City Girl Stuck in a Small Town World

Goodbye Sweet Girl

2011-12-28T14:03:00.000-08:00

I have gone back and forth on writing this post because honestly I am not one to open up when I am hurting, I tend to build a bit of a wall and unless I am alone or with a close friend I keep things to myself. But my darling first baby, Agatha Marie Hunter, otherwise known as MooMoo or Moomie, or Ags, or Aggie has passed on. The pain that I feel is excruciating. It feels like I have been kicked in the stomach and I guess I kind of have. Aggie was 11 years old, she was suppose to live to be 13 or 14 that was the plan, well it was my plan however someone else had a different idea.

Aggie came to me in the back of a Mitsubishi Eclipse all the way from Chicago. I had seen a picture of her and told my best friend she was the cutest dog I had ever seen. My best friend told me you can have her if you want her, my mother-in-law doesn't want to keep her. She said "my mother-in-law will probably fly the dog out here if you want her." Well instead her mother-in-law drove her out to me. It was March of 2002. Aggie was 1 1/2 years old. I had just moved to Shelton a few months before, had not found a job yet and was in desperate need of a friend. Aggie was perfect. Aggie was adorable. She was lovable and yes as some girls are she was bossy. She would bark at you until you either pet her, got up out of the seat she wanted or you fed her. She was full of personality and she was perfect. She would attack you with kisses in the morning, she would drink a rum and coke if an unsuspecting party goer left their drink unattended. She loved catching mice and snakes and anything else she could find in the field. Aggie would meet Arturo in the field at 7am and stay out with him and the crew until they left at 5pm. She was a farm dog and loved every inch of our 5 acre piece of land.

Over the last few months she started getting a little bit more sweet, a little more clingy a little more "old" but you know what, my husband and I were actually excited. She was finally slowing down as all old dogs should. But a week ago she stopped being really interested in food and then she started sleeping a lot. Next her breathing changed and on December 26, 2011 we had to say goodbye. She could barely stand to greet us when we went to say goodbye, although she did give me one last kiss and snuggled her head into my leg as I pet her soft fur.

My heart hurts to the point of no return. I know in time it will get easier, but for now there is void that hurts uncontrollably. I love you Moomie, until we meet again. Godspeed.

Matt Damon is Perfection

2011-12-09T08:56:00.000-08:00

Normally this time of year you would be blessed with my annual Wreath Season rant. However, this year I will spare you the rant and instead leave you with the wonderful Matt Damon. I just love Matt Damon! The face, the TEETH, his adorable personality and right now more than anything his love for clean water. It's like we were meant to be together, yet somehow that has not happened.

Anyway many of you know that I work in the water industry at a non-profit that provides training and technical assistance to water and wastewater operators throughout the fine State of Washington. Matt Damon is a huge supporter of water.org and they have put together an adorable video on making a water bottle the "hot" toy for this holiday season. I am certain after watching the video you will feel the same about Matt Damon as I do...perfection!

School Days!

2011-09-14T20:00:00.000-07:00

This past week has been filled with first days of school for our family. It started last week with Georgia. She is now a big first grader, going to school all day long and riding the bus. She seems to be doing great and enjoying her class, tonight she told me she was picked as team leader...nice!

Georgia

Natalie started Pre-K today. She has been telling me for the last month that she is not attending Pre-K. She says she already goes to school so she doesn't need to go to Pre-K. With that, I was a little frightened that my shy girl would not walk nicely into the classroom, however she did! Andy took her to school instead of me which probably helped a great deal, but there is the small chance that she was just ready to take on a new adventure.

Natalie

Speaking of new adventures, I have gone back to school too. I am taking a NonProfit Leadership Certification course through a local community college. Classes are one day a month from now until May. So far I have learned my Meyers Briggs personality INFJ, and had a class on Ethics. You know what, it is really fun to learn when you want to! I am looking forward the rest of my classes throughout the school year.

Family, Friends and the Fourth of July

2011-07-05T08:35:00.000-07:00

What a gorgeous weekend we had here in the PNW. And what a rarity that it was sunny and warm on the 4th of July. We had a wonderful 4th of July BBQ with our friends and family as we do every year. We had tank wars, and new this year car races and boat races as well as a stretch hummer limousine (they were all fireworks, we don't have THAT much fun at our BBQ). The girls decorated themselves with tattoos, we filled our tummys with shrimp, salmon and pulled pork, and topped the night off with cake balls and strawberry shortcake. By 10:30 the finale was over I was ready for bed. What a wonderful night.

The Gang

Andy & Tony having tank wars.

Smile Tony!

1/2 of the Bennett Family

All the girls waiting to play tank wars!

Bennett Kiddos

Natalie lighting her tank.

Natalie showing off her sleeve tattoo.

Could he BE and cuter?

Georgia & Morgen, cousins & BFFs

Lily and Hannah, sparkler time!

Spring Is Blooming!

2011-05-08T13:23:00.000-07:00

I love tulips! Last year Andy bought bags and bags of tulip bulbs for us to plant around the house. As things go around our house I completely forgot about them until about March of this year. So the girls and I planted some in the flower beds but we still had oodles and oodles of tulip bulbs left over. Well, and this is when I love the fact that my husband is a farmer and loves to plant things and play in the dirt, Andy planted all of our hanging baskets and all of our planters with the remaining bulbs. Our yard and deck look fabulous!!!

Hanging tulip basket

Besides the tulips blooming our fruit trees have begun to bloom too. The we have two cherry trees, one Rainier Cherry and one Bing Cherry. They are both in full bloom and I love looking out my kitchen window at them. Our apple trees have started to bloom as well, they aren't quite as loaded as the cherry trees but their pretty pink blossoms are the perfect touch of spring.

