Adventures of Casey & Fawn

It's been FOREVER!

2009-07-08T21:18:00.000-07:00

So I realized it has been forever since I have written on our blog, I am not even going to attempt to try to make up for the lost time, instead I will add some highlights and major events in our lives in the past, shoot 6 months since I last posted.

1. We MOVED! Yes, that's right out of a neighborhood and onto 5 acres and we couldn't be happier, we absolutley love it here. It's a beautiful home with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathroom and a super open living and kitchen area, not the mention the HUGE three bay 40x50 ft shop. Owning three homes is a little stressfull, but is so worth the risks. Below are a few shots from the previous owners, I have yet to take new pics with our furniture in the house, I will get on that soon!

2. Remodeling..... uhhhhh..... remodeling, not my favorite word out there. We are currently remodeling the house that we moved out of that Casey has owned for the past 8 years, new kitchen, new paint, new flooring, you name it we are doing it. The hope is to list for sale here in the next month or so, but we are even looking into possibly renting it out or doing a rent to own for someone as well. If you know of anyone interested by sure and let me know.

3. Wedding Planning.... Wedding Plans are coming along great and the invites will go out the end of next month. The wedding date is October 17th at 4:30 in the afternoon. My dress is beautiful it fits wonderfully, all the vendors are booked, just lots and lots of details left to go.

4. Honeymoon... We booked our honeymoon to the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. We can't wait, it is an incredible place.

5. New Business... After ten years of working for The Johnson Team Real Estate I have left the team and started my own business called Office Help Center. Through my business I work from home offering virtual assistant services to real estate agents and business owners helping them with marketing, web site management and administrative services. I love working from home and being able to have more flexibility with my ideas and time.

WOW, we have been busy, and I will work on posting updates here more regularly!

Birthday Party!

2009-02-11T09:57:00.000-08:00

Wedding Planning....

2009-02-02T15:15:00.000-08:00

I can't believe how much wedding stuff Casey and I have already taken care of. I learned quickly how fast vendors book up for weddings, so I wanted to be sure that we booked everyone well in advance and that we have.

Our location at the Mt. Baker Rotary Building is booked!
Our DJ, the amazing Gatlin with White Noise Entertainment is booked!
Our Caterer Rose Degroot with the Fairway Cafe in Lynden is booked!

We are moving right along and I am so excited!

Best Friends

2009-01-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

Denali could not be a better fit for us or Yukon, they truely are best friends, not to mention look alikes!

Introducing Denali, our newest family member

2009-01-22T15:06:00.000-08:00

Here she is, Yukon's new play mate and sister, Denali. We adopted her from the Whatcom County Humane Society. She is a boxer/lab/golden retriever mix and she is such a little doll! We love her and are anxious to have her around Yukon more to see how they do together. She was just spayed today so she still needs her rest and not to play with the big dog just yet.

Yukon has a friend stay over

2009-01-21T14:59:00.000-08:00

Our good friends Jeremy and Brodie went on vacation up to Big White Ski resort in Canada and we were put in charge of watching there dog, Tonka. We had Tonka over at our house all weekend and she and Yukon had a blast. I must admitt this only adds to our feelings of wanting to get Yukon a friend. Casey and I have been talking a lot about getting another dog and have been looking at the local Humane Societies trying to find one that is the right fit for both us and Yukon, we will keep you posted on our search!

October 17th, 2009

2009-01-05T14:56:00.000-08:00

We have officially set our wedding date for October 17th of this year! We will be getting married and having our reception at the Mt. Baker Rotary Building in Lynden. It's a beatiful building with exposed wood beams and a lovely rock fireplace. There will be plenty of room and it should work perfect for us!

Casey's 30th & Brodie's 27th Birthdays!

2008-12-29T14:49:00.000-08:00

What a great time, thanks for everyone who came out to Casey and Brodie's birthday party! I think the party was a huge success and everyone seemed to have a great time!

Below are some pics, enjoy!

We're Getting Married!!!!!

2008-12-25T14:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, you read correct, Casey and I are getting married!!!!!!! We are so excited and I couldn't have asked for a more special Christmas. I truely had no clue that Casey was going to propose and it caught me completely by suprise.

After waking up this morning we settled in on the couch, went through our stockings, and opened our gifts, I can't even begin to explain to you how much Casey spoiled me with my gifts this year. A wonderful black roxy peacoat, a monster energy kawasaki dirt bike helmet, dirt bike gloves, a a new t shirt, a book from the TV Series John and Kate Plus 8, a new quilt for our bed, new pillow cases and new throw pillows for our bed.... See? I told you I was spoiled.

After opening all our gifts we started to get ready to go over to his parents and started rounding up their gifts to give them. While I was under the treee looking for those gifts Casey told me that he had forgotten one of my present and told me it was in the tree, I stood up and there in front of me sitting in the middle of the Christmas Tree branches was my engagement ring box. I opened the box and Casey asked me to marry him! I can't believe it, what a Christmas to remember!

Oh, and did I mention that today is Casey's 30th Birthday Party too! 30th Birthday, Christmas and Engagement!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Below are some pics of me in my engaged bliss as well as my ring! :)

Christmas Decorations Pics

2008-12-09T11:57:00.000-08:00

I had mentioned in a previous post that I would put up some pics of our Chrismtas Tree, so here it is in all it's glory and a picture of some of our Christmas Village as well. Merry Christmas!

Great Festive Fun Filled Weekend

2008-12-08T14:27:00.000-08:00

Casey and I having a great time at Derek & Shauna's house

Brodie, Shauna and I at her Christmas Party

Chad & Cassandra Hillier at their wedding

We had a great weekend. Friday night we went to the Hillier's wedding. My racing friend Chad married Cassandra, a women he met while on the road racing in Austrailia. Both Chad and Cass looked great on their big day and the wedding went off without a hitch, Congrats Chad and Cass!

Saturday night we went to the christmas party at our good friend Derek and Shauna's house there were about 4 other couples there and we all had a great time talking, playing fun games, eating and drinking!

Randy Couture

2008-12-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

Both Casey and I love UFC fighting! Randy Couture is both of our personal favorites, so you can imagine how excited we were when he sat right behind us in the airport on the way home from Vegas.

This was actually my second time meeting Randy, as I had met him previously in Portland, Orgeon at a Sport Fight that he helped put on down there. He is such a nice guy, very polite and friendly!

Las Vegas!

2008-12-01T20:00:00.000-08:00

Well I am happy to report that both Casey and I have made it back from Vegas in one piece. What an amazing trip. Believe it or not this was the first time Casey and I had ever gone anywhere away from home just he and I, and we had a blast.

All the previous times I had been to Vegas it has been for racing or 21st birthday bashes so this was a trip where we had no schedule and could do what we wanted to. We did all the "touristy" things, we watched the light show in old town on Fremont St, watched the water show at the Bellagio, the pirate show at Treasure Island, went to the top of the Eiffel Tower Replica, went to the shark reef aquarium at Mandalay Bay Casino.

You name it, we did it. I don't think either of our feet had ever hurt as bad as they did while we were there, we definitely put some miles on them, on the second day that we were there we discovered the monorail and took it everywhere we could making checking out the strip a lot easier on us physically.

My favorite part of the trip was going to see the Cirqu De Seleil Zumantiy show, it was incredible. Neither of us had ever been to a Vegas Show before and I don't think we could have picked a better one, the aerobatics, the dance the talent it was incredible.

New Blonde Hair

2008-11-25T08:13:00.000-08:00

So after trying to be happy with my natural color I decided that I couldn't stand it anymore and went back to blonde last night. I am excited to have my blonde hair back again!

Here's an early morning office shot of the new do! Oh and did I mention I now have bangs too! I don't think I have had bangs since I was 16!

