The Eaton's Resonating In Seattle

5 days of this in a row in February!

2012-02-06T17:11:00.001-08:00

Yay for sun and temps in the 60's! It has been much needed! Though Jason's car still isn't fixed and his trip to the dentist has gotten more complicated;
(short story: couldn't get tooth numb, drilled tooth with no meds, Dr. Broke off part of needle in between gum and tooth, gums swollen and infected, new tooth turning black and now on antibiotics and going to see an oral surgeon.)
Anyway! It's been great to enjoy neighbors at the park and take walks while Greenlee rides her new bike! The fresh air has done us all good! Not to mention wear Greenlee out enough for her to actually take it easy before bedtime!

2012-02-01T16:37:00.001-08:00

I told ya the next post would be happier! Greenlee's hair, after just being washed, combed and dried, always makes me happy!
So pretty!

All things Broken.

2012-01-30T17:43:00.001-08:00

Disclaimer: I have an amazing life and am so so thankful. But there come those times when one thinks, "Really!? I thought bad things happened in threes? We are way pass that." I asked myself that today and then my answer was granted. "This is the beginning of week Three!" here we go. It can always be worse!

6 "Broken" things

1. The ice and snow finally left us. Even the last remaining pile of snow in the corners of parking lots are diminishing if not gone entirely. However, in the path of the storm broken trees are left behind. Sooo many pitiful trees were either uprooted because of

saturated ground and the wind storm (that resulted in power outage #2). Or the limbs just snapped under the weight of the I've and snow. Poor little trees. I'm hoping that's not a meta phor for my life right now. Just waiting for me to snap under the weight of issues!

2. Perhaps Greenlee has picked up on all the tension.

Her attitude needs to be broken! I ask her to do something and she responds with, "no, I don't want to!" Then storms off crying. I ask her to hand me something and she throws it. She's SUPER emotional.

3. Nonetheless, I'd like for Greenlee to have a sibling. I spent all day and will spend part of tomorrow trying to figure out what part of me is broken and how to fix it.

4. Jason was sick before the power went out and when it came back on (no correlation) he had to go to the dentist to get a few cavities filled. You would thin k his jaw was broken. But in his defense they did have to go two days in a row and in total probably got 12 shots of Novocain total. ton the last tooth he said he could feel the

drill! Ou ch! So they have up, sent him home with a temporary filling, and rescheduled for today (which was three days later)

5. Jason was on his way out of the neighborhood to make that dental appointment. He was so excited to have it fixed and for the pain to e gone. Once h e made it up the hill his car just shut off. Not good. He calls me to come jump it, to no avail.

He didn't want to leave his car there so he "Flintstoned" it backwards down the hill. Broken car!

6. The final broken thing I'm going to talk about is the lo ck on our church trailer. In case you don't know we have church at a middle school. Anything that we need to make it into a church w have to store outside of that building. Some awesome fa milie s keep some stuff in their garage and the majority of it is stored in long trailers t hat volunteers hook up to their trucks and pull to the school where it is unloaded and set up. One of those trailers were broken into within the past two weeks. (last week we canceled church due to power outage).

In conclusion, due to recent events within the past month it may lead to a 7th broken thing; our bank account.

It can always be worse. I pray it doesn't. I do have a m uch bigger list of things of which I am grateful. But thanks for letting me take the time to vent. Sometimes that helps. I promise the next blog won't be such a downer!

What a Week

2012-01-22T20:55:00.000-08:00

Things I learned during a week-long snow storm, turned ice storm, turned power outage, turn wind storm, turn flood: (for more pictures: see Facebook Photo Album)

One can CRAVE protein: Once it started snowing I took Greenlee out to play in it everyday. And if it wasn't just her running in the backyard I was out there with her. So after sledding and building a pitiful little snowman I would come in and have hot soup and peanut butter crackers. Also the first night of snow (last Sunday) Jason cooked chili while we watch the UK game and football and with chili I eat peanut butter crackers. So, when we lost power and we couldn't cook anything and the deli meat went bad and all we could eat was peanut butter I was already SICK of peanut butter. So I chose to forgo the peanut butter. But by Friday I NEEDED some protein. Jason and I took Greenlee and ventured out to the grocery store. There was no power there and the only meat available was "eat at your own risk" meat. There was a makeshift sign saying that it had been sitting above 50 degrees for sometime. Basically they were saying if you consume this you may get sick, don't sue us. We didn't get it! But Jason and I went down the hill to a different town (which we to because the ENTIRE town of Bonney Lake was without power and all surrounding towns on the plateau) Half of the town of Sumner a.k.a. "town down the hill," was with out power. McDonald's had power and I ate TWO chicken sandwiches! YUM!

Fireplaces are necessary. (and even better when they are gas/wood burning and don't smell) Good news: We had a fireplace! Bad news: it wasn't capable of burning wood. Once we figured out how to turn the thing on without the electrical switch we were able to heat our 52 degree house up to 65 degrees after burning natural gas from 5 o'clock one evening to 10 o'clock the next morning. I am dreading the gas bill, but when you and all the possible friends you could have spent the night with didn't have power it was all we could do that night to stay warm! Greenlee called it a camp-out and loved every minute of playing games in front of the fire, eating two cold chicken sandwiched by candle-light and all of us sleeping together in the living room. I on the other hand had a mini panic attack in the middle of that night. The fireplace was new and was burning 'new' off of whatever was 'new' in the fire place and the smell was literally making me nauseous. I woke up in the middle of the night feeling sore lungs and as if I couldn't breath. Not a good night for me.

Free coffee does taste better and you can win every game of Apples to Apples!

A good friend of Jason's had a generator (Hallelujah!) and when he said we could come over and charge our phones and Greenlee's portable DVD player I was grateful! But when he said he had some Starbucks, Sumatra X-tra Bold, X-tra strong hot coffee waiting for me in the pot I was jumping for joy!!! I hadn't had coffee in a few days! Yay! We ended up spending the day with them playing games and planned on spending the night with them (yay no more breathing in toxic fumes!) but as soon as we packed all our stuff up ready to go we found out our power was back on!

There's only one gas station in the entire town of Sumner

7 out of the 8 closest towns to Bonney Lake all experienceing the same lack of electricity we braved going down the hill to get not only hot coffee and hot PROTEIN but also gas for our car. We weren't sure how long this crisis was going to last and we didn't want to be stuck at our house because we had no gas for our car. We successfully made it down 'the hill' into Sumner and tried to turn into the gas station. However we soon realized that the line for gas snaked throughout the entire parking lot of a major grocery store. It was like waiting in a line of cars that zig-zagged through every lane of the Wal-Mart parking lot. It was ridiculous. We gave up and asked where the next closest station was only to learn that it was the only one in Sumner and Sumner was the only town close by that at least had half the town hooked up to power. Ugh! We went back up the hill with our hot chicken sandwich and coffee to venture out early the next morning and get gas at a Bonney Lake gas station that was hooked up to a generator.

Spending this week with friends has been at times what I imagine Heaven will be

Without family nearby we had to rely on friends to help us out. I HATE asking for favors (who am I kidding I usually make Jason do it for me!) And accepting them isn't easy either. I don't think it's a pride thing I think I just wonder if I'm worth it to people and I hate being a burden. But closer to home in this power outage I would have normally relied on family to help us out. And in such extreme circumstances wouldn't have felt bad about it. But with no family close by it was very neat having friends and neighbors check in on us and offer help. We are really blessed to have good friends. It felt good being loved on by people who didn't 'have' to love us! It was also fun not having to work for a week and just laugh, play in the snow and play games with friends!

I have no idea why I spend so much time getting ready

Due to the snow and power outage I learned that I can get completely ready (and not look scary) in 15 minutes including shower, hair & make-up and putting on decent clothes! The first day I don't remember if I took a shower or not (things were a bit hectic) Day 2 I know I HAD TO SHOWER! Even though our bathroom was probably 60 degrees at best we did have hot water so I risked it! However, I didn't know if our hot water heater could continue to make new hot water with no electricity so I took the quickest shower as efficiently possible. I wanted to save as much as I could because J still had to shower and I didn't know how many days we were going to have to live off of that hot water supply. So I had hot water but getting out was MISERABLE. And I learned blow drying my hair is over rated and not necessary! Yay for no power! I hate to get ready!

What a week! Last Sunday it started snowing, Monday we went sledding, Tuesday we built a snowman, Wednesday the ice came, Thursday we had no power, Friday still no power, Saturday we had power but took in friends that didn't, Sunday church was cancelled due to power loss, Monday I assumed things would be back to normal but the kids I pick up after school go to the only school in the district that hasn't regained power so I get to spend an entire 10 hrs with them. Just when I thought things would get back to normal!

We were some of the lucky ones who only had to endure one full night of no electricity. There are still people who are hoping to get their heat turned back on tomorrow and it has been out since last Wednesday night. There was close to 300,000 customers affected by the power outage in Western Washington. Even thought the ice has melted and the winds have died down several towns are experiencing floods and landslides. Though I tried to remain light hearted and have a good time during a frustrating time it was pretty serious for a lot of people and continues to be. Good Grief!

Leavenworth Trip 2011

2011-12-12T20:58:00.000-08:00

Our yearly trip to Leavenworth has become one of my favorite family traditions. Not sure if part of it has to do with my LOVE for the mountains or that when the headphones go on the mouth is shut!
I love love love the mountains! This is such a Christmasy town; the carolers, the music, the horse drawn sleighs, the lights, Santa walking around . . . it's lovely!

Last year we went with another family and anytime there are other people (children) involved, she is all about it! She is all about anything when there ar e other kids involved. However, when it came time to sled she wasn't too sure about it. But this year (and we were by ourselves) that is ALL she wanted to do this year. I went down that slide as much as I could. But, I felt as if I was risking our safety more and more everytime we went down, it was so crowded and slick and the older kids were wild. She LOVED it! Is she going to like adventure? Sometimes I wonder, because she is always super cautious and then once she finds out it's ok she is all about it!

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

Santa Parade

2011-12-03T15:42:00.001-08:00

Last Saturday Jason, Greenlee and I enjoyed an excellent UK basketball game. Then we grabbed almost everything we needed to bundle up for the Sumner Santa Parade.

I say 'almost' because I put Greenlee in long underwear and three shirts, gloves, a scarf, toboggan, and ear muffs I didn't want her to suffocate so I didn't plan on putting her winter coat on until we got out in the parking lot.

After circling the lot for awhile we found a spot, got out and started to put on our coats when I realized I left Greenlee's at home! You have got to be kidding me! I felt like world's worse Mommy! I really wanted to see this parade. We went through all the trouble of bundling up, talking it up to Greens, getting through traffic and finding a place to park we couldn't just turn around and go get it. So I gave her my coat! Good grief! I will never forget her coat again!

She enjoyed the parade, stayed warm and I enjoyed the sun during the parade and hot coffee afterwards! :-)

Thanksgiving week catch-up!

2011-12-02T16:55:00.001-08:00

Wow! I have been super busy and have failed miserably at updating this blog. Here is some of the highlights:

Jason's mom came in for Thanksgiving. We had WAAAAY too much food. We expected Scott, Sarah and Avery to come over and perhaps two more guests. So perhaps a total of 9 people potentially, were coming. We made enough food for maybe 20-25! I made the turkey and grandpa's stuffing. J and his mom took care of the rest.

I cooked the turkey in a greased brown paper bag and it cooked perfectly for 3 hrs and came out juicier than last years.

Greenlee spent most of the morning asking when the Hatfield's were going to get there and pretending to cook like me with her play dough. She was also singing and dancing along with the Macy's Parade while it was on.

After I ate too much we went with our guests to see the Muppets. Going to a movie has become a sad tradition on Thanksgiving Day. Last year we saw 'Tangled' and the year before I refused to go to one because it seemed like sacrilege. But now it's a good escape from wishing I were at home and Greenlee thinks it's fun to sit next to Avery, a big girl, and be like her!

Later that night I was asked by some friends to go to walmart at 10:30 pm to experience black Friday: early edition. And then head on over to Target at midnight. It seemed like a really bad idea. For one, I hate shopping, crowds and missing sleep. Secondly, the crazy people after deals made me nervous. But I tried it and it actually wasn't that bad. Had fun with my friends if nothing else and J let me sleep til 9:00 the next morning!

I attempted to bake cookies the day after and it was a nightmare!!! For some reason I CAN NOT bake anything. I can't make grandmother's yummy Thanksgiving rolls (tried it). It took me four years to make edible cupcakes, six years to get a bunt cake to not stick to the pan. My pizza dough was a sticky mess. I can't make cookies after many many years I have learned it's not the butter, not the old baking soda nor how inaccurate my measurements are: I just cant bake.

