Living and Loving

 3 weekends of celebrating my birthday have come to an end *sigh*.  Turning 35 has been the best!  It ended with 4 days in the Methow.  The weekend was originally booked for the previous weekend so the kids could go, but my 15 year olds social engagement (homecoming) set precedence and rightfully so!   Jenn and Jason jumped in to go with us!  Its pretty to great to have such amazing girlfriends, but my girlfriends significant others are equally amazing, and  the guys have a pretty cute bond too!
I spent 4 days trail running, eating, relaxing, reading smut, a good book, watching movies, oh my gosh it was fabulous!  J&J  left on Sunday so Rick and I spent Sunday traveling up the Washington Pass (my first trip on it) and hiking around.  Gorgeous area!  That night Rick and I started the fire, made a salad and had a glass of wine.  Like most of you raising kids with your spouses there's very little of this quite time.  It dawned on me that yes I am raising my kids, but I am  doing so with Rick.  He's there in the evenings, helping with dinner, homework, clean up, fixing odds and ends,  then he heads home as I get the kids ready for bed.  I have to say the realization made me very happy.  I love raising my kids,  and while they are my responsibility, it feels good to have a partner again.  Having that moment of quiet and  relaxation,  sitting down with the man I love, what a birthday present.  Thank you Rick and the Jablokiatis's for an amazing weekend!......Now back to the grind, literally!
Few more photos:

I like this view waking up

I like this breakfast, very much

Up Washington Pass we go

Ross Lake

Quiet Life

This is my most (along with Hawaii) favorite place in the whole word, with some of my favorite people. I can't explain it other than to say I can breathe. I'll elaborate more later, for now I am testing out blogsy (an app that allow me to blog with the iPad, don't I feel techie). Here's a few fun photos.

Warming up at the Mazama Store post run

Poor Rick, he's got a weird one on his hands!

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FRIDAY!

This has been busy week.  Work was Busy (with a capital B), and my social calendar was full.  I'd like to talk a bit about all the great events I went to, but I'm afraid I cannot adequatley explain what they were about, or the amazing energy that was felt at each, so I will attach a link and you can check them out for yourself.
First was The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust dinner last Friday, I am very excited to be a part of this organization and look forward to getting the kids out on the trails this spring for the work parties! Check them out at http://www.cdlandtrust.org/
Wednesday was the LWSC Ski Hill Memorial Auction.  I know I can't do this event justice, to say it was inspiring and heart warming, does not even began to touch on what this community pulled off that night.  Check out LWSC and if you have time read this quick little bit that John Curley wrote about the evening HERE.
Yesterday was the XC districts, I had the opportunity to volunteer, and it couldn't have been a better day.  Poured the day before and raining today, but yesterday the temps were perfect and the sun was out.  Luke's goal was 17:59 and he ran the 3 miles in 17:50, he had a great race and took almost 2 minutes off his time from last year, VERY proud of him!
That night the kids and I attend a RunWenatchee event , where my friend Jane was speaking.  She is an amazing woman and mother, and her passion for the causes she runs for is inspiring.  Please check our her latest event  HERE

A couple shots from Luke's districts!

Last loop!

Workouts 10/22-10/28

Monday 22nd- run 3 miles, swim 2000m
Tuesday 23rd- 5 mile run
Wednesday 24th- swim 2000m, weights
Thursday 25th - off

Friday 26th- 3 mile run, 1 hour pathetic trainer ride
Saturday 27th- trail run
 

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Birthday Thanks

Oh my, I am a very lucky girl.  This has been the best birthday.  Thanks again to my friends who threw such a wonderful party last weekend, and my family this weekend.  What I wanted most on my actual birthday was to spend it with those I love, outside.  Rick mentioned anything above 3000ft was supposed to get snow (I will say this guy is ALWAYS spot on with the weather), I didn't really care, we were going snow or not!  We dressed for cold (not so much for snow, Luke and I were in  trail runners, lucky for us I just got Lo a new pair that have gortex, so her feet stayed dry).  We had the most amazing day, kids were awesome, and dogs were thrilled. 
I like to hike, but I really like doing it with my kids.  To have hours of their undivided attention where we get to just talk and think, it's my favorite thing in the whole world.  I walked a lot with Luke on this hike (Rick was the patient soul walking with Lo), we talked about homecoming, girls, friends, and then out of nowhere, he informed me he peed his name in the snow, but he missed the boat on it because he  should've done it in cursive so he wouldn't have had to stop in between letters....wow!   I love it all.
Thanks to my sister for hosting the family party that evening.  So much fun, and thanks for baking my FAVORITE cake.  She seriously makes the best cake, it's angle food with a coffee powder sugar icing!