My Tree is up, and yes it's before Thanksgiving

2008-11-22T08:06:00.000-08:00

So I had a little problem this year when it came to when to decorate for Thanksgiving. Traditionally I have always decorated the day after Thanksgiving every year, but this year is different. Casey and I are flying out to Vegas the morning after Thanksgiving which leaves no time for my usually decorating. We will be gone through the weekend and return on December 1st.

Christmas is so important to me and I love the decoration and decorating so much I didn't want to come home on December 1st and feel like I had missed out on any of the holiday festivities and prime decorating time, so what is a girl to do but decorate a whole week early!!!!!

Yes, that's right I have my Christmas tree up and fully decorated! I also put all the decorations out in the house and set up all of my Christmas village. I couldn't be happier and more in the Christmas spirit.

Now I just have to get Casey outside to put up all the lights and the accessories, you name it I have it... Really I am thinking I should change my last name to Griswold. I have the blow up elf archway, the Santa clause and of course the blow up Nascar with Elf pit crew... If that doesn't scream Christmas Spirit I don't know what does.

Below is a picture of our tree taken with my cell phone I will get a better one with my camera in the next couple of days!

Deming Speedway Racing Banquet

2008-11-20T16:26:00.000-08:00

Last weekend Casey and I attended the Deming Speedway racing banquet and had a great time. Racing season ended in September and I have not seen many of them since the last race. We had a great time catching up with everyone, enjoying dinner and dancing! Maybe even a little too much fun! The banquest was held at the Best Western Cotton Tree in in Mt. Vernon and we along with most the the other attendees stayed the night in the hotel there instead of driving home. Good times indeed!

Christmas in the begining of November?!?!

2008-11-06T10:12:00.000-08:00

So it's official I can't withhold my excitement for the holidays. I already have half of my shopping done, yep that's right over half DONE! I think I deserve a trophy or something, if not a trophy maybe a ribbon at least, they truly should have some sort of award for that!

I just love the holidays, I love to decorate, bake, wrap and give presents and all that it entails.

So for all you out there that find this post incredibly annoying because you can't stand the holidays, just know that I am already annoyingly humming Christmas music!

Merry Early Christmas!

Halloween Festivities!

2008-11-02T09:25:00.000-08:00

Wow, what a socially filled weekend we just had. Halloween dinner at Bob's Burger & Brew in Sumas, Dan's Halloween Party, Bobby Lee's. Then Saturday Gatlin's Halloween/Birthday Party and then tonight Spud's Birthday dinner.... Now back to the regular schedule! Below are a few pics of Casey and I dressed up in our costumes. I was a racing women/trophy girl and Casey was a redneck NASCAR fan...

Going to Vegas, in exactly one month!

2008-10-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

I am so excited I can hardly contain myself! Casey is taking me to Vegas the weekend after Thanksgiving we are leaving on Friday Nov. 29th and coming home on Monday December 1st. We are going to be staying at the New York New York Casino Hotel right on the strip.

Vegas is one of my favorite places to go and Casey has never been so it will be so awesome to get to show him all the sights and sounds of Vegas! yeah, this next month can't go by fast enough!

Revenge of the Stitches

2008-10-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

It's been well over a month since my surgery and I am feeling great and all healed up, well at least for the most part. About two weeks ago after all my incisions were fully healed and looking good, my left incision started to open up again and expose a black area. Slowly the "black" started to rise to the surface, of course me being me I decided to investigate. I grabbed a pair of tweezers to check it out a little more closely. After a little investigation I discovered that the black area was a string or evidently a stitch. I pulled on it a little, it was painful so I quit and called the doc. I was puzzled because I was told that they only used dissolvable stitches and I would have to have no stitches removed....

The doctor informed me that although this was rare there was nothing to worry about. Yes, they had indeed only used dissolvable stitches internally but sometimes when the stitches are exposed to high heat, such as my internal cauterization to stop bleeding. The heat will break down the components that allow the stitch to dissolves and thus it will remain, which has happened to mine. Sometimes your body allows the stitches to remain and other times your body rejects them. My body has chosen to reject them and they are now slowly working their way out of my body via my left incision... It's very strange and a little uncomfortable, although not super painful.

Below is a picture of the occurrence :)

But..... after almost two weeks of the uncomfortable and annoying stitch coming out of my belly last night I finally got it out! All in all there was 1 1/2 inches of stitch and boy was I happy to have it gone!

Dirt Bike Riding at Walker Valley

2008-10-24T21:00:00.000-07:00

So today was my first day out on my new dirt bike, and lets just say it was an experience! We loaded up our bikes last night and headed out about 8 this morning to Walker Valley which is a HUGE ORV park located to the east of Mt. Vernon above Big Lake. Casey unloaded our bikes, we got geared up and headed out.

Right off the bat we hit a trail called the Jam trails, one I had been on several times with my quad, I went down the trail just fine, still working out the whole balance issue on a dirt bike compared to a quad, that and the twist throttle , that's interesting to get used to as well. After the Big Jam trail all seemed well and we were off to try out another. With both Casey and I not entirely familiar with the trails we picked another to try, this time the Coyotte Trail... At first all seems well, some moderate hill climbs, sharp turns but nothing to crazy... but boy oh boy did that change! Next thing you know it was HUGE roots, rocks, STEEP hills, I did nothing but kill the motor on my bike and fall down, NOT fun... I got so frustrated it seemed the more I tried the more I fell over and got myself more worked up.... After a couple of glove throwing, feet stomping full on melt downs I finally made it through the trails. Poor Casey, he has ridden his whole life and didn't understand my difficulties, but he was so patient and helpful through it all, even with my choice words and glares that might have been thrown out his way in frustration.

After we got done with the disastrous Coyotte Trail Casey thought it best for the sake of our relationship that we go home! But, I wasn't having it, I wasn't leaving there with a bad taste in my mouth about riding, we just needed to find a couple easier trails that I could build some confidence on, and that we did! In no time I was doing better negotiating the hills, riding over rocks and roots and get balances and controlling the bike in general. Despite the rough start to the day I had a great time and am anxious to get out and ride again soon!

Below is a picture of me after our riding... note the smile on my face!

Below is a picture of me mid melt down half way through the trail

Save the Date!

2008-10-22T14:21:00.000-07:00

Casey's 30th birthday party! Casey's birthday is on Christmas thus always making celebration aside from the regular Christmas routine tough. Soooo..... I have planned a party! Mark your calendars for December 27 at 6pm, it's the Saturday after Christmas... the party will run from 6pm to 12 midnight at the Squalicum Boat House, more details to come as the time gets closer!

Nice Dinner Out

2008-10-20T14:23:00.001-07:00

Last night Casey and I went out for a nice dinner at the Keg with our friends Joe & Vanessa. Vannessa and I may talk everday but actually face to face is far and few between which her living in Sedro Woolley and us in Everson the distance and busy schedules make it rough sometimes. We were really happy to see them and the food was great. Below are a couple of pics from last night's dinner.

New Dirt Bike!

2008-10-18T14:08:00.000-07:00

I am super excited, I got a new dirt bike, it's a 2002 KX 100 that was barely ridden previously and is in great condition. I have had my quad up for sale for a couple of weeks now and was hoping to be able to sell it soon and use the funds to look for a dirt bike.

Sure enough, this morning a guy called came out to look at my quad and bought it. It wasn't but a second after he was out of the driveway that Casey and I started calling on bikes that we had seen for sale and setting up appointments to go look, some of which were as far away as Monroe. While we were making phone calls I got an email from a gal who heard I was looking for a KX 100 and she has one that she has bought new in 2002 in Canada and only ridden a hand full of time. We drove to look at it and it was a perfect fit. She even threw in all her riding gear so now I have a whole other set of boots, pants, jersey, chest protector and gloves.