We put up Christmas decorations the week of Thanksgiving. We have also been blessed with a lot of sunny days!!!!!! It has been unusually sunny! So so happy about that.

We came across three nutcrackers that reminded us of the Eaton family and just had to buy them! Ha ha!

Greenlee received her first hair trim! I was a bit nervous. Not sure why I was but I was glad when it was over to see long curls!!! Barely any hair was cut and her curls remained just as curly!!!

Greenlee made her first build-a-bear! She loves that!

And you know what I will love!? I will love that in 16 days I will be landing in LOUISVILLE!!!! Home sweet home!

Happy "Tangled" 4th Birthday Party!

2011-11-06T14:49:00.000-08:00

Happy 4th!

This Saturday we celebrated Greenlee's birthday with a "Tangled" party! It was a lot of fun and really inexpensive believe it or not. Just some work and creativity on my part which I welcomed! We had cupcakes and a 'cake' tower!
We played "Hit Flynn Ryder between the eyes with a Frying Pan" game.

There were Pascal the chameleon blowers, homemade hair extensions for the girls to clip in their hair, a "wanted" sign for the boys to wear on their neck, a set of Rapunzel water color paints to take home, a wall mural for the kids to leave or draw a message for Greenlee and for the three boys, Ruffian armor that I borrowed from church!

The pictures are out of order so here are the cupcakes again. :-/

Rapunzels hair hung out the door and went all through out the entry way and stairs of our house. IT currently resides in Greens bedroom!
In the hallway, I taped up butcher paper. While Rapunzel, or Ma-punzel as Greenlee calls her, was locked for 16 or 18 yrs in the tower she painted all over her walls to occupy her time. Greenlees guests could draw on her 'tower' walls and leave her a message or draw something.

Back to the food, ok silly picture loader completely outta order! These jello boats were to represent the most magical part of the movie when Flynn Rider and Rapunzel sang "At Last I See the Light" and millions of lanterns went into the sky! We also had braided pizza bread.
The party would not have been complete without Pascal the chameleon!

There's a few of the Ruffians!

Happy 4th to my little girl!

2011-11-02T07:05:00.001-07:00

I can't believe she's four! Some things have not changed in the past 4 yrs. Other times she makes me wonder if she's still the same little girl, because she's changed so much!

In the past year she's learned to write her name and to go potty. She has acquired a love for riding her tryke, meeting new neighbors, and a fear of the dark! She had her first trip to the dentist and now flosses better than Mommy. She caught her first fish (proud moment in my life!) she sled down her first hill. She's a star in her ballet class and looks oh so cute in her ballerina get-up. She took her first trip to an amusement park and rode some crazy rides at Holiday World.

She's so much like her Daddy! She has some of me in her and not just her eating habits! She's smart and moody and stubborn. But I'm not claiming stubborn all on my own she got that from Daddy too! I have strangers tell me she looks just like him too!

The moment her eyes open she's talking (ugh!) and pops up outta bed ready to conquer her day! Her heart is open to everyone and anyone, but the moment they make her mad not only is she hurt but she's ready to make sure they "get theirs!"

She's taught me a lot! Most kids will teach patience and unconditional love. Greenlee has taught me patience because she talks so much! Because of Greenlee I have a better understanding of God the Father's love for us! (ouch)

Greenlee knows no stranger and because of her willingness to talk to everyone I have developed friendships. She tells little girls they're her best friend before she knows their name. I have tried to teach her to not do that because I thought she didn't know what that meant. However, she just may.

Even though the frillier, pinker, glitterier, the better with her, I don't think it was that that I was so worried about when I knew she was a girl. I think it was the gossip, the feelings, the drama and the giving her heart away to the unworthy that I was most worried about. For some reason I had it in my head that a boy would be tougher and have concrete walls on his heart that would be easier to chip away than to build up.

I worry for the future of her heart. Her days hang on those friendships. Being with other kids (the more the merrier) is the best part of her day. Her world is over when it's time to come home. My mind races forward 10 years and I worry the 'mean girls' will break her heart. Though it's my tendency to want to help her build her own walls I have to encourage her to be her. It's one of the best things in her. My tendency is to help her create walls so she won't be so open and vulnerable, but that's what often creates those 'mean girls.'. But dare I say it, that wouldn't be my Greens. That is actually a strong characteristic to have. It is her best.

It's my job, among many, to bring out her best. Im learning my job is to build up a strong little girl who is secure in who she is so those other girls don't define her. They can hurt her but can't change her. She will know she's special and will know who she is in Christ. I want her to be super friendly but not gossip and exclude so that she can be included.

My Greenlee is very forgiving and generous! For instance, she was the first one to the door trick or treating and she was the last to get candy and she was ok with that. Jason was worried for her future at that moment. He doesn't want her to be a door mat. But I know she won't. She already knows which battle is important enough to fight. I'll never forget my sweet little Greenlee "going off" on her 'best friend.' she was at the park with said best friend and Chance. Greenlee thought best friend had called Chance poopy pants. Greenlee got up in best friends face, pointed her finger and with a very stern face and little stern voice she let that girl have it. "he is NOT a poopy pants, he is Chance my friend and he is a very nice boy!"

She just might be ok and I may have nothing to worry about! ;-)

I LOVE YOU GREENLEE NOEL EATON!

Halloween!

2011-11-01T23:39:00.001-07:00

Early that morning I decided I needed to have Greenlee dress rehearse trick or treating. Though she nailed her lines, "trick or treat; thank you!" I was worried the little fairy princess ballerina would get too cold in that costume. I mentioned that to Jason. As I went through her closet and drawers trying to make that outfit warmer without ruining the effect, he had talked her into becoming a witch for the night.

We still had to run to the store to get candy so we picked out a witch costume and free hot chocolate! I didn't believe she would choose to put that black dress on and pointy hat on over the pink and purple glittery ruffled explosion of a costume. But she did!

So she was a witch and I was her cat! We made the loop around our neighborhood with the neighbors!

At first something was off with Greens. Was it her shoes, were they not fitting right, was she cold, getting sick, was she more apprehensive about all the scary costumes than I had thought? She wasn't her normal self. Right out of the gates I thought she would run and squeal and laugh with all her friends. The more the merrier for Greens and EVERYONE came out to play. But she was very reserved.

Then Jason said he thought it was the hat. Nah. Why would she care that much about not loosing the hat, I thought. Then I remembered! As I tried to talk her out of wearing a $10.00 halloween costume since we had a perfectly good free costume sitting at home, I told her, "are you sure you don't want to wear pink? If you wear this witch costume you'll have to keep this hat on. I'm not carrying it around and picking it up. If you choose to be a witch you have to keep this hat on the whole time. . . "

Poor girl. When she'd walk a snails pace that black polyester hat would blow from the wind. She wasn't overwhelmed by all that was Halloween. She was desperately trying for the first thirty minutes to keep that hat on. Poor girl!

Upon realizing this I renegotiated with her and the hat came off. And off she ran. She was free. She got a ton of candy and had a really good time. She's ready to do it again tomorrow.

Thank you Grammy & Pappy!

2011-10-22T22:15:00.000-07:00

Doing a little Boogie!

Very Generous, yet Controlling of her stickers! She loved them!

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

The Dentist

2011-10-18T09:01:00.001-07:00

Greenlee's general doctor told me that I didn't have to take Greens to the dentist until she was three. Well, she's three for about three more weeks and finally went to the dentist.

She loved it. I think they catered so much to children that it may have been a little too fun! She loved all the attention and wants to go back tomorrow!

When we walked in it was as if we were walking into the rainforest. There was a real waterfall and frogs, butterflies and lizards hanging all over.

The dental hygienist was SUPER sweet! She was so good with kids. She sat Greens in a chair to do the x-rays and placed the heavy vest over her chest, well her whole body. She looked so tiny. She did an excellent job and didn't have to re do any photos.

Then she moved on to the exam chair. I think that chair intimidated her a bit. But unless you knew her as well as J and I you wouldnt have noticed. They placed her completely on the back of the chair and her little feet rested where an adult size person's butt would have been. Again, she looked too tiny to be at the dentist.

Katy the hygienist, asked Greenlee what movie she wanted to watch. "Tangled!" Greenlee replied. As she placed the headphones and sunglasses on her, the back of the chair lowered and Greens body got stiff and her eyes widened to the size of silver dollars. But, shevrelaxed when she looked at her Daddy and gave him a thumbs up. (The "thumbs-up" has become their special thing)

The movie screen was on the ceiling so Greenlee watched in comfort as her teeth were cleaned. The dentist said everything was great, but I needed to start flossing her teeth. Who knew a three year old needed their teeth glossed!

Greenlee left with a bag full of loot after getting her picture taken and place on the "no cavities" wall!

Piece of cake! She did so well! I just can't believe she's past old enough to go to the dentist!

Lost photo!

2011-10-12T16:26:00.001-07:00

I was going through all my photos, deleting ones I don't want, transferring those I do, and I found this:

I took this over a month ago and sent it to Jason and told him, "when I get home I'm DONE! Your turn!"

I only blog about the good the cute and adorable. So I'm making an exception on this cold and rainy day.

It's always something . . .

2011-10-05T21:26:00.001-07:00

With Greens we are always working on overcoming something! She doesn't eat much greens so we go through a phase where we work on eating more variety. However, we haven't lately and she asked (outta the blue) for a carrot for lunch. I thought hell just froze!

Forever we tried to overcome not pooping in her pants! Glad to say we overcame that a while ago! WHOOOO HOOOOO!

This summer I worked with her on NOT inviting herself into neighbors homes. We would walk down to the park and she would meet a new "friend" and say to the child's parent (mom or dad) "can I come to your house and play?" We also had to work with her on not calling EVERYONE especially kids she just met (because she couldn't remember their names), "best friend!". As in, "hey best friend, let's go down the slide.".

Tonight I fear that we are embarking on a new thing to overcome. This one maybe the most challenging, after the poo poo, because it's so pitiful and may interfere with my sleeping.

She has been very apprehensive about going to bed. Normally and thankfully bedtime has NEVER been an issue since she moved to a big girl bed. But tonight when i told her it was time to get ready for bed she said with a pucker, "I don't want to have a dream."

Poor thing. She must have started to have nightmares. She can't remember what her 'dreams' were about when I asked her what they were about. But I told her she can come into Mommy and Daddy's room and get Daddy if she has a dream. (im sure Daddy will appreciate that. But honestly who knows what mommy will do if awoken in the middle of the night these days!)

Luckily that calmed her down enough tonight to get to sleep. Maybe it won't be an ordeal. I hope not. Any advice to ensure peaceful rest and sweet dreams for a cute little girl? I have no idea but I know I certainly don't want her to have nightmares. And I certainly don't want a wiggle worm kicking me in my sleep all night either.

Resonate turned 4!

2011-10-01T17:57:00.000-07:00

Last week Resonate turned 4 years old!

Greenlee will almost be four years old. So when Scott and Sarah started on this journey we were starting ours with Greenlee. We missed out on some of the toughest years of Resonates 'life' but it is probably better that way. I don't think we could have handled it. Having Greenlee has taught J and I a lot and having the experience of being part of a church plant and being so far away from home has changed us into the people we are today and I have to have faith that these experiences, if I let them, are changing me into the person God wants me to be on this earth.

I don't necessarily think it was necessary for us to 'be the people we are' by moving out here. But, that's some how the choice we made. J and I laugh often about WHAT IN THE WORLD caused us to make the decision to move out HERE! But here we are . . .

Through all the pain of homesickness, culture shock, and grieving the life I had for Greenlee; through all the financial insecurities, job insecurities that come with church planting and the naysayers and critics we often doubt why we remain. And was this REALLY God's prompting and what if it isn't? If it isn't all that I sacrificed would be for such a waste. But I have faith! Even when in life I ask if this day could get any more difficult and life takes that as a challenge not a rhetorical question . . . I have faith!

I guess at this point I have to! But God is good and HE sends me little reminders that he does care and notice. Greenlee does love her life here. Even if it isn't the life I'd want for her it is good. The beauty of God's creation is such a sweet gift to me. It truely is beautiful out here three months out of the year! And my friends. I have had some good friends along the way, but at a time in my life when I needed a great one, God has given to me!

So not only has Resonate blessed me within it's years, but I believe we have added some life to it's years! We have seen marriages healed, addictions overcome, families enriched, people fall in love, babies born, and children grow. We have been there during the lowest of the lows but we have seen people saved and fall in love with their Savior, the highest of highs!