Apple Blossom

Cherry Blossom

I Need A Party to Plan!

2011-03-09T11:54:00.000-08:00

I have a new favorite blog and a new favorite obsession...One Charming Party. It is the most adorable blog about children's parties, there is a DIY section,a place to order their party plans, and they show you adorable ideas for party favors.

I can't get enough. Poor Georgia, she just wants to go to Charlie Safari for her birthday and I am trying to throw her an over the top adorable party at home.

Lynch Creek Farm is Blogging

2011-01-30T14:10:00.000-08:00

Lynch Creek Farm (my husband's blood, sweat and tears) has a blog!!! A big thanks to Carolyn Maddux who is taking on this endeavor for the farm. Check it out! http://blog.lynchcreekdahlias.com/

"Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree"

2010-12-06T20:40:00.000-08:00

On Sunday afternoon I wrangled my husband away from the wreath business for all of about 1 hour to search for our perfect Christmas tree. We headed down to Brewer's Christmas Tree Farm as we have the past few years. They close at 4pm on Sunday and of course we pulled in right at 3:45pm. Luckily for us we have been going there for years and know the sweet spot on the farm for the perfect tree.

The Long Walk Out to the Sweet Spot

We found the tree in about 5 minutes and it only took that long because Georgia and I were actually looking at all the trees. Andy started calling over to us that he had found the perfect tree and while his was pretty perfect, I turned around and found the ONE.

Nat and the ONE

Too bad the Christmas cards were already done...this would have been a great picture.

Decorating the tree

Natalie

Here's something you may notice in the above picture...LED lights are horribly bright and with a blue tint. The old fashioned lights are on the bottom...I will be redoing the tree with the old lights.

Pumpkin Carving

2010-10-29T20:44:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year. Although we missed our pumpkin patch outing with the Bennetts this year we were still able to get pumpkins. Thank goodness for Wal-mart (never thought I would utter those words in my life). I picked the girls up each a pumpkin and told them we would go online to find some stencils the designs. The girls selected Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, and Tinkerbell. Note to everyone: triangle eyes, square nose and a big mouth with random teeth are much easy to cut out than the Disney stencils.

Natalie scooping the seeds out.

Andy carving and Georgia putting on her stencil outline.

I think they turned out ok, and the girls had a blast helping.

Natalie's Maleficent pumpkin.

Georgia's Tinkerbell pumpkin.

Andy's design from scratch...took the least amount of time and looks awesome.

Ahhh Vacation

2010-08-14T21:37:00.000-07:00

Finally a vacation. At home. This is the first time in two years that I have taken a week off of work and stayed in Washington. Granted we were still busy but it is just more relaxing when you are not flying off some where, trying to cram all the sights of your vacation destination into one week.

On Sunday we headed over to Lincoln Rock State Park in Wenatchee and went camping with my parents and sister and brother in law. It was wonderful. That is a wonderful state park with a huge play area for the kids and nice swimming area too. On Tuesday we went river rafting down the Wenatchee River. And on Wednesday headed back home.

Painting and playing bubbles...waiting for Grammy & Grampy to arrive.

Soccer star

Auntie and her girls "driving" to the play area

Nat hanging out with Grampy in the tent.

Friday Georgia's friend Katie came over and we went to see a movie, play at the water fountain in Olympia and then back to our house for some play time.

Natalie and Katie

Georgia on the slip 'n slide

On Saturday morning after a nice 9 mile walk with my sister, Julie called and asked what we were doing? What a nice surprise...she drove down with her kiddos and had dinner with us.

Baby Kenyon...so cute.

We made ice cream sandwiches for dessert...thanks Auntie Julie!

Nat and Liv, best friends.

Ahhh what a great vacation.

Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale

2010-07-16T09:22:00.000-07:00

There was a time when I was just out of college, working in downtown Seattle, when I shopped frequently at Nordstrom. However the last 8 years I have been in Shelton. Now I know this may shock some of you, but there is no Nordstrom in Shelton...or Olympia.

I am also a wife and a mother and own a home and have a car payment, so needless to say I do not get to spend my money on my clothing anymore. This is why I end up shopping at Target. I do however like for my girls to dress adorable so today when I read several people on Facebook talk about the Nordstrom's Anniversary Sale I decided to get online (remember I live at least an hour from a Nordstrom). I found the cutest coat and boots for my soon to be kindergartener!!!

$100 dollars later I still have nothing from Nordstrom, but my 5 year old will look adorable for her first day of Kindergarten.

California Here We Come...California!!!

2010-06-18T10:11:00.000-07:00

For the second time this year Andy and I headed down to California, this time we brought the girls with us. Disneyland here we come! The girls were very excited to go to Disney, they really wanted to meet Tink and Mickey Mouse, both dreams came true.

Tink asked Georgia about the Tooth Fairy...it made her day!

Christmas card photo...get ready.

Minnie, me and Nat

We flew down on Thursday, did Disney on Friday, California Adventure on Saturday and headed down San Diego for a relaxing beach day on Sunday.

Disney proved to be a bit too much for the girls, by 1:00pm each afternoon the girls were begging to go back to the motel and go swimming. But they were troopers and after a swim and some what of a nap we were back at the theme parks.

Natalie was determined to get the sword out...we went back several times.

Georgia tried her hardest, but showed up empty.

Day one at disney = exhausted Natalie

Rocket launch at California Adventure

Best day over all was Sunday visiting with Andy's good friend Mike and his lovely/adorable girlfriend Michelle. A picnic was packed and off to Coronado we went. I have two beach girls. They loved San Diego, as did we.

My beach girls.

The group enjoying ice cream.

Memorial Day Weekend - Annual Camping Trip!!