I had been riding Casey's Suzuki 125 which was just way too tall for me, I couldn't touch the ground at all! The KX100 is a perfect fit as you can see.

Casey and I can hardly wait to go riding and are planning on going on Friday. I of course couldn't be happier I have not done anything very physical since having surgery and this will definitely be quite the test.

Pumpkin Carving

2008-10-18T12:18:00.000-07:00

What a fun night we had last night, we had a big group over to the house to have dinner and carve pumpkins. It was Casey and I, Brodie, Jeremy, Derek, Shauna, Jamie, Gatlin, Shane & Michelle. It was a really fun low key night at home.

Everyone's pumpkins turned out looking so good, below is a pic I took of them all lined up on the bench in the garage.

New Elliptical

2008-10-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

After wanting one for month, look around in stores, on craigslist and everything in return I finally got an Elliptical last night. I am so happy and the price makes it even better I got it for $20, yep that's right $20! I posted a "wanted" add on craigslist and a women from Everson reponded saying she had one, Casey and I headed over there and sure enough it was just what we were looking for.

It's an Evolution Elliptical and has a heart rate, distance monitor and adjustable tension and incline/decline. With it being dark in the morning when I leave and dark when I come home it will be perfect for me to be able to work out in the mornings before work. I started off this morning with 1/2 hr and then did another 1/2hr when I got home. I am excited!

Oktoberfest!

2008-10-12T11:14:00.000-07:00

Casey and I had a great weekend. Friday we towed the toy hauler out to the Deming Log Show grounds and set up camp for the weekend's Oktoberfest celebration. Brodie and Jeremy brought their fifth wheel out and Casey's folks brought their trailer too.

We had a great time checking out the festivities, watching the dancers, listening to the funny polka music, and camping and sitting around the fire.

Boy, oh boy did it get cold though, we had the heater in the trailer going all night long... Looks like October is really here! BRRRRRRR......

First Adventure Post Surgery

2008-10-04T11:01:00.000-07:00

Needless to say I have been going stir crazy just going from work, home and the grocery store and having little socialization, so today Casey recognized that and took me out of the house.

We went on a beautiful drive up to some property his family owns off the Mosquito Lake Rd, enjoyed the peacefulness and even saw an elk. On the way back towards Everson we stopped at my Dad's place and visited and then headed to Sumas Mountain.

We drove up the logging roads on mountain and checked out the sights and various views of Mt. Baker. I had a great time!

Part Time Work

2008-10-01T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well, I am happy to report that I am doing great only working from 7am to 2:30 pm, but I must admit I am really liking it. It's neat to be able to stop at the grocery store on the way home and still have time to have dinner ready for Casey when he comes through the door, things like that really make me happy. The laundry is done, the dishes are clean and the house looks nice.... It's amazing what having a few extra hours in the day does for you!

To bad it won't last for long, back to work full time next week, oh well... at least my bank account will like it! :)

Better Everday

2008-09-26T10:53:00.000-07:00

I am continuing to feel better and better daily and couldn't be happier. My incisions are looking like they are healing good and FINALLY my HUGE belly is starting to go away. Planning to head back to work on Monday and see how things go. I think sitting in a chair for ten hours a day might be a little tough at first, but I can't wait to get out of the house and back to my regular schedule.

I can't wait to do things and not have have them hurt, sneeze or wear jeans for example. That and get rid of my HUGE belly. I still am in shock at just how big it is!

In the meantime I will be holding down the coach, myspacing, emailing and watching Oprah. :)

Amazed

2008-09-23T10:43:00.000-07:00

It's amazing when times get tough who steps up and is there for you. Casey's Mom has been here for me daily, cleaning my house, making me meals, feeding Yukon and just being a great care taker while Casey is at work.

Casey remains incredible always lending a hand, watching out for my needs and making sure that i don't push myself to far or to hard. I couldn't be luckier to have him!

Then there is Shauna, one word for her AMAZING! Someone who I have considered a friend but have only hung out with a handful of times has suddenly emerged as one of the most truely caring , compasionate and most honorable, selfless friends I have. Tonight she showed up at the door armed with a full meal... Ribs, homemade maccorni and cheese, apple sauce, apple crisp and pudding, a bag full of movies, magazine and books, not to mention a WHOLE book on Endometriousis. She is a dream and I am so thankful to call her a friend.

And, as always, Vanessa for calling and emailing checking on me constantly, Kesha, Donna, and my Dad for their care and support! Thank you everyone!

Thankful

2008-09-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Now that I am home and out of the hospital I could not feel more grateful! I am so incredibley thankful for all my friends, family and everyone who came in and visited me, supported me and cared for me while and was sick and continue to do so.

Casey for being there as my rock, always being optomistic, asking the doctors all the right questions, helping me with all the little things that you take advantage of until you can't do them on your own, going to the bathroom, showering, eating... the things that I could never have done with out him.

Casey's Mom for being there EVERYDAY, caring for me and just being a Mom! Donna Huntley for being the "MOM" that she has always been to me, helping me through all lifes speed bumps and who was there EVERYDAY too.

Kesha for her rides to the doctors, laughs, lunches and just for being herself. Kara for hanging out having dinner, making sure I had my paperwork done and in order and just being a "sister."

And to the rest of my family/ friends, Vanessa, for the magazines, support, visits..... My flowers from Holly, Martie & Becky, Casey, the beautiful orchid from Shauna and Michelle, Patrick's rose, My Dad's super cute race car flower holder (my fav), Donna's halloween witch, Shannon's PJ pants, Brodie's flowers and all my friends/co workers and family who came to see me.... Vanessa, Brodie, Jeremy, Ryon, Shauna, Michelle, Patrick, Martie, Becky, Jason, Kara, Kesha, Dick, Donna, Kim, Lauren, Sue, Howard, Shannon, Dad, Carrie and so many more, if I missed you I am sorry, just know how much it meant to me and how grateful I am for each and every one of you!

In the Hopsital... ENDOMETRIOSIS

2008-09-22T10:20:00.000-07:00

So are some of you may or may not know I was in the hospital for a week and am now home and recovering. Over a week ago I started having severe pain in my lower left abdomen that progressively got worse and worse until finally I headed to the doc. They suspected that I had ovarian cycsts and scheduled an ultra sound. I went to the Ultra Sound, still in excrusiating pain, only to walk away with no answers and no signs of cysts.

That afternoon at home the pain got to intense to handle and Casey took me to the ER, the rest is a blur of IV's, Surgeries, blood works, X-Rays, Cat- Scans and so much more.

After 4 days of testing they determined that laproscopic surgery on my abdomen was need to physically go in and visually see what was going on inside me. The surgery revealed that my lower left intestines had fused them selves into my stomach muscles and tissues around my reproductive areas causing my extreme pain. There were also some dark spots found in on the outside of my uterus and in my reproductive tissue. Those spots were tested and turned up positive for a condition called Endometriosis.

Endometriosis comes in many forms causing tissue like the tissue of your uterine lining to grow in places where it should not causing damage and pain to the area which it chooses to grow, it can also fuse together organs or tissue as it did in my case. Once you have endo, you have it, it's a life long battle. I am now on medicine to help control it and will be closely monitoring my body and any signs that it may be acting up.

As of now I am at home with a HUGE belly as the result of my surgery. I have three incision on my stomach area and still in a lot of pain as a result of my cut muscles and the cauterization that was done internally to stop bleeding.

I am more than ever looking forward to getting better and being able to do things on my own again.

Trip up to Mt. Baker & Artisit Point

2008-09-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

Today was a gorgeous day so I convinced Casey to take me on a motorcycle ride and what a great day it was for it. We headed into town and got him a new riding jackets at Wings, had lunch at Bob's Burger & Brew in Barkley Village and then headed up the Mt. Baker Hwy.