CHAPTER 1: RESONATE CHURCH AT LIBERTY RIDGE ELEMENTARY from Resonate Church on Vimeo.

And then there's this . . .

Jason has made a few people laugh along the way! Ha!

Bible Stories w/ Dr. Arlan Buljack: The Story of Noah from Resonate Church on Vimeo.

An Ordinary Day!

2011-09-28T16:35:00.001-07:00

Today we should have gone to the zoo or to a park. The weather was perfect, with a chill in the air and SUN SUN SUN! But we stayed at home except for a quick trip to Sonic for Happy Hour half off drinks! Greenlee got her first powered slush and I got a free ginormous 44 ounce diet cherry slush! Such a good little treat for only 66 cents! Yummy, slushy, goodness!

We also went for a stroll. Greenlee rode her tryke! We spent sometime in the backyard painting. Lunch was inside and after that Greenlee brushed and brushed and brushed her hair! She was "mapunzel" as she says!

2011-09-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Besides Spooky Hollow the one thing I miss the most is the St. James Art Fair. It is this weekend and I am missing it. I can't remember not going (unless it rained) until I came out here. I MISS IT!

There isn't just one thing that I like most about it. From the location, to the food and the crowds, cumulatively that's what makes it so great!

The fair was always the kickoff to Fall for me. Even though sometimes it would still be in the 80's it was always a treat for it to be cool enough to wear our new fall clothes and boots!

I like being downtown in old Louisville! The homes are incredible. Once we exit off of I-65 mom would have us lock our doors! (I guess you just never know) and we used to park off of Magnolia but here lately we have arrived early enough to get a parking spot at a near by church parking lot.

After making a few rounds looking at the booths, dodging people and strollers we would ALWAYS get a corn dog! The corn dogs out here really aren't worth getting. They are called Krusty Pups out here and are super bland. :-( The first year we took Greens she barely had any hair certainly no curls! As picky of an eater as she is I never dreamed she would eat a corn dog. After standing in line and walking all the way to the other end of the park to find a place to sit and relax with little bit, she ended up eating the majority of my corn dog! O well!

Wish we could come home this time of year. Sometimes I think we may spend a Christmas at our house one year and come home in the Fall. I don't know! Perhaps when we have more kids we will have Christmas morning at our house. But as far as this year goes we have already bought our tickets to come home!

This is completely random but I had to post it! Jason and I went shopping with Greens yesterday morning. On the way Jason and I got a coffee at starbucks and we thought we would get Greenlee something. We got her a kids hot cocoa. She was BONKERS the rest of the day! Her new thing is when music that makes her dance comes on she says, "The music is making my feet tap!" The music at this particular store must have made her whole body move! She's nuts!!!

http://t.co/2tZ68cog

Feeling Reminiscent!

2011-09-23T09:06:00.001-07:00

Today is the first day of my most FAVORITE time of year!!!

My sweet cousin Annie gets to call it her birthday!

Happy First Day of Fall!!!

Some would consider this perfection:

Oh not me! Preceding a cozy log cabin, snow and Rocky mountains, is my perfection:

Since we moved three years ago (seems like 10) this time of year has been bittersweet. I soooo miss going to Huber's among many other memories! But Huber's is the one I strive to recreate out here.

Every year we made a trip to Huber's Farm.

First we prepped for what seemed like a looooong car ride and listening to the Eagles as we rode down winding country roads scoping out an independent farmer selling cheaper pumpkins on the side of the road so we could come back after Huber's to purchase a couple.

Upon arrival we see the big barn and lots of pumpkins and mums and sign for u-pick apples! Ironically enough, here in Washington I have NEVER seen a place to go pick apples or any apples growing at all for that matter! After parking in a gravel parking lot, we make the trek past the duck pond and up the hill towards the witch's cauldron. Mom and Amy would always first, get a caramel apple. Not sure why Dad didn't eat one but I just didn't like them. Well I suppose I didn't I have actually never tried one. I remember shopping around in the crowded little country store. The smells of cinnamon, apple, nutmeg, allspice, hay, old wood and candy corn wafted through the building. I remember Dad getting tiny ABC noodles for his yummy homemade chicken noodle soup. These noodles provided the perfect consistency and ratio of noodle for the soup; not too big. Yum! We would also pick up a bag of Golden Delicious.

After walking past the the little painted pie pumpkins resting on stacks of hay we go find a concrete table and have a seat. Mom or Dad comes back with wine from the Huber's winery and cheese. We also open that bag of Golden Delicious and fight off the yellow jackets that are always lingering and obnoxious this time of year!

The ride home, again listening to the Eagles sometimes singing, "Take it, to the li

mit, one more tiiiiiiiii- iiiiiiime!" we are on the lookout for pumpkins and sometimes mums. We hop out at the first sight of a trailer full of pumpkins and Dad proceeds to pick out the perfect one for carving; It had to have a long stem to use as a handle, a long smooth upright front with no blemishes (unless you want your jack-o-latern to have a wart of something). Mom was in charge of the Mum and I only remember getting rust or orange colored ones, perhaps I only remember those because it was my favorite!

I try my best to create memories like these for Greenlee. Much to my disappointment it's NEVER the same. I don't know why I always think that this is the year it will be like my childhood. Because every year it isn't and I sulk and get homesick. I good friend of m

ine always says that just because it's different for Greenlee doesn't mean it isn't as good. I work my butt off trying to over compensate for what WA lacks in reference to KY. I think I just need to chill out and try to see what WA has to offer. Perhaps then I won't be as disappointed.

It will be interesting to hear which details Greenlee remembers and how differently she might interpret those moments!

All in a day!

2011-09-20T18:26:00.001-07:00

What a beautiful day!!! So Greenlee played dress-up, went for a ride on a scooter among beautiful flowers, went to the park and had her dance class! One little girl in Greens class was apparently done! Ha! Notice the little girl laying on the floor during the lesson! Hilarious!

Week in review!

2011-09-07T09:17:00.000-07:00

School started last week on Thursday and this week I started picking up Sydney and Erik from the bus stop. Greenlee rides her bike up to
the bus stop and from there we do homework. Greenlee works on her letters and w
riting her name. Then we play for a
bout 30 min. before their parents come home.

Also Greenlee is COMPLETELY potty trained. She just decided that she did not want to wear pull ups to bed any more. And just like that she's trained! No acciden

ts! (knock on wood) I can't beleive how easy that was!

Greenlee had her first ballet class and I almost video taped the whole

thing. I thought about editing it but it would take forever (b/c I don't know what I'm doing.) S

o it's SUPER long. However, you can fast forward what you want!

Untitled from Greenlee Eaton on Vimeo.

At first I was thinking perhaps ballet is too structured for this little one. She didn't like her 'bun' and she wanted to 'get crazy.' She even ripped her tights on the VERY FIRST day and got marker all over her leotard.

She said she loved it and we go back next week!

We also went to the zoo. I love going to the zoo when school kids are in school! It's as if we have the zoo to ourselves. In this video Greenlee thought the baby snow leopards were just too funny!

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

We have also been taking advantage of this hot hot dry weather. We go to the park almost every day and Greenlee rides her tryke aroun

d the neighborhood. At the bottom of the hill there is this huge rock. Greenlee says she's climbing a mountain!

It is supposed to be 91 degrees tomorrow. Eck! Once September comes I'm ready for Autumn weather and everything that comes with it.

Our neighbors followed. It was beautiful.

Today we took a trip as a family into up into the mountains to Lake Mowich.

And last Sunday Greenlee and her friends threw stones at Goliath.

Not sure what to title this one . . .

2011-08-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

Jason went on a retreat with the Resonate Staff (aka, really long meeting in the middle of nowhere) They planned 'stuff' for this upcoming fall semester. So they wouldn't be distracted they went to a generous, fellow Resonator's ski cabin at the Summit in Snoqualmie Pass, WA. The Summit is a place to go downhill skiing. since it was the hottest part of the summer chances are there would be no one there. It was deserted! I got to come up and enjoy the $1.2 million cabin (currently on the market) in isolation for one night. It was nice to get out of routine a bit and enjoy God's creation! It was also nice to see how 'the other's live." If this was their 'winter retreat' I can only imagine what their home looked like! I picked up Scott and Sarah's little girl (well she's 9) and we made the hour drive into the mountains! Avery was such a big helper and so informative. She helped Greenlee with snacks and the DVD player (we were in Sarah's car) and Greenlee thought she was big stuff. She had Avery all to herself! And I had an hour all to myself! It was amazing how they completely entertained themselves between the two of them.

The picture below is of their entertainment bar. Greenlee enjoyed riding the saddle stool and climbing up the ladder to the third fourth floor loft!
The 36ft fireplace!
My favorite bathroom! I liked the sink, the antlers and the hoot owl above the toilet!
I should have taken a picture of the kitchen. It was beautiful. Had an amber colored granite counter and the wood floors throughout were INCREDIBLE! Dark, wide, textures planks! On the back deck there was a hot tub that we did not take advantage of. The place reminded be just enough of Breckinridge to tease me. The back deck, the mountains, the logs, the smell . . . but as similar as it was the Cascades look NOTHING like the Rockies. Beautiful in their own but so different.
The picture below is of the view from stair landing looking over the railing down into the great room! It's amazing how much of a mountain person I am considering my how much my mom is a beach person! But I LOVE the mountains!
I went on a little walk, all by myself (oh the solitude) while the rest of the group, the Hatfield family and Ellen, got the fire pit going for smores later.
The place where we were at was at the bottom of the ski hill and was about two streets that made up the village of cabins.
The sun was setting.
The picture below is not very good. It was super dark, but it's Jason helping Greenlee make smores! She LOVED making them, but I couldn't get her to try them. She did want a marshmallow so she would hold the stick and after it cooled we offered her a marshmallow that she made and she refused it. She wanted one that wasn't 'cooked." She's a sinker!

Everything Avery did Greenlee had to do and about gave Jason a heart attack. I don't know if you've ever noticed but Jason is a little uptight when it comes to Greenlee's safety Ha! Can you hear the sarcasm in my writing??? He was worried she'd fall into the fire. But anyway Avery was dancing around with the stick and Greenle decided to dance around. Greenlee thought EVERYTHING was funny. "You told a joke, Dad! HA ha ha ha haaa!" She's funny! She said we needed to do 'camp outs all da time!'

This is completely off subject but it's her latest favorite thing to do in the house:
She plays games on the computer. She's almost completely self reliable on the laptop. I think it's funny to see such a little thing working the computer so well! :-)
She's totally saying, "What Mom!?"

Gotta Dance!

2011-08-20T16:38:00.001-07:00

Jason was doing a wedding last weekend and Greenlee and I attended along with several of our friends. It was a nice quaint vow ceremony outdoors with a reception thereafter. Greenlee loved seeing "a prince and his princess".

But what she loved the most was the party! She danced and danced and danced. She danced when there was no one else on the dance floor. She did a conga line all by herself all around the party. She was hilarious and very entertaining. She did the chicken dance, the tango, etc . . . and se wiggled that little booty!

Click on the link below to see a little 3 1/2 yr old shake her booty!

twitvid.com/2AILM

We had to tear her away when it was time to go. She never stopped!

Thus, we are enrolling her, no doubt about it, into dance. Her first class will be September 6th!

I want her to be in ballet so so so sooooo badly, however, that may suit my personality it doesn't hers. Her personality would probably be most suitable for the tot-hop (hip hop class for preschoolers). Luckily I didn't have to sacrifice my selfish wishes. Preschoolers have classes divided into two or three different genres of dance. There was a jazz/tumble/tap; ballet/tap; and a ballet/tot-hop. Needless to say, we chose the latter! :-)

So excited to see her shake her thing! Greenlee was born singing and dancing (and talking for that matter) once she started she never stopped!

Actually the more I think about she's more of a talker than anything else, believe it or not! She even says occaisionally out of the blue, "My pappy says I'm a chatter-box! Ha ha ha haaaa!" She just laughs and thinks that's so funny! But that's another blog post!

Well, it felt like 81 degrees!!!

2011-08-12T19:03:00.000-07:00

So we have had a VERY mild summer so far. Usually by now we have had 80's for the majority of the month and a streak or two of 90's+. We may have had two or more days that actually broke 80 degrees! Kids here don't care how many goosebumps or how blue their lips are, they want to get in the pool and play. I think it's rediculous and haven't got out Greenlee's pool. But as we walk through the neighborhood we see all kinds of kids playing in the water and I feel sorry for her.

