Wilted Hopes

Well, I had hoped that all my plants had made it through the 100 degree weather with no water while we were gone but my blood orange tree didn't look too good when we got back. I gave it a thorough watering and it has mostly revived but some leaves just fell listlessly off the branches.


In happier news, it is my mom's birthday today! Happy Birthday! I don't have a picture of her here because she is in London for the first time. I am sure she is having more fun than if she were here.

The Long Car Ride

So today we started our trek back to CA.  Our vacation was fun!  But of course tiring, especially for Mosey who wasn't used to dogs keeping up with him.  He slept the whole way back.  Here he is in his new car seat (you can't really see it).

Floating the Deschutes

Today Jason, Payton and I went floating down the Deschutes River.  Every summer that we visit Bend we try to do at least one float.  This year, Payton was big enough to have her own innertube!  The water was nice and high so we got through a lot quicker this time.  Very refreshing! 

Silly Monkey

Jason's mom Myla, decided to give Payton's bath time a shot of monkey blood.  This is how she decorated to get the effect.  There was also a monkey head rug.  Very cute!  

Playing with Wii

I really like playing the Nintendo Wii.  Today we went over to Matt & Michelle's house to play Mariokart.  Quite fun.  My nephew is really good too!  He beat me every time and he is like... 3!  That is him next to me but he asked to remain anonymous until he could showcase his talent to the entire world.  

Strawberry Picking

The first time I ever mentioned going to a U-pick to Jason, he said, "Naw, if they want our business, they should pick the fruit for us!"  I calmly and reasonably explained that I actually enjoy it and I wanted to pick even if it was the same price as pre-picked.  He looked at me in astonishment and I wondered if we were even meant to be...

4 years later, picture Jason, calf high in a strawberry field frolicking and sighing with pleasure at the sight of such abundant red berries.  Yes, we went strawberry picking today.  I don't think I have ever gotten to U-pick strawberries before but it was nice.    I think it was only $1/lb.  But I don't remember because I didn't really care about the price.  I think I paid $3 for all these strawberries!  I am very happy as you can see!

On Sand and Surf

Today we had a great family outing.  We went to Saugatuck which is a town on the central western coast of Michigan.  First took a sand dune ride.  It was pretty fun!  We sat in this 15 passenger truck thing and screamed around the sand dunes.  I was surprised we didn't slide out of control or anything.  We stopped a couple of times to look at the view and to run down a really steep part.  Here I am about to run down.  You can tell it is going to be pretty intense by the mom and baby going right before me.  

After our sand dune journey, we got lunch at a nearby farm.  They had great homemade apple doughnuts!  Then we rented a pontoon boat and cruised around on some nearby water.  Excuse me for not knowing what the water was called.  I was too busy having fun.  :]  Here I am after I stole Lily from her mommy, Danelle.  

She actually isn't asleep in the picture.  I guess she just is soaking in the comfort that life jackets can bring.  We ended the day with cones from Dairy Queen.  An absolutely perfect day!

Katrina and Adam

The wedding day dawned beautifully. The grass was startlingly green, the sky was deep blue and everything was going swimmingly. Below is the chapel and the bride.


During the wedding the weather stayed nice but as soon as it was over, boy did we ever get it. There were a couple spaces between clouds where we got some nice pictures but unfortunately the reception was rained out. We spent most of the time inside for that even though it was meant to be an outdoor reception. Oh well. I think everyone was happy so that is what matters!Congrats to the happy couple!

Bachelorette Party

Jason and I flew to Michigan to go to his cousin, Katrina's, wedding. We got there in time for the very classy and fun bachelorette party put on by my good friend (and Katrina's sister) Danelle. I know you are expecting raunchy pictures of unmentionable underwear games but I found the most photogenic sight to be Danelle's daughter, Lily. Here are some of the best shots I got.

Off to Michigan

Today we are leaving Bend to travel to Michigan to visit the other side of Jason's family.  Before we left.  I took a picture of Jason and Mosey on the deck where Mosey will spend most of his days for the next week while we are gone.  We are really going to miss him but I am sure Jason's mom will take really good care of him!

Hosmer Lake

Today we went fly fishing up at Hosmer lake. It is one of my favorite lakes to fish because the water is so clear you can see all the trout swimming around beneath the boat. The snow had just cleared up and it was cold but fortunately, it was bright and sunny at the same time. I caught the first and only fish! Don't know why that excites me. It is more fun when everyone is catching tons of fish. Here are Jason and I trying to win the contest for most unflattering hat. I think I won.

What a Fetching Dog You Have...

Today mostly went really well.  Mosey and I took a nice little picture together.

  

He played with the big dogs in the water, even fetching the ball a few times (although in this photo, you will notice that his trajectory is a little off).  

At the end of the day, he had so much fun, he tried to avoid going back into the house.  As you can see, I finally caught the wet little bugger.  

Fishing and Whatnot

Today we scouted some ponds in some nearby grasslands.  They supposedly had some really good fishing so we set out to see.  Jason caught a golden trout.  

They are very cool looking.  As we were driving away, we saw a beautiful field of lupins.  Jason took a picture of me in the middle of them, waders and all.  A beautiful day.   

A 2nd Birthday for Jason!

Lucky guy! Today we celebrated Jason's birthday again. His mom made a wonderful angel food cake and fun was had by all.

Graduation Day!

Today both my mom and my brother graduated! My mom with a Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy and my brother with a Bachelor's in Public Relations. Although they went to different universities, they were able to march together because their universities are affiliated. ANYWAY.... Here is a picture of the happy graduates!


