undefeated last year, so we're hoping for a repeat!

Awesome job, guys!! Very fun to watch!

Heading down the field

It was a beautiful day, sunny but a bit windy and cold - PERFECT football weather! Grammy & Grumpy came to cheer on Cole too and took us out for a celebratory meal afterwards. Thanks G&G!


Team meeting after their win!

GO LIONS!!!

One of Cole's runs, I only caught this one on my camera

Canning

This past Saturday, Shawn & I attempted our first try at canning and let me tell you, it went quite well!

A HUGE THANK YOU to my wonderful mom-in-law, Linda, for two wonderful recipes! And all the canning advice that goes along with it. I'm just surprised (and thankful) that we didn't end up calling you over and over for tips!

Tomatoes. This was surprisingly easy! Boil them for a sec, peel them & cut them. Easy, easy, easy! I can't wait to try them this fall in some chili or goulash.

PICKLES! (and some peppers, whew!) These will -hopefully- be just as amazing as they smelled! Shawn takes all the credit for these babies!



Sauerkraut! This was the most simple of them all! Cabbage, salt, sugar, vinegar, boiling water and it's done! No water bath, nothing! Keeping my fingers crossed on these guys. They should be AWESOME!

SEAHAWKS SEASON OPENER!!

Seahawks 28 - Rams 0
Yeah baby!!
The Seattle Seahawks home season opener was a BLAST!! - all. day. long!

( I AM SO IRRITATED WITH THIS *STUPID* BLOGGER AND IT'S "LAYOUT" PROCESS RIGHT NOW!!! I'VE TRIED TO FIX THIS 3 TIMES ALREADY!! GRRRR..... Anyway...)

















(photo #1): Glen, Shawn & the gang tailgating before the game.

(photo #2): "TAILGATE ALLEY"

People had buses, campers and BBQ's - THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!!

(photo #3): The beautiful view from our SEASON TICKETS !!!!!

(photo #4): The triumphant 12th Man Flag!

Patrick Swayze

Another junior high love lost.

I could watch this movie over and over and over - such a brilliant cast.

I dedicate this to Cami, Julie L., Jackie, Shawna, Dannie, Alodie, Tracey, Julie B., etc., etc.....

R.I.P. Patrick Swayze

Reading

Oh I love me some books!

I love to read. I've always loved to read. I have my original copy of Charlotte's Web from when I was little. Circa 1983. That's 3rd grade to you and me.

I started reading this past winter, but it was this summer that I really put my nose in my books and savored all they had to offer.

This summer was sunny and warm and PERFECT for afternoon reading breaks. Cole and I would get our chores done in the morning and then head outside for some sunshine. Cole would usually be in the sprinkler, on the slip-n-slide or riding his bike (ahhh... those carefree days...). I would set out my loungechair, iced sun tea and soak up the rays - book in hand.

I've discovered some new favorites as well as revisiting some old classics. Now I really look forward to nighttime - snuggling in bed with a good book!

To Kill A Mockingbird. My current read - for the 3rd time. I love this book. Love everything about it. The time period, the names, the descriptives, all set in the syrupy, syrupy South. This book is in my top 5. Harper Lee really outdid herself. It's like poetry.





Vanishing Acts. I picked this up at a thrift store purely by the cover of the book (how vain of me! tsk.) But a beautiful story of a father and his love for his daughter. Written in 4 different character perspectives, Jodi Picoult gives you the view of "walking a mile in another mans shoes". A heart-strings tugger for any mom out there.







Extreme by Sharon Osbourne. Gawd, she is sassy! And I *LOVE* her for it! After really getting to know her from the MTV reality show (some would say first ever reality show) The Osbournes, I fell in love with Sharon. She's brash, she's ballsy, she's crass and she rocks! The wife of heavy metal icon, Ozzy Osbourne, and mother of 3, Sharon tells of the rock and roll lifestyle she and Ozzy experienced first hand. I have more respect now for Ozzy and his music. Very funny and sad at times. Another thrift store find :)




The Five People You Meet In Heaven. I know, I'm probably one of the last people on EARTH to read this book. It's been on "my list". Gutwrenching and Heavenly all within the same book. It traces back to my "everything happens for a reason" slogan. If you haven't read it either - get to it!






The Devil Wears Prada. I read this on the beach in the BAHAMAS and that is a great memory in and of itself! Of course it had already been made into a movie by the time I got around to reading the book, but it still rocked! Picturing Meryl Streep as the mean, mean Miranda gave me a perfect visual. This will go into my 'keeper' pile.

The Secret Life of Bees. OH. MY. GOSH. I don't know where to begin. The beautifully described sunny south set in the 60's, the dripping honey, the honey bees, the longing of Lily.... It oozed warmth and goodness from the first pages. HUN - NEY!

