HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRENT!!!

Brent is 27! We'll he was yesterday, October 5th. He is currently working down in the Mojave Desert in Nevada, and has been there for 8 days, he'll be home late on Thursday. Being away from home on your birthday isn't ideal, so I called him throughout the day and read the cards to him that friends and family sent, that brightened his day a bit. Happy Birthday hunny, I love you!

Great friends and a baby!

Not OUR baby, but some very good friends of ours, the Stobbe's! These pictures are a few weeks old, and I just uploaded them, and they are so cute! A very dear friend of mine had a baby girl, Grace, and she's adorable! She's several weeks old now, but these were taken about when she was about a week old.

(Above) Big Brother Roman is super excited about his new baby sister!

We were so happy and blessed to be able to join them for dinner so soon after their new arrival.

Brent holding baby Grace while she sleeps. He looks so natural!

The Stobbe Family

Elk Down!

This was the email, text, and first exclamation that I heard from Brent last weekend. He is super excited about getting his first Elk, so I thought I would post the pics and and have Brent explain the events that took place.

From Brent: I got the shot off about 8:00 am Friday morning after walking out a ridge for less than 30 minutes, we stopped at the edge of a meadow to take some jackets off and the next time we looked down the meadow my spike had stepped out from behind a small fir tree at about 100 yards. We threw a couple cow calls in his direction and he responded by trotting, not walking, right to us. He fell victim to a G5 montec at 54 yards. After waiting an hour we trailed him 200 yards or so to his final resting place. We found him and were done with pictures at about 9:30 and him quartered and all back to the truck before 1:00.

Warning: dont look at these pictures if you get queasy or upset at dead animals. Thanks!

(Below) Brent with his Spike (it has one spike on one side, and 2 points on the other)

(Below) Brent carrying his Elk's head up the hill on his back

(Below) Exhausted after the big hike, but still has to go back for the rest of the Elk

(Below) Brent and his Friend Jason packing out a couple of legs

Chris and Angie getting hitched!

Our good friends Chris and Angie finally tied the knot a couple weekends ago! We have been waiting for this weekend for a very long time now, and we were so excited to be apart of such a great event. Here's our weekend in pictures:

(Above) Brent and I on the plane to Spokane

(Below) The view from the top of Schweitzer Mountain, it was overcast but beautiful!

Inside the Selkirk Lodge, some of the history that adorned the walls

The grand fireplace(s) inside the lounge of the Selkirk lodge

Brent and I waiting for the ceremony to start

The ladies, Jannette, (?), Marci, Kari, Laura and I'm holding little Gibson during his nap

One of the 75 or so tissue paper pom pom's that I handmade for the reception decoration

The Bride and Groom sharing a moment at dinner

The bride, Angie, and I enjoing the night

We were also able to spend some time with some good friends we grew up with, Jaime and Rich, We met their adorable little girl, Allison, for the first time, she is so precious! We had a wonderful dinner at Luigi's downtown, and had time for a random carshow being held downtown in the rain. The weekend went by quick, but we got every drop of fun that we could out of it.

Congrats Chris and Angie!

Many of you have asked to see new shots of the yard, so here goes. Below, our strawberry plants! We didnt have a very big crop come in, and they yeilded very tiny berries, so hopefully next year we'll have better luck.

Brent has been waiting patiently for weeks now to pick the first tomatoes off the vine and eat them while they are still warmly kissed by the sun. He talks about eating them as a little boy, and how his mom couldnt hardly get any tomatoes to cook with because Brent and Dane would pick them and eat them all the time. So he is super excited that our tomatoes are plentiful and finally turning red.

Lilly has been enjoying time outside almost every day. She stays in on the really hot days, but we try to get her out in the morning and evenings cooler temps. She has her favorite spot under the cherry tree where the bird bath is, and her cat plants are. She lays between the plants and watches the birds land in the tree. I think she wants to get one of them, but doesnt know how, lol.

A beautiful evening shot of the new yard! Notice all the wonderful shade our big trees provide!