Workouts 10/15- 10/21

Monday 15th- run 4.5 miles, swim 2000m
Tuesday 16th- weights, medicine ball
Wednesday 17th- #2 canyon bike
Thursday 18th- had 37 minutes to get in a run, made it 4.75 miles (7:47 pace)
Friday 19th- bike 28 miles, Du course with 1 hill repeat
Saturday 20th- 7.89 mile run, 1  hour 5 minutes
Sunday 21st- Valhalla in the snow, 7 miles RT

Homecoming/ Pre-Birthday (again)

Pretty perfect day in my books.  Long run done before 8:30, coffee, big breakfast for the troops, short nap, just chilled with my kids...then the festivities began.  Got my boy ready for his 2nd homecoming, pictures at home, pictures at the house where they had dinner.  Then home for a night with Lo.   She and I had all the fixings ready for cobb salad (her favorite) .   Rick came over and she wanted a "family " movie night, the three of us...then Rick may have let me open 1 gift.  Rick's gifts mean so much to me.  I actually really don't like getting gifts, but from him they are different.  They are well thought out, he comes up with it ALL on his own.  Something I really would love to have, but wouldn't go out and get myself.  They are unique and personal....makes getting a gift from him quite special.

Thanks Du for everything!

Handsome group of guys!

Lo may have made me a treat for the party tomorrow, and we "may have" decided we needed to taste them first

This was my gift #1.   So excited to use it!!!!

Lounging all day, homecoming and family night, is exhausting!

Paradise and the Cold

I consider travel above material possessions.  I love time away with my kids with no distractions.  I love exposing them to the world, and making memories!  Logan right now has her sets on being a Broadway performer.  Why not, aim big!!!  I LOVE Broadway, and fell in love with NYC this summer  For her birthday in February the kids and I are heading back for a long weekend to the big apple.  Our plan this time is to hit the TKTS ticket booth each day and totally dedicate this vacation to Broadway (I did tell Luke if  NY Knicks, or Brooklyn Nets are in town we could take in a game)! 

In between that though, in less than 2 months we will be heading to the Big Island for 10 days.....I don't need a lot of reasons to head there, but as Luke gets older, and the realization that he will be working this summer and graduates in 2 1/2 years set in, I want whatever time I can get with him.  I am also having a "bit" of anxiety over Christmas.  It will be the first Christmas in their 15 and 10 years of life I don't get to wake up with them, truly, truly breaks my heart.  Looking over the parenting plan I realized I have 12 days in a row before Christmas with them, can't think of a better way to have them all to myself than in Hawaii!

This is all possible because I have wonderful employees working for me.  I have been truly blessed to have the most amazing gals be barista's at my stand.  I know they won't be working for me forever (but wish they would), and in the almost 10 years of business  I have learned that while  you have hard working, trust worthy people utilize it!

6 or 42

Happy 6th Birthday (or 42 dog years) to my sweet boy Kaiser.  We love his gentle, sweet spirit.
He's doing better than expected with his arthritis.  Some days that right back side really gives him trouble, but it doesn't stop him.  His quality of life the last few months has been better than ever, getting to hike and swim in Mountain Lakes!

Thank You Ladies!

Thank you to my Bff's.  This was the best, most memorable birthday (although my actual birthday isn't until next week).  You know how to make a girl feel very special!  I love you all very much (Erika we MISSED you, but thanks for the round...super thoughtful)!
Run down: trip to the West side, stayed at the Westin Bellevue (beautiful hotel, in wonderful location), dinner, then onto Keys on Main, a dueling piano bar, where we danced and sang our hearts out, loved every minute.  You know we gave it our all, when we all fell asleep in the cab back to Bellevue!  Although we felt very young that night, we woke up the next day all a bit sore.....pumping your arms to music and jumping up and down for 4 plus hours is work!

While this was an amazing weekend, I feel as though the greatest gift was just being able to spend some serious time away with my girls.  I will never take this friendship for granted.  We have something truly special, and feel blessed to have each and everyone of you in my life.  Loves..

