Maui!

Here is the view from the lanai! It's so great to be here, we are still adjusting to the time. This morning we were up early (Seattle time) and we spotted our first whale about 2 minutes after I took this picture.

St. Patick's Day 09

I took a cue from my Mother and decided to celebrate St. Patick's Day right! Green was the theme and we had plenty of friends to celebrate St. Patrick's eve. We finished the night off with sugar cookies and the new tradition of watching "Darby O'Gill and the Little People".

Before the Ultrasound

Today, before the big baby reveal I caught Jolene on video, basically capturing the moment. You can also tell by my dialogue I am a very nervous father-to-be.

Head to Toe

The ultrasound went really well! We were able to get images of of the head with eye lids shut, we took a picture of the feet with several digits and of course the classic profile shot. But most important of all - we identified the gender.

After

And following the ultrasound we have an answer, it's a GIRL!

Goodbye Tzeitel

This morning at 12:10 AM, Tzeitel Kidney passed away. After a month of being sick, wobbly and tired she became very ill last night and was having difficulty breathing. This was most likely due to organ failure and internal bleeding. We took her to the emergency vet last night and it was determined her life was at an end. I will miss our black dog, she was the first thing that got me up in the morning and the last thing that got under my foot at night. I investigated what the name Tzeitel meant this morning and found this – Yiddish for "lady" or "princess". We will really, really, really miss you.

UE: Day 5 Raccoons

While working on my resume and networking I spotted these backyard friends. Apparently, the old Cotton woods in the backyard are a great retreat for an early morning snooze. So while everybody is at work these guys take advantage of this high top home - boy, do I have them fooled.

UE: Day 3

Jolene went off to work and I did not, yes it was strange and scary to be home alone. So I took off for a hike to Coal Creek Falls, it was cold but very pretty.

UE: Day 2

Table top adventures with the dudes and a few laughs. Not really looking forward to tomorrow, as Jolene heads of to work and I stay home with the dogs.

UE: Day 1

Counting change, yes I'm counting all the change that I have collected over the past 11 years. I figure we will need as much as we can get in the months to come.

Unemployed

Well you would think I was an old pro at this, that being laid off twice before would prepare you for the third. But the sting and the feelings are all the same, but at the very least I have time to blog again.

The Nugget

Coming July 6th at a hospital near you!

Woot! SNOW!

Wow, can you believe the amount of snow we received today. So much fun and so beautiful...although, ask me in a week how I feel about it.

Good Morning

Have a great Sunday!

I can't help myself...

Such a silly picture, I had to post, thanks Dalene.

Jolene and Lucas

Woot! found some time to BLOG - I know you guys were desperate for an image. Well, here is the latest Lucas shot.

The Spit

Hello bloggers! Another adventure cataloged for the week, although this time we will try something new. I installed the latest in Microsoft Tech called Photosynth, basically it’s a super stitch program that renders your photos in 3-D.

You need to install the program here (Sorry Martha and Zach it won’t work on a MAC)

http://photosynth.net/default.aspx

Here are the photos I took in Sequim (48 in all).

http://photosynth.net/view.aspx?cid=352a6e65-4c64-41e6-9b92-7e7880053b44

and of course a video bite.

Pica

Yes! thanks to Steph we finally caught a Pica on film! Make sure you click on the image to see this fella.

Snow Lake

This maybe the final hike of the year (bummer)! This is my 4th or 5th time to Snow Lake to experience the beauty of nature and the awesomeness of God’s surroundings. Steph, Chris and I took off early on Saturday to hit the trailhead near the Alpental Ski resort. To say the least it was cold, really cold, but we managed to get to the lake in record time - winter is coming!

Salmon Days

Salmon Days! We all took the shuttle downtown and enjoyed the parade and then the rains came. Which is okay if you are a fish or have a new water proof jacket.

View from the Pilchuck

The top one looks towards Everett (and Stephen's shoulder) and the bottom one looks to the Olympics and Lake Stevens. (Click to Enlarge)

From the top of Pilchuck

A buddy and I from work (Stephen) decided to tackle Mount Pilchuck this past Saturday. Overall it was a great success with exception of Stephen’s little spill at the end (sorry about the finger nail, at least they grow back). The Morning started a little foggy, however by the time we go the top all was clear and amazing. On a side note, Jolene wanted me to try and catch one of our favorite animals on camera but the pika remained fast and elusive. But we certainly heard plenty of them; please follow the link for more.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7066578568747223192

The top of Squak

Yes, I hiked up Squak Mt. again. So many interesting things to find; radio towers and old cabin remnants to say the least.

I fixed it

It was driving me crazy.

Lake Serene

It took some work to get here, but I finally arrived at Lake Serene near Index Washington. This was the final spot for Jolene and I on our mini-vacation. Unfortunately, Jolene was pretty ill and remained in the cabin while I was able to enjoy this amazing day. (click to enlarge) Strange, the lake appears to be at a slant - this has nothing to do with the photographer!

One more beast from Turnbull

Yes, she is my beast. Okay, last of the Turnbull pics I really do love this place. If I had done it right this is where I would have asked Jolene to marry me, but you can’t have it all (poor Jolene).

Turnbull

More fantastic pictures from Turnbull. I swear I can see every color of the rainbow in these pictures.

Happy Birthday Dad

Yeah, it's a blog classic - but it's fitting. Happy Birthday Dad!

Moose

During one of last weeks adventures in Eastern Washington I spotted a Moose . This was as close as I dared get, especially with the dogs. Hiking in Turnbull was amazing, more to come.

Squak Mt. Summit

Another "Issaquah Alp" conquered, I am looking ahead to Tiger Mountain now.

Sneaky Returns, Again

Yes, no year would be complete without a visit from Sneaky. This year Sneaky found a hole in the house that needs to be patched; because I don’t think Sneaky is the only one using it. Anyway, celebrate the return of everybody’s favorite snake and have a great Sunday afternoon.

Iron Horse Trail

Dad and I took a hike yesterday; the goal was to hike down the Iron Horse trail that runs through Snoqualmie Pass. The trail is an old railroad line that literally has a 2 mile tunnel that runs under the pass – and you can hike in it. We got turned around several times (depicted in the video above) but we eventually found the tunnel. Perfect day!

Joe and Mia

Yesterday Joe, Mia and myself spent sometime in Renton looking at planes and playing on the swings. Mia loved every minute of it, including sticking her fingers in her fathers ears.

When you need to sleep...

...use whatever you can (or bottle). Last night Pat explained that he found Aliya using her bottle as a pillow to catch some winks, pretty clever if you ask me.

Hey! What's wrong with this picture?

Rich sent some action shots from this years adventure - so what is wrong here?

Another Hike

Jolene, the dogs and I took a hike up and around Cougar Mountain today. What an amazing day, Praise God!

32 pounds

Yeah, cheap cut and paste with the picture - but hey, as of this week 32 pounds less.

Happy Wednesday! Enjoy the Otters

Went to the Seattle Aquarium over the weekend; otter’s are always the highlight.

Thank You Rich!

For organizing another amazing trip!

The White Salmon

Yeah, unfortunately you can't hear a word I am saying, just enjoy the enthusiasm. The White Salmon river was something else, talk about high adventure. On this day we geared up in wet suits and we dove over a class 5 waterfall. Pat's statement brings the adventure to a close.