Have I Created a Monster?

Saturday evening Chris, Sarah and I participated in the famed Seattle Torchlight Run. We opted for the 5k version, donned our running shoes and hit the ferry. We arrived early for check in - recieved our numbers and hung around waiting for our 6:45 start. At 6:45 we took off running with 6000 of our closest friends. Started down by Qwest field and run up the Alaska Way Viaduct and back (luckily - no earthquakes while we were on the Viaduct!). The weather was brutally hot for running - but we survived. Our result wasn't anything spectacular - but hey, we finished and looked good while doing it :) There was a pirate theme costume contest to the race so we had a good time watching everyone dressed up and running. Sarah and I have a few races under our belt, this was Chris' first organized race. The ENTIRE time from start to finish we listened to him proclaim about how much fun he was having. He's ready to get into running and start logging the miles on these 5k races! I think he's hungry for the t-shirt and free food that go with the racing... have I created a monster?

Sarah and I make racing look good:

Before the race:After the race (immediately after crossing the finish there was a real warm summer downpour - it was the strangest thing!):This guy ran the entire 8k dressed like THIS with a boombox on his shoulder. We were waiting to pick up our bags and this guy was just dancing away by himself with his music in the rain.After the race we indulged in some good tasty fried food at Red Robin and watched another terrific Seattle sunset:

It's been awfully hot around here and somebody doesn't like the heat:

Somebody got a new bed...

Chris said he would attack me in my sleep if I bought him a pink bed.

That mutt is actually almost cute in that photo...

Clams, aquarium and basketball!

We sure made the most of our weekend - good thing we had to go to work on Monday to recover :)

Friday we hosted a going away party for our friends Aaron and Kristen. Aaron works with Chris and the three of them moved from Maine together and were roommates their first year here. Aaron took a job a their sister facility in Cocoa Beach, Florida so the two of them are heading down there to brave the hurricanes. We had a clam bake (imported Maine clams) and the weather was perfect so it called for outdoor dining... except our backyard is small and dirty - front yard it is! We threw the party in true trashy Kingston style: clam cooker, fire pit and two garbage cans turned over with a piece of plywood as the table. Our neighbors never complained, but we now have a charred spot of grass where the fire pit was!

mmmm... clams...
I'm sure we're a big hit in the neighborhood:
Saturday was deemed "purge day". We dug through all our closets and managed to find a truckload of stuff we don't need anymore - off to the thrift store!

Sunday we celebrated Dad's birthday a bit early. We planned on going to the Storm game (WNBA) but Chris and I decided we could squeak in an aquarium visit before the game. The Seattle aquarium has expanded and we're both total sea life junkies so we couldn't wait to go. The new portion is great and I could've spent hours there!

Chris petting the sea stars:
After the aquarium (and a swing past Pike Place to watch some fish fly) we met up with Mom & Dad. Mom decided to go to the Bite of Seattle fair instead of the game. (read her adventure) The three of us enjoyed a great basketball game and they pulled off a win at the buzzer! How exciting!!

Happy bday dad!
This is the condition we found mom at our post-game rendezvous spot:

Monday afternoon we rested up and when the weather cooled off fit a run in during the evening on the Kingston waterfront - gotta whip ourselves into shape for the Torchlight Run - time to kick off Seafair!!

I can't resist sharing this amazing sunrise on my way to work this morning:
My view on the way home from work (I just nestled into nap position):

Because I'll get kicked out of the Book family if I don't blog...

Tonight I received a threatening e-mail from JoAnn. In nicer words it said "blog or else..."