So today, the sun was super warm. Although it only reached 78 degrees the heat index was 81. I had my own set rule that if it reached 80 degrees we would get her pool out. I didn't think it would ever happen and looking at the 10 day weather forecast it doesn't seem like it will happen anytime soon. So we broke out the pool today!

I sat on the back porch in the shade drinking ice water wearing jeans, shoes (not sandals) and a jacket and I was getting the goosebumps. All the while Greenlee played in the water out in the sun. "When in Rome . . ."

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

Greenlee and her Chance!!!

2011-08-11T19:34:00.001-07:00

Greenlee has had a busy busy week with friends, and today was just as busy. It ended with one of her favorite people! Chance and his sisters came over while Mommy (Trisha) went to worship practice. Their Daddy is on night duty as a policeman so they came over for a few hours!

It has been fun watching Greenlee and Chance's friendship grow. Lately they have been acting more and more like siblings than friends.

Look at how qwishy they are in the above two pictures! I can't believe Greenlee was like that! (I don't think I can remember her at a time when she couldn't talk EVERY MINUTE!)

Anyway . . . we got to feed the chipmunk, watch a movie and eat popcorn and marshmallows!

But their favorite thing to do is chase each other in and out of the house and around the back yard and Greenlee would just giggle at Chance! I love hearing their little conversations! I tried my best to get it on video! It's just too cute hearing them try to have a 'grown-up' convo!

The video of them running around is about the tenth time they had done that and poor Greens was having a hard time keeping up this time! She said she needed to, "get a breath!" Granted she has been going on this speed all week (since Sunday and Chance takes 2 hr long naps and Greenlee does not!)

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

. . . and here is a little snapshot of their little 'big' conversation!

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

We Survived the Seven Year Itch!

2011-08-06T22:37:00.000-07:00

We've come a long way in only seven years! When I think of 7 years married it really does seem like a long time. However, when I think of all the life we have done in 7 years, it seems more like 17!

2004 Marriage Year 1: Honeymoon!! This is fun! But how do we do this!

2005 Marriage Year 2: This is hard what were we thinking we are nothing alike! And I gotta get through grad school!

2006 Year 3: The Real World! Work work work! Work at our marriage and I get my first 'real' job and our first house!

2007 Year 4: We are WHAT!??? Pregnant w/ Greenlee and LCA can't afford to hire you back next year and Jason was MISERABLE and wanting to quit his job (he did).

2008 Year 5: Jobless x2 and homeless so we move to Washington with our one year old!

2009 Year 6: Yay! Washington! Possibilities are limitless wondering when we will get back to the south!

2010 Year 7: Realizing we will be in Washington a lot longer than originally thought, but learning so much about ourself, our marriage and creating awesome relationships!

2011 Beginning of Year 8: I hope this year we learn to be even more selfless to one another, I hope the states of Idaho, Nebraska, Kansas, the Dakotas, Missouri, Arkansas, Minnesota and Iowa would disappear so KY would be closer to WA! and increase our family!

Ok so 7 things I LOVE about Jason:

1.He's a GREAT Dad!

2.Once he realizes something needs to change, he does WHATEVER ASAP to change it!

3.He is a man after God's Heart!

4.I love his voice!

5.He doesn't take my 'crap'

6.He will organize/straighten up the house and do laundry

7.His love of football and football weather!

AND . . . 7 things I'd change about J! (ha!)

1.His OCD/anal retentive tendencies

2.His dilike for the outdoors and hiking

3.His need to play video games

4.He has a hard time (refuses) to eat left-overs!

5.He can only concentrate on one thing at a time.

6.Verbal processor

7.chews on pen tops

Sing a Happy Song!

2011-08-06T19:29:00.000-07:00

Greenlee has always been a singer! And she always seems to be singing! Lately she has been not only singing her songs. "ABC", Nursery Rhymes, Church songs, the Bumble Bee song and Twinkle Twinkle . . . but now it's hilarious to hear her sing songs that I listen to or those that come on the radio,

"Rollin in the Deep" -Adele,

"Baby" - Justin Beiber, "

"Firework"-Katy Perry, "

"Dynomite"-Taio Cruz

"Lover, Lover"-Jerrod Neimann

Lady Antebellum etc. . .

I have been attempting lately, to get some of it on video. Easier said than done. She usually says she is too tired and gets too shy to do it. But finally . . .

Why ya gotta be so "Mean"- Taylor Swift

Take 1- it was too hot

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

Take: 2

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

"Weah we goin' tahday? Who's commin' ta our house tahday??"

2011-07-27T13:52:00.000-07:00

"Weah we goin' tahday? Who's commin' ta our house tahday??"

That is the first thing Greenlee asks as soon as she sees my face in the morning! This child LOVES to be around other kids. So Mondays and Tuesdays we are with a 10 yr old boy and his 7 yr old sister from 8-1:30. I watch them while their parents work. Greenlee loves it. We went to the zoo yesterday and tennis camp last week.

Sunday of course she gets to spend time with all kinds of kids at church (she loves that!)

For six weeks on Thursdays two 13 yr old girls have "Krazy Kamp" (spelled with 'K's" because their names are Kaylie and Kylie). At Krazy Kamp a group of about 15 boys and girls age 3-8 get together and participate in songs, games, water balloon toss, crafts etc. lead by the girls. It lasts 2 hours and is 3 minutes down the road. I have 2 hours to do anything I want. So far I haven't used that time wisely :-( Ha!

Friday's and Saturday's Jason is off and we are always with people and other kids at some point so she gets her fill. And there is always an opportunity on a dry day to go down to the park and meet up with several of the neighbors and their kids who are relatively close in age with Greens. If no kids are there she will see it from the sidewalk as she rides down on her tryke and says, "oh well no kids today, let's go home." So the park isn't even worth it without kids.

Today is Wednesday and on Wednesday we have Life Group. It is a group of five couples and their kids who meet from 6-8. The kids run wild from 6-8. However, that was the only thing I had planned today so when Greenlee asked her morning question I did not tell her it was Life Group day. If I had she would have asked if it was time to go every other minute! It drives me crazy!!!

We needed to get her a sibling about two years ago! She would have liked it to have been twins. Then she'd have two live-in playmates about the age of two by now. (sorry Greens I wasn't quite ready two years ad 9mths ago) Our only other option is to make more money, enroll her in every activity (she LOVED soccer) and p

ut her in preschool early. But because we aren't rich I get to hear , "Weah we goin' tahday? Who's commin' ta our house tahday??" and

"Let'd go tah duh pauk!" "Can we go to Chance's house tahday?" and "Is tahday chuch?"

In between waking up and Life Group today we played zoo. I tried to take video of Greenlee taking the animals to the library for story time but she became shy on camera. I took some anyway.

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

I did it!

2011-07-26T22:56:00.000-07:00

Ever since I found out that an average person can actually hike up as far as 10,128 ft. on Mt. Rainier, I have wanted to do it!

All in the numbers:

The summit of Rainier is 14,411 ft. high! The hike was about 4.6 miles stra

ight up (9.2 miles round trip). We gained almost 1,000 feet per mile. Total elevation gain was 4,836 ft. It took my friends and I just under 5 hrs to get up with two short breaks and one long one for lunch included in the 5 hrs. We booked it up! Now on the way down . . . that's a different story!

We had been told that we needed to go on a clear day. If there was any chance that bad weather could roll in, the trip could be dangerous and disastrous due to white out conditions. None of us knew exactly how to, nor did we trust our navigation skills in white out conditions! But the day was PERFECT! Not a cloud in the sky for days so no pretty good chance no weather was going to roll in!

Above is the picture of my friend Carly, who's husband had us second guessing our decision to go. He thought we needed more gear and were a bit too naive to be trying this expedition. He made us think that only skilled climbers made this hike even if that philosophy went against everything that I had been told and read up on. But we gave in a bit due to our new aprehensions and thought we would stop at "Base Camp" (town just outside Rainier where people gear up to summit) to ask if we were prepared.

The above picture is Kari. Kari went with us as well and once we got to Whittaker's (Base Camp) we hopped out and found the 'gear dude' who was renting out equiptment and he reassured us we were more than prepared for this hike!

So we set out for beyond the tree line! There was a steady line of people on the trail. That was reassuring. Many were groups of about 8 including a guide who were going to the very top. They all had on 60 pound packs and armed with helmets, tents, rope and ax picks! Beyong Camp Muir you have to maneuver across a glacier. I'm assuming thats what the picks were for.

As we kept climbing it took no time to start seeing beyond the mountains. Mt. Hood (below) Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens came into view soon into our hike due to the clear skies. Unbelievable!

Below is St. Helen's with the top and her side blown off!
When we did our 'research' we were told that about half the hike would be in snow and the hardest part of the hike. However, due to an unseasonably cool, wet summer the ENTIRE trail was snow. This was difficult. By the time we got to the 'difficult' part I didn't want to ever see snow again.

We just kept trucking up. The Muir snowfield (about the last 2 miles of the ascend) was supposed to be the only part in snow. Once we arrived to it we had already had all the snow we cared to see. But the snowfield was different; it was STRAIGHT UP!!! It was like being on a snow stairmaster!

Below: look at that grade, it was so steep and no we weren't going across it in switchbacks, were were going straight up.

Above: this was our view for lunch. And as we arrived here (about 45 minutes before the end) I heard what sounded like an airplane. Then I heard "fireworks" BOOOM POW POW! And then more airplanes. I overheard one of the summiting guides that that noise was avalanches on the other side of the mountain. I was soooo glad the mountain was busy with professionals because that would have otherwise made me very nervous. But they seemed calm. We heard this the rest of the way up.

So we made it to the top. There were bunk shelters up there for those camping overnight to use instead of tents. There were even bathrooms (out-houses). We were on top of the world. We also started feeling the SUN! OH the Sun! Many people were coevring there entire heads and faces with t-shirts and masks. They looked like they were hiking the Saharah instead of a mountian. As we would come to find out, they knew what they were doing! (more on the sun later!)

We were wiped! But we made it and had to focus on the descend. I was dredding it. As the sun was hotter it was melting the snow and the 'steps' we used to come up weren't as icy and solid any longer. They were now slushy. And my tired tired legs weren't in any shape to balance myself on such a slope in slick slush!
See the 'chutes' in the above pictures? See my trash bag diaper below? Put it together and you have the fasted sledding I have ever done! I was the first of my friends to try it. (my legs were probably the most tired) It was too fast I was outta control and thought I was Chevy Chase on Christmas Vacation going down that mountain. I thought I wasn't going to stop until I reached the parking lot at the bottom. I finally just decided to roll over to stop.
Further on down the mountain the snow was softer and the sliding was slower and manageable. The chutes were shorter and we went from one chute to the next half way down the mountain. It was soooo much fun! Soon the chutes ran out and we were back on foot for the the remaining 2 miles. MY FEET HURT!
We finally made it back to the parking lot 9 hours later! My feet were aching! The next day my feet were a bit sore but the worse thing was the sun burn!!!!!
Though I must have reapplied 50 SPF 4-5 times I still managed to miss the same spots each time. I had a major tan line on my face from the sunglasses and my legs!!! OH MY LEGS!!!! I think by day two they were so red they were purple!

The sun was coming at us in all different directions as it reflected off the snow. I am sunburnt under my ears, and under my arms and nose. I never thought about putting sun screen there!

OUCH!!!! This is the back of my left from the top of my ankle (sock line) to the bend in my knee! Not quite sure how I managed to miss the same spot with the SPF all 5 times!!!

My face except where my glasses shielded is just about as red as is below the back of my ears! Good Grief!

2011-07-15T20:08:00.000-07:00

Even though the weather has been absolutely CRUMMY! (I don't think I have said this enough, huh?) Just kidding!

But even with no sun I have actually grown something without letting it die!

In the picture above is basil and cilantro! Greenlee has actually helped keep all these alive. When we returned from Kentucky the weather was sunny and in the 80's and I thought I would give it a try. So with Greenlee's help we planted a few seeds!

We planted the herbs and some radishes, carrots and baby spinach! Since we planted she asks everyday to go out and see if they have grown. So when we go see we have watered them.

We also potted some lavender. It had already grown so we juste potted it. I have heard that this stuff is pretty hard to kill!

Here's part of Greenlee's rock collection. Some of it is in the compartment in her tricycle and the other part is in a jar in the house! This is the part in the yard!

This is some of Greenlee's flowers; zinnias, sunflowers and marigolds. They have yet to bloom. :-(

And there is the proud gardener!

Rain Rain Go AWAY! Come back Summer!

2011-07-14T22:16:00.001-07:00

So the weather hasn't been very 'summery'. Today was supposed to be 63 and it didn't break 60! Ahhh! and Brrrr!