2010-05-31T11:10:00.000-07:00

Andy and I started camping in Long Beach before we were married and the tradition continues...rain, shine or wind we camp. Once again this year we were joined with our partners in camping crime, the Bennett Family, Sparks Family and Gragg Family. We had a great time, got some great garage sale finds, and the kiddos enjoyed every minute. Georgia would ask every night if we had to go home in the morning and when I would tell her no she was over the moon excited.

This was our camp mascot. He came around everyday to see what leftovers we had.

Lily and Natalie playing in the rain.

The 3 Amigos...that is until Lily came over and told us that they (nat and lils) weren't best friends with Olivia anymore, because she lost their caterpiller...gotta love girls!

York and Bago still cruising 20 years later : )

Julie and her girls: Olivia and Kate

Georgia and me

Kate, Georgia, Natalie and Olivia

Georgia decided to take up woodworking and built a bench...Uncle Jimmy or Uncle Tony if you are looking for a summer employee, this girls got some skills!

Graduation

2010-05-20T09:02:00.000-07:00

Georgia has graduated from Pre-School!! In Shelton they do a big graduation ceremony just like we had in high school, including cap, gown & tassle. It was really cute and she was really excited.

Georgia & BFF/Cousin Morgen

Georgia, Morgen, Kennadi, Claire
First Day of Pre-K

Claire, Kennadi, Morgen & Georgia
at Graduation

Clam Digging!

2010-05-15T21:46:00.000-07:00

Ready for the "clammies"

It always amazes me how easy it is to get up early when you are heading out to do something fun, even on a Saturday, but yet I can't seem to get out of bed on time to head to work, ever. Today started at 5:30am, I think I was up and dressed before 5:35am. For some reason I was so excited to go clam digging. The girls and Andy were very excited too. On the way to the ocean Georgia decided we would have clam digging teams, she was with Andy and Natalie and I were on team. I hate to say it but Andy and Georgia won. We had so much fun and came home with 60 razor clams, life is good.

Natalie "actively participating"

Georgia got one!

Natalie got one!

The Winning Team!!!
They found theirs first.

The 2nd place team!

Fort Worden

2010-04-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we set out in our new travel trailer and went camping at Fort Worden State Park in Port Townsend. And let me say what a difference it makes having a trailer that we can all comfortably walk around in, at the same time. We love our new trailer!!!!

The girls and I spent countless hours at the beach building sand villages, we went on our first Geocaching find, and did a little hiking. We also spent wonderful time with our camping partners: the Sparks Family and the Bennett Family.

Next camping trip is planned in Long Beach over Memorial Day.

Long walk to the beach.

The BEACH!!!!!!

The girls stopped long enough for one quick photo.

Nat found a teepee

Sorry this is the only picture of the trailer...

Nat was so excited that she has her own window.

Hiking up to see the batteries.

Family photo with the 'classic' Natty scowl.

The girls found a tunnel while hiking around the batteries.

Natalie could only hike so long before

Daddy needed to give her a lift.

Princess Georgia

2010-04-11T09:56:00.000-07:00

My baby is 5. Yep, 5 years old, I can't believe it either. Seems like just yesterday she was my big cheeked baby and now she is my gorgeous almost kindergartner. For her birthday this year, she choose to have a princess party, so off to the salon we went. We went to the Jack 'n Jill Children's Salon in Lacey. They did an amazing job with all the girls.

Getting her hair done.

The finished product...the "heart braid"

Making tiaras

Playing Kiss the Frog

Blowing out her candles

Making beaded braclets

Opening Presents

Souping for Cruise

2010-03-10T13:24:00.000-08:00

Yes you read it correctly, I am "souping for cruise". Andy & I leave in 10 glorious days for our 5 night cruise along the Western Caribbean, so with that I have started to have soup everyday for lunch. My hopes are that by having a low-calorie soup for lunch instead of what I would like to have I will shed a few pounds and flatten the tummy in time for the cruise.

I started last thursday and have already lost 1 pound. For those of you that are worried about the sodium intake, I am trying to choose soups with lower sodium, but the other thing I am doing is drinking between 48-72oz of water each day.

Wish me luck. And I will let you know how it goes. With me it is quite possible that I will be bored of souping for cruise by friday and back to my old ways.

Back in the Saddle Again

2010-02-02T12:34:00.000-08:00

Our saddle however is more like a ship floating in the western caribbean. That's right boys and girls, Andy and I have booked another cruise!!! I am so excited. Come the end of March I will be soaking up the sun on the Grandeur of the Seas...more to come.

New Years Resolution

2009-12-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

So my new favorite blog is My Three Son's Designs, it is Julie's sister's. She just puts some amazing things on her blog...craft ideas, cute home ideas etc. So today as I was reading it I saw this poster

Everthing on this poster is exactly what I need to strive for in 2010. So I have put this poster on my desktop and am seriously thinking about ordering it, so I can read it everyday and remember to eat breakfast everyday, to schedule me-time, practice saying no, floss, drink more H2O, that my life is an incredible opportunity to Laugh, Love & Play, and of course to SPARKLE.

"This is the Polar Express"

2009-12-06T09:52:00.000-08:00

For those of us that have children, small children especially, we know the story of the Polar Express. "On Christmas Eve many years ago, I lay quietly in my bed...I was listening for a sound - a sound a friend told me I'd never hear - the ringing bells of Santa's sleigh."

On Friday, the girls and I ventured down to Hood River, Oregon, with a quick stop in Camas to pick up Andy's cousin, Amy and her two girls, to board the Polar Express. It was a perfect PNW winter night, crisp and cold with a hint of rain.