The scenery along the way was amazing and the view from the top was well worth the gut binding fast corners we had to take on the way up.... Let's just say I was a little nervous.

Outlaws Racing Vacation

2008-09-09T10:10:00.000-07:00

Casey and I had the whole last week off for the our Annual World of Outlaws Racing vacation which starts at the World of Outlaw show at Skagit Speedway and moves South to Chico California. We camped in our toy hauler at Skagit and despite the rain had a great times and then packed up in the rented mini van and headed South to Chico. We had a great group of us this year, Casey, myself, Casey's Dad Howard and friends Bobby D and Scotty..... We took turns driving, enjoyed the sun and the races, drank LOTS of beer and laughed a lot

Below is me and the crew minus Casey drinking beer out of the mini van

Relaxing by the pool at our hotel
Casey, Me and Kyle at the Bikini Contest After Party

Myself, Sam, and Brandi, some great racing friends!

Walker Valley Riding

2008-08-23T09:40:00.000-07:00

Today Casey and headed out to Walker Valley to ride dirt bikes. Having ridden four wheelers my whole life I was a little uneasy to try the dirt bike thing out especially at Walker because the terrain is super tough there, no to mention the fact that I can't really touch the ground on the 125 I am riding because it's tall and my legs are just to short.

I got off to a rocky start getting frustrated too easily and not being confident in riding the bike, going up hills or around corners. But, by the end of the day I was having a blast pushing myself and going through some of the easier trails. I had a really good time and what a work out.

Below is me in the gravel pit at Walker Valley

Me Riding in the pit

Casey Riding and checking out the Scenery

Toys!

2008-08-19T10:49:00.000-07:00

So based upon the pictures below I would venture to say that we are growing out of our current shop! Man oh man we have a lot of toys. But, motorized sports are Casey and I's passion and we couldn't be happier. This isn't even all of them!

The dirt bikes, the 50, the Suzuki 125, the Kawasaki 250, the Yamaha Blast Four Wheeler, the mini chopper, and both of the V Star Cruisers.... wheww.... the gas power scooters are going to have to go in back of the shop :)

Vanessa's Birthday

2008-08-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Last night we went out for a wonderful dinner at the Cliffhouse Resteraunt in Bellingham, it's my personal favorite. We went to celebrate my best friend Vanessa's 35th Birthday with her and her husband Joe. We had a great time visiting, catching up and especially eating! Below are some pics!

Great First Camping Voyage

2008-08-17T10:38:00.000-07:00

We just got home from a great weekend camping out at the river and enjoying the new toy hauler. We had a blast. Casey and I camped alone, but Jeremy and Brodie came and hung out with as at night and tubed the river with us on Saturday. Shannon, her neice Audrey, my nephew Logan and his Mom Adrienne even stopped by for a visit.

Below are some pics
Check out this amazing view from our campsite, the river at one side of us, and the beautiful twin sisters at the other side. BEAUTIFUL!

My Adorable Nephew Logan and I playing at the campsite

The big day... we picked up the Toy Hauler

2008-08-15T13:24:00.000-07:00

Today was the big day Casey and I got to go and actually pick up the toy hauler this morning! YEAH!

They walked us through everything from starting the generator to working the machanical beds, you name it, we went over it. Then it was home to start loading it up with all our goods. We were both really impressed the way that the truck pulled the trailer, granted it was still empty, but we were happy none the less.

Last night we went shopping for everything we needed to get the trailer ready for camping.
We were very lucky in the fact that Casey's Mom Sue had saved tons of stuff for us. A brand new set of Cut Co Knives, a complete Ralph Lauren Towel set in colors to match the trailer, Kitchen Utensil, a coffee maker and tons of other stuff. We also picked up some new camp chairs, spices, pots, pans, pot holders and the usual "stuff." I can't believe how much stuff we actually already had. I must admit this trailer business is going to free up some space in the house, just not in the driveway :)

I got the trailer all packed up today while Casey fiddled around with the hitch, leveling out the trailer, filling up the water tank and that sort of thing, I am so happy with all the storage it has, and especially with the refridgerator size.

Our plan is to head out this evening out to Acme to camp along the Nooksack River at a family river bar of a friend of ours. Brodie and Jeremy are going to come out and hang out with us to. Wish us luck on our maiden voyage with the toy hauler!

Friendship

2008-08-14T08:43:00.000-07:00

The concept of friendship is such an interesting one, especially for women. I saw a quote yesterday that couldn't have been more appropriate for me and some of the people whom I hold closest in my life... I am not sure where the quote came from, but here it is....

" Friendship is not about being inseparable, it's about being separated yet still remaining the same"

That quote could not explain my life and my friends better that it does.

Vanessa and I talk to each other everyday, I tell her everything and consider her one of my best friends, but when is the last time I have seen her?!?!?! Geez, I don't know at Skagit Speedway in the pits about 2 months ago? She has been there for me through moves, random dating stages, emotional melt downs and road rage venting, you name it she has been there.

Karissa, my pal from high school, the person who has been with me through my race car T shirt, no make up, unable to walk in high heels days to my break ups, preppy stage and so on. I was in her wedding, there right after she gave birth to her beautiful daughter.... yet when have I seen her since then? Oh maybe 4 or 5 times in 3 years.... no joke..... but ask me today who my best girl friends are and she is right up there.

Nickie, my amazing previous co worker who left to pursue her career as a nurse. I used to spend all day every work day with her, she was my gossip outlet, my ear to listen and my source for daily advice and laughter.... I have only seen her a couple of times since she left the team, yet when something funny happens or I hear some good "gossip" she is always top of mind to call or in our case text....

It situations like those and the people I have mentioned above that support that quote for me... I can not see them for ages, get together with them and it's like we never missed a beat, like we were just together yesterday, laughing talking and catching up..... I know that should I ever hit a problem in my life which I couldn't solve alone any of them would be there in a heart beat, no questions asked, no expecting something in return just there with unconditional friendship..... Just because you don't see someone that often or hang our socially on the weekends doesn't mean that you aren't true friends, so in closing remember.... "Friendship isn't about being inseparable, it's about being separated yet still remaining the same....

Our Newest Addition... A TOY HAULER

2008-08-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Casey and I are happy to announce a new addition to our family at 2008 Extreme Mega Light Toy Hauler and we couldn't be happier. In case you aren't a rabid motorsport fanatic like Casey and I and don't know what a toy hauler is it's basically a camping travel trailer with a garage in the back to haul your dirt bikes, four wheelers, motorcycle and more.

We have been looking around for quite awhile and weighing out all our options, figuring out what we like/didn't like and what made the most sense for us, and this was definetly it!

It has a front bedroom with a queen sized bed, two nice micro fiber couches that fold into beds, two queen size beds that come out of the ceiling over the "garage" area, a nice kitchen with double sink, refridgerator, stove and microwave. TV/DVD player, built in fuel station to file up your bikes and that the generator runs off of. Outdoor speakers and shower, it's awesome!

Yukon the weapon of mass destruction

2008-08-09T11:33:00.000-07:00

He sure does look cute and innocent doesn't he? Well see below to let you see the real truth!

Yesterday Yukon and I went into Everson in the old hot rod truck, went for a walk, coffee and to the bank, thought it would be good for him since he is home alone a lot during the day while we are at work.

I then decided to make a short Costco run so I dropped him back off at the house before heading into Bellingham. When I went to pull out of the drivway he was freaking out by the gate because I was leaving so I pulled back in and put him inside, instead of having him whine outside as I left. I ALWAYS leave him inside sometimes on Friday and during the weekend because he's always outside and he like to sleep in his bed. So off to Costco I went and returned home about an hour and fifteen minutes later.

