Meet Bailey!

Our New Puppy!!!!!

She likes to sleep a lot... especially at someone's feet.

She's curious about everything and loves to play!




When we picked her up, she was pretty stinky, so we gave her her first bath. I think she liked it.... (?)

We love her already!

Dennis' 30th!

We had a lot of fun celebrating Dennis' 30th birthday this year. Luk & Holly let me host it at their place so that it could be a surprize...

Holly and Sue helped me make all the food (including the Oreo dirt cake for which Holly had to make the cookies from scratch since we couldn't find Oreos!! Thankfully she has a killer recipe!)
And Nadine and Destiny helped me finish the decorations at the last minute. Thanks ladies!! We had such a fun group of family and friends show up to celebrate, and that really made the day perfect! You guys are great! :D

Unfortunately, Dennis has this uncanny way of getting secrets out of me. So in the end, only the theme of the party and the gifts remained a surprize. But I think he liked it (especially all the toys!)... can't you tell? :D

Spain, April-09

Our vacation in Spain in April was the definition of relaxing! We rented a house near Benitachell (north of Alicante) which had the most incredible views! Our bedroom had french doors that opened right onto the pool deck overlooking the sea... dreamy!

One of my favorite day trips was to Calp, when Dennis and I took a spontaneous hike up Pinon de Ifach, a huge "rock" jutting out of the sea. It was one of those experiences which overwhelmed all your senses... i can still hear the sound of the seagulls...

Dec08 - Jan09

Kamp 07 (draft)

I was so glad that Mom got to go to kamp with us this year! It's such an important part of our summer, so it was really fun to share this with her.

There was also another group of visitors at kamp from Luk & Holly's supporting church Lake Cities CoC: Zeke, Zack, Brenda, en Nathan.

Mom and Brenda joined the Kitchen crew and the guys led several of the activities along with Miranda and Derrick.

Quick trip to Prague & Brno - 07

The summer we moved coincided with a move at my office at Johnson Controls. Parts of our shared service center were outsourced to an office in the Czech Republic, and it turned out that I had to help with the training starting in June, since others in our office left for new jobs. I was torn because I was interested in traveling there to help with this, but just not while my Mom was here visiting! In the end it was unavoidable, so I just took Mom with me!
We left early Sunday morning and spent the whole day in Prague before heading to Brno. Mom toured around Brno while I worked Monday and Tuesday. Then we headed back to Prague Tuesday evening for a fancy dinner and a nice hotel.

Sunday - Prague
Astronomical Clock on the Old Town Square


Bridge Tower on Charles Bridge


Window in the Bridge Tower


Overlooking the Charles Bridge






Skyline of Prague seen from the Bridge Tower
Click for full view...


Mom overlooking the Charles Bridge and Prague Castle in the background


A street entertainer -- He didn't move until I put a coin in his bowl. The bowl was also a sort of bell which he struck and held to my ear to hear the resonating ringing. It was really pretty!






Schnitzel and dumplings... mmm!



Monday & Tuesday - Brno, Czech Republic
You'll have to ask Mom about her adventures on Monday & Tuesday while I was at work... but I think she's trying to forget some of them! She came back with some great pictures and really sore feet! Thanks for finding the Mt. Dew, Mom!!!












Tuesday evening - Back in Prague
Unpacking in our chic hotel (Eurostar David)






We felt like queens in this room!


The fabulous little restaurant few found by word of mouth.


After Dinner, we really wanted to see the bridge all lit up at night, but it was pouring down rain... we waited a little longer in the lobby of our hotel but it didn't let up. So we decided "Now or never!" and popped open our pathetic little umbrella and made a dash for the bridge. It was definitely worth getting a little wet!