Today I wanted to stay in my bed and not get out from under the warm cozy sheets. But I had a little girl who bounds out of bed EVERY morning! The first thing she asks is, "Where we going today Mommy?" and, " Who we gunna see?"

So with lots of coffee (to keep me going and to keep me warm today) I had to get creative! We went to a free showing of an older movie at the town's theater. The movie was "Alpha & Omego." I do not recommend it.

And we made brownies and decorated them with brightly colored icing. Yuck! But Greenlee loves sweets and enjoyed mixing the batter and playing in the sprinkles!

I can't believe that July is halfway over and August is in our sights and summer hasn't arrived yet! Luckily, kids don't go to school here until after Labor Day.

But as I patiently await for summer to melt the snow on the mountain, I have to once again cancel plans to hike up Mt. Rainier. I had planned going this Saturday; not going to happen! :-(

Photobooth!

2011-07-12T22:43:00.000-07:00

Today was cold (for July) and rainy! I was sooo getting used to the house being warm from 80+ degree weather. I was getting used to putting sunscreen on Greenlee and riding her trike and going to friends backyards to play. I was getting used to farmer's markets, opeing the windows and sipping sweet tea as I made dinner with the fresh ingredients. And then after dinner joining neighbors at the neighborhood park.

But not lately. Lately we have stayed indoors with the windows closed trying to find something to do. As I sit here tonight writing this, I am in a sweatshirt and sweats :-(

It is supposed to be rainy all week and in the 60's. I'm even more bummed about that news because this Saturday I was planning on hiking up Rainier to about 11,000 feet. That probably won't be happening.

But I may have discovered what to do with Greenlee on these rainy evenings after dinner:

Photobooth!

It's an application on our computer that takes some of the funniest pictures. Here are a few of my favorite from tonights photo session:

Just one scoop please!

2011-07-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

Sometimes Jason will take Greenlee to the park that has the swings. (the one we walk to doesn't have them, thank goodness) Greenlee loves the swings and this time Daddy gave her a special treat BEFORE lunch! Just this one time! She LOVED it! She really likes her sweets!

Her new favorite . . .

2011-07-10T15:20:00.000-07:00

I think Greenlee would rather swing than do just about anything. Well, I guess it's a toss-up between playing with friends and swinging!

However, lately, Greenlee has been asking to do something else . . . She loves to ride this trike!

4th of July

2011-07-08T21:09:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July (a week later!)

We decided to remain in the neigborhood this year! There was a parade, games, prizes, face painting, music, free; popcorn, snow cones and cotton candy, and a huge fireworks show!

Our neighbors down the street also invited us to there house for food, friends, card games (J took all their money!) kiddie pool and sparklers that Greenlee wanted nothing to do with!

Notice a theme. . .???

They were loud!

and they were BIG!

Happy 4th of July! (a week later!)

Olympic Penninsula

2011-07-06T22:25:00.001-07:00

It has been a LONG time since I blogged. I spent a month in Kentucky and wasn't going to post any blogs about my time there. However, I think after this blog and the 4th of July blog, I will.

Jason and I decided to take a quick trip to the mountains that we can always see as the sun sets behind them. They are directly the opposite direction of Mt. Rainier and the Cascades. The Olympic Mountains are beautiful and on the Olympic Peninsula, on the other side of the Puget Sound. I'm always amazed that I can see them from Bonney Lake!

It was a BEAUTIFUL day. Not a cloud in the sky. Greenlee has had a great summer since we have been back. She's been playing with friends from the neighborhood at the park and in her backyard. And she has been playing HARD. I had to wake her up the day of our little adventure. I NEVER wake her up! I felt bad but was having a selfish moment and wanted to get on the road. It was about a 6-7 hr. round trip with stops on the way. The plan was to spend time in the snow on the mountain tops and finish the day dipping out toes into the Pacific!

Below is a picture of us coming down the hill from Bonney Lake. Then mountains in front of the sunset is the mountains we chose to go see today!

Three hours later, here we are! It's called Hurricane Ridge (don't know why) and the deer were not afraid. NOT ONE BIT! So fun! The wild flowers were popping out from the snow melt! I bet next week the hills will be full of little yellow and white flowers!
We left Hurricane Ridge and headed toward the coast. Along Hwy 101 we drove by this lake. It's name is Crescent Lake. I have NEVER in my life seen lake water this clear, EVER! Along the bank the water resembled Jamaican Beach water. The water was stunningly blue. It was truly unbelievable and I am surprised to say how amazed I was. I wish the pictures did it justice! It looked like something from Lord of the Rings or something.

Greenlee was so funny. She, at that time, was watching 101 Dalmatians and upon hearing me over and over saying, "Look at how blue that water is!" She started acting super stunned herself and saying, "Oh wow! It is sooo horrible!" I guess she interpreted my amazement as something traumatic! Ha!
We made it to the beach after a disappointing trip into the Hoh Rainforest. Luckily Greenlee was taking a nap at this time and didn't miss anything except a very large bull Elk crossing the road.

The beach was beautiful. After a hike down to it through thick forest we arrived at the beach. I was so excited and Greenlee this time appropriately mimicked my excitement! "Oh Wow! It's Boodifull! "
The name of the Beach was Ruby Beach, just a few minutes South of the town, Forks where the Twilight books/movies took place. You could literally hold your breath through the pitiful town. But did they ever promote Twilight!
Right on Ruby Beach there was a river that flowed right into the Ocean. I'm assuming that was the reason for so many stones. It was beautiful to see so many covering the beach. The water was FREEZING and the air was cool and windy. Greenlee couldn't hold all the rocks she wanted to take back to her 'collection.' We did manage to take a few back with us. After she realized Mommy and Daddy had the rock collection's new additions taken care of, she was able to relax a bit and enjoy throwing rocks into the water over and over and running into the surf with her daddy! Brrrrrr!

Such a fun day!

Thank you Grammy!

2011-05-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

Some of these are recent (Easter) and some are waaaaay past due. I posted the way past due ones in case I forgot to show you. So if you saw them GREAT, if not, I'm sorry they are way past due!

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

Soccer!

2011-05-06T12:35:00.000-07:00

So it was a last minute decision to put Greenlee into soccer. I really wanted to put her into dance because I knew she would LOVE it! But the long term commitment (6mnths) and the price for lessons and then outfits was way too much. We will wait.

The kids that I watch after school for a couple of hours had been involved in in-door soccer and Greenlee would come with me to take them there and watch them. Greenlee wanted to get on the field and would constantly ask when it would be her turn. So when I found a pee wee indoor soccer flier saying that there would only be 5 games through out the summer, only on Saturdays and only $35 I thought we would give it a try. If it was a disaster we'd only loose a few bucks and a Saturday morning.

However, SHE LOVED IT!!!!! My little social butterfly LOVES other kids and loves to be active. She loved getting to be apart of that. I have to say it was so much fun seeing her so happy. She got to be goalie at one point and she would turn to Jason and say, "this is so much fun!" with sheer joy exuding out of every pore in her body! It was so fun to watch. I have a video!

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

She was actually pretty good at it too (if I say so myself) as much as a 3yr old who's never played before can be! There was one coach and about 10 kids. WOW! I was exhausted just watching. Greenlee took istruction so well. I think between that and her loving it was the best part. She was engaged the whole hour. Other kids were crying and running all over the place, picking up the ball, pulling on the goal, or just in another world altogether! But not my Greenlee!

She was also pretty good at executing too. I give Jason the credit for that on several levels. First of all he was an excellent coach. In order for the kids to get anything out of this first practice parents needed to direct a bit. The coach couldn't keep all the kids on task by herself. Jason stayed out of the way of the coach and other kids (he was not one of those overbearing soccer dads) he was so encouraging and Greenlee responded. She was the only one who scored a goal! The other area I have to give Jason credit on is the athletic part. If Greenlee has any coordination at all, she got it from him, not me! :-)

Here is Greenlee scoring!

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

It's Ginormous!

2011-05-05T15:41:00.000-07:00

I have wanted to take a trip to see Snoqulamie Falls for a long time now. I finally got Jason to go! Greenlee loved being able to walk along all the paths and come up to the "ginormous" waterfall! Here is her experience!

Click the play button below:

Untitled from Kristy Eaton on Vimeo.

3 Posts in 1: Growing up, Crazy Weather & Cuteness

2011-04-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Greenlee has been into dress up and pretend A lot lately! This particular day she was going to school! Notice the backpack! Greenlee is actually at the age where she could go into preschool this Fall. She won't, but she could! I'm not paying for two years and that's just a lot of school. She's ready! She loves to play school and write G's ad S's and O's. She can now 'read', recognize her name. She's VERY social and LOVES her Sunday School class. She gets soooo excited to sing songs and learn stories. I can NOT believe that she will be in Kindergarten in just two years.

Yesterday I just signed Greenlee up for indoor soccer for 3/4 yr olds. I can see her now. Hair bouncing up and down as she runs after the ball. And because she goes vertical more than she moves forward as she runs, the other kids will probably get to the ball before she does and she'll get frustrated, stop running and cry because the other kids weren't "being nice." Ha! And if she gets hurt I can see Jason freaking out wanting to run out on the field to get her. And he probably will! So that may start if there are enough coaches mid April! I'll take plenty of video.
I thought the weather was CRAZY in Kentucky! But the past few days in Washington has far exceeded anything I've experienced. Yesterday it was foggy, sunny and raining at the same time, which produced this rainbow. It hailed and sleeted, then the sun came out again, snowed later on and this morning woke up to snow that quickly melted. Then became foggy and misty. An hour later the sun came out burning off the fog, so all the roofs were steaming. Tomorrow we plan on going to the zoo because it should be 100% sunny and in the mid 50's. CRAZY!
During the move my friend Trisha helped watch Greenlee so I would be free to get things in and out of boxes! She had soooo much fun and wore herself out! Don't let Jason see, but this is where she spent nap time! That's her "best-friend," (as she calls him) Chance with her! Trisha sent these pictures to me through her phone through out that day!
Yes, she's sleeping in her Snow White dress!

Settled into the New House!

2011-04-07T09:15:00.000-07:00

I can't believe we got settled in. The picture above is a reminder of how far we have come! It was sooo overwhelming. So much 'stuff.' It was nice, however to get rid of a lot of it! So I created a house! The weather had been CRAZY, bi-polar even. And this time of year I'm soooo ready for the sun. So with the weather so bad, forcing us to stay inside the move gave me something to work on!
This is our living room. Greenlee is in the bottom right corner sitting in her seat watching morning cartoons. I took all of these pictures last Saturday. That particular day UK was playing UConn so Greenlee is wearing her UK cheerleading outfit. Also on that Saturday A LOT of volunteers were at Resonate's new location helping to get organized, figuring out where to set things up, and then setting things up, all day long! Busy, exciting day, then a few people came by to watch the game!
This is a picture of out 'great room.' Not very great, but it works for us. It took me a long while to get used to the layout. I HATED how the kitchen was so open it was like cooking in the living room. But o well! All the pro's far outweigh that one con.
Yes, that's a lollipop for breakfast. Don't remember why I gave it to her but my rationale is, "Is it really worse than a donut?" No one would think twice of her eating a donut for breakfast! And she recieved the lolli after eating yogurt, granola and fruit for breakfast!
This is the view waling into the living room from entering the front door and walking down the hall. I LOVE the trees lining the back of the yard! ;-)
Above picture of a VERY bare hallway. We are still contemplating where to put pictures. But after viewing these pictures I think I know where they will go; hallway(s) and stair case!
Front door! Every one comments of how this is a house for giants. The front door is EXTREMELY tall, by about two extra feet! I need to show a picture of the door with our wreath on it.
At the top of the stairs you walk through double doors and into our bedroom. Again, notice the trees in the window!

This is our bathroom. The tub, or dust collector, is shown. We don't ever use the tub!
We have doors at both ends of the bathroom. One opens into our room and at the other end is the closet, I think that's weird!

Guest/Greenlee's bathroom. I used Amy's pictures of fall leaves!
All three are in there Amy I just didn't get it in the pic.
Greenlee's room is a work in progress.

The forth bedroom is Greenlee's playroom! We would have loved to have made it a nursery but things are going well in that department. Getting a bit frustrated but what are ya gunna do . . .

This is the view out our front window. Not much to look at right now during construction, but one good thing is that those two lots in front of us will not have houses!!! Yay! It will just be an empty field. After construction wildflowers and grass will be in it! That's nice!
The bare stairwell and the picture below is a view out that first window. Gray, Gray, Gray!