While Chris was wrapping up his final week of Annual Training - I (naturally) was out playing. A few months ago I found a killer deal on a plane ticket to California to visit Eileen and Ben. I bailed from work an hour early, ditched the dog at the kennel and hit the road. Next thing you know, I'm sitting front row (ok - it was a Southwest flight, all economy - but it sounds like I was in first class) jet settin' to San Fransisco (ok - Oakland - but San Fran sounds so much better). The flight was easy and the skies were clear so I was treated to the entire Cascade mountain range (Rainier, St Helens, Hood, Bachelor, Shasta, blah, blah, blah).I arrived about 7:30 in Cali to be picked up by the best friend (in her new Honda Insight!) They took me to a local brewery for dinner and then headed back to the house. Sat morning we lounged over coffee and headed to the hills for some wine tasting. Ben was a very patient designated driver and Eileen and I had a great time. We went about an hour away to the Dry Creek/Russian River region. Eileen packed us a lovely lunch and we picnicked in the warm weather. That night was spent chatting, laughing and catching up. No distance can separate best friends and we stayed up late into the night to make the most of our time together. Sunday offered pedicures and Puerto Rican food before taking me to the airport that afternoon. I pouted the whole way back to Seattle (even though I was frightened by the lightening!) A very short trip, but very much worth it!

My hosts at our picnic location:

One of the wineries we visited - very Italian influenced:
Here is my future home. If you look in the bare grass area, there is a camper trailer nestled up there overlooking the vineyards - think I would get arrested if I parked a trailer there?
Best friends since pre-school!
Look Grama - she has your gift from my wedding hanging in their apartment
BUT - no pouting for long! I came back to a husband at home - something that's been missing for two and a half weeks!

You know you're an Army Wife when...

You love and support your husband and his service:

Book family can never be serious.

Bermerton tunnel grand opening

You know you're a damn good Army Wife when...
You put ACU camo sheets on your bed to surprise your husband when he comes back from Annual Training.


Thank you Chris for being such a good soldier! We need more brave guys like you.

Secret Project - Revealed!

Double post day - yippee!

Everyone knows that if I'm left a.lone for more than 15 minutes I am bound to find trouble. Unfortunately, Chris left me unattended for 2 weeks.

I wanted to have a project to entertain me... Anyone who's stayed in our guest room knows the decor is rather... eh... simple? So, the goal - redo the guest room!

Before (with my test-swatches) -

Chris and I had talked about doing a map/travel theme in the guest room. I painted walls a light grey/blue with a darker accent wall. Kyanne helped paint and Ryan was our on-call consultant! I dug around the internet and ordered posters of old (1930's) maps to frame. The big one is Sydney Harbor (honeymoon destination!) The two smaller ones are Seattle, Washington and Bangor, Maine. The maps all look great and just fit together perfectly! New sheets, new pillows, new curtain and you have a whole new room!


Over the bookshelf - I scanned and cut out maps sections (per Kyanne's idea) Dover-Foxcroft, ME, Rangely, ME, Auburn, WA and Kingston, WA now adorn the wall hanging over some framed honeymoon photos (and an Aussie hat)!


Over the dresser I framed the Biltmore Estate map Chris and I got while visiting his parents in North Carolina over last Christmas. The picture of the four of us at the Biltmore is framed below, sitting with our unity sand and toasting glasses from the wedding.

See - the room comes complete with Shepherd butt!

That was a fun, week long project that kept me entertained. Luckily, no paint disasters (although Kyanne and I came close!) Chris has yet to see it, he doesn't even know I did it... hopefully he likes it, there's no going back now!

Kyanne Visits : )

Busy busy weekend...

Kyanne drove up early Friday to spend the long weekend with me. We took advantage of the weather on Friday and went for a hike on Green Mountain. Unfortunately it was TOO hot so we took the low trail that hugs the base of the mountain. On the way back we found a trail to a small creek and Kyanne took Bear in for a dip! He loved it, I'm not so sure about her though...

We're teaching Bear to pack his own stuff - he didn't even mind the bag!

Bear in the creek:

Kyanne and Bear dog post-swim (what a good Doggie Aunt!)
On our way home after a good afternoon out -
Saturday afternoon we headed down to Kingston to enjoy the fireworks. Nothing celebrates Independence day better then a small American town. We went out on the fishing pier next to the ferry dock and found this amazing view. That's the barge the fireworks launched from right in front of us.
Sarah joined us for fireworks!
Eagerly waiting - The website said "dusk" but our idea of dusk and Kingston's idea was waay different... it was a looong wait.
But we got a good sunset out of the deal!
A great 4th was had by all!