30th Birthday Bash...Literally!

On Saturday, November 21, 2009, my best friend Dawn celebrated her 30th birthday.  Dawn and I have been best friends from birth sooo, 30 years and some change.  Since this was the first birthday we had spent together in a while...at least since elementary school, I decided to go all out and throw her a big shin-dig!  We had dinner and cake and lots of laughter planned for the evening.  Trust me when I say, the picture definitely helps out the look of this cake...there were quite a few flaws to it...

We finished with a night of bar-hopping, finally closing down MJ Barleyhoppers.  I generally don't drink at the bars because I can't stand beer and my "foo-foo" drinks are expensive so I chose to be the DD for the evening.  There were 5 of us piled in our van, Dawn, Mike, Koleen, Brad & myself...leaving Dawn's car & Koleen's car parked in front of our house.  Off we went for our evening of fun!

Dawn, Koleen & I

Bradley & I

At 2:00am when the bar closed down, we headed for home.  Remember what I said earlier...5 of us in one vehicle...2 vehicles remained at the house.  Uh huh, sure!  We came home to one van full of 4 "very happy folks" and 1 driver thinking...where the heck are the other two cars?  It didn't take long for the 4 "very happy folks" to turn into 3 "not-so happy folks" and 1 "very concerned husband of driver".  I immediately ran inside and dialed 911.  After giving the dispatcher my information...twice...she informed me that police were on the way to talk to us and that sometime after midnight, a drunk driver had driven off the road and into both cars and that a tow-truck had come to pull both of them out of our yard.  WHAT?!?!?!

After the Deputy arrived to talk to the hysterical group of folks, we learned that the driver was obviously intoxicated and was driving at a higher rate of speed than the norm.  He totalled both cars, leaving them in our front yard...and had continued to drive.  Another driver witnessed the crash and called 911.  Just under the Southway bridge (probably a mile from our house), a Deputy was waiting.  From what I believe, the Deputy had already pulled the driver over before the announcement came across the radio due to severe damage and no headlight.  The driver tried to deny that he had anything to do with the crash, while sitting in an obviously wrecked vehicle and no headlight, but as the Deputy said, "Are you sure you want to deny that?"  To which the driver finally admitted..."No."

So, he was hauled off to jail and Dawn, Mike, Brad & I tried to calm a very overly-freaked out Koleen.  Once it was all said and done and everyone in bed, it was around 5am.  Here is a picture of Koleen's car since I don't have any of Dawn's...

Kierra's 2nd Birthday

e just did a small celebration for Kierra's 2nd Birthday with just family and friends.  I made cupcakes in place of a cake and just kept it all real simple.  She loved it and it was nice to have the family together...

"Mom, step away with the flame!!"

"Oh now I get it, they are singing TO me...oh I'm so bashful"

"Mmmm, the rewards of almost being burned to death & humiliating singing...I think I can live with this"

"Yep, I could totally live with this!"

Halloween 2009

This year for Halloween marked a historic time for the Nielson family...for two separate reasons.  The first reason, Jordyn decided to opt out of the traditional Princess, Barbie, Cheerleader roll and go Gothic!!  Never thought I'd be happy to see my child that way but for Halloween, it's "to-each-her-own" in my household.  I relished in the thought of my child standing out has a ghoul for the evening.  Here she is in all her fright before the Holy Family Halloween Party...

We're not exactly sure what to call her but, it was fun...and I think a very comfortable costume.  We added the face paint, which I might add, she has never allowed before and we had black fingernail polish but we didn't actually use it.  We had to safety-pin the slits in the costume though as they were a little high-cut for our liking but, we thing the pins added to the effect.  Doesn't she look awesomely ghoulish???

