Tolmie State Park

Who needs white sand and clear water when you have hundreds of sanddollars and muck?

Gparents visit

Gma Louva and Gpa Dwight came for a quick visit this summer. We managed to try out a few local eateries and Ben got some help and expert advice on putting in his basketball hoop. We are glad that Gpa Dwight would take off a few days of work to come see us ;)

It's only suffering if you don't like it.

Triple Threat Tri Series - Race #2

Sprint 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile bike, 5K run

(My number was 866 - not 998 like I wore it on my bike helmet.)

The two Sara(h)'s and myself pre-race.

Saw this sign right before entering lake for start of race. Decided to try to outswim larvae.

Felt a little dizzy after swim - but not itchy. That is not me in the wetsuit.

This is where I bonked. Could someone get this gal a Coke?

Stats:

Overall* Age ----- Swim ----- ----- Bike ----- ----- Run ----- Total

Place Rank Name Age Rnk Time Pace Rnk Time Pace Rnk Time Pace Time
17 4 Lynn Westbrook 31 2 13:54 27:48 6 51:42 3:27 7 28:27 9:29 1:34:04

Times include transitions.

"Only got in trouble three times..."

First Day of School

Today is my first day of school. I'm excited, nervous, I certainly don't have a clue about what to wear. Will I get to school on time every day? Ride the bus or drive? Are flip-flops alllowed? Lunch bag or lunch money? Will I be able to remember when there are half days and am I really ready for this? I think so. I don't feel old enough for this to be happening. I can't wait to make new friends and I hope we get to make Stone Soup. What I really can't wait for is high school again - maybe I'll actually learn calculus this time around, and that's when we read all of my favorite books.

Today is my first day of school and the last day of life as I know it. Tomorrow is her first day.
Tomorrrow we become alarm-setting, schedule-adhering humans, with our immunizations complete and with $30 worth of required school supplies ready to hand over to the teacher. The teacher that I get to meet today. Today on my first day of school. I'm so glad it doesn't start until 2.

June/July/August Recap

Note - some of the activities mentioned below have photos and more of a story to accompany them, but if i didn't start somewhere i wasn't going to start at all. expect posting and back posting en masse in the coming days. i am also dedicated to getting pics of the inside of our house posted - decorated, unpacked or not.


Our first full summer in the PNW - and it was great! My life changed the day I got a call from a lady in the know and she said the two most glorious words known to man - "outdoor-pool". This was precisely as I had gotten out of an indoor pool for a rather uninspiring swim. It turns out that there is not a complete absence of open-air water here at all. There are spray-parks, pools, fountains, not to mention a million lakes and the sound. I think we hit up every one in a 50 mile radius. Not really every one but we found a few to satisfy our craving for sun. And there is plenty of sun here in the summer. At one point I think it started getting light at 4:45am and didn't disappear until 9:45pm. Which perhaps explains the giant squash. What I could have used more of however was heat. Most sunny days it just wasn't hot enough to justify getting in the water.

We did have a few days of 100F + weather, which I thought was awesome. Even without a/c in our house we survived, so I'm glad we made the choice not to put it in. Speaking of the house - we are still doing projects and unpacking. It just never ends. Even though Ben thinks it would end if I spent less time gallivanting and more time at home.

We also made a couple camping trips. One was at the church campground where they had a stake pioneer day weekend. Camping, softball, food and church services outdoors, it was a lot of fun. We also went for a family trip and even though we left at noon on a Friday (on a non-holiday weekend) there were no spots to be found at any of the four Capitol Forest campsites we went to. 4 hours later we ended up at a private lake and campground which wasn't as rustic maybe as we had in mind but actually turned out to be the most fun for the kids and I would definitely go back. And next time we want to go camping in August we will go somewhere that takes reservations.

Summer also kicked off the season for visitors, which we always enjoy. April H. and children were our first, followed by my grandparents, then my mom, then my sister and her friend Annie (whom Miles fell hard for) then Ben's brother Nate. We're gearing up for another round in the fall but 2010 is completely open so far...

What did we accomplish individually this summer? I think I have covered most of our adventures but something may come to me if I try to break it down:

Ben - Ben did nothing but work this summer (I sure miss those days when he had summer off - or at least a couple weeks off). He had a particularly horrendous month on the ICU, which he is still suffering the effects from based on his ratio of consciousness to unconsciousness when he is at home. One week he worked 100+ hours in 6 days with a smattering of sleep. If you're thinking this should be illegal. It is. (They get around this by using an 80 hr average per month or something, whatever, I don't mind it so much, I know lots of you endure similar schedules - I just feel bad for Ben). I can't wait till he goes back to a 70 hour week.