Tickets in hand

Georgia & Lila ready to board the train

The train ride was a little 'rustic' as Amy put it, but the kids enjoyed it. Hot cocoa was served with cookies, the Polar Express story was read, and after a quick stop at the North Pole Santa paid each child a visit and gave them a bell.

Eva, Amy, Lila, Georgia & Natalie: we just found our seats

mmmm, hot chocolate

Georgia enjoying her cocoa...Lila clearly satisfied from hers.

"tickets, tickets please"...getting our tickets punched. Lila got a little scared.

Georgia & Santa

Eva & Santa

Natalie didn't want to sit on Santa's lap (she's not too sure of the big man)

Lila, wasn't having anything to do with Santa.

Happy Birthday Jackson = Scariest Day of My Life

2009-10-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

This weekend was filled with family fun. Saturday started with gymnastics for both girls followed by our annual Hunter/Bennett pumpkin patch adventure. The pumpkins were a little picked over, go figure, it was the Saturday before Halloween. But each child managed to find their "perfect" pumpkin.

Sunday brought another pumpkin patch trip. This time up to Scholz Farms in Orting, for Jackson Bonham's 2nd birthday. It was a cold...a downright frigid day in Orting, but the girls were enjoying themselves and I was enjoying spending time with Kelsey and her family. And then near tragedy. It happened in the blink of an eye, literally. The four of us, Andy, myself, Georgia and Natalie were standing together in the party room talking with someone when Georgia was gone. Andy ran out the back, I out the front...no Georgia. Andy circled around, no Georgia. Now remember we are at a pumpkin patch, people coming and going, she could be anywhere. Of course my thoughts instantly go to "she could be in the back of someone's car driving out of the pumpkin patch as we stand here searching." The staff at the pumpkin patch were amazing. As soon as they heard me screaming her name, they came over "what is she wearing, how old is she?" They fanned out and started looking. Mind you at this point probably 45 seconds has gone by, but it feels like 45 minutes. She was probably gone for 2 minutes...it felt like two hours. My eyes had begun to well up as I was certain this is the moment every parent dreads. Suddenly, I hear "they found her!" Georgia had casually walked out of the corn maze, unconcerned because she knew she was not lost.

I can't fathom what parents go through who have missing children. I can't understand how they continue living. I was ready to give up my life after just two minutes of not knowing.

Pre-K

2009-09-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

I can't believe my baby girl is in Pre-K. She tells me everyday how she is almost 5. She says this because she is learning to whistle and apparently when you are 5 you can whistle, so with her logic since she can almost whistle, she is almost 5. True enough she is 4 1/2. And today she comes running out of the kitchen so excited because she made her own breakfast, fruit loops and cocoa. The girl didn't even spill a drop of milk. I can't believe how grown up she is.

In front of our house

With Natalie and Natalie's new haircut

With her school friends:
Georgia, Morgen, Kennadi & Claire

Ok, so I had to include the picture of me and my "boyfriend" Matt and his friend Walter Jones. Sorry it was an exciting day in my life...I can't let my kids have all the glory now can I?

Gus' trip to the E.R.

2009-08-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

One of the loves of my life is in the hospital, Olympia Emergency Vet to be exact. Yesterday morning Gus started to get sick and it just progressed. I know many people who would say "he is just a dog, he will be fine". But I was not fine, so I called my good friend Becky and former Vet Tech to have her assess the situation. Her advice, call the emergency vet. I did. They wanted to see him right away. So last night the girls and I climbed into our minivan with Gus and away we went.

Gus laying in the yard.

All of his test results have come back good. The boy is healthy as a horse, except one little problem, he is sick. They are pretty certain his intestines aren't blocked, and his bloodwork came back clear, so at this point the vet is settling on Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis or (HGE). Prompt vet care is a must as they need to be on IV fluids immediately and our vet has also started him on antibiotics. (Our emergency vet is a Coug so I know Gus is in good hands).

I must say a big THANK YOU to Becky. She is always there for me, especially when I have pet questions and because she felt it could be serious, Gus is getting the care he needs. Please pray he gets better. Those that know me, know that I care for my dogs just as much as my girls (sometimes more, because dogs don't seem to throw attitude at you).

Aggie is depressed without her Gus

Aggie and I are struggling through together, both sad, both scared, both counting on faith to make Gus well again.

The Great Snake Hunt

2009-08-30T12:21:00.000-07:00

The girls are becoming more "rural" everyday. This past week the girls learned the art of snake hunting. Nolan, age 8, was over at our house (his mother is my co-worker and we had a company picnic at our house) and he wanted to find snakes and lizards. He found a bucket and started walking around our property "hunting" for snakes. After a couple of hours the girls warmed up to Nolan and asked if he would show them how to find snakes.

The loot

Natalie & Her Lizard

Georgia and her baby snake

Nolan and the 'mama' snake

Since last Tuesday we have been on several snake hunts, and Daddy even learned a valuable lesson...don't hold a lizard by the tail, they drop their tails to get away from predators. The girls had to show Andy how to hold a lizard. It was priceless.

Don't worry the kids put all the reptiles back before Nolan left, so no need to call PETA.

Lynch Creek Farm Soccer!!

2009-07-09T12:57:00.000-07:00

That's right, we have branched out from wreaths and flowers to soccer teams! Georgia is playing summer soccer this year and Andy nicely decided to sponsor her team. Here are some pictures of her playing...she definitely doesn't enjoy it as much as gymnastics, but I think she has a pretty good time.

Playing goalie

Being her usual cute self.

Team Lynch Creek Farm!

Tea Party

2009-07-09T12:48:00.000-07:00

Georgia's friend Katie invited her and Natalie over for a tea party brunch. The girls got all dressed up in their "sunday best" and enjoyed quite the spread. They had pancakes with whipped cream, eclairs, fresh fruit, cookies...it was every childs dream breakfast.

