FUZZY BALLS

Ok, so the title was to just reel you in to want to figure out what I'm talking about. Did it work? I figured it wouldn't be very interesting if I just typed FAMILY VACATION. Our trip in a nutshell.

Mossyrock for a few days and my aunt and uncle's place which we dubbed Fuzzy Balls: included two days at the lake and one at the ocean at Long Beach. Record breaking heat but great fun with the family.

Then on to central Oregon to East Lake near La Pine and Bend for 3 days of camping in a 1700 year old volcano. We hiked, went through a lava cave tube, fished, and swam.

GREAT FAMILY TIMES!!!!

I CAN DO THAT

On the side, we planted rhododendrons (to remind me of my grandma...she loves them), a Blue Bird of Sharon, and a Dogwood.
Blue Bird of Sharon
Haven't completed this section with planting yet. Waiting to be inspired.
My knockout roses....of love love love these.
Coleus, Japanese lace maple, irises, and pine topiary I can't touch or I'll break out in a rash instantly!
The only thing missing now are our big boulders we still have to get.
Again, our big boulder is missing. In the back corner is a hydrangea (again it's a part of my gma), a white weeping cherry, coleus, and irises.

Our goal this summer was to get some landscaping in around the house. We got motivated when Jordan Hickman and his fiance Natasha asked if they could have their wedding reception at our house. We got to work! We had a guy give us a bid since we've never had to do any landscaping before and was I in for a surprise!!! I told Ken, " I can do that myself!" So.....we did! We rented a sod cutter, figured out where we wanted our curbing, hired out the curbing portion, then layed down everything, installed drip lines, and planted. It was a lot of work and the kids were troopers helping but very satisfying work. Don't tell me if you don't like it. I'd rather not know!

I knew NOTHING when we started. There is still much to learn but I have a clue now and I found that I really like it! Not to mention the amount of money we saved doing it ourselves.......

Seattle Sounders Game

This is where I sat for two hours on the exit ramp. I hate traffic!!!
My handsome boys in green.
We had great seats! 21 rows up from the field.




Chelsea groupies doing a victory lap after the game.


For the boys birthday, we bought tickets to go to the MLS Seattle Sounders soccer game. We went yesterday. We got to Seattle with plenty of time. An hour and fifteen minutes before game time. However, we proceeded to sit on the exit ramp in gridlock traffic! After 45 minutes of barely moving, I kicked Ken and the boys out of the car to run to the stadium on the side of the freeway!!! We paid a pretty penny for these tickets and I'll be darned if the were going to miss any of it!! I was driving so I stayed behind. It took 2 hours to get off the exit ramp! I made it into the stadium right before half time but at least my boys saw kick off. The crowd was awesome! There was so much energy and non stop action in the game. We loved our first game even if we did lose to Chelsea. There were over 65,200 people present at this game. Totally sold out!

This Man

I LOVE this man....................

GIRL DAY

Today was girl day...with Dad included, that is. This was a day set aside for our girls as a present. They received a $50 mall gift card on their birthday and today was the day to shop. We started the morning off with haircuts, stopped at the river for a snapshot or two, then headed off to the Olive Garden for lunch. We then hit the mall for some "serious" shopping. I'd say it was a successful birthday!