When I got home I was greeted with what looked like a homicide scene. When I walked in there was a horribel smell and I could see blood on the floor in the entryway and on the hallway walls. I turned the corner into the living room to be greated with more blood on the floor and way and a huge pile of poo in the middle of the carpet, still no Yukon to be found so I headed on into the pool room....Here I found him blood coming out of his mouth standing in from of the french doors in our pool room which were massacured and covered in blood, all the casing ripped off the doors, ( the part that holds them on) , the curtains and rods ripped down and hunks of plastic and metal everywhere. I freaked out and threw him outside to assess the damages....

I then headed back through the house where there was blood and slober on everything, all down the halls where he had rubbed his head, even in the bathroom tile floor, then onto our bedroom where he had crawled onto our bed where I had all our clothes clean and folded ready to be put away and there I was greated with a huge pile of urnine in the middle of our bed, all over our down comforter, clean clothes, pillows, matteress, you name it..... I was in SHOCK!

I don't know what got into him he has NEVER EVER done anything like that and I have always left him inside, he's six years old it's not like he's a puppy.I don't know what I am going to do!
We already built a nice cedar fence for him to which he responding by ripped and tearing the boards off if we are not home. So now he has to go on his dog run while we are away and can run free while we are home..... I just can't believe the damage he caused.... He's my baby and it is unbelievable to me he could do this... I just didn't think he had it in him....

Casey handled things really well, I was so scared that he was going to freak out and make me get rid of him..... but I also got lucky in the fact that I was able to get everything cleaned and spotless before he got home with the exception of the doors, which are going to have to be replaced.... ahhhhh I just can't believe it!

The Old Truck

2008-08-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Casey as many of you know has MANY old Chevy's and when I say many I mean a fleet.... at any rate we recently decided to insure his little green 1968 Chevy Fleetside truck that has just been sitting for the past several years. In looking at it, it cosmeticaly needs some work, but still retains it's old school classic hot rod look, under the hood, well that's a different story.... it's amazing! It's got a built 1969 396 BB out of a chevelle and pulls somewhere around 400 horsepower. It's got a 4 speed manual tranny which adds to the fun....It's LOUD and FAST so ofcourse I love it....

I cruised around and did errands in it today and you should have seen my grin, I don't know what it is about the sound and feel of a hot rod truck, but it really makes my day! Even the $40 in gas that I spent just driving it around for a day was justified based upon the sheer enjoyment I got out of driving it.

Adjusting

2008-08-08T10:48:00.000-07:00

Well we officially made it through our first week with Chance being gone and let me tell you how different it is.... Suddenly I am back to having left overs after dinner, my laundry load is cut in half and I cannot believe how quiet the house has become.

We miss him dearly but talk to him often and he seems to be adjusting well and having a blast getting back in touch and playing outside with all his friends he missed during the summer.

We are planning to have him back again at Christmas time which will be a lot of fun!

Chance's Departing...a sad, sad day!

2008-08-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

The above picture is Chance waiting to get on his flight.... ;(

For those of you that are close to us you know that Sunday was a rough day for us. Chance flew back to Alaska to be with our Mother. We were more than saddened to see him go, but are hoping that it will turn out for the best.

Rain Forest Cafe

2008-08-05T12:42:00.000-07:00

I am post dating this post as the day that we went to the Cafe there was no way I was in any state to write a blog post as we went there on the day that Chance left to go back to Alaska. The Rainforest Cafe is located in Southcenter Mall just a few short minutes from the airport so I thought it a good distraction for all of us to the emotional depture that was soon to happen.

Puget Sound Antique Tractor Show

2008-08-01T22:00:00.000-07:00

Today was another amazing day! Casey, Chance and I loaded up into the truck and headed out to Lynden's Berthusen Park to attend the Puget South Antique Tractor and Machinery show.

Maybe I am just a sucker for anything motorized, but I thought it was one of the best shows I have ever been too!

We got to drive the neighbor Norm's tractor in the tractor parade, check out the steam powered engines, the saw mill, the black smith exhibit and so much more!

We were at the show all day from 10:30 in the morning until about 7 at night. Grammie Donna and Kaleb even joined us around noon to check out the festivites.....

Finally!

2008-07-31T12:21:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how I managed to do it, but somehow after Chance spending the better part of his summer in Grandma Sue's care I didn't get a single picture of the two of them together. I can't believe it. Below is ONE that I took at his dinner.

I am so thankful to both Howard and Sue and all they have done for our little family this summer.

Pictures from Chance's Dinner

2008-07-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

The Boys enjoying their dinner at Bob's in Barkley Village.
The Boys being boys!

Chance and Solveig's youngest Maurice

Grammie Donna with Chance and Kaleb.....

Casey and I had planned a small going away dinner for Chance at his favorite resteraunt, Bob's. I invited some of his friends he had made over the summer and was amazed by the great turn out that we had. Over TWENTY people. Everyone had a great time and Chance even got a few special gifts, a new pair of romeo geogria work boots, and a copy of the book Jurassic Park.

Misspelling and Gramatical Errors

2008-07-30T12:30:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to write a little post and apologize for my misspellings and grammatical errors in my posts. I am usually rushing to update and get some news out for those that I haven't called and emailed. I figured something was better than nothing and that you would still like me despite my writing issues, at least I would hope so!

Chance heads to the Mariner's Game

2008-07-27T12:03:00.000-07:00

Grandma Sue and her sister Julie took Chance on the Amtrak train from Bellingham down to Seattle to check out Safeco field and go to the Mariner's vs. the Red Socks game.

At the games there is a competition for free french fries from the stadium which they call Rally Fries. The idea is that you create a sign with a catchy saying asking for rally fries.

Below is the creation that Chance and I came up with. Although he didn't win he did get second place and to be up on the big screen TV during the game. It's a little hard to read but the sign says, " Berries are overrated... This Alaska Moose Cries for Fries....." What a coloring job that was too, let me tell you. All of us were up past ten trying to color in letters :)

Now if I could only get to go on some of theses adventures... dang work anyways!

Awesome Day in the Boat

2008-07-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

What a great day today was! Casey ended up having to work today so Chance and I just got some things done around the house this morning and the plan was to head out to Ferndale for the Old Settler's Days Car Show, Parade and Carnival, but then my Dad called and invited us out on the boat instead. Brodie's husband Jeremy had to work too so all of us headed up to me Dad's to meet up with him.

We headed out of Squalicum Harbor and into the waters of Bellingham Bay. The water was like glass and wonderful. We were headed around the east side of Orcas Island when we were greated by a pod of about 10 orca whales. They were incredible, they jumped so close to the boat that it even spashed the sides.

My Dad is so good with Chance and let him dirve the boat teaching him to navagate into the waves and hit them head on. We docked on Orcas Island and enjoyed a great lunch at the Orcas Island Hotel and then headed back to Bellingham.

A rough life indeed!

A decision no one wants to make

2008-07-23T12:12:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately Chance will not be staying with us permanently at least not for now and is set to head back to Alaska on Sunday, August 3rd..... As you can imagine Chance has become our life and so much a part of our family, just thinking about him not being here tears us apart. But, we also need to look at the big picture and what is best for everyone involved.

Wish us luck in the week before his departure as I am sure it will be a rough one!

Tree Fort

2008-07-23T11:43:00.000-07:00

No pictures yet, but the boys have been actively building a tree fort the past couple of nights. As with any project that Casey starts it's no small fort.

It's huge! Casey is having a great time showing Chance the ins and outs of building a tree fort and everything that it entails, the measurements, the tools, and ofcourse the work! :)

Hope to have pictures soon!

Clay Cup 2008

2008-07-21T11:28:00.000-07:00

What a great time we had at Clay Cup this year. For those of you that don't know Clay Cup is an annual three day race at Deming Speedway and ofcourse one of my favorite times of the year, and with Chance apparently the apple doesn't fall far from the tree because he is obsessed with Deming Speedway almost more than I am.