And as usual with my children, even though they are all dressed up, the day ended with Georgia climbing trees, hiking through Poppy's forest to see fairy houses and dodging horse pies in the pasture as we tried to find Apache and give him some treats. It was a fabulous morning...thanks Katie and Sara!!

Georgia, Natalie & Katie enjoying their tea party

The goodies!

Georgia & her mini pancake

Natalie picking off each individual sprinkle

Katie, enjoying an eclair.

Happy Birthday America!!

2009-07-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

Trying to explain the 4th of July to a 4 year old and 2 year old is a bit tough. So we just kept telling them it was America's birthday that we were celebrating. Honestly I don't think they have any idea what America is, but they enjoyed hanging out with their Shrum cousins and eating the fresh crab that Tony and Katie had caught earlier in the day, and playing with the sparklers.

Natalie, Hannah, Georgia & Morgen

Natalie and Katie

Hannah, not too sure of her sparkler

Andy helping Morgen with her sparkler

Georgia the pyro...man she loved the fireworks.

The Hunter Family Vacation

2009-07-09T12:15:00.001-07:00

Andy and I took the girls to Maui at the end of June. My sister was getting married and we decided she needed some family on her side during the ceremony (and it didn't hurt that we had enough capitol one miles to fly for free and a free place to stay) so we packed up and took our very first family vacation.

I think it took Andy a couple of days to realize that a vacation with children is much different than the vacations we were used to, sans children. We drove up to see the crater...it was fogged in...Natalie got car sick. We drove the road to Hana...car wouldn't start when we were ready to leave...Georgia got car sick.

We also saw the blowhole and the olivine pools.

The Banyan Tree which is the amazingly huge tree that takes up a city block.

Andy tested out his boogie boarding skills,

the girls and I played in the pool

and we enjoyed a wonderful beach wedding. We had a great time, were exhausted but tan, and are glad to be home.

Christmas Time / Wreath Season

2008-12-10T16:03:00.000-08:00

For those of you that have been reading my blog since it's inception you are quite familiar with my wreath season rants and actually this year, I don't have one. Well not one like I have had in the past. So far this season the girls and I have been BUSY! To start my sister and I headed out to Kohls at 3:30am on Black Friday. And black it was. The deals were few and far between this year and my sisters car battery died and I only had until 7:00am because Andy had to get to "the farm" for their busiest shipping day.

Last weekend Julie and her girls came down and we made our annual gingerbread houses. Georgia was so into the Christmas present she got from Kate & Olivia that she couldn't be bothered with decorating a gingerbread house, and I think Olivia and Natalie both preferred taste-testing the candy to placing the candy on the house. After that we went to the Shelton Christmas Parade. I know, who knew Shelton of all places would have a decent Christmas parade, but they do.

I have just completed my cards, made them on snapfish and literally 10 minutes later they said they were ready to be picked up at Walgreens, god love snapfish.com.

So the only left to do on my list is get a tree and that leads me to my only gripe this wreath season. My husband does not get home from "the farm" until 10 or 11pm most nights and apparently he can't take a 1/2 hour out of his day to meet me at a tree farm, cut down a tree, pay the nice man working the tree farm and throw it in the back of "big whitey" (big whitey is Georgia's nickname for his truck). Weekends tend to be out because I am working at the Olympia Farmers Market every Sunday and Saturdays he once again is at "the farm". I hope we get our tree before the week before Christmas. If not I am going to start calling Andy, Bruce. As my father always holds out until the last bitter moment before he agrees to go get a tree.

Merry Christmas and Happy Wreath Season!

Pumpkin Patch '08

2008-10-20T13:55:00.000-07:00

Saturday afternoon we headed off to the pumpkin patch. Normally we go to Hunter Farms in Shelton, (no relation to us), but this year we went to Hunter Farms, in Olympia, (still no relation). This pumpkin patch was amazing....they had pony rides, train rides, atv adventure, corn maze, tractor rides, the list keeps going. The girls had a blast. Georgia fed a goat and Natalie went on her first pony ride...she is a natural. We went with our friends the Bennett's as is the tradition.

Natalie

Andy & the girls on the tractor

My little girl looking all grown up.

Family photo

Natalie on her pony.

Lily & Georgia

Steve & Becky

Hands On Children's Museum

2008-09-12T09:14:00.000-07:00

This blog is a little out of sequence, but as I was downloading Georgia's first day of school pictures off the digital camera I realized I hadn't downloaded our Hands On Children's Museum photos...so this blog is from August, I think.

The girls and I met my friend Susy and her boys at the Olympia Hands On Children's Museum for a morning of worry free fun. If you haven't been to a children's museum they are wonderful, and I really recommend the Olympia museum.

Natalie & Georgia in front of the fountain

Natalie and Devin with their eggs.

Carson & Georgia putting on a puppet show.

playing in the sand

Natalie picking apples.

First Day of Preschool

2008-09-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

You know how people who have already raised their children tell young mom's "it will go fast, before you know it they will be off to college." well I was a bit skeptical, especially as I was suffering from sleep deprivation, trying my best to shed the hamburger and fry weight that came along with pregnancy, and wondering if I will ever get to shower in peace again, but you know what they were right.

Georgia started preschool yesterday. I left our fall conference early so I could be there for her first day of school and you know what she could have cared less. She didn't even say good-bye to me. In a way it was a blessing, because I watched the agony that other parents were going through as their children clung to them for dear life and it was heart breaking.

Now just two more years until kindergarten and Natalie starts preschool....please lord slow down the clock.

Morgen (her cousin) & Georgia

Georgia in her classroom.