He did get one fun trip this summer, work related of course, he got to go to Vail for a conference. I always wanted to see Vail in the summer (or anytime) but his room was already full - by those who fly-fish.

Miles - Miles would never go on a trip without me. He won't even go upstairs or downstairs without me. I'm hoping this clinginess subsides in the near future. He does just fine when I am not around, in fact he barely misses me. But if I am in the vicinity he wants to be on my hip. And although unflattering but true, he screams and cries in the morning if he wakes up and I am not around. Besides that he is a joy. He is starting to actually go potty by himself, on his own, either using a stool or by going outside, which is good since he seems to need to go frequently and when it is most inconvenient for me. He is also the most polite little sucker I have ever known and it doesn't seem to just be a phase. He's just nice. His sister on the other hand...

Avery - When we were talking about how she should behave at school in order to win friends and influence people I told her she should just be polite and treat others how she would like to be treated. She shrugged and said "Polite? I'm not good at that". At least she knows her weaknesses.

Besides spending our days out and about this summer we also did every reading program we could. The kids earned ice skating and zoo passes, rubber ducks, free meals at subway and a free book. The reading of course was done by mom or dad (and gpa dwight did his fair share of reading while he was here) even though Avery can read the very basic if she puts her mind to it, but she usually refuses. Which is why I am not homeschooling her.

Me - Reliving our summer schedule I guess moms work plenty of hours too, although it does seem like an awful lot of play. I did steal away for a quick trip to Indiana, which although I was going for rather somber circumstances, was actually quite enjoyable thanks to my mom coming up to watch my children so I could go alone. I also did a triathlon (thanks to my grandparents being here to watch the kids) and in medical news I had a punch biopsy on a mole on my back - which is not noteworthy except that I thought it was funny when I came home and Miles asked if the doctor took my "guaca-'mole'y" off.

The Sandwich Stoppe

Just wanted to spread the word about Anna and Mese Ugapo's new restaurant in Beaumont -

The Sandwich Stoppe.

225 E 6th St Beaumont, CA 92223

951-845-9344

Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

Go there to get some tasty food. I've never eaten there personally but I have had food prepared by them elsewhere and I think a restaurant is a great place to showcase their talents. Also, I want them to still be in business the next time I make it down. If you have eaten there feel free to leave comments on your favorite menu item (that way I know what to order ;)). Also if I have any info wrong let me know so I can fix it.

Whooo do you share a hairline with?

While we were at the library craft and story time on the topic of owls I realized how much Miles resembles the Great-Horned Owl.

Out of Control

Update on how the garden is growing.

The Build-a-House-Workout

(I do realize that my frecklage is more impressive than my biceps)

Despite the house taking up most of my discretionary time and energy (in other words - I don't have it in me to do a proper workout) I have found myself in surprisingly good shape. Probably in better shape than I am in when I am consistently exercising. All of that drilling, grouting, shoveling, lifting and sweeping has resulted in some serious strength. Luckily landscaping and gardening has similar benefits so my workout is not over just yet. But after that is complete I am going to have to find some other kind of manual labor to do. Otherwise I will just fall back into a irregular routine of pilates, zumba, spinning etc. that just may not be enough*. It kind of reminds me of polygamous women who have all those children but stay remarkably trim. It's because they work all day - between baking bread, gardening, tending children etc**- I doubt they do much lounging or tv watching. They are constantly moving. Not to mention the simplicity and purity of the food they might eat. Unfortunately that is the downfall of my build-a-house-workout. The build-a-house-diet is incredibly poor and usually involves driving through to pick up cheap and fast food at 11pm.

* These classes are really more for fun and getting out of the house than for actual results. I have a "work out like a dude" philosophy for when I am really trying to have results - this would include P90X, pushups, pullups etc. - minumum time maximum effort but it's something that comes in spurts and that I don't keep up over long periods of time even though I probably should.