We went out to the track the Sunday before Clay Cup and set up the camp with the travel trailer, outdoor carpeting and chairs. We had a great time camping and LOVED having the travel trailer. Grandpa Howard camped with us as well which was really nice.

Casey and I decided instead of going in the pits to sit in the stands with Chance, it was a lot of fun. Several of our friends came out and a good time was had by all. Chance loves being at the track, watching the races and hanging out with all the other little boys who are there, especially our good friends JR and Beth's little boys Tristin and Sean.

Oh, geez forgot to mention that Chance also had his first "job." He volunteered to pick up all the garbage left in the stands after each nights races in exchange for free admission and $20. The first night it was awesome, he got in free, made twent bucks and was a happy camper. The second night he realized that while he was picking up garbage the other kids were running around and playing and he wasn't to keen on that, as a matter of fact he was down right angry. But, Casey and I both told him that he had made a committment and he needed to stick with it. He DID pick up the garbage all three nights and made his twenty bucks with which he purchased a very cute new Deming Speedway hooded sweatshirt to show for his hard work! Way to go Chance! We were really proud of him.

Below are some pics of Tristin and Chance hamming it up for the camera. (Note the matching shorts, they are too funny!)

Just the Two of Us

2008-07-14T16:27:00.000-07:00

Things have been pretty stessfull around the house lately with a ten year old, a busy schedule and working lots of hours and Casey and I have had little time to sit down talk and enjoy each other's company, but last night was a welcome change.

Grandpa Howard and Grandma Sue took Chance for the night tonight and Casey and I took at great motorcycle ride into Bellingham and had dinner at the Olive Garden... as cliche as it is I really like the Olive Garden and got my usual Chesse Ravoli with Alfredo Sauce, my FAVORITE!

We cruised home on the bike, sat on the couch and talked and enjoyed a few recorded commercial fee episodes of John & Kate Plus 8, our favorite!!

Down get me wrong we love Chance to death, but a night without conversation revolving around legos, tree forts and "can I have a push pop?" was nice!

Crying.... AGAIN!

2008-07-13T21:30:00.000-07:00

I honestly cannot believe how loud and long Chance can cry..... you would think that he was going to die or something, nope just that he can't go work on his tree fort at 8:30 at night after an already awesome day at the lake. He's been crying since 8:30, it's now 9:45 and the crying is just getting louder and more intense.... I am thinking solid doors and some better insulation is needed in this place........ one day...one day he will learn that crying doesn't accomplish anything, until then I need some earplugs!

Although I can't even begin to tell you how frustrated this makes Casey and I. Chance had a great day got to go out on my Dad's boat with us on Lake Whatcom and spent the whole day jumping off the boat swimming and tubing with Casey and I, it's not like he is deprived and never able to do anything fun...... ahhhhhh..... the joys of a child I guess ;0

Everson-Nooksack Days!

2008-07-12T16:10:00.000-07:00

Today was another glorious sunny day and what a day for a parade. Casey and I met Brodie at her place and the four of us walked down the road to Main St to watch the parade. Chance has said he had never been to a parade before so he had a great time checking out all the floats and especially catching the candy! I can't believe how much candy he got... just what we needed ;)

After the parade we headed over to Everson Park, across the street from my rental house I own to check out the all the vendors set up in the park and enjoy some awesome steak sandwiches and brats cooked by Herb from the Black Forest Steak House across the street.

Below are a few pics from the festivities....

Raspberry Picking Time

2008-07-11T16:04:00.000-07:00

Living out in Everson there are lots and lots of berry fields around. Chance asks all the time when the berries will be ready and if we can go pick and finally today was the day! I knew it was the start of the raspberry season so we headed out of the house and drove until we found the nearest open u pick berry field, which happened to be Haugen Berries on the Pole Rd.

Chance and I had a great time picking almost 12lbs of raspeberries, although I must admit that after about 2lbs Chance was more than ready to leave, but he stuck with it and was pleased with his bounty! I went home and cleaned all the berries, delivered some to Casey's parents and froze the rest in our new freezer in the garage!

Uncle Hoof's 30th Birthday Fun!

2008-07-06T13:52:00.000-07:00

We all had such a blast yesterday! Despite learning of the passing of Casey's Grandfather in the early morning hours, we all managed to have a good day. Casey headed off to his parents house to be with family and especially just "be" there for his mother.

Chance and I stayed home cleaned house, went grocery shopping and prepped for Uncle Hoof's 30th birthday party. Casey arrived home just in time to help us make Snicker's Salad, Potatoe Salad and Jello Shots for Hoof's 30th Birthday Luau Party. Both the boys were a dream helping my cut apples, mix jello and clean up. I was a real treat!

We packed up and headed over early, helping decorate and hang out before everyone else arrived. What a hit the Luau was! There was a huge turnout and everyone had a blast! There was more than enough food to go around, a pinatta, and lots of laughs and fun! It ended up raining almost the whole time, but Casey saved the day with going to pick up his parents EZ up tent almost big enough to cover all of the deck where everyone was gathered.

The plan was to head out to the Bull-a-rama in Sumas around 7 o'clock but with all the rain we instead just decided to stay at the house. Grandpa Howard took Chance home with him around 7:30 and the adults stayed and headed down the street to Bobbie Lee's for some Kareoke and Dancing..... what an awesome 30th birthday party.... next to turn 30, Lance, Casey and Ryon.... it's going to be quite the year for birthdays!

Blue Tooths and Vanessa

2008-07-05T15:41:00.001-07:00

I must admit this new cell phone law is really hurting my relationship with my dear friend Vanessa. I really need to get with the program and get myself a blue tooth hands free cell phone device for we can continue to have our nightly vents to eachother about our days and people in our lives.... otherwise I might actually have to pay someone to listen to my bs.... ha ha ha

Love you Vanessa!

RIP Bill Albans

2008-07-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Sad to report that Casey's Grandfather Bill Albans passed away in the early hours of this morning. My thoughts and love go out to Casey and his whole family.

4th of July Fun!

2008-07-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

What an awesome 4th of July we had.... Early in the weekend I had gotten the idea for us to take a trip up to Cultus Lake Waterslides in Cultus Lake, British Columbia. Neither Casey or I had ever been there and we knew you couldn't go wrong with taking Chance to the waterslides. I researched direction and information online at at 9am we headed out the door. The border was a breeze as we all had all the proper documentation, we made it up to Cultus Lake even before the waterslides opened at 10am, so we decided to grab a quick bite to eat and then head to the park.

What an incredible place Cultus Lake Waterslides is! We all loved it! I am usually not much of a water person and I just couldn't seem to move fast enough to go on all the slides, it was great. I went on every slide except for the 75ft drop off slide, which Casey and Chance both went off of. To my surprise Canada's law are much less strict when it comes to the size and weight requirements for children on the larger slides.... So, I guess I can thank Canada for my near heart attack watching the little guy go down the slide. There were slides for all ages, group rides, single rides, tube rides, a lazy river and hot tubs, it truly was a blast!

We left the water park all smile around 4 and headed back for the short 30 min drive back to the US. The border wait was about 20 min, but it went quick and we were home in time to shower, play with Yukon and headed to our 4th of July BBQ at some friends Jeff and Lisa's house in Everson. Jeremy, Brodie, Ryon and us all attended, we had never been to their place before and it was a real treat, a great salmon BBQ and by far the best fireworks show we had ever seen at a private function.

Nice night at home!

2008-07-03T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ahhhhhh, what a nice break last night was. I picked up Chance from the Boys and Girl's Club after a hectic day at the office and headed home. Casey was already home when we got there, Chance went and played in the woods behind the house, Casey fiddled in the garage and I was able to make dinner and have it on the table by 7 o'clock which never happens, I was so happy.

