Congratulations Derek and Kaitlin!

Yesterday, on a walk around Green Lake, my little brother (younger by 11 months to the day) proposed to his girlfriend Kaitlin. She said yes!! The ring is the prettiest thing I have EVER seen. I want it!! Derek, you did good work.
By the way you two....Amelia can't wait to be in your wedding.

Love you both!!

...get set, GO!

This weekend couldn't have been better. The weather and company was great for Ski to Sea. Saturday night, Wade and I hosted our teams pre-event BBQ. As a team we were able to enjoy good food, each other's company and start to prepare for the next day's events. Half the battle of the day is trying to figure out getting from each leg and cars.

Race day started early with a wake-up call of 4am. They close the road to the mountain at 7:30 and the race starts at 8:30, so we had to drop Amelia off with grandma and pick up grandpa, who was our official team photographer. It would have been fun to have Amelia see mom and dad race, but the day was to long for her and she is still a little too young to enjoy it. Would be no fun with a cranky baby and I know she would much rather have a grandma and me day!!

The race starts at Mt Baker with cross-country skiing a 4 mile loop (Tawny). Tawny then exchanged to Jake who hikes up the mountain and skied down to me for 2.5 miles. I then ran for 8 miles where I exchanged to Wade who road biked for 38.5. Wade then exchanged to the Koelher brothers in the canoe. Karl and Paul paddled for 18 miles on the Nooksack River, where they then passed to Mike on the mountain bike (14 miles). The race ends in the Bellingham Bay where the legend kayaked for 5 miles and ringed the bell to end our race. The team did great and everyone was awesome during their race: team 343.. I am already looking forward to next year (hopefully I am invited back) and hope to beat my time (1:05overall: 8:10 miles).
Karli, Jake and Tawny up at Baker waiting for the race to start.
Our first exchange. Waiting for Jake to slid in. Passing Wade on our way to the canoes. The brothers are off! Sorry Mike. We were in the beer garden during your leg. Sarah, me and Katie. Go drinking team! This is one of the BEST weekends in Bellingham. Seems to always have great weather and great times with friends. While waiting for the kayak we had a chance to meet up with good friends. Go Team Belly Timber (minus the brothers). Here we are at the finish line in Fairhaven. Thank you to all the families and supporters for helping us make the day a success.

To all you readers...you now have one year to get a team together. I've already sold the idea to Rask. She is looking for people to do a leg :).

On your mark,....

This weekend is not only Memorial Weekend, but also the biggest weekend in Bellingham: Ski To Sea. On Sunday, Wade and I will be members of a team, Belly Timber, that will do the 7 legged race. I am running and Wade is on the road bike. This is the first year I have been asked to be on a team and I couldn't be happier. However, I was pregnant when asked so I have used the past 2 months getting ready for the 8 miles I am in charge of. I feel ready, but who knows what will happen because of the 8 miles, 7 are downhill. Yes, a knee killer. Keep your fingers crossed for the team and me. If you have no plans, come north. Its a great time and a lot of fun!!!

Pictures to come....after the race.

Teacher Dooms Day

You know the economy is bad when teachers are laid off. May 15th was a day of doom for many teachers around Washington State. About a month ago I received a letter from my district stating there was a "strong probability" that I would not be returning in the fall. For weeks I have been sitting and waiting for dooms day to come. Luckily for me it didn't. I will be able to keep my job as a special education teacher, but 64 teachers in my district, including 5 in my building, will not. To say the least...CRAZY!!

To celebrate me having a job and the great weather, Wade and I took Amelia on her first hike. She is now big enough to fit in the backpack and not fall through. We took her to Teddy Bear Cove, a hike off of Chukanut Drive. It's a short hike down into a private cove on the sound (so private it was once a popular nudest beach. I have been there and have seen people in the buff. Just ask Rask). Amelia and I played on the beach, while Wade tested out his new wetsuit and swam some laps in the water.


This weekend, Amelia and I also headed to Seattle to celebrate Tiffany and her baby boy due in July. It was so much fun to have breakfast with WSU friends and catch up (I wish my camera wasn't dead and I had a picture: hint, hint). At the brunch, three beautiful ladies came with baby bumps. It is so exciting to watch a whole new generation of Cougs come and grow!! Amelia and I also got to see Katie's new house. It is the cutest thing to say the least. I am so excited for her and can't wait to spend the night when I come south!!

Fun pictures and video

Carson and Becki came north for lunch. As you can see, we had fun posing the two.
Here is Amelia starting to laugh out loud for the first time. It is so cute.

Mother's Day Weekend

Being a first time mom, this weekend had a whole new meaning for me. I now love it!! I also have a MUCH greater appreciation for all the mothers out their, especially my mom who put up with me!!

The weekend started on Friday, when Wade and I headed out to Lynden. We stopped to see his grandma and ran some errands. On the way home, we stopped at grandma and grandpa's (Wade's parents) house to say hello. While there Amelia laughed out loud for the first time! We got a video of it and once I figure out how, I will post it. She also met Cody and Jewel, Grandpa's horses, for the first time. Every time I put her close to Cody she opened her mouth and gave him a kiss. Future cowgirl on our hands!

The next day Wade and Amelia hung out while I drove to Seattle for a Spa Day at the Pro Club in Redmond with my mom and sister. It was awesome. We soaked, had lunched and massages. We spent 4 hours being pampered. I loved every second of it and we all decided it was a Mother's Day tradition each year for sure. Amelia and dad spent the day on walks and at the park.

The weekend ended on Mother's Day with Wade treating his parents and me to brunch at Anthony's. The day was so nice, so it made for a great view. After we all got home, we took naps and relaxed. We have all been fighting colds, but it didn't stop me from having a VERY memorable weekend.

Three Month Old Diva!

Well, it is official! Amelia is now 3 months old. According to one of the many baby books that I read, The Happiest Baby on the Block, this means she is out of the "4th Trimester." I now no longer have a new born on my hands, but a baby.

Over these past three months we have seen some personality start to evolve. Overall, she is a happy baby, who loves to snuggle and be with family and friends. However, she also has some diva moments when you interrupt her sleep, eating, and warm baths (wait that is just like me! Am I a diva??). According to the doctor she is thriving and is still in the 90% of all states. Amelia sleeps through the night (baby sleeping, not adult) and takes great naps (wonderful for me!). Wade and I are very happy with the little girl god choose to give us.
I am not sure if it is possible, but I think she may be teething. She is showing all the symptoms of one. But at 3 months!?!?
Amelia is pretty strong and can hold herself up when put into the a sitting position. My dad said today she looked like the Michelin Baby.