Picture of our dining room and green grass! At least the grass and trees here are green! That certainly helps with all the gray!
Since Saturday I worked on Greenlees room a little bit more. Put up a few pickets for her head board. I think I need to extend it a bit more. And then I will hang some pictures of family and some bird houses that Greenlee painted!
So there ya go! Mom asked how the house work was going and if we were settled yet so this is mostly for her!
Love you!

Move!

2011-04-02T17:03:00.000-07:00

Not only did the Eatons move, but Resonate moved into a bigger building. This is a huge step of faith. Thought I would post what Resonate has done in the building we have been at for the past 3 1/2 years. It may not be too interesting, because most of you don't know the majority of the people in it. But here ya go:

CHAPTER 1: RESONATE CHURCH AT LIBERTY RIDGE ELEMENTARY from Resonate Church on Vimeo.

Also, for those who have financially or prayerfully supported us (officially) we showed this video last Sunday. We wanted to make the Resonate Family know that there are people who care about this church all over the US, lots in Kentucky. And that those who do support Resonate had apart in making Resonate what it is and a part in those who have been baptize because of Resonate! So thanks!
Here is the video!

EXTERNAL SUPPORTERS from Resonate Church on Vimeo.

Pink, ruffles, bows, and Princesses!

2011-03-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought I'd have a girly-girl???

Not that I'm a complete tom-boy. I like to make sure I fix my hair and do my make-up at the beginning of the day. Who knows what it looks like at the end of the day because I usually don't look in a mirror again until I'm washing my face for bed. I also enjoy clothes, but not enough to spend much money on them (although the love for them is quickly fading). I enjoy watching The Notebook, and Legend of the Fall. Although it's not so much for the love story as it is the history, natural setting, and the homes portrayed in the film.

I've had one pedicure and one manicure in my life and hated it. I love to spend the day outdoors, don't mind dirt, bugs, snakes and spiders. I'd take a tent over a 5 star hotel (although I can appreciate the nice things in life). I feel most beautiful when I've spent the entire day hiking in jeans, a t-shirt, pony tail, and hiking boots. I don't gossip, hate talking, loathe talking on the phone even more, and I always forget to put on jewelry, and wish I could shave my head.

So how did I get a little girl who, before I can even get out of bed, has already stripped naked and is trying to shove a pink, fluffy, ruffully, princess dress on. She says, "Help me Momma, I want to be a beautiful princess!" Then she puts on my heels, a long beaded necklace and about ten beaded bracelets. She says, "Momma watch this!" about twenty times a day and once I'm watching twirls around with a curtsy. This particular morning it was a feather boa! I think perhaps I have grown out of my girlie-ness. I remember stories of me "modeling" and I've seen pictures of me with ruffles on my socks, and white gloves. I remember striving to look a certain way in High School. But again striving is the operative word. It didn't come natural.

Now, at 28, (eh!) I'm realizing it's too exhausting trying to be what I think I'm "supposed" to be. Most days I feel like I HAVE to put makeup on and HAVE to do my hair. I'm most comfortable not being "girlie."

So as I am embracing my lack of girliness more and more, I'm learning to embrace Greenlee's girlie--ness.

When she born she had a boys room. She had nothing pink bought from me. Last week I painted Greenlee's new room "Ballerina Pink." She will have a princess room. Though I'm not a pink kinda person, Greenlee sure is! I was determined to have her like Tinkerbell because of her sass and lack of pink. But her favorite is any princess with a long flowing dress who dances around singing.

When she goes to play with her best friend Chance, I hope that she will get into the mud and play with bugs with him. Instead she bosses him into being her handsome prince. O well! She needs a brother!

Happy Birthday to ME!

2011-03-07T20:52:00.000-08:00

So, we bought a house today! We were accepted for the loan on Valentine's Day and found out the closing date on my birthday! Yay! We will completely be moved in by the end of March!

It's a 4 bedroom house so we will have two bedrooms and then Jason's office and an extra room for Greenlee's playroom and guests and if we are blessed with another little one it can eventually be their room! :-)
The above picture is pretty much our front yard! Not much to it! But what it lacks in 'curb appeal' it gains in so many areas. One: the neighborhood is AWESOME. It's an "upscale" neighborhood for our bank account (same one we are currently renting from). We are in one of the smaller houses in such a nice subdivision.
The door is blue, by the way, not the green it kinda appears to have in this picture.

The house is brand new. I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to buy an older home that comes with lots of character than these cookie cutter homes of late, however, our lifestyle doesn't give way to the upkeep of an older home and we wouldn't know where to begin restoring or upgrading an older home. We don't have the finances, skills, time nor patience and initiative to put into an older home. I know older homes are available to purchase already restored but those cost too much.

The above picture is the master bedroom! It has a double door entryway and if you look through the doors you can see the master bedroom is the one at the top of the stairs. I LOVE the white trim. It is pretty rare to have a house out here that has white trim. Many houses out here have unpainted trim that just appears unfinished. I guess the South has spoiled us in so many ways.
Yay! The backyard! We actually took these pictures on a sunny day! The above picture is from our back porch that is covered! I'm sooooo happy to finally have a backyard that is private and backs up to TREES! If you remember the first house we owned backed up to I-75. Goo grief. The house we are in now has a fenced yard but backs up to a house and is much smaller. So I'm super excited.

The picture below is a view from our dining room. On one of the first 'weather permitting days' the builder will come back and stain the fence. So the fence, even though it looks so good, isn't complete.

The mountain can be seen just as is above, can be seen from the front of our house! Yay!
The park is about four houses down from our house.
Another picture of our master bedroom.
The picture above was taken from the kitchen looking over the island into the living room. The living room has a gas fireplace.

The picture above is the kitchen!
That's all! I'm so excited! I will post more pictures once we get the house decorated and full of furniture!

Love you all!

WARNING: This is a LONG post! Had some catching up to do!

2011-02-23T20:22:00.001-08:00

Pretty snow!
The Blizzard! I have NEVER seen snow accumulate so quickly in my life!
Got to see Daddy worshiping with Kari Jobe! There he is on my computer via live feed in the bottom left hand corner of the computer screen. He has his gray, baggy toboggan on. He went to Austin, Texas for a conference (very jealous way more for TX than the conference).
Picture of Greenlee drawing on the window taking in the last of the sun before the snow came. It kept her busy while I bought custom faux wood blinds. For some reason I felt very grown up buying blinds
Above were some pictures of the week without Daddy!

Soooo I've been MIA for a while! Let me give you a brief run down of my last month and the next month . . . Jason had a Christian Recording Artist come lead worship at Resonate about three weeks ago. Jason was super excited but had no idea what the week was going to entail. The artist was leading worship for a conference up in Seattle and he thought he could come to our church Sunday morning. It was awesome, but I didn't get to see Jason much!

The next week was a fog. Jason worked his butt off because we are moving into a bigger building. We are tryiong to get logistics figured out so we are prepared and recruiting as many volunteers as possible. My car FAILED the emissions test! Errr! That ended up being a nagging problem that didn't get taken care of until last Friday, two weeks later. We had a friend who could fix it for MUCH cheaper, but the "check engine light" kept coming on after he fixed it. We took it to the free diagnostics testing after he fixed one problem only to find another problem. That patterned continued two more times until the light finally went off for two days on the weekend, only to come on again as I'm driving back to the VET. Back to square one.

O yeah, forgot to mention that on that Friday we got a notice in the mail that said we had to vacate our rental home by March 31st! AHHHHHH! The cherry on top was Greenlee and I getting sick! We did find a house the next day after looking at several homes. The lady I work for hooked us up with an incredible Realtor and we found a house we truly love! (more on that later)

So . . . the next week started and we were buying a home, church duty was increasing, we were moving, my car was having to continue to be repaired and tested and Jason was supposed to leave Friday for TWO weeks! We had to figure this house stuff out soon! And my tabs expired the 13th which was a week ago but I could get away with it until the end of February. But Jason wouldn't be back until March 7th! And Jason's flight was canceled and re-booked SIX times only to book a flight Friday nite before he left Saturday morning.

During one week we managed to look at a million homes (online and in person), fix my car and cheat the VET test a smidgen (it passed), get a loan, sign a bazillion papers, negotiate a deal, get our second offer accepted on the home, do a home inspection, prepare for a two week trip, and do all of our normal "stuff" (which is hectic anyway!) But we made it! And now I'm on my own with little patience with a super moody little three year old who misses her Daddy dearly for two weeks!

I am so so excited about the house. But it kinda makes being out here a bit more indefinite with almost a science of permanence. When we realized there was no option in Bonney Lake to rent I looked at J and said, knowing the answer, "Well, how devoted are we to Resonate?" Dumb question we are in this!

Now the following months we will be closing, packing, moving, moving into a new church building, having Easter and the last two weeks in April Jason's mom will be in town! Busy Busy Busy!

I totally feel that anytime we feel almost attacked with frustrating inconveniences like all that I previously mentioned I can almost be excited while in the middle of all that chaos. Yeah all that was soooooo frustrating, and the stress made J and I literally sick and tired. But none of it was a big deal. I mean we knew we were going to be taken care of! Jason still has a job, we have incredible friends who would do anything for us, we can always come home (right Mom & Dad????), we all had our health, our families had theirs, so yes, I call it inconveniences. But I think if we can persevere with positive attitudes and not wallow in our fear, God honors that. And through it all recognize the blessings! J and I both have cars that still work and paid for, we CAN actually buy, we have an awesome job, healthy daughter, and incredible people to do life with. So to say all that, I am SUPER excited for what is going to happen this year! I expect good things!

Grandparents: I know you all want more pictures of Greenlee so here is a look into our week without Daddy!

We played in the snow!
Click on link below to see a video:

http://moby.to/6qye9w

We played dress-up!
http://moby.to/4fdi0w Click the link to see little miss Greens twirl! She LOVED this dress today!
I braided her hair! This was the first time she ever let me do ANTHING to her hair! Super girly that day until we sent a video "hello" message to her Daddy where she picked her nose! Lovely!

Big Changes!

2011-02-14T20:37:00.000-08:00

In case you didn't know, we are moving! God has opened up a door for us to switch schools from Liberty Ridge Elementary to the BRAND NEW Lakeridge Middle School. We have outgrown the building in which we are currently meeting! Exciting things are happening. The facility is brand new and wonderful!

Lakeridge MS is going to be such a blessing to us for many reasons. We will be able to have more people a part of Resonate because the building is so much larger and the parking lot is 4x's the size of Liberty Ridge. There is many more reasons but I wont bore you with all the reasons this is great. Our first weekend will be on April 3rd, so only a few weeks away.

Lots to do . . .
I'm hoping that this will give the opportunity for more people from the community to get to know the Resonate Community and become apart of the Resonate Family! So exciting! Big things are starting to happen!

P.S. still no #2 in the potty from Mrs. Greens Boooo!

2011-01-29T12:13:00.000-08:00

Greenlee was rewarded by Grammy for being pee-pee potty trained!

Here is a video of her opening her gift and a special "Thank you from Greenlee"

As well as her twirling in her new gift! :-)

Thanks Grammy!

Click link below!

http://moby.to/8luee8

Here's the other click on the link below:

http://moby.to/b5ui17

Stolen Post

2011-01-28T13:53:00.000-08:00

Jason keeps a worship blog for Resonate and I LOVED this post! So I stole it, edited it for grammar and spelling, and re-posted it! :-)

God Speaks Clearly When You Are Too Tired To Talk...

If you know me at all you know I hate hiking, sweating, outdoors, or anything remotely close to those

things. You also know my beautiful bride is an avid hiker, doesn't mind sweating, and anything

outdoors kind of girl. So the other day for a date day I thought Kristy would love it if I went to hike

Mt. Peak with her. The picture above is a picture of Mt. Rainier from Mt. Peak. Mt. Peak is in

Enumclaw, Washington just a short drive from our town. Also, Mt. Peak is a volcanic knob that

was encased by the later deposits of the Osceola Mudflow. The Osceola Mudflow occurred when

part of Mt. Rainier erupted many years ago and sent a slurry of rock and glacier into the river valleys.

Mt. Peak tops out at 1800 feet and used to have a Forest Service Fire Lookout at the top. The tower

is long gone and all that is left is the evidence of the foundations. So we hiked Mt. Peak and Kristy

had a good time... I was huffing and puffing the entire way up!

That was a Saturday and the day before Wednesday my work-out partners, Mr. Scott Hatfield and

Scott Fisher say, "hey tomorrow we are going to go hike Mt. Peak for some cardio at 6:30 AM. Are

you in?" So I decide to kill my flesh and say to the absolutely crazy invite. Now I have hiked more

in 5 days than practically my entire life.