The second "Call Guiness!" moment came when Bradley decided to dress up for the party as well.  In the 10 years we have been together, he has never once even entertained the thought of dressing up for Halloween....and believe me, I've tried!!!  I think what finally tipped him over this year were the kids.  They begged and begged.  Finally, Brad said Jordyn could pick out a costume for him (in return for a week's worth of completed chores, etc. I believe).  She already had one in mind but unfortunately when we went to pick it up, they were all gone.  Here is what she wanted her dad to go as...

Since we couldn't find this costume, Brad naturally assumed that he was going to be let off the hook...think again!  We weren't going to let this happen.  Instead, Jordyn and I picked out numerous costumes which Brad eventually shot down.  We decided to be nice and told him he could pick his own costume then as long as he wore one.  We later found the perfect fit at ShopKo.  Not only was in on sale, but it took his already tall stature and magnified it.  When he walked into the party at the school, he was the center of attention.  He scared the Principal and kids and was asked by a few to get their pictures taken with him.  It was awesome!  Maybe it will even start a tradition.  Here is what he finally picked out for himself...

Jeylin, Kierra and myself completed our dressed up family.  Jeylin was a Ninja...fighting evil. 

Kierra was a cow.  The pictures totally do not do this justice.  The butt in this costume was to-die-for!  It waddled when she walked and was so stinking cute.  The only downside to the costume...she was too tall for it so she never wore the hood.  We completed it with white face paint and one black painted patch around her right eye (even though this picture wasn't taken the same night).  She was pretty stinking cute.

And naturally, I went as a Queen...because I really wanted to wear the right outfit :-)  Hahahaha!!!  Our rag-tag bunch of dressed up gothic-weapon yielding-crime fighting-farm animal-royalty.  Until next year!

The Pumpkin Patch 2009

This year, we decided to try Red Barn Farms just outside of Colton, WA for our pumpkin gathering fun. Unfortunately, the day we decided to go was INCREDIBLY busy and even more INCREDIBLY cold. We still went and took in the sights of the day as they had many wonderful vendors and fun but we decided to do our traditional pumpkin picking at the ol' stomping grounds of Wilson-Banner Ranch. Here are some pictures

from the patch...

Kierra was a little grumpy

Jordyn was in a posing mood this day

See, told you...

She found the perfect one

So did Jeylin...he was tuckered out from all the searching

Not sure what it was, but it must have been funny

Horses & Tractors

I'm so fortunate to have lived on a farm growing up and even more fortunate that my kids still get to visit that same farm today.  Our family has such a love of animals and the outdoors that it is a great place to be.  My parents' farm is a wonderland for me and for my kids.  This past September, we stayed for a weekend.  The particular highlight was Jordyn going on a horseback ride with Nana.

Getting ready to head out

Starting on their way....they were gone for a long time

Kierra LOVED her turn

Jordyn took Kierra for a couple trips around the yard...

...before taking a couple laps with Papa on the Big Red Tractor

(Anyone notice who's driving?)

Kierra & Sara Grace

Sara Grace is the youngest child to my kids' Godparents (Andy & Wendy) AND, she is my mom and dad's Godchild.  Last summer, Mom watched her for a couple of days while Andy & Wendy were out of town.  Of course, we couldn't miss the opportunity to go to Grangeville for the weekend and hang out...here are some great pics from the trip!!!  Sara is just 4 days shy of being exactly 8 months older than Kierra.

Ponytails

Such a ham

Haha, too funny

Too Cute for Words

Kierra Randoms

Eatin' green peppers

Sleepin' with Daddy

"Cheeeesssse"

Learning how to say "I'm 2" or "Peace" whichever the scenario calls for

"Hey Goat!"

Ridin' the Carnival rides

Seattle Day 4

Day 4: Sunday, August 16th

MAIN EVENT DAY!!!  The only thing planned for this day was our main reason for the trip.  My long awaited chance to watch the Mariners play the New York Yankees!!!  I have wanted to watch the Yankees play as long as I can remember.  Only two things could have topped this day and as of this publish date, only one of those things is still available....watching the Yankees play at Yankee Stadium (the since retired stadium) and watching the Yankees play the Red Sox at Fenway park.  Don't worry folks, that is definitely on my bucket list!  Brad and I have actually looked at tickets online and we're seriously contemplating it somewhere in the future.