So, A few weeks ago, a big wind and rain storm came up on us out of nowhere. It wasnt on the news, and one minute I was outside taking down the laundry (we have a clothesline now!) and the next I heard Abby yelp and the sound of glass crashing down. She was unharmed and unsettled, and our glass top metal frame table was now covering the whole deck. The wind had picked up the umbrella and twisted it, then slammed it down and shattered the glass top and bent the frame. We were so bummed! It was not a great time to have to buy a table, and most tables come with chairs as well, which we just would not be able to afford. So we cleaned up the mess, calmed Abby and Lil down, and said we would worry about it later. Well, the next week, we decided on Sunday to go look around and see what we could find. We went to a couple of consignment shops (and boy are they spendy!) and to Home Depot and Lowes. We were feeling unsuccessful when we stopped in at Barnes and Noble for a coffee and some magazine time. As we were leaving, I talked Brent into stopping at Cost Plus/World Market, he didnt want to go in, so I told him to just stay in the car if he wanted. I got out and he followed, and we both stopped in our tracks! There by the front door, was a big cardboard box, containing a beautiful teakwood table! It had just been returned a few hours before, and the coolest part!? The sign on the front saying "$60" !!! So I sent Brent to get the truck, and I stayed with the table, and looked around the store. We were so lucky with this find, and have been so happy with the table so far!

Brent enjoying an evening on the back deck in our beautiful new yard.

Abby posing for a shot in the yard

The first week after laying the sod, We found these little visitors enjoying a shady spot for their nap. Brent was thankful he didnt just let Abby out like we normally do in the morning. The ducks hung around for a few hours that day, and have not returned since, although we would love it if they did.

Another shot of Lil enjoing her little island paradise.

4th at the Ocean

This year Brent and I had the chance to drive over and enjoy a week with our families. We spent the weekend of the 4th of July on the property at Ocean Shores, enjoying fireworks, good food, and great company! But before making it to the ocean, The boys took a long fishing weekend in Neah Bay, WA and brought back a great supply of fish for our freezer. I got to help out at the office for the week, and learn alot of the products that consolidated carries. Abby came to the office too, every day :o) she loved visiting with everyone and roaming around the office checking things out. I also brought Clancy one afternoon (I was watching him while my parents were on their cruise) and he did so great! Michelle took this pic one afternoon when Abby just wanted some love and decided to climb into Beth's lap. (Below)

Since the boys were out of town, we had a girls night dinner, The Anderson ladies were all there, Beth and I and Janelle, and My sister and Laura came by to enjoy the evening with us as well!

That week was a little complicated for Brent. After returning home from fishing, he had to fly back to Boise for work, which then sent him to Wyoming for a job, then he flew back to Boise with all his samples and was back on a plane to Seattle. This all happened in a span of 3 days. He racked up some flyer miles that week, but was able to make it back and enjoy the rest of the weekend. We headed over to the ocean Thursday evening, and joined the rest of the family who all got there that morning.

We had a great time visiting with friends and exploring the area. I remember going to the ocean as a kid with my family, but we havent been back to enjoy it in years. We were able to take the boat out and spend some time on the lake. The beach was pretty foggy most of the weekend, but we still took the dogs down there to run and play. It was Abby's first trip to the ocean and the beach, she loved it! although, she had a pretty funny look on her face when she went to drink the water.

It was great to just sit back and relax, and to get away for a bit. The long weekend came to an end early Sunday morning when Brent and I had to hit the road for our 10 hour journey. We stopped and had lunch with some friends from college just outside of Portland, and met their newborn son, he is adorable! The drive home was long, and hot, and Abby got a bit ancy towards the end, but it was a great end to a great week.

Oh what a summer

My goodness! I told myself a dozen times that I needed to update the blog, but things have been so crazy the last few weeks, so here goes.

One of the big reasons I hadnt posted was because for awhile our laptop was crashing, about 10 times a day. we finally figured out it was overheating and shutting down, so we bought a new cooling pad, and I think it fixed the problem, cause it hasnt crashed in a couple of weeks now :o)

This summer has just gone by way to quick! Brent and I didnt get to camp as much as we'd hoped. Now that we have a nice, comfortable backyard to enjoy, we never really wanted to go anywhere. So we BBQ'd and enjoyed it, even on the really hot, uncomfortable days. Abby loves

her new yard too, she's always content just laying in the grass doing nothing, it's cool and comfy and it's her's.

Update

Sorry it's been awhile since We've posted anything! I could not find my camera anywhere! It's been missing since we got back from California, so I started to assume I had left it there, which made me very sad. We'll, last night Brent was going through his backpack and what did he find? My Camera! I'm so excited to have it back! So i'll get to taking some pics and posting.

I'm very excited to be able to show off our garden! it's huge! Everything has been growing like crazy, what with all the rain we've been having it's no wonder! It's felt like we live back in Seattle :o) Our Spring weather hit a little late this year, all of June has been nothing but thunderstorms, I think we broke a record for rain fall this month, or are on course too.

Brent and I have been enjoying the little sun we do get out in the back yard. We love having a finished yard finally! It's so green!

