Disneyland

We spent last week in the "Happiest Place on Earth."

We really had a fantastic time, we didn't want to leave.

We rode on almost every ride (Tower of Terror topping the favorites list).

Addi got a book full of autographs.

And I got the overall family high score of 152,500 points on the Toy Story 2 ride...

So...Great Vacation!

48 Hours from Now...

We'll be in the happiest place on earth.

Grandma and Grandpa are treating the whole family to a 4-day Disney Vacation!

As part of our preparations Addi and I made an autograph book for the characters to sign.

She is pleased as punch about it, and honestly so am I.

It is just the sort of thing I would have loved at her age.

The Cat is Out of the Bag

I have begun training for a marathon at the end of the summer.

I wasn't really telling anyone (except Randall and my brother-in-law Ben who tells me how far to run every day) because I was a little embarrassed.

I am not a "REAL" runner.

I am not intending to become a "REAL" runner.

I just want to try it out and see if I like it.

This Saturday Ben convinced me to run 5K.

And once Addi found out, the cat, as they say, was out of the bag.

It was really fun.

(please excuse the photography, the blur in the middle is me)

 This is my pre-race stance.

It psychs out the other runners.

 This is me displaying my confidence level to the crowd.

I. MEAN. BUSINESS.

At the very end I did a really spectacular jump that Randall took a picture of...or would have, if the lens cap hadn't been on....I'm bummed because I really gave it my all on that jump.

That's right baby coming in 301st out of 1,574 runners!!

Those are my VICTORY arms.

(I even hit my goal of going under 30min. --29:14 yea!)

I'm kind of making fun of it here but it felt good...

add 23.1 more miles and I don't know how good I'll be feeling.  

I'll let you know at the end of the summer.

A Menagerie

My good friend commissioned some lens pets.

These little guys are, as we speak, on their way to sunny, beautiful Hawaii.

I wish I was on my way to sunny, beautiful Hawaii.

As usual please ignore the blurry pictures, or don't, it's becoming my trademark.

It is not super easy to take a picture you aren't looking at and the mirror is dirty...just by way of announcement.

 I also did a few ring cushions and I did a whole photo shoot with them at Addi's school while waiting for her to come out for pick-up.  

Doubtless entertaining all of the car poolers.  

Randall says I should stop being encouraged.  And to this I say....

WHAT??!!

6 Year-Old Females in Their Natural Habitat

 

On a delicious spring day (the one right before the snow storm) these two females of the species took a blanket and a plate of grapes, strawberries and carrots out to a secluded patch of grass to picnic.

The could be seen leaning towards each other talking, munching, whispering and giggling.

They tried to lure birds with bits of fruit and whistles.

They had infinite things to say, beautiful sunshine to enjoy and the best air to breath.

They stayed in this paradisaical state for as long as possible, which was a long time indeed.

Spring Planting

...has begun!

 

Addi is putting in a row of Walla Walla's under Grandpa's tutelage

She takes her responsibilities in the garden very seriously and has since, helped plant 5 rows of potatoes.  

Of which, she did one row all by herself.

Much more planting, weeding and hopefully harvesting ahead!

The Easter Bunny Came Early This Year

One of the few, if any, perks to having spent thousands and thousands of dollars at the University of Washington bookstore last year was the surprise rebate card they sent. 

The minuscule percentage of the money we spent there added up to $110! 

So, we bought a bunch of books for Addi and now our Easter Bunny duties are DONE!!

 

I couldn't help ordering one or two for myself.

I know I've recommended The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie before so I won't go into that.  

But the fact that I liked the series enough to begin collecting it should tell you something.   

As it happens I'm half-way through another wonderfully amazing book about another girl with an unusual name and a passion for science (sans murders however) that I just love.

More on that later.