We finished up dinner Taco Salad and rice...mmmmmm and Casey and Chance got out the mini chopper motorcycle to take it for a spin. When Chance came to visit last spring he was still a little small and not comfortable enough on the bike to ride it all alone, but this time was different. He did great and was riding it up and down the street alone within just a couple of minutes.

"Uncle Ryon" even made an unexpected visit and had a great time watching Chance ride and even taking the chopper for a spin himself. The three of us ended up pulling out the lawn chairs, mixing a cold drink and watching Chance and his friend Alex ride their bikes.... overall a very much needed relaxing evening with good company!

Pictures....

2008-07-02T12:25:00.001-07:00

I have taken so many pictures while Chance was here I just wanted to post of few of my favorites.

Happy Birthday Uncle Hoof!

2008-07-01T19:30:00.000-07:00

Brodie and Jeremy are some of Casey and I best friends and the people we spend the most time with..... Jeremy's nick name is of all things "Hoofrott" for a strange infection he sometimes gets on his feet, yes gross, but true. Everyone calls him "Hoof" and it's even stuck with Chance who affectionately calls him Uncle Hoof.

Today was "Uncle Hoof's" 30th Birthday. Casey ended up having to work late so Chance and I met Hoof and Brodie at Mi Mexico for a birthday dinner. We are having a Luau themed BBQ bash on Saturday, all of us can't wait!

Another Successful Lesson! Spray and Wash...

2008-07-01T11:43:00.000-07:00

Chance is always getting filthy and granted he is a ten year old boy, but he takes it to a whole new level. Everyday I pick him up at the club his is covered in food, dirt, crayons, you name it. I look around at the other kids and they are clean, but Chance isn't... drive me nuts. I end up spending at least 15min an evening going through and spray and washing all the stains out of his clothes. He already didn't come to us with much clothes and I don't want him to ruin the clothes we have gotten him.

Yesterday when I picked up Chance it was no different, totally filthy. So on the way home I pulled into Haggen's which isn't a usual stop Chance wondered what we were there for and I informed him that we were picking up more spray and wash so HE could get his stains out. He wasn't impressed and wasn't impressed when he had to spend 20 min with spray and wash over the tub srubbing his stains out either.

This morning when I set his clothes out I gave him with white and grey striped shorts and a light grey T shirt, possibly setting us up for a stain disaster and a little test. Tonight when I picked him up he was totally clean.... Mission accomplished! We shall see how long this lasts

Lovely Weekend....

2008-07-01T11:29:00.000-07:00

Casey and I enjoyed a relaxing weekend together, although I must admit we really missed Chance. It was our first weekend since Chance arrived that we didn't have plans and we wished he would have been here to relax with us, but he had so much fun with my Dad it was worth it.

Friday went to his Dad's to work on his Dad's truck and the trailer and I was able to catch up on some house work around the house and even slip in breakfast with Kesha at the Farmer's Roost in Everson. Casey got home around lunch time we had a nice lunch outside in the sun and then decided to go and pick up the travel trailer and camp at the races. We had a great time at the races and stayed afterwords and visited with friends and camped in the trailer for the night.

Saturday we returned the trailer and went home took care of things around the house and then headed out on the motorcycle for an amazing ride. We went out to Sumas to see Brodie who was playing in a softball tournement, then down to the Alger Bar and Grill to meet up with Joe and Vannessa, they rode with us through Bow and up Chuckanut Drive into Bellingham where we then split up and went our seperate ways. He then stopped an Casey folks and had some fresh crab Howard has just cooked up that day, it was amazing. Then home to visit and play with Yukon and make dinner. Once it got dark Casey and I met at Jeremy and Brodie's and headed out to the Sumas Fireworks show with them. The show was amazing, especially for the small town of Sumas, we enjoyed it. Jeremy and Brodie dropped us off at Bobbie Lee's on the way hoem where we met up with our good friend Ryon whom we hadn't seen in awhile, we ended up closing it down and Ryon gave us a ride home.

Sunday Casey and I decided that it was "Yukon Day" and that he needed some family time, so we loaded up some snacks and our swimming stuff put Yukon in the back of the truck and headed out to Lake Whatcom to swim at Nathan's Dock. We had a really good time, Yukon got to swim and just hang out in the water and play, it was fun.

I love this picture of Casey and Yukon sitting on the dock together, it's super cute!

On our way home we met up with my Dad, Shannon and Chance, picked up the little man and headed home. That night we BBQ'd a home with Jeremy and Brodie and relaxed in the sun and listened to Chance tell us about his great weekend.

Looking back!

2008-06-29T15:58:00.000-07:00

Wow, I couldn't help but take step back and think of how my life has changed in the past year. Last year at this time I was just about ready to meet Casey for the first time. I was single, independant and out on the town when ever time allowed. Monday night I usually had dinner with Rainey and Diggs, Tuesday night was girls night, Wednesday night was clean house night, Thursday night was dinner with the Everson crew at the Black Forest and Friday is it was sunny I was off to the races, and if it was raining I was having dinner at Sumas Bob's and then off to Bobbie Lee's..... oh my how time changes things... but for the better.

I can honestly say that my life with Casey is more that I could have ever imagined, I am so thankful to have such an amazing man in my life who is always there to love and support me. No longer is my schedule a tangled mess, but now I am perfectly content with our home routine. No plans during the week at all, then a ton of fun and home project on the weekends. I love the security of knowing he is always here and the joy and excitement of our future together.

I truely am blessed to have him in my life!

Chance going camping without us ;(

2008-06-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

My Dad called tonight to see if we could go camping with him this weekend, both Casey and I are drained and as much as we would like to go we need to get somethings done around the house. My Dad wasn't so keen on that and asked if he could maybe take Chance instead as they had so much fun fishing before. I told him I would run it by Chance and Casey and see what they said. Chance was so so so so excited and Casey agreed it would be fine.

I just got home from dropping them off and their plan is to head over to Winthrop with the boat and a couple of other friends for some tubing, fishing and fun! I am jealous, but he will have a blast!

Casey and I are getting ready to relax and take in a much needed episode of you guessed it John and Kate Plus 8!

Missing Grandma & Grandpa

2008-06-25T11:20:00.000-07:00

Chance is funny... he couldn't wait for the Boys and Girls Club and he still loves it there but after being with Grandma and Grandpa every work day for 5 weeks he informed me today and misses them! It was really cute and nice to see what an influence they had made of him and just how much they mean to him and his life. We are going to have to schedule something this week for sure!

A week without plans.... WEIRD

2008-06-23T11:12:00.000-07:00

I can't tell you how happy both Casey and I are to have a whole week without plans.... AMAZING for us! We are busy catching up on sleep, housework, laundry and everything else we neglected while busy.

Chance's attitude is really starting to improve, I Casey and I couldn't be happier. I must admit I was begining to wonder if it was ever going to sink in, but alas all our work seems to be paying off!

Tomorrow Chance is off to Deception Pass to swim and beachcomb, we have been telling him all about it and he can't wait to go. Casey and I are both jealous and wish we could go to!

What a weekend!

2008-06-21T10:59:00.000-07:00

WOW, what a weekend, I feel like I need a couple of days off just to recover from everything.

Yesterday we woke up at the track, headed home, visited Casey's grandfather at the hospital, he is still hanging in there and getting better, he's one tough old man! Then it was off to pick up Chance from the Huntley's. He ofcourse had so much fun with them, as I knew he would and he and Kaleb got along better than ever!

Last night was the finale of Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway and Shane and Michelle's wedding in Lynden, of which Casey is in...... Juggling them all was tough, but we got it done. We dropped Chance off at the track to pit for his friend who is driving a quarter midget Tristin, head to the BBQ and watch the races, and meet us in the pits afterwards, then it was home for Casey and I to get ready for the wedding.