Wednesday morning at 6:30 AM came and it was time to head out. I have already talked myself out

of doing it and back into doing probably a hundred times. Ultimately, I decided to do it. As I am

hiking up a huge wind rips my sweat towel right off my shoulders. This wind came on hard and quick.

It came right at the time I was praying and asking God to bring along a bear to just maul me to death

to take me home to be with Him. Then I felt a check in my Spirit and I felt God say to me, "Turn

around and walk up the mountain backwards."

To which I said in my head, "really? This beast is already hard enough walking forward... but You

want me to walk it backwards?"

He said, "Just do it. Walk backwards." So I did. I turned around and started stepping backwards,

walking up the mountain. As I looked out over the beautiful trees, mountains, snow and much

more, God said to me, "Look how far you've come."

I thought "yeah, but I am not even 1/4 of the way done with this hike."

God just kept reminding me of how far I had come. Then I felt like God said, "If you walk backwards

WITH Me you never have to worry about how much longer you have, or worry about what is

ahead. You just need to trust Me and let Me lead you. Then just look and see how far I have

brought you. You have come a long way."

I felt like God spoke many other personal things to me during this hike this morning. I also felt

like what God shared with me this morning can be applied to anything in our life. We love to

know what is ahead of everything. We don't like risk, we don't like trusting others. We love to

take care of business ourself. We don't like to be out of control. But it is a beautiful thing to allow

God to move and work then look back and see where God took you. If you are down and out right

now remember the history you have with God and let Him remind you that HE took care of

you. He brought you this far. He loves to remind us of all the amazing work He has done in our life.

I made it up that mountain once again. It was exhausting but I did it! God speaks to me the most

when I am too tired to talk. Most of the time we love to do all the talking, asking, pleading, begging

with God. Sometimes we don't even take the time to consider God we just bulldoze on through on

our own power. But the best place to be is to just BE with God and allowing Him to speak to you.

Kristy here again . . . on a side note! I have been telling Jason for YEARS, that if he ever needed to

just clear his head so he could "hear" more clearly then he had better get out in nature!

I told Jason that the reason he heard from God so clearly on that mountain wasn't necessarily

because he was "too tired" but I think because he was out in nature! :-) But I just LOVE LOVE

LOVE to be out in His creation!

She's a genius!

2011-01-27T12:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I was at the bus stop waiting to pick up kids and Greenlee was in the backseat. She looked up, pointed to the stop sign and said, "Look Mom! It's a octdadon!" AKA Octagon. And then, "S-T-O-P!" She knows letters! Out of the blue! I knew she could recognize S's and O's but she can do more!!!

Valleys and Peaks

2011-01-25T20:35:00.000-08:00

Eh . . .

Well, we came back to the Pacific Northwest after Christmas sand it was rough. We had plenty of time to work on potty training. It rained and rained and rained! I didn't think the sun would ever come out. It was border line depressing, literally. It was also hard to get back into the swing of things. I hadn't seen any of our friends, Greenlee was lonely and bored and I was experiening cabin fever, I was homesick and lonely. Jason was a mad man working his butt off so he was MIA.

Then Sunday came. Yay! I thought at least we had a reason to get out of the house and be social with some people! Greenlee and I were ready to walk out the door and I get a call from Jason. "Kristy, don't bother getting ready to leave. We are in the dark here. No power and the electric company said that they can't get it back on for at least 4 hrs."

So no church . . .

Greens and I watched football and built fairy castles out of leggo blocks!

The following week, we had one day of sun and warm weather. Greenlee and I got out and about, went to the park, I went for some runs and started being social and active again! Yay!

Last Saturday I woke up and the sun was shining!!! Yahooo! I probably get as excited about sun as Mom would be excited for no more snow this year and 70 degree weather!
However . . . this Saturday was super special! Jason said we were going to go hiking! I couldn't believe it! We went to hike Mt. Peak. It is about a mile up one way and I'm not sure what the grade is but you gain an elevation of 1,200 ft in a mile, so it's steep! It was so much fun! And Greenlee got to spend the day with her friends! She had fun too! And still going pee-pee in the potty! :-)

Monkey went potty!

2011-01-20T20:38:00.000-08:00

It was hard to get back into the swing of things upon returning to the Pacific Northwest. It was raining A LOT so that didn't help, nor did the jet-lag. However, I was on a mission! My child was going to be potty trained.
So last Wednesday, we woke up Greenlee normally plays with her baby that Grammy gave her for Christmas. This particular baby came with a potty. But this morning was a bit different. I saw her little monkey sitting on the potty. I also saw fuzz on the floor from one of our blankets that sheds worse than a cat and I stealthily placed that fuzz into the potty. "Oh my Goodness Greens! The monkey went poo-poo in the potty!!!"

We were both soooo excited for the monkey. Later that day we went to the store buy cupcakes and icing and a gift for monkey. Greenlee got to pick out the gift and wrap it.
Later that evening we made the cupcakes and had ourselves a party.

We invited all of Monkey's friends, Bruce, Lala, Pat, Squirt, Twigs, Figaro, and even Bubba! Not sure if this would work but I was willing to try anything at that point! I was SICK of diapers. I am proud to say that a week later we have had only one accident and have been diaper free all day long for five FULL days!!! YAaaaaayyyyyy!!!! This weekend she made her first attempt at #2. She hasn't mastered that yet, but the attempt is GREAT! I NEVER thought she would ever be in big girl pants!!!

I am not sure why she all of a sudden she thought she would give it a try, bit she did. Greenlee has never been one of those kids who you could bribe, or talk into doing something that she clearly did not want to do. Whether it be eating pizza instead of fries (oh no how dare I make her eat pizza) going down the slide instead of swinging, wearing a dress instead of jeans, if she doesn't want to she will put up a fight. So perhaps when the monkey succeeded at the potty and Mommy quit nagging her, perhaps the pressure was taken off and she could just make up her mind to do it.

Whatever happened I am sooooo glad it did! And she great at it! :-D

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!!!

2010-11-21T17:52:00.000-08:00

So, we have already put up Christmas Decorations! We are one of "those" people! Ha! Usually I don't like to put it up until the weekend after Thanksgiving. Jason ALWAYS wants to put it up earlier! This year I gave in! That was his birthday gift! However, there was a catch! He could not put up the lights outside on the bushes and porch. Nor could we switch out the autumn wreath for the Christmas wreath on our front door. I was a bit too embarrassed for our whole neighborhood to know we put up the Christmas decorations.

I have to admit that it was pretty having the Christmas decorations up with the snow falling outside this weekend!

Greenlee's reaction to the snow this morning!!!

‎"Snow on my tongue" Click here: http://moby.to/swnags

See video below:

Snow!!! [HQ]

Trick or Treat!

2010-11-09T22:00:00.001-08:00

Cutest Kitty Cat I've ever seen! I wish she would have let us paint a nose and some whiskers on!
her face! SHE WAS NOT HAVING IT!
Waiting with her friend for it to get dark!

She's telling everyone, "Let's go everyone!"
After she received candy from each and every single door, she politely said thank you and then, "Let's go to da udda house now, K!"

Here are some video's of Greenlee Trick or Treating!

http://twitvid.com/S3TBT

http://twitvid.com/DURI4

http://twitvid.com/TDUQS

http://twitvid.com/MBYE9

Happy Third Birthday GReenlee!

2010-11-09T21:33:00.000-08:00

Her day started with a visitor! Little Chance arrived with presents, flowers and a Happy Birthday Balloon!
Second surprise! Jason borrowed a bouncy castle from a friend. We blew it up in our living room! Greenlee thought it was hilarious! She and Chance had so much fun!
Then the afternoon of her fairy Birthday party! Greenlee kept snatching the barbecue chips!
Here is a picture of her flower cupcakes and toadstool cupcakes! YUM!
We handed out "magic wands" to her friends! (star suckers!)

Stupid me, Greenlee doesn't even know what a three looks like and I put it in backwards. SO in all the pictures her three looks like an 'E'. :(
Except this one! Greenlee didn't eat her cupcake, barely licked off the icing. She was too excited to play with her friends!
Presents! She was so polite! Thanked everyone for her gifts as she was opening them!
Then, more bouncing!

It was a GREAT day!!!!

Happy Birthday!

2010-11-02T12:11:00.000-07:00

Three years ago today, (at midnight), my sweet and sassy little girl entered my world and impacted me beyond anything I was prepared for! What a blessing, I love her!
I'm not the only one who loves her so!
It's those curls that will attract you!
Her sweetness that will capture you!
Her sassiness that will tickle you!
and silliness that will intrigue you!

Her hugs, her thank yous, her smiles, her laughter, her kisses, singing and love that will keep you!

I love you Princess Gee*Gee it's an honor to be your Mommy! Happy Birthday!

For those of you who send your love from afar, we miss you and love you and want to say Thank you!

Thanks Grammy, Pappy and Aunt Moose Click Here: http://moby.to/qcfkco

She really enjoyed the musical cards! Click below (there's two):

http://moby.to/u9ddan

http://moby.to/omoxoh

Thank you Meme and Pops! click below for the video:

http://moby.to/i82rtb

Thankyou Grandma and Grandpa! Happy birthday greens! http://twitvid.com/XMKXZ

Thank you Aunt Susie!

http://moby.to/4egq9t

This is from Jason:

Happy Birthday to my three year old birthday girl my Greenlee! Look at her favorite birthday morning

surprise. Click Below to see:

http://twitvid.com/MM3JF

Greenlee's birthday surprise from her Trisha and her prince charming! http://twitvid.com/HOM9G

More bouncing fun with chance!http://twitvid.com/V6YJA

Jack-o-lantern Day!

2010-10-30T18:51:00.000-07:00

The day started with football and ended with a ride around the neigborhood. While I was out that morning running some errands Da-da and Greenlee made a Jack-o-lantern!

Greenlee is becoming her Da-da. She gets her love of 'order' from him. Here's a look at what she did with her toys while we watched football:
Click the link below to watch:

http://twitvid.com/P3167

On our way through the neigborhood, Greenlee wanted to here "the Baby" sang. It's Pop-singer Justin Beiber's hit. She LOVES it. She now knows a lot more words than when this video was taken. Click the following link to view the singing:

http://twitvid.com/DN7FY

Not sure if this has become popular back at home or not, but out here they put up lights on their houses for Halloween like we do at Christmas. There is one particular street that goes all out on Christmas and we noticed this year they do the same thing on Halloween. They decorate with orange, white, purple, and neon green lights.

http://twitvid.com/OILVE

Here's Jason and Greenlee in the process of creating their Jack-o-lantern. Click the following link:

http://twitpic.com/3079o9

And the finishing product!!!

http://twitvid.com/7G3BW

Greenlee was so excited when we drove up to our house to see her pumpkin!

http://twitvid.com/FZFYW

Pumpkin Patch 2010

2010-10-23T10:04:00.001-07:00

"Foggy and Rain." That's what the "current weather" read before we walked out the door. I looked out the window and saw blue sky. We chanced it! We got soooo lucky with the weather! Even though it was supposed to rain all day (all week for that matter) it was sunny and warm all day!

We decided to spend the morning at Spooner Farm!
Jason picked out our Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkin!

Poor Greenlee loved playing with a water spout that poured water into a gutter that, when one placed rubber duckies in, the water from the spout would send the duckies down the gutter and into a basket at the bottom. SHE LOVED IT! And when it was time to stop playing she had a meltdown!

Greenlee picked out her pumpkin and THREW it (literally) into the wheelbarrow!
When we came home we decorated our front porch!
Later today we will carve our pumpkin. That should be interesting! I'll post pictures later! :-)

October 15th 2008

2010-10-19T08:44:00.000-07:00

I should have posted this blog four days ago but life happened.

It has been two years since Jason, Greenlee and I moved out to Washington. It feels like we have done 10 years worth of life in the two years.

This was Greenlee when we moved here! I can't believe it!
We've sacrificed a lot to be out here and personally, I have gained to so much! I thank my family for being so supportive! Miss you so so so much!

Ketchup!

2010-10-19T08:34:00.000-07:00

Greenlee's eating habits are BEYOND horrible. She does get it honestly. She won't try anything!!! This is the most frustrating part about it. I remember when I was little Dad being frustrated with me for not trying anything, and I didn't understand what the big deal was. I now get it!

Greenlee will not try cheese, pasta, cereal, or meats. She will try fruits and will actually like a few and she will try carrots but does not like them. What little food she does like she chooses not to eat it if she can get away with eating only cereal bars, french fries, ketchup, yogurt and Pringles.