Here are some friends from high school that I haven't seen since I left there my sophomore year. Donnie, in the blue shirt, has been my brother's best friend ever since 2nd grade. Awww, the memories. :]

Ok, here is a family shot!

Which of these three things doesn't belong......

Interestingly enough, my brother and I had the same teacher but at different schools. Ms. McGuire taught me in high school and Michael in college. Here is a picture of my brother, Ms. McGuire and I.


Here is my mom making a speech at our graduation lunch afterward! As you can see, there is a wonderful ambiance at Don Giovanni's in St. Helena.


Here is my dessert and mini me looking on. Just kidding, but she does kind of look like it huh?


The restaurant is dog friendly but not really crazy puppy Mosey friendly so we had to tie him to a tree outside. As you can see, he is very happy to see us return.


It was a beautiful weekend in Napa Valley and since my brother has a good job at a winery there, I am sure we will be back soon.

Having Fun Waiting

It is the day before graduation and we are having fun waiting for the big day.  We went out to eat at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen where Navi, Michael's girlfriend used to work.  

Hung around outside talking and observed the never-dimming love between my grandparents,

 

and walked around Calistoga

 

(or rather, the girls walked.  All the guys sat on a bench and waited.).  It was a really relaxing and fun day with family. 

Packing Live Animals

As I was rushing around this morning getting packed for our two week vacation, Mosey decided not to mope around at the chance that he might not accompany us, but to be proactive.  If I wasn't going to pack him, he would just pack himself to save me the trouble.  

Bath Time

Mosey got a bath tonight.  It was about time!  The water ran brown!

A Disaster Area

So, Mosey has decided to turn our backyard into his own disaster area.  This is his "Yum, I love the taste of disaster areas!" look.

Symbiosis

I planted my blood orange tree in a pot that previosly housed tomatoes.  I was happily surprised to see some tomato plants growing next to my orange tree.  They are pretty far behind in the growth season but maybe they will grow big enough to bear a tomato or two. We will see.  *By the way, I know that symbiosis isn't really the correct scientific term to describe this situation. * 

It's Getting Hot Again...

Today, I trudged around feeling hot and sweaty.  The air was thick with heat waves and I was burning up.  I even had a nice flowy skirt on, but alas, there was no comfort.  When I found out it was only 95 degrees today, I became even more depressed.  How am I going to last through the summer.  I guess I will adapt. We always do.  I hope Mosey adapts too, otherwise we will have quite the electric bill....

Spokane Water Shortage

Here is the river in Spokane, Washington.  This picture is taken right outside of Riverfront park.  While Arnold signed a drought declaration for California, Washington seems to be doing just fine on the water front.  Indeed, this was quite the rushing water!!

Brandon and Marisol 6.7.2008

Today my cousin, Brandon, got married! They chose  beautiful spot, Camp Mivoden.  It is crazy when someone your own age that you have grown up with ties the knot.  Just ask my cousins.  :]  The flowers were amazing (thanks to my auntie), 

the couple was happy, 

the cake was good, 

and there was even a sunset at the end of the day which prompted my brother and his girlfriend, Navi, to burst into dance.  

I also had a once in some lifetimes picture taken today.  Here is me, my mom, and my grandpa at the ages of 25, 50, and 75.  

This will change in a couple weeks so we had to be sure to get a picture today while we are all together.  A very nice day.  

Cutey Wutey Wittle Mosey Posey

After you quit gagging from my title, take a look at my little doggie.  He is very much a sweetie pie.  Especially when he is sleepy.  :]

Salt Lick

Dogs, birds, deer, and cows need electrolytes.  Birds, cows, and deer get their electrolytes from big cakes of salt strategically placed in their surroundings.  Dogs, on the other hand, get their electrolytes from licking sweaty racquetball playing humans.  

Plunder

My mom moved out of her house today so I raided the artichoke plants that we planted here over a year ago.  I couldn't let the new renters reap our bounty!  We have a lot to eat this week!  I have decided that if I move to a place with harsh winters, I will need to have a greenhouse.  I don't think I can ever go back to not having homegrown artichokes.  They are so good!!

A Pair of Us

Today my mom asked is I could transport my great aunt's wheelchair from her house the assisted living center.  Transport in this case meant, ride it 1 mile.  I was definitely up for it.  I though it would be pretty fun!  It was.  I hooked Mosey's leash to the armrest and off we went.  We made quite the pair!  Mosey in his Elizabethan collar and I, healthy looking but in a wheelchair.  people couldn't help but smile.  It was pretty nerve racking crossing the main roads but I was really grateful for the wheelchair and bike friendly curbs.  I made it to the assisted living center safely but went to the wrong room.  Ah well, she got her chair eventually.  

 

Grades

As you might have noticed, I haven't been updating this blog at all this week. I have been taking pictures though! This last week was finals week and tomorrow my grades are due. I have to grade all these papers before then.


Here I am grading my students final 10,000 words projects.

Happy Birthday Jason!

Today was Jason's 26th birthday!  I spent most of the day cooking.  For lunch I made some questionable mushroom soup and lotus root tempura.  Lotus root is pretty good.  I had it in china in many different forms.  It kinda tastes like tater tots.  

For Jason's birthday dinner, I made fajitas.  After dinner was dessert which was a great strawberry banana trifle cake.  I have come to the decision that trifle cakes are the best cakes.  Especially when there is more pudding and less cake.  Jason got some nice gifts for his birthday like the canon 40D, a wetsuit, and a new leatherman. Happy Birthday!