I've Been Published!!

2008-06-09T12:55:00.001-07:00

Ok, so it is not some great triumph. It is not like I have written a book or even had an article published in a magazine, I have been published on a website...can you even call it being published when it is on a website??

Anywho, my friend Kinan sent me a link http://firstkissproject.blogspot.com/ where you can submit your first kiss story. And as I sat there thinking about my actual first kiss, not just the one kiss that is stuck in my mind for eternity because I didn't know what the h*ll I was doing, but my FIRST kiss, the innocent one, it all came back to me.

Sunday, June 08, 2008
Tracey Hunter, 7th grade
Interesting Place / Sweet Kiss
It was 1986…Shane Dimmit was his name. He was the epitome of cute; tan, blonde hair, athletic what more is a seventh grade girl looking for. We had been on a double date, if you will, to the movies. I couldn't tell you what movie was playing, heck I can't even tell you all the parties involved in the double date, but I do remember that the "pick up" parents worked across the street from the mall at Ernst hardware. While we were waiting for our ride we cruised the aisles of the hardware store and there in the middle of the toilet seat aisle I received my first kiss. Not slobbery, no tongue, just a sweet, genuine 7th grade kiss.

Fun Times

2008-06-09T08:12:00.000-07:00

As long as Andy and I have been together we have been going to Long Beach for Memorial Day Weekend. It started out just the two of us and Aggie, and has now grown to four families with dogs and kids. Although it is a lot more work than it was the first time we went, when I look back at the pictures it makes it all worth while.

Georgia, Me & Nat

Kate & Georgia...wow, how she idolizes her!

Nat and Liv....best friends

Liv smiling, Nat with her infamous scowl

Andy being a dork, riding Kate's scooter.

The Nation's Capital

2008-04-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

Andy and I just returned from a trip to Washington DC; part business, part pleasure. I was there for the National Rural Water Rally and Andy finally came along to take in the sites. Six days, no children...need I say more....ok, I can't lie, six days was too long for me to be without my girls. A bonus of our trip was seeing an old friend of mine, Cami Beaudry. Cami and I went to junior high and high school together and I don't think I have seen her for at least 6 years. It was nice to see her and hear about her family. They are moving to England in a few months so Andy and I have decided we will have to take a trip across the pond.

Here are some photos of our trip.

Andy & I with George, Martha & the kids.

In front of the Capitol, getting ready to do my "thing".

Having lunch with Cami.

Boot Camp

2008-03-06T16:28:00.001-08:00

I have one more week for life as I know it. Starting March 17 I will be a changed women. I have joined a fitness bootcamp. Lord help me. Three days a week I will be getting up and out of the house at 4:45am to start exercising at the ungodly hour of 5:30am.

Today I headed over to get weighed and measured, body fat tested and go over my nutritional plan. Apparently I eat too much sodium. Apparently lean cuisines are horrible for you (who knew?). And apparently I consume a few too many calories. The only nice thing he said to me was that if I cut back on my calories, drink more water, and stop eating so much sodium I will get tight sculpted arms and stomach. NICE!

Wish me luck, I am going to need it.

We Made It A Year

2008-03-06T16:24:00.001-08:00

I made it a year as a mom of two. That's right Natalie turned one a week ago!!! She is trying so hard to walk and talk and it just isn't coming together. She gets so frustrated.

Here is a picture of her waiting for cake.

Christmas Time!

2008-01-09T10:29:00.000-08:00

As you may recall in our house hold the Christmas season is usually referred to as wreath season, and as you may also recall during wreath season I rarely see Andy. Well this year was different, my husband was home most nights by 8:30 and more often than not he was home before the girls went to bed. One thing that was interesting to watch was Georgia's behavior during this time. She really started acting out when she wasn't seeing her dad each day, so after I made note of that to Andy he made certain to be home for dinner and have a special evening with Georgia...you know what she didn't act out at all that night or any other night that daddy was home. I had know idea Andy not being around would affect her so, guess that means I better keep him around : )

Here are some pictures from Christmas Eve:

Andy & Natalie

Andy, Natalie & My Dad

Georgia & Natalie and their LOAD of gifts.

Andy being goofy.....(Georgia took this picture)

Natalie & Georgia "sharing"

Georgia dressed as Belle

Trick or Treat

2007-11-07T11:52:00.000-08:00

This past Halloween I trick or treated for the first time in 18 years. Yes I realize that means the last time I trick or treated I was 15, hey how is a girl suppose to give up free candy, but I digress.

This Halloween I had the joy of seeing Georgia trick or treat for her first time, and while I thought she would be too shy to say the words and knock on the doors, she wasn't. She was a champ. She was an old pro. She literally ran from house to house. For a two year old it was quite a night. And as a mom in an overly politically correct world it was nice to see some traditions continue.

Lily (family friend),Georgia, Natalie

Natalie & Georgia with their jack-o-lanterns

Pumpkin Patch

2007-10-24T11:31:00.000-07:00

Andy and I took the girls to the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago. Not too much to say about it, Georgia's favorite part was the tractor ride...this girl is very into her John Deere....lord help me, I am raising a farm girl. Here is a picture of Georgia and Natalie in the pumpkin patch.....it only took six tries to get this picture, this again is why I hate digital cameras (the delay can kill a mom of small children who have yet to develop patience).

Summer's Over, But I Finally....

2007-10-15T08:13:00.001-07:00

Well, summer is over and has been for about a month and a half and finally, yes finally I got my film developed. Yes I said film. Yes I prefer a 35mm camera over digital. My only problem is getting the rolls developed. But alas I have done it. Here are some pictures of the girls this summer.

Natalie, 6 months old, kicking it in her bouncey seat.