** I honestly don't know what they do all day but I am just guessing.

Gymtime - A family affair

Here are some pictures from the gymnastics class I took back in March- May. I did two sessions then have taken a break because moving takes so much time/energy. It was a lot of fun and I was pleasantly surprised that my tumbling is as strong as it is after all these years. Flexibility - not so much. Front tuck - better than ever. Front walk-over - forget it.

Ben took a class and the kids just love getting thrown in the pit.

(This is as far as Ben can stretch)

How does your garden grow?

There were two things I was really excited about when we got close to finishing our house - having a housewarming party and growing a garden. The housewarming party hasn't happened - at least not with the elaborate menu I daydreamed about - but we have had numerous BBQ's and gatherings so what we lacked in quality we have made up in quantity.

And the garden... well, the jury's still out on what kind of bounty we will have but we did finally get stuff in the ground. I started seeds indoors in early April. They didn't get transplanted until mid-June. Then they promply went into shock. But the good news is - we are enjoying a revival. Everything managed to perk up, although it has yet to bear fruit. Unless you count the lettuces. They've been ready for weeks.

Ben built me some garden/grow boxes and this is what I planted:

- Mesclun (which is basically a mix of leafy greens - lettuces, spinach, arugula, Swiss chard, mustard greens, endive, dandelion, frisée, mizuna, oak leaf, mâche, radicchio, sorrel, kale etc.

- Carrots (rainbow variety)

- Tomatoes (heirloom variety, roma, early girl, sweet 100's & sungella)

- Squash & Zucchini (two plants that are taking over an entire box)

- Peppers (Bell, Jalapeno, Anaheim, Habenero)

- Radishes (I heard these helped carrots grow better)

- Herbs (Cilantro, Parsley, Thai Basil, Thyme, Oregano, Chives)

- Cabbage (Red and Savoy)

- Onions (Red, Sweet and Green onions)

- Brussel Sprouts

- Giant Pumpkins

- Peas and Long Beans

- Red Grapes

- Berries (Blackberry (rampant and inhereted with the lot), Blueberries and Seascape Strawberries)

-Mystery Plants - I have more than a few that I can't figure out. Some may be weeds.

I also have tiny dwarf orange, lemon and a lime tree but I think I live in the wrong climate for them to produce.

There are more things I would like to add - Raspberries, maybe a type of small potato, some fall/winter squash varieties, garlic. If anyone has any suggestions let me know. My garden philosophy is to grow things that either you usually just need a bit of but have to buy in larger quantities at the store (i.e. herbs), things that are expensive or things that are rare. But mostly I just like to watch things grow.

Anniversaries

Today marks one year for us in the state of Washington. I feel that we have accomplished a lot but so far we have seen very little of the Pacific Northwest. Something I hope to change in the coming years. One year in Washington also means one year since we were living it up in the land of Aloha. For the most part we don't speak of our premature departure from Hawai'i and I'll admit that on more than one occasion I have gotten emotional at the thought of what we left behind (occasions such as an infrequent Washington rainbow or Miss Hawai'i's hula during the Miss America pageant). But being that it is summer and summer in Washington is glorious and the days are long (still a little chilly for my taste) we are excited about the possibilities and the adventures that await us.

Today marks two years since I started the blah blah blog and looking back at some of the earlier posts I am so glad that I have such a fun record of our goings on or at least of my perspective of our goings on. Now I just have to do as intended and get it bound so that all will not be lost should cyberspace implode.

Coincidentally, my first post two years ago recounts events all too similar to those of today. A day that marks eight years of marriage and more than one occasion of forgetfulness. Luckily, it is a marriage that is not weakened by such oversight - oversight which is made up for many times over by daily courtesies, affection and lots of laughs. We're a good team, and I look forward to not celebrating many more anniversaries with him in the future.

How I love thee…let me count the ways. (caution, explicit passage may not be suitable for children or overly sensitive)

Today was Lynn and I’s 8th anniversary. I forgot. Again. Of the 8 times this date has come and gone, I have remembered to do something nice five of those times. What makes things worse, I don’t do much better with birthdays. Essentially, I am a Jehovah’s Witness by practice in that I just can’t be held accountable for not celebrating these pagan observances. How close to Muslim terrorist does a Mormon Jehovah’s Witness sit on the religious fanaticism spectrum?