A Must Read. A Must Read. This is now in my top 5 of all time.

East of Eden. Steinbeck. 'nuff said.
Set in the Salinas Valley in the late 1800's to early 1900's, a gripping, epic tale of family. It's S.L.O.W... and long and if you make it past the first 90 pages, you're good. I bought this in 2003/2004 to bring to Sun Lakes as a summer read and haven't touched it since. Now bring on the movie and James Dean!





I've also read In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner, a wonderful story about sisters and growing up.

Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells - this would probably make my top 10. I know it was over publicized and the movie just didn't do it any justice whatsoever! The book itself , when you break it down, was a beautiful journey of four girlfriends. You'll laugh and cry, sometimes within the same sentence!

The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks - my mom gave me this book. Not a 'typical' Nicholas Sparks novel. Not at all. If you're looking for The Notebook, look somewhere else. This is suspenseful and gripping and a story of love. Love between a woman and her dog - a dog her deceased husband sent to her. Yes, you'll cry. But good, happy tears that make you glad to be alive and to be loved.

Atonement - Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. The movie is well done and was nominated for a bunch of awards and such, but the book is SOOOO much better. Lovely!

Many more to come, I'm sure! I already have Confessions of a Shopaholic, Water for Elephants, The Reader and The Friday Night Knitting Club just waiting on my nightstand........ Plus, my friend Jenna has volunteered her Twilight books for me to read. Whew!

Happy reading! And as always - suggestions welcome!

First Day of School

Cole's first day of school!

waiting in his class line

Making new friends :)

I just LOVE this photo and had to include it. Cole and his friend Odin eating cereal in a tree in Odin's yard. With their "flat hats". Cuz that's how they roll.

Lots 'O Catching Up To Do!

We've been B U S Y !!

It's been awhile, I know. Shawn, Cole & I (and sometimes Anna) have just been busy, busy enjoying summertime! I may make this short - but sweet - just to get thru all of our happenings.

Where to begin??......