Natalie in the yard.

Georgia, 2, in her sand box, wearing her leotard.

Georgia, in her Coug Cheer Outfit....you gotta start 'em young!!

Mother of Two

2007-06-08T08:53:00.000-07:00

Incase you haven't heard, I am now the mother of two. Being the mother of two is a lot different than the mother of one. With one you can do your weekly shopping and take them with you, with two you can only get enough food that nights dinner because your two year old pretty much takes up the interior of the cart....which makes me ask, why did they change shopping carts anyway, remember when we were little and could ride underneath the shopping cart. Another thing that comes with being a mother of two is a messy house. Maybe this is just because I work, but my house is never clean. By the time I get home and cook dinner, give the girls baths and put them to bed, it is time for me to go to bed, hence the messy house.

Enough of my complaining, being a mother of two is wonderful and I wouldn't trade it for the world, I just need a nanny, full-time maid, butler, cook etc.

Apple Cup; Not like last year.

2006-11-20T08:27:00.000-08:00

Well it is with great pain that I must say the Cougs lost Apple Cup. We have won the past two years, I had forgotten what it felt like to get beat by the damn purple and gold wearing Huskies; it hurts. Although for some reason the Huskies that were at the Apple Cup party I attended seemed to care more about the USC game than their own game, which was nice because I didn't have to hear a lot of smack talking, but odd in the same sense. I guess when your team has sucked for so long you just start to watch and prefer other teams/games.

Oh well, although the cougs did not give it their all, I say good game and we will see you next year and preferrably we will be victorious once again.

It's A .....

2006-11-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

GIRL!!!

Well I had my ultrasound today, and found out we would be having another girl. I am really excited for Georgia to have a sister. I think there is an amazing bond that siblings of the same sex have. Oh sure my sister and I fought like cats and dogs when we were little, but now I don't know what I would do with out her.

I've Been Shamed

2006-11-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

That Lynnae, she is a tough cookie. She has shamed me into getting my blog back up and running, so here goes. I will hit you with the highlights of the last six months:

I bought a quad....my husbands family is really into quad riding. Oh sure I enjoy it, but I am not a die hard like the rest of them. So since I was thrown into the activity I had to get a cute quad. You know my motto, you don't have to be good at something, just look good doing it.

- For those of you that are not abreast on the Cougs they are currently ranked #25, this is astonishing, not that we shouldn't be ranked that high, but because the gods that be had originally placed us to finish second to last in the PAC-10. HA HA HA to you that underestimated the Cougs once again.
Oh I almost forgot the biggest news....I am pregnant. I know we were all a little surprise, but hey I look at it this way, as of March 2007 I will be done being pregnant, forever!! I can raise my amazing children, feel free to enjoy a margarita whenever I wish, and just focus on life (as opposed to constantly creating life).
We just had Halloween, my baby girl was a Cougar Cheerleader for Halloween. She was adorable, had her game face on and everything. Unfortunately I don't have pictures, our stinking digital camera went dead. But I do have an adorable picture of her at the pumpkin patch to share with all of you.

My Baby is "1"

2006-04-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

I can't believe it, my baby girl is one! It certainly doesn't seem like a year has already gone by. I am starting to understand when parents say "before you know it she'll be 18 and off to college". When she was first born and I was getting zero sleep, I thought no, no it will definately not be "before I know it". But now that sleep has entered my life again I am starting to see what they are saying.
And with my baby turning one came a reflection on my life, I started looking up old friends, thinking about how different my life would be if I had just done one thing differently. I hope I am not the kind of mom who pushes her dreams onto her daughter....what I should say is if you notice that I am pushing my dreams onto my daughter please smack me and remind me that she gets to choose her life, just as I have choosen mine. And in all honesty I wouldn't choose another life, I married my best friend, have a job that I love, I have wonderful pets and the smartest, cutest baby girl ever. But I do kick myself a few times a year for not following my professional goals. Oh well I do believe that there is a master plan for everyone and if I was suppose to be some brillant news anchor taking over for Katie Couric when she leaves the Today Show then I would have applied for reporting jobs in Po'dunk, ID and would have been on my way to stardom. Instead, for some reason I have yet to figure, out I am a farmer's wife.

Cruising

2006-03-01T08:12:00.000-08:00

Back in the day I was quite the cruiser, every friday and saturday night by best friend and I would cruise around the mall parking lot across the street to the burger king parking lot. It was our life, we met boys, hung out with friends and socialized....it was Heaven.

Well now that I am in my 30's I have taken to a new kind of cruising, the open water kind of cruising. My husband and I just got back from a 4 night cruise to the bahamas. It was amazing, the relaxation, the no planning, no driving, no fighting because we didn't know what to do or where to go. In a word it was Heaven. I truly believe everyone should experience a cruise, no they are not boring, yes there is tons to do even on a day at sea, but best of all they allow you your sanity.

Vegas Baby!!

2006-01-11T15:18:00.000-08:00

In 5 days I will be throwing my money away in Vegas. My husband surprised me with trip to Vegas for Christmas and as a little bonus we are staying at the Wynn Hotel. However after reading the reviews on Tripadvisor.com I am not sure the Wynn is as great as we were hoping. Hopefully those who wrote reviews are hard to please people and the hotel will be as wonderful as the pictures.
Cross your fingers we win big!!

Pets are People With Fur

2005-12-27T11:35:00.000-08:00

I just received an email from my former boss. It was the saddest email I have ever read, it really tugged at my heart. It was a letter from a dog, telling about his life and how he accepted all the changes in the family, ie wife and kids, but how he was left out of family life more and more. In the end they put him in a shelter and he was put to sleep because they were moving to an apartment.