We also had a visitor last week, which is always great! Brents parents good friend, Nick, was driving through Boise at the end of his country road trip, so he stopped over night to stay with us. He and his dog, Simon, have been driving for the last month, stopping to visit family along the way. What a great adventure to go on! We took him to our favorite resturaunt downtown, The Bittercreek Alehouse, and just enjoyed having company. Abby loved having a friend to play with too! Her and Simon ran all night!

We are heading to Seattle this Thursday night, so i'll do my best to post some pics again before we leave, but i'm not promising anything. I'll be in Seattle for a week, Brent is going on a fishing trip with his dad and brother, so he'll be out of town the day after we get there. But will be back in time to go to the ocean for the 4th. Should be a great trip!

A quick trip to San Fran

Brent and I had some time after dropping his parents and brother off in Oakland, Our flight was late that evening, so we decided to take a quick trip over the bay to San Francisco! I was very excited, I've only been there one other time, and just for an afternoon, so we didnt see much. It was cool and windy on the bay, so we bundled up and headed down to the Wharf for some chowder and sights. 

(Above) Crossing the Bay Bridge. There is a $4 toll, which was packed on the other freeway (our freeway from Oakland was wide open!) we dont have toll's here, so that was actually kinda neat.

The Bay Bridge is such a neat bridge! Brent almost took a job with Kewit Construction, and the Bay Bridge project was a possiblity, i'm glad he didnt take it ;o)

I loved the view of the city while we were driving across the bridge

The Clocktower signaling the start of Fisherman's Wharf

We didnt get a chance to figure out what this giant bow and arrow symbolizes, but it was really neat!

I just loved all the old trains!

What we came down for, Sourdough bread bowls! My fav!

Brent enjoying his breadbowl

I really wanted to buy one of these amazing sourdough animals! they were walking the alligator around the building

The official Wharf sign

I rode the trolly cars the first time I was here, and loved them! We didnt have time to ride one this time, but they were still neat to look at!

A Tall Ship was docked in the harbor. That's Alcatraz in the background to the right

We've been to Ghirardelli in Miami, Las Vegas, and Chicago, now San Fran!

Trying to get a shot of the sign in the background

Alcatraz!!

It was really windy, were trying our best to get a pic in front of the bay

We couldnt zoom in enough, but there are seals on the docks in front of the catamaran

Saying goodbye to the arch from the bay bridge

Heading back to the airport and heading home. What a wonderful end to a great weekend!

Family Trip to Cali!

Brent and I just got home from the 46th Garcia Family Reunion! Every year family from all over the country decend upon Stockton, California for this annual tradition, and this year we made it down as well! Brent and I usually go only every other year, when they have a big dinner and golf tournament, as well as the picnic. We love seeing all of the family and we are so thankful that we could make it this year! So, enjoy the pictures I have here, there are many more that I didnt post, but will be doing a kodak gallery later on, email me if your interested. 

(Below) Tia Liz, we adore her!

Brent with his cousin, Joseph

Jess with cousin Joseph. We are so proud of him, He graduates this year!

Brent and I with Joseph Sr.

Brent and Dane enjoying the evening

Brent with his parents, Beth and Jim

We took lots of self pics, but this is my fav

The whole gang! the Andersons and Norris' (all Garcia's!)

Beth and I having a great time at the dinner!

Dane and Jim with Uncle Joe. He's one of the only original Garcia brothers still causing trouble, and we love him!

Cousin Kimmy and I, love this pic too!

Brent and his dad

Cousin Eddie and I (we bonded over horseshoes... I took out him and Uncle Joe :o)...)

Aunt Michelle and Beth, Daughters of Jess Garcia, one of the original brothers

Uncle Joe and Aunt Shirley with their girls, Aunt Renee and Aunt Cynthia

Sarah and I... I always miss these girls!

Faith and I... They are just growing up too fast!

Uncle Joe and I enjoying the evening

Uncle Joe with Beth and Michelle

The Andersons, Doug, Michelle, Faith and Sarah

Brent and I, after I won runner-up in the horseshoe tournament, First girl ever! I'll have to bring it when we go back in two years, they are all expecting me to win next time!

Dane, cousin Max, cousin Kimmy, and Aunt Cheryl enjoying some shade

Uncle Doug and Beth taking a break from all the fun of the picnic

Uncle Frankie (L) and Cousin Carlos catching up

Brent giving a big Garcia hug to Uncle Cito

As you can see, we try to pack as much into one short weekend as possible. On top of the reunion and dinner, we visited with Aunt Micky and Uncle Frank, who live in Tracy, CA, and we havent seen in about 4 years, Aunt Marilyn and Uncle Jim came to visit us there, along with many other family members we had not seen in ages! It was so great to see everyone and catch up on life in general, we are thankful they make the time to get together with us and we cant wait to see them again soon!