So new eating routine; even if it takes her an hour to eat one peanut butter cracker, or half a banana with peanut butter, she HAS to eat it and then she can get one of her favorites in moderation. It took her ALL DAY LONG to get through lunch and we started early at 11:00. She's a stinker!

Here's her latest, she has by far surpassed me in her love of ketchup, click on the link below:

http://twitvid.com/CXGYG

Cartwheels

2010-10-08T19:07:00.000-07:00

We all went to the gymnastics gym today! We went down the huge slide, jumped on the trampoline and tried to do cartwheels. I showed Greenlee how it's done! Ha!

Video of my great cartwheel: Click on the link below

http://moby.to/e475n2

and video of Greenlee's favorite, the big slide:

http://moby.to/qihbi9

"Chockit in my Pockit!"

2010-10-08T19:03:00.000-07:00

I run upstairs real fast and come down seeing Greenlee working ever so hard to pick up her step stool in the corner of our kitchen. She steps up, stretches to reach, and I ask her, "What are you doing?"

She says, rather matter of factly, "I puttin' chockit in my pockit, momma"

My Hike!

2010-09-23T08:57:00.001-07:00

Mt. Rainier Day Hike!

Labor Day weekend I FINALLY got to go up Rainier! It wasn't the hike I was planning on, but it didn't matter! This place was the most beautiful place I think I have ever been to! It's constantly changing. I wouldn't have got to go up as high if I had been two weeks earlier, too much snow and melting snow flowing down the streams we crossed. We did miss out on the peak of the wildflowers but need less to say, the views were incredible. Pictures truly didn't do it justice!

So the hike that I planned on doing was straight up Mt. Rainier. I have had numerous people tell me that is it very difficult and can be dangerous if you don't go the right time of year, or don't turn back if the clouds start rolling in. Evidently, the weather changes rapidly, and if you get caught up there on the snow field in white out conditions and can't navigate in those conditions, you're doomed! So we saw clouds and decided to not do it! :-( O well, there's always next year.
My friend Carly and I did the Sumerland Trail instead. The picture above was our first view of Mt. Rainier!
The two picture below and above this was out view for lunch! We sat in awe! We also got bombarded by chipmunks. They were so cute! One really did sit on knee for a second. And another one hung out right next to my side, leaning against me! We hiked a total of 12 miles in one day! We climbed to about 7,000 feet. The hike I really wanted to do was 10,000 feet and Rainier's summit is 14,000. I'd love to make the summit one day when I have the money for the guide and equipment. We saw a herd of mountain goats going up over the hills. I felt like I was int eh Sound of Music or Heidi! The views were breathtaking!
We made it to the lowest glacier on the continental US. It was melting, because it was te end of summer and there were glacier lakes all around and flowing streams! Once we passed the tree line, it was as if we landed on another planet! There were huge granite rocks (we were assuming they were granite, it looked like it!) And walked on lava rocks (the real deal). The 'green' algae was red up there, and made the snow look like it had been spray painted! All in all, when the clouds started rolling in we felt like we were on a different planet. It began to get eerie!

This is the only decent picture we got of the two of us! We were too excited to have to stop and coordinate a picture. Wish we would have. This is the only other one! Ha!

Afternoon at the Park!

2010-09-22T14:43:00.000-07:00

Y
GGreenlee and I decided to spend the last day of summer at the park. It was a little chilly, but the sun was out! I also attempted to make this the first time to take her out of the house in panties. I brought her little potty along with us. She failed! O well!
SShe loved playing near this little stream that flowed through the play area. She pretended to be fishing!
When I was taking the picture above, as I was looking through the lens, I asked if Greenlee needed to go potty. As I was taking this picture aparently she was going pee pee. Because after I snapped it and asked her, she said it was too late. :-/

We got to go on a short little walk on the trails and Greenlee really seemed to be enjoying it! I was glad. It felt good to be outdoors. We have had a lot of rain lately, more than normal. It was good to have a break!

As you can see fall has really begun here. What few leaves do change color are slowing starting to change.

Click on the video for Greenlee's fuzzy math and the Turtle Song!
Click here: http://twitvid.com/SD5DC

I'm a bit behind! 2 weeks of updates!

2010-09-20T09:34:00.000-07:00

We have had a busy busy week. And that has placed me two weeks behind on updating the blog!
I have started a new job. It's a piece of cake, Greenlee can stay with me, and I get a lot of moolah, therefore, it is perfect! It also ensures that Jason, Greenlee and I will defiantly be coming home Summer of 2011!

Greenlee is completely potty trained (with pee pee) at home! I can't beleive it! She hasn't has any accidents this week except poo poo. But that's huge in itself. I didn't think that was ever going to happen. Today will be the first time we attempt panties out in public! I'm nervous!

She still loves music! Here she is in the car singing and (dancing as much as being in a car seat allows!)

She's a little late catching the "Bieber Fever" but, nonetheless, its cute! Click here: http://twitvid.com/TMBAV

Here she is after we arrived home! She got to bust loose this time to dance and sing! Click Here:

Take 2 [HQ]

This is what is left of Greenlee's beloved, Blankie that she calls, "uh-nuh" I'm worried it won't make it to her 3rd Birthday. But I REALLY worry that when we switch her to a big girl bed when she really needs it, it won't be there.

I was really wanted Jason to take Greenlee to her 'gym' this day so I could get some peace. She still loves this place! Click here:

Jason, u should take greens here today! [HQ]

We still go to the zoo! This picture is so funny to me! Greenlee finally warmed up to feeding the Bidgie Birds! But her face still shows some hesitation!

The mommy tiger was nursing her babies right at the window! There Greenlee is with her best buddy Chance!

Last Saturday we "Did the Puyallup." That's what they say out here when you attend the Western Washington State Fair. It was fun, not Kentucky State Fair, but it was fun. We saw all the animals. Jason took Greenlee to the petting zoo part. I took Greenlee on one ride that cost SIX DOLLARS!!! Rediculous but Greenlee absolutely loved it!

Here is video:
http://twitvid.com/XJZGP

Greenlee is growing up so fast! She is no longer a toddler! She is basically a preschooler. She pretends she is in school with her little backpack and writes with chalk on the board. She is really getting into pretend. She gets on all fours and meows or barks, and she also licks just like a puppy or kitty. We try to make sure she doesn't do that, yuck! She's very social. She always wants to know where we are going and who are we doing it with. That's exhausting for me, but I do my best! She's a sweetie! She says "Please" and "Thank you." When people leave our house or she leaves them she always say, "Bye, Bye. See you later. Thanks for playing with me!"

Some things that are funny that she says, is when she can't hear somthing she says "I can't sing it" For example: "I can't sing my show." Or "I can't sing my songs." But what she's really asking is can you turn up the volume?

She has been creating things lately too. Whether it's artwork, or puzzles, or a fort, or stacking her blocks she comes up to me and says excitedly motioning me to come, "Come on you gotta see this!" She's a funny little thing.

Still not eating thing other than fries, ketchup, grapes, clementines, pringles, chips and salsa, yogurt, cereal bars and an occasional apple! Yep that pretty much sums all all she eats!

2010-09-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

I thought this was cute! Jason and I met up for lunch at Mickey D's. I got up from the table to go get our food after I dropped off several handfuls of ketchup. Greenlee loved ketchup just like her Momma! There was no food, yet she was ready to squeeze out that ketchup!

Jason posted:
Out on a McD's date with my girls! http://yfrog.us/mzdgkz

A job/and a Scooter!

2010-08-31T00:00:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been so long since I have posted anything. I have been busy trying to get a job. Greenlee is getting at the age where it will be fun and good for her to start in a some kind of class. I would love love love to get her into dance. She is a dancing machine! And then in a year or so she will be starting pre-school! I can not believe it!

Also I want the opportunity to come home more often and right now flights are too expensive for us having one income. I'm not ready to go back to work full time, although I miss being in the classroom, I can fathom paying all that money to put Greenlee in a daycare. There's no one out here that I trust. Especially not a day-care! So since it's possible I will stay home as long as I can with my kiddos until they all get into school!

Since the last time I have posted anything, Greenlee's vocabulary and attitude has increased. She now, when she doesn't get her way, crosses her arms, stomps her foot, pouts out her lip and furrows her brow as she says, "That's not fair!!!" She doesn't do it very often since that first time because she got in BIG BIG trouble! Not sure where that one came from. And today after I told her we weren't going to Trisha's house, she responded in a very teenage like tone, " Aw MOM, Come on!" Couldn't believe it. I ignored that one as I drove past Trisha's neighborhood!

BIG NEWS!!! She is starting to pee pee in the potty! I never thought she would actually care enough to get it in there! I have learned that stickers and orange tic-tacs work best. After three days she's dong pretty good. Lots of accidents but at lest there is pee in the potty! :-) I have some hope that I will not be taking my daughter to kindergarten in diapers!

But Greenlee has been trying to learn to ride a scooter. Her friend Morgan (Mo) let Greenlee borrow hers for a while. We take it down the street to get the mail and she rides it to the park down the street!

This is a video of her first attempt at it in Morgan's backyard!

Click on this link: http://twitvid.com/MS8SE

Summer Time and the livin' is easy . . .

2010-08-12T18:45:00.001-07:00

Greenlee has no idea what she is doing, but she sure has an awesome time figuring it out! I know it's early to get her a bike with training wheels, but I couldn't pass up the deal. I got this bike (which was good as new) dirt cheap! She loves it but gets the idea of peddling about as well as I understand Chinese!
Sure looks cute giving it a try though! And she's o so proud!
Nana and Jason went shopping and Jason picked out most of her clothes. HE picked out these jeans at H&M and I'm jealous! She's now got some cool Chuck's like her Daddy only hers are pink!

The hose! I think I could get her to eat vegetables if i bribed her with the hose. (I may give that a try next week-or, even better get her to pee pee in the potty!!!!)

She got the hang of it rather quickly! I put it on mist hoping that may save my water bill! Although our grass could have probably used it. To walk on our grass barefooted is like walking on nails!!! It's soooo patchy and sooo dry! We haven't had enough rain in months to help it out any.

She loved it!
But did NOT like it getting in her face!

My sweet girl! :-)

2010-08-05T17:22:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite park I've EVER been to so far! It's like a zoo and it's like a forest! This place is soooo awesome! I think I enjoyed it this day more than anyone!
Greenlee did much better on the tram this year!
The above picture was taken last year on the tram :( Ha!
Both a bit happier! Greenlee pointed to all the animals and said they were all hers!

"Following the Leader, the leader, the leader!" Greenlee sang this song as she followed Dada along the path!
Nana had to take a potty break and Jason gave her the scare of her life! He let her get situated in that nasty port o potty (or Honey Buckets in the PacNW!) and growled like a bear as he pushed on the side! Ha ha! We had a good laugh again, because just moments ago as we observed the bears Jason scared the bigeezits out of her as he snuck up from behind her pretending to be a bear! She called him every name in the boo, "Jerome, Joey, . . . . Jason!"
In the words of Greenlee, "I tuck" she's stuck!
What a fun day in the woods! Love Love Love being in the woods!

The Oregon Coast . . . again!

2010-08-04T22:40:00.000-07:00

So, I heard it was 105 degrees at home today! That's HOT! Today we took Nana to the Oregon Coast and the temperature away from the coast and wind, it was 59 degrees! It was beautiful! Greenlee had an "Awesome" (as she says) time at on the beach building a sandcastle! I had such a good time with my little one today. She was so sweet and fun. I hope she has a love for the outdoors as I do. She walked up and down the beach and had the best time! She noticed all the kites up in the air and the "BIG BIG ROCK" as she says. She scooped all the sand in her bucket to the top and loved finding rocks to put in her bucket. She chased seagulls and did not eat the sand this time! However, she didn't want to touch the water. O well! I put my feet in and my bones were chilled! I had chili for lunch! Not the typical trip to the beach. People were wearing fleece and leaning up against drift wood lying on blankets with books in their hands and guitars by there sides. Kids getting out of the water and off their boogie boards to unzip out of tight wetsuits. A fire pit was also ablaze near them. It's certainly nothing like the sting rays, pink flamingos, dolphins, margaritas, bikinis and speedos and palm trees that I'm used to!
We forgot our camera! I could have cried, but thank goodness for technology! Jason and I had our phones which takes pictures and video!
Here's one of Nana enjoying the view! I have to say that this is the prettiest place I have ever personally seen! When the majority of the sky is blue, the view is SPECTACULAR!

Nana had a hard time adjusting from the heat and humidity of the south to the cool ocean breeze of the Pacific Coast! :-)