I don't mean to harp, but please do not have a pet, just to have a pet. They do have feelings and dogs especially, live to please you and to be part of a "pack". Many people asked me if I was going to allow the dogs near Georgia when she was born. Of course was my answer, why wouldn't I? My dogs, Aggie and Gus, were my first babies, I was miserable on my honeymoon because they weren't with us. I still worry about them when I am work, more so than I worry about Georgia. I guess because I know she is in good hands, and my doggies are at home by themselves.

Just remember pets should be part of your family and you accommodate them as you would any member of your family.

All Grown Up

2005-12-22T10:05:00.000-08:00

With in the last year I have realized that I am an adult, all grown up. I have come to this realization because I work with 22 year old...she will be 23 tomorrow and she makes sure to tell me each month how many months and days left until her next birthday, it is quite cute. Ah, I remember counting the days til my next birthday. I don't really do that anymore, in fact for this past year I completely forgot that I had turned 31. People would ask how old I was and I would say 30, oops.
So as I talk with my co-worker each and every day on her love life and the cute new clothes she wearing I have come to realize I am all grown up. I am an adult. I am a mom. She talks about this guy or what she did last weekend, and I think back to when I was 22/23 and remember the feeling of freedom and fun. No cares in the world, very little responsibility. I miss that. Don't get me wrong when I was 25 I created a list with my friend Kinan on where I wanted to be when I was 30 and I have hit every goal. But now that I am home and in bed by 9:30pm everynight...yes even weekends, I haven't bought new clothes in two years and I am actually wearing a maternity top today and no I am not pregnant again, I have realized I am not hip and cute anymore, I am all grown up. I am an adult. I am a mom.

Family Photo

2005-12-15T10:06:00.000-08:00

So it is Christmas Card time again, and I must say I am a little disappointed in the number of cards I have received so far. Would you like to know the count...1, that's right 1 Christmas Card....Does that mean that we have no friends? I know when you have a baby you tend to lose touch with people, but I am pretty sure I didn't alienate myself from the WHOLE WORLD.

Anyway, the fact that I have no cards was not the point of this blog. For our Christmas card we do a photo card. This year we went over whether or not to have a family photo, like years in the past, or to have a picture of just Georgia. Andy said, let's do the whole family...."Ok great, can you be home before 7:00pm one night so we can get a picture before Georgia goes to bed?" I asked and his reply was "no problem". Needless to say he has not been home before 9:00pm any night since wreath season. Therefore, two nights ago Georgia and I took our own family photo. I am thinking we will just draw a stick figure in for Andy. He was a bit appalled that we took a family photo with out him, but hey Christmas is in a week and here I am whining that I haven't received any cards, yet I haven't even taken our picture for our cards that still need to be made and sent out. I know...hypocrite.

My Precious Peach

2005-12-02T12:31:00.000-08:00

Here is my baby girl on Halloween. She was a Georgia Peach. (Her name is Georgia, so we thought it would be fitting if she was peach.

That's it for today..short and sweet.

Wreath Season

2005-11-29T12:17:00.000-08:00

It is wreath season. For many of you it is the Christmas Season or the season sometimes referred to as Winter. But not for me, it is wreath season. My husband has a wreath business, he makes fresh noble fir Christmas Wreaths and ships them all over the country. With this being wreath season I see my husband about 5 minutes, 10 minutes tops, a day. It is a real struggle for me this year as it is the first year we have had a child during wreath season, I have become a single mom. I have always felt that single parents deserve more kudos than they are given and now I believe that more than ever. So my hats are off to those of you who do not have help at home, you deserve a medal, this is harder than I imagined.
Getting back to wreath season. With wreath season comes the Victorian Country Christmas, a gift show at the Puyallup Fair Grounds. We started going to this show about 3 years ago and I have always enjoyed my time there. All of the vendors dress up in victorian outfits and for us selling wreaths freeze their butts off outside in the cold winter rain. But hey it is only 5 days and I have roped Julie into working every waking hour at VCC again this year so life is good.

Happy Wreath Season. Oh, do you like how I said wreath season about 20 times in the blog?

The Cup Remains!!

2005-11-21T14:06:00.000-08:00

That's right, the Cougs remain Apple Cup Champions. Sure we have only won one Pac-10 game, but we won the sweetest game imaginable....we came into Husky Stadium, beat the Dawgs and then danced our sweet dance on top of their 'W'. It was beautiful.

On the Coug/Husky note I found out just recently that my husband, a WSU Alumni, is a mudblood. That's right he has purple running through his blood. These are things a die hard coug girl such as myself should learn before taking the walk down the aisle. It was as if I had married a complete stranger. And the way I found out....this is wonderful....here we are at a wedding and one of my husband's highschool buddies comes up to us and starts talking about how he remembers that Andy used to wear UW sweatshirts and t-shirts all the time, and how all he ever talked about was going to UW. Talk about a punch to the stomach...I know it is SHOCKING. The best part of this whole thing is that UW denied him admissions.

Well that's it for now and remember GO COUGS!!!

The Power of the Force is To Strong

2005-11-18T14:43:00.000-08:00

Alright, you guys finally broke me down and I have created a blog, I too must say "thanks, Lynnae". Anyway, life finds me in the glorious town of Shelton, WA. I never pictured myself living the "small town" life, but here I am. My husband sucked me in, with all his charm and now I am stuck and I say stuck because that is what I am. I love my family and with that comes Shelton. My husband grew up here and doesn't even see the point in playing the "I could live there" game with me, so I know I will be here for life as well. But I guess that is why they throw in the whole "for better or worse" in the 'ol marriage vows.

Well that is all I have for now, I don't want to share everything right away or I will never have another blog to write.