I wish I could say that was all there is to the story, but it gets worse. How did the discovery of my forgetfulness come about? Lynn and I were on the couch at about 9pm. She was watching the Bachelorette and I was half paying attention and half finishing some presentations I have for work tomorrow. She passes me a note that asks if I would like to forgo our separate rooms and share a fantasy suite for the night. Trying to be responsible I respond just as Jillian did on the show. I respectfully declined citing my desire to keep a clear head for the upcoming rose ceremony. I also make a snide remark that insinuates that the only reason the Bachelorette is declining is because she is nursing a flare up of an STD acquired from her previous stint as a finalist on the Bachelor (note-while probably untrue, these types of remarks are appropriate based on the fact that I am a real life doctor). She chuckles uncontrollably while scribbling a response and then throws the note pad on my chest. Her response – “It is our anniversary, you idiot!”

If you can stand to read any more, it gets even worse. I digress for a moment to make a comparison. I remember the first time I watched the movie Meet My Parents or the British version of the Office. I think that was the first time I was truly exposed to the type of humor that makes you feel completely uncomfortable while you are watching it. This story is along that same vein. As I try to call on some quick goat thinking to get me out of an irreparable situation I recall the events earlier in the day. Lynn and I went to the local hardware store, an almost daily event for us over the past several months while finishing our house. We have recently been working (Lynn more than I) on our landscaping. Lynn has been reading all about the plants that will do well in the environment and selecting a few at a time to plant around our house. What is one of the common purchases for one buying potted plants to transfer to their landscaping? Well, fertilizer of course. What is the point I am getting at?

I bought my wife shit for our 8th anniversary. Literally.

So when I try to count the ways that I love her, I only have to count to one and then I can stop. Why would I need more reasons to love someone who can continue to love me despite my egregious imperfections. She laughed with me as we went over the days events and how many times I should have been queued to its importance. Should our discussions of an exotic vacation to Hawaii or Tahiti not have clued me in? How 'bout the sign at the post office that we stared at for 30 minutes while we waited in line that said " Today is July 6th"? Maybe our planning a "special" day up at Alki park should have done the trick. The elaborate meal she cooked on our new infrared grill? Sad, but no.

She is not mad. I am embarrassed at my ineptitude. How could I possibly make this one up to her? Her and I will have to discuss that in the fantasy suite.

-Westbrook, out!

Patriotism at it's best!

Imagine America The Beautiful playing in the background and if it doesn't draw a tear to your eye, you might not be human. Or red-blooded American, anyway. Pics are worth a thousand words!

The Grass is Greener

We have a yard! No one is allowed to walk/play on it yet (Ben...I saw you taking a short cut across the grass the other day) but it won't be long. This is the grass at two weeks post-seeding. The bottom two photos are one week after. But having a lush lawn means maintenance - something we've never had to worry about ourselves in the past thanks to condo associations and/or having a gardener as part of the rent. First item of business - purchasing a lawnmower - a task that should be easy enough...or is it?

After reading a couple books on lawn care (I recommend "Lawn Geek" by Trey Rogers) and searching the Net I have decided that #1 - I want a lawnmower that mulches. Everything I have read has suggested that leaving clippings on the grass a) returns much needed nutrients to the soil and b) cuts down on the need for watering. It also saves me from having to empty the bag (when mowing as a teenager I never did like to be interupted by a full bag - plus it gets heavy). #2 - I don't really want to deal with getting gas, storing gas and emptying gas when storing for the winter. Or the fumes. #3 - I also don't want to have to wear noise-cancelling ear thingys when mowing the lawn. So this leaves me three choices - a plug-in electric model - nope, don't want to deal with a cord, a battery operated electric mulching mower or a push reel mower (yes they still make these).

I thought I had settled on the second option and found one I liked on Amazon that had good reviews. The downfall of the cordless electric option is a finicky battery that can only charge for so many hours before being ruined and is expensive to replace. So why not a push reel mower - it supposedly gives a great cut and I think I'd get a great workout as well.

I think Ben wants a manly roaring, fuming, self-propelled version. At first we'll probably fight over who gets to mow because we are so excited to have a yard (and b/c we enjoy bickering). But we all know who's going to end up mowing. Oh, we don't all know? My guess is it will be me - since I just stay at home lounging all the time. But, I don't think ladies of leisure are supposed to do yard work...

So I need experience and opinions here - opinions borne of experience. I am happy to hear that at least one friend does actually have and like the cordless electric mower. I consider that to be one vote in favor of option #2. There will be a poll.