In February, when Brad and I were starting to think about planning a family vacation for the summer, we weren't sure where we wanted to go.  We knew we couldn't afford an extravagant destination such as Disneyland or Hawaii but we wanted to do something fun and interactive just the same.  We had considered a couple options such as, traveling the Oregon coast (I made this trip with my parents at the age of 5 or 6 and had a blast) and other places.  I was busy at the computer trying to come up with more options when Brad, {watching ESPN as usual} yelled down the stairs that Ken Griffey, Jr. had decided to come back to the Mariners organization.  We immediately had our vacation destination...and no need to determine which date we were going...we already knew.  They had to be playing the Yankees!  We found the dates...which worked perfectly because the kids were on summer break and it would be one last fantastic trip before school started up again.  We decided that we would splurge a little bit on our tickets and guarantee great seats.  Fortunately for us, Brad's brother Sam lives in Olympia and he and his wife Amy decided to come too.  Sam purchased the tickets opening day and we had great seats...left field line, about 16 rows up from the field!  Unfortunately, a week or so before the game, Sam and Amy realized they couldn't make the game so they sold their tickets :-(  From there, the rest of the trip just sort of planned itself....and voila! here we are on game day...

We woke up early, had breakfast and started packing our goods.  Since we were headed home after the game, our van had to be packed all day with our belongings.  Not a bad deal since the entire day was going to be spent at the field.  We left bright and early...found a great FREE parking spot and even had enough time to stop at Krispy Kreme for coffee and donuts before the gates opened.  We were all dressed in our Mariners garb (yes, I love the Yankees but I also love the Mariners...it really was a win-win situation for me...and, I'm not stupid enough to wear Yankees clothes unless we're watching them in New York)!

We lined up early at the gate and anxiously waited.  Finally, the doors opened and it was a mad dash to our seats to watch the teams warm-up. 

Alex Rodriguez was warming up right in front of us.  I took TONS of pictures!  We even witnessed Derek Jeter tie the all-time record for hits by a short stop with #2,673.  {On a side note, it was fun to watch the kids' amazement when the Yankees won the World Series...they thought it was awesome that we watched the best team play that season!}  Before the game, we walked around the park and took in everything.

We had our pictures taken with Moose...

...and at center field.

The kids played in the playground and just had a blast.  They were soooo excited to be there...as was I.

The game was awesome but it went by at a fast rate of speed.  I was bummed.  I could have stayed there for at least another week.  We enjoyed our favorite foods....fresh squeezed lemonade, hot roasted peanuts, chocolate-dipped strawberries & garlic fries!!

We watched the Mariners defeat the Yankees by a large margin and just had an overall great time.

Alex Rodriguez warming up

Jorge Posada

Derek Jeter

He was looking right at me...I was very noticeable in my bright pink Seattle shirt!!!

Ichiro gettin' a hit

Griffey swinging for the ball...

...and then holding up on 3rd

Then it was time to leave.  The drive home was bitter- sweet.  It's always nice to come home but it's always sad leaving your fun times behind.  I guess that is why I take so many pictures.  I want to remember every moment.  And here is one more of Mt. Hood...not as visible as the trip over but just as beautiful and massive.

We did have a long drive home for various reasons (car-sick kids, cranky kids, hungry kids, well, you get the point), but eventually we made it.  Even though Brad insisted on driving across the Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge...aka the floating bridge..that goes across Lake Washington from Seattle to Mercer Island.  For those of you who know me, you know I don't like bridges very much.  Not sure why, I just don't...but he just loves to torture me.

We all had a great family vacation and can't wait to do it all again in another couple years...except we'll probably skip the zoo next time ;-)  So, with summer just around the corner this year....I'm wondering where we should go...hmmmmm.....