Workouts 10/8- 10/14

Monday 8th- 3 mile run, 2000m swim
Tuesday 9th- 1 mile warm up, 10x 400 (60 second walk in between) 1/2 mile jog cool down
Wednesday 10th- 1 mile swim
Thursday 11th- 6.74 run (felt great)
Friday 12th- bike 24 miles
Saturday 13th- 8 mile run

Never Gets Olds

Waking up, drinking a cup of coffee, scrolling through the computer, little voices downstairs.  What a glorious morning.  It's a bit of  a contradiction, I love my quite morning, but equally love when the kids have sleepovers and I get to listen to their funny stories, or the girls downstairs playing some sort of "work life/office".

Heading out this afternoon, to celebrate the 1st of three, weekends of birthday celebrations.  Why not, right?  I was never much one for birthdays, and don't really like the whole gift thing, but the older I get the more I realize another year is  worth celebrating, so this weekend it happens to be at a dueling piano bar with my friends.  Thinking about my friends and how much I love them, I came across this quote:

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, not the joy in companionship, it is the spiritual inspiraion that comes to you when you discover, that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Just a Day

I love doing things that are fun, and going places, but I also love the mundane day to day life of being a Mom.  Yesterday it was frosting cookies, running errands, and letting Lo pick paint for her room.   Today after work I squeezed in a decent run, showered and went to her classroom to stuff folders, and off we went to Luke's XC meet.  It's exhausting at times, and non stop, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  To be here with them I know is a blessing.



He's a goober, what can I say

Impromtu dinner date with the kids

A New Throne

Where once there was a sh*%&er (as we affectionately called it) there is now a bathroom.  Luke's room is almost done,  he's in the process of moving his stuff.  I am so happy with it, and so happy to get the rest of the house organized.  It feels like my very own home.  Kind of ridiculous I know.   I've been a homeowner for the last, almost 14 years, and this is the first time I feel like I have created a home.  It's all mine, mine alone.  I am responsible for the mortgage, taxes, insurance, upkeep, and now my very first project on my own.    I am falling in love with this house, this life, my surroundings more and more everyday.  Two years ago I had to make one of my best friends promise not to let me make any changes, such as packing up and moving to Hawaii for at least a year, and here I am two years later.......This bathroom is a small change, but signifies so much more for the kids and I.

(also thank you R for all your help, as well as your patience in teaching Lo and letting her help along the way)

*warning:before pictures are graphic


The carpet wall

The shower we had closed the door on and NEVER used

Lovely lights, insulation coming through and paneled walls

Viola!  With the exception of Luke's shower curtain, much better

Sad thing is, the nicest bathroom in my house is located in the basement

Fresh Air and Excellent Company

My plan was just to hike Fridays through the summer with the kids, but with the smoke in the valley,  the mountain lakes clear,  now free of mosquito's, the perfect temperatures and the changing colors, we just keep going! 
The plan was  Lo and I on Saturday  (Luke was running X-country in Richland. I would've put off until Sunday but the kid also needs a rest day...sad), last minute,  Rick decided to join.  Here's the funny thing about it,  I feel comfortable going on my own with the kids, but the kids are MUCH more comfortable when Rick joins us.  I think Lo actually let out a sigh of relief he was coming.  Just so it's know, I have quizzed Rick endlessly on the possibility of encounters with wild animals, how to handle each situation should it arise, and if we were to run out of drinking water where the safest place to get water would be., but they still would rather have him there!

Our hike of choice was Merritt Lake.  Its a 6 mile RT hike (we explored the other side as well and adds about a half mile), gains 2000feet.  It's rated in Wenatchee Outdoor as a Skill level 2, and fitness level 2. My kids are suckers for the lakes (kind of makes them forget the climb).   The goal of this hike was to spend the day outside with Lo and make it fun for her.  I got her a camera for her birthday  last year, so we took our time taking photos and having snacks the way up.  Her view of the hike was (and she compares everything to Valhalla, because it's been the easiest for her) going up was "not her favorite", but the lake and picnic area were beautiful.  She's a trooper, this hike is questionable for kids her age, but she carried on.  I love her so much, and just cherish my time with her, such a fun day.  (She did take some really awesome photo's I will have her share within the next few days)

Ready to go!  Love you Bella!

A mile up, and into snacks....we do what it takes!

Photogs in action

Something really great about dirty trail runners!

Always good to know we're going the right direction!

Getting closer, and smiling more!

Viola!  I spy a lake

Beautiful girl, beautiful lake and a dog that wants to jump in!