Aloha PNX 864

The County of Honolulu Vehicle Licensing Department apparently wants me to get over the idea that maybe I'll have to move back to Hawaii so therefore I should keep my plates, because they aren't taking my calls. Or accepting my written correspondence. I guess they don't want my new address. I even gave them an extra two weeks after my tags expired just in case. Finally, I broke down and applied for WA license plates, trading the rainbow for Mt. Rainer- and upping our collection from different states to six.

On another note, I don't know why I can't keep my car registration and other vehicular matters up-to-date (I take that back - I would never miss an oil change). Last year I was late getting new tags and the year before that I got new ones when we moved to Hawaii but never put the sticker on. I went an entire year with no expiration sticker whatsoever. That same year I also let my license expire - by over two months - which I don't recommend because if your license is expired for more than 40 days you have to take a driving and written test. I found that out the hard way. And to quote the rather scary lady who was in charge of said test "you're lucky I'm going to let you pass, but you won't change your ways anyway". My "ways"? Excuse me, but driving with your knees while applying mascara* takes an extreme amount of skill. She's lucky I don't know how to text.

If I can get away with having expired registration and license without getting in trouble I must not be doing so bad. (For the record the last time I got pulled over was over 10 years ago - which is not perfect - like one of my grandmothers who I think has never been pulled over - but my driving skills are improving with age).


*That's a joke, I would never drive with my knees and apply mascara at the same time.

Happy Fptheus Day Ben.

*This last box of goodies Avery made one night for ben after we all went to sleep. It wasn't for Father's Day but it shows how much Abe's does love her dad.

May Recap

May was rather eventful for us - events that deserve their own posts and definitely pictures. But if I wait till I get around to that I may have forgotten all that transpired. So here are my notes to myself, with aspirations that they will turn into something better in the near future.

First of all - the biggest news - is that we moved into our house. It's been a long time coming and we're in. Lot clearing and construction started on October 31 and we got an occupancy permit on May 13th. Not bad and worth the effort, sacrifice and wait. Once we are unpacked and cleaned up I will post a pictorial tour.

Upon moving in, we promptly packed up and went to California for vacation. We wanted to take advantage of the military offers for free and discounted admission at Disneyland as well as make the rounds with friends and family. We had a great great time and it delayed the unfun job of unpacking for a few weeks. Plus, since Comcast couldn't come to set up our cable for a few weeks, Ben needed to go somewhere to watch those awful basketball games known as the NBA Playoffs - with people who enjoy them just as much as he does.

Ben - Ben is probably the happiest of all of us to be in the new house. He is now closer to work and he has a garage. He scored a sweet deal on a weight bench and is eager to set up his work out facilities out there so that he can stay fit by working out once a month, while the rest of us normal humans have to put in hard time to get the same results. As if that, plus the fact that he can function without sleep, wasn't suspicious enough, he scored insanely high on his annual shelf exam. In one category (head and neck surgery I believe, not tiling and speaker installation like I assumed) he was in the 100th percentile. So among all ENT interns in the U.S. no one got a higher score, that is crazy to me. It also means that next year he has no where to go but down. Overall he did much worse and was like 96th %. For his achievement he received another Army Commendation medal - which luckily I learned about from one of his colleagues, because he probably wouldn't have told me - and he is supposed to get a free "pass" or extra day off, which I believe if he doesn't take soon, he loses. So hopefully we'll take a day trip to celebrate.

Ben also turned the big 3-0 while we were there. This is what he looks like.

Miles - Nothing noteworthy to report.

Avery - Avery had a busy May, with a trip to the ballet and a recital of her own. On Mother's Day weekend we went to see Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty with our friends Amy and Olivia. Afterward we went to a very princessy "tea" where the girls could meet the dancers and the mom's could indulge in yummy food.

Here is a picture of Avery after her recital helping her dad distribute topsoil around the property. The theater the recital was in would not allow photography or video so I only have a video of the dress rehearsal performance. I haven't decided whether it is worth it to post. It's mostly just grandparent material. (I decided to post it on the sidebar temporarily)

Avery also had her big kindergarten doctor appt. I think it's supposed to be the standard five year appt. but I will only go if immunizations are due or if are forced to meet a requirement. She had to get 5 shots. It wasn't a pleasant experience but we survived. Her recent dentist appt. however was a pleasant experience, or at least it seemed like it:

Me: Nothing noteworthy to report.