I'll start with REALLY good news, cuz good news is always fun!

~~~ SHAWN GOT THE GHIA STARTED !!!!

It was brief, it was a tad smokey, but IT WAS RUNNING!! Ohh... and she just purred like a kitten.... you know me, I had a super-duper Cheshire Cat grin on my face and a tear in my eye.

(My Ghia was *running*!?!!!!!!)

---> A highlight of Cole's was the Seahawks training camp that we went to on Aug. 3rd (also my bro's birthday!). He was in constant motion the minute we got there and he was just in AWE of the players. It's such a beautiful facility on gorgeous Lake Washington and we were so lucky to attend their first public practice!

The warm-up

Our newest 'Hawk - TJ "Hous-yo-mama". hehe.

(I don't think I'll ever be able to spell his name correctly)

Cole took this close-up photo right at the sidelines

Just the beginning of his signed football. The thing is COVERED now!

---> On another very happy note, our good friends Candice & Pete just welcomed their new little man on July 20th. CONNER was a healthy 11 pounds 2 ounces.

Yes, you heard me correctly. . . 11 pounds.

(I said the same thing, "poor mama!") But, of course, it was C-section and now mom & baby are doing just fine!

Congratulations Pete & Candice!

Conner & Candice - he is such a cutie!!

---> We got our actual SEAHAWKS SEASON TICKETS delivered also! Woo Hoo!!

After being on the waiting list for the past 3 years, Shawn finally got notification that we would be able to purchase season tickets!! So excited for fall & football season, just trying not to wish summer away too quickly. Go Hawks!!

---> Cole was on a fishing kick lately and since we are so close to the Tacoma waterfront, I decided to take him down to the dock and see what would happen. It'd be some nice bonding time too, either way.

"It's a LONG way down!"

He did end up catching a small salmon (YAY!) but ended up having to throw it back since it was so small. Bummer.

Shawn fishing on the Green River



Cole fishing on the Green River - and he caught something!!



Yum!

---> Also, I left Safeway. In all my years of customer service, I've never had to deal with "crazy" before. . . . . Never.

To make it short, although I was just a 'bagger', I don't need to be put up with being called a liar, questioning my integrity or accuse me of playing games.

I'm 35, not 16.

So once again, I'm looking. I know I'm more than qualified, it's just finding something that fits.

And that's your newest Wilson update - HAPPY SUMMER!

John Hughes ?!?

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh.......

John Hughes - dead??

It can't be true....

http://http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/08/77281/

But it is.

He created The Breakfast Club, Ferris Bueller and (gasp!)
SIXTEEN CANDLES

Wow.

Thank you, John, thanks for your vision, for the memories, for the belly laughs.

Hiking at Mowich Lake

I woke up Saturday morning - to an ALARM, can you believe it? Me, an alarm? Yes, I set one every day. It's my "me" time in the morning. Cole sleeps in a little later (from staying up later during summertime), Shawn always sleeps in and when we have Anna on the weekends, well, she's a teenager and it's practically a requirement. (Ahh, I remember those days fondly)

Anyhow.... Shawn and I were discussing what to do for the day when he said, "Let's go for another hike."

I'm game - let's go!!

He's already picked out a spot and so up, up, up we go past Wilkeson & Carbonado to Mowich Lake. We pass nice sized patches of SNOW and Cole is just amazed by this. For as nice as it's been here and us wearing shorts and tank tops, I'm a little surprised too.

A little bridge over a stream

The hiking was pretty intense. I'm telling you, I struggled a bit on some of the inclines. The hike itself was great! We started at almost 5000 feet and only inclined about 150 feet, but it was fairly severe descents and inclines - LOTS of steps - that almost killed these little legs of mine!

But when we got to the lookout........... we were rewarded with a SPECTACULAR view!

The beautiful, majestic Mt. Rainier

(and so nekkid!)

I just have my Canon Elph.... the contrast is horrible! But here are the kids with the mountain

Breathtaking!

The first waterfall we came to. Shawn kept teasing us with, "Oh, this is going to be the biggest waterfall you've ever seen!" Uh-huh.... But it did get better each time.

The second waterfall. Most impressive! But we had NO IDEA what we were in store for.....

Our next stop completely took our breath away!!

SPRAY FALLS - elev. 5100 feet

So completely spectacular and spiritual to witness! It was graceful and masculine all in the same sight. Just hearing the rush of the water and feeling the spray, you could tell this was a very powerful force.

Cole taking it all in

Shawn & Anna decided to brave it across the river to capture the WHOLE view of the falls. Cole was too little to cross and I was, well, too scared. I'm scared of heights and don't like being out of control. Let them take the chance!

I admit, they got a gorgeous view!! You're able to see almost the entire falls on the other side. In the words of Cole, "no fair!"

The *entire* Spray Falls

And one last photo - PROOF that I was there! :)

I GOT A JOB!!

It's been a long time comin', but..........

I'm officially EMPLOYED!

After a long, L O N G sabbatical (I say that with a grain of salt) and Shawn and I sitting around trying to figure out 'what I want to do with my life'. He gave me a FANTASTIC idea - grocery stores. He always raves about how he LOVED working at his local grocery store through high school. So.....

I am happy to say that I am a new employee of - Safeway.

(for those of you not in the area, it's a grocery store)

I am the newest, 34 year old Courtesey Clerk at the local store.

Ha!

I have a teenagers job!

But it's my foot in the door. And the only thing they had available with my schedule right now. With Cole out of school, I really didn't want to put him in some sort of daycare, it just doesn't work out financially. When school starts, my schedule opens waaaay up. This way Cole & I can still enjoy our summer!

Yay!

The woman that interviewed and hired me told an interesting story too. She started out as a courtesey clerk also and on her 3rd day she heard over the intercom, "Heather, please come to the managers office before you leave today". She was like, "crap, I'm getting canned on my 3rd day!?"

In the managers office he asks her, "So, where do you want to go?". Puzzled, she asks, "What?". He proceeds to tell her that EVERY department wants her, that she has her pick of the store and can choose to her liking.

She moved up to Checker just like that.

And that's what I'm interested in. Moving up. I'm able to move up and up and up as well as transfer, transfer, transfer.

All around, best move ever!

But for now - I'm a bagger. And I'm OK with that.

Hiking - 4th of July weekend

First, I had to snap one more photo of Cole on the 4th of July.... we were getting ready to eat dinner and he said he didn't feel good. We told him to "go rest on your bed"... a half hour went by and we hadn't heard a peep out of him. So I went to check and this is what I found:

(sorry, the photo is blurry, still working on how to take darker pics ??)

I think all the HEAT from the day had just exhausted him.. He was OUT! We did wake him up in time to see the fireworks down by his school, overlooking the bay.

Sunday we decided to go on a hike. I think Cole was the most excited - his first real hike! We went up near the Carbon River Glacier, past Carbonado to see how washed out the road was from last years flooding.

WHOA!

You couldn't even get up to the trailheads. So normally a small little walk to the falls (literally, about 2 minutes) turned into an 8 mile hike along the former road. So much devastation! But it was a great day to be in the forest, shaded from the sun. (did I say that??)

Dad showing Cole how to count the trees age

HUGE fallen trees

Complete mudslide where the road once was!

walking the trail

Bummer. 3 small, little bridges to get to the falls and the middle one was gone.

Beautiful sight from the river

Lewis and Clark

You could SEE the falls, we just couldn't get there......

A VERY refreshing stream! Did I mention it has been hot here?