It's amazing how quick both Casey and I tranformed from dirty dirt track fans, to dressed up classy wedding folk, see photo below. We arrived at the wedding location about 1:30 for photos and to help with preperation. Michelle looked absolutely amazing and the location was unbelievable the wedding took place at a cottage owned by her Aunt and Uncle. The ceremony was outside next to the creek with a beautiful wooden arbor and glorious roses and flowers behind. The reception was across the yard and was full of great good, good friends and amazing times. Casey and I scooted out a little early and headed to the track.

It was a mad dash out of the wedding, home out of our "wedding" clothes and into our racing clothes, stop at the store for the essentials, beer, cash and chips and off to the races...... The whole way there texting back and forth with friends in the pits to be sure we weren't going to miss the final race. We got there just in time for the start of the B Main Event and then the A main finale for Dirt Cup 2008. I couldn't have been happier!

Jayme Barnes, a local driver from Everett Washington took hom the A main event win. The first local Dirt Cup winner since 1992. I am not going to lie I totally cried, odd the things that make me cry, but I was so happy for him and his family, so awesome to see someone who works so hard for what he has win the $25,000 prize!

After the races Chance got the VIP treament and was allowed into the pits by the flag man who happens to be a friend of ours, he walked around the pits visited, got some pictures and then it was off to bed for the little man seeing as though it was already midnight. After that Casey and I headed out for a night of fun, and fun it was, we are paying for it today!

Results of your actions

2008-06-20T17:00:00.000-07:00

Today Chance learned the hard way that your actions and attitude will reflect the things you do/don't get to do in life. Chance was acting up all day, refusing to do the things that he was asked, crying, pouting about every little thing.....things did not go well.

I have told him on several occasions that going to the races is a privlige and something that most kids do not get to do even if they are good. I told him that he would not be going to the races if his attitude did not improve..... still no change. I told him again, then he looked me right in the eye and said, Well, if I don't get to go then you don't get to go either!" In his head he was thinking since we don't have a standard babysitter and he always just goes where I go, that just because his attitude was bad that I would be punished by not getting to go either.... WRONG.....

I called up Donna Huntley whom has been like a mother to my since I was 15 and she agreed to take Chance for the evening. He was livid to say the least, cryed threw a fit that I was going and he wasn't, but he needs to realize that in order to do fun things you have to be good! I was sad because I really wanted to take him and get to take him through the car haulers and pits, but I think this lesson will be well worth it. Before dropping Chance off we had a long talk about just that, and I think he understands and things will be looking up from here!

Chance got lucky because Kaleb, the Huntley's grandson was staying with him as well, not to mention their plan is to fly out to their property on Sinclair Island for the night, so much for punishment, but at least I got my point across! Off to the races for Casey and I.....

Up in the air.....

2008-06-20T10:41:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was quite the day, I had the day off for Dirt Cup at Skagit has planned to head down early and visit with out of area friends, but instead decided to stay close to home and be available for Casey if something urgent arise with his Grandfather. Casey is pretty upset and worried about him and his mother whom is their caretaker a majority of the time.... we are all hoping and praying for the best!

Later on in the day Casey called and told me that Chance and I should just head to the track. He headed down about 5 o'clock and met Grandpa Howard at the campsite. Chance and I met up with his buddy Tristin and his Mom he headed into the stands to watch the races and I headed into the pits to meet up with my Dad and friends I only get to see annually during Dirt Cup.

I was pleasently suprised when I looked across the pits only to see Casey. He had went to the hospital after work and was able to speak with his Grandfather..... feeling there was little he could do the room already crowed with other family members and with visiting hours over he decided to head to the track and relieve some worry....

The races were amazing, although my Dad's team didn't do to well, it was a good outlet for all of us. After the races we met up with Chance, headed back to the campfire, talked with Howard and his friends, but Chance to bed and then headed out for some campfire hopping and partying with friends. Both Casey and I had a great time catching up and sharing stories of the year with our Californian friends and local friends alike.

We are home now. Casey is in at the hospital with his Mother and Family and Chance and I are at home. Waiting to see how his grandfather is doing before making plans to head down tonight......

Casey's Grandpa Update

2008-06-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

Casey's Grandfather made it through surgery, but is not doing well, his lung has collasped and his kidneys are starting to fail. Family is arriving throughout the region and Casey is planning to head to the hospital afterwork. Things aren't looking good but we are hoping for the best.....

Casey's Grandfather

2008-06-18T10:34:00.000-07:00

We got a call last night that Casey's Grandfather has to go for emergency surgery, he's 92 so it's risky to say the least. He is having some intestinal blockage from a hernia and it needs to be taken care of right away. The doctors say it's a 50/50 chance of survival going through the surgery. Please keep him in our thoughts.

As a result Dirt Cup plans are in the air, family first for us! Thankfully I have Thursday off to help if needed and just plain be there for Casey and his family

First Field Trip

2008-06-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Today was supposed to be a field trip to Clear Lake for Swimming for Chance, but alas the weather has not agreed and I just received a call from the club informing us they are instead headed to the park and then the aquatic center, I bet he has a blast. We went to the aquatic center back in March when Chance was here for a week, he loved it and I expect he will this time as well.

This week is Dirt Cup at Skagit Speedway so I have Thursday-Sunday off work. Our plan is to camp down at the track with Casey's Dad and then head home for Shane and Michelle's wedding on Saturday and then back down to the track to hopefully catch the main event. My racing friends from California have already started to arrive and Howard already took the travel trailer down to Skagit to reserve a camping spot. I can't wait!

A Success!

2008-06-17T10:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's official Chance loves the Boys and Girl's Club. When I picked him up it was all smiles and he couldn't talk fast enough to tell me all about his day full of pool, basketball, dodge ball, games, computers and playing in the park. I was so happy to hear him say that he had made some new friends and was having a blast, that was ofcourse before his fell asleep in the car on the way home...... He was wiped out!

Casey and I are now learning just how important a lot of sleep is to the little man so tonight I was sure to make dinner right when we got home, Chance had dinner, read some of his book, fiddled around with his legos and was dead asleep by 8:30pm.......even enough time for Casey and I to sit together and get in an episode of John and Kate Plus 8 before bed, it's our favorite show!

First Day!

2008-06-16T09:57:00.000-07:00

Today is a big day, Chance's first day at the Boys and Girl's Club!

It will take me awhile to get into the routine, but I think it is going to go just fine. Casey and I get up at 4:50am, Casey gets in the shower while I pour his coffee and make his lunch for the day. After Casey is done we sit and talk about our daily plans for a couple of minutes while he has some coffee and then it's off to work for him. Next, it's shower time and get ready time for me, then make Chance's lunch, as it's different than Casey's. Then I wake up Chance, get him ready, teeth brushed, yukon fed, meat out for the evenings dinner and out the door at 6:35..... whewww a lot done before 7am.....

I think Chance is going to have a hard time adjusting to not being able to go back to bed like he did at Grandma and Grandpa's but he will get used to it in time. The whole car ride in he was really excited, although he did tell me he was a little nervous too, as was I, but I kept that a secret from him. Now if I could just stop worrying about him all day things would be good. I guess I will find out how it went soon enough, I pick him up just after 5 this evening.

Great Father's Day!

2008-06-15T09:51:00.000-07:00

What a great Father's Day. Casey and I had a BBQ at our place. My Dad and Chance arrived on time, what a suprise! Casey folks were early as always and Shannon arrived to meet us shortly after. The weather was perfect for a BBQ and we were able to be outside the whole time.

Casey's Dad Howard and my Dad Loren had a great time talking and neither Casey or I even seemed to get a word in edge wise. Nice to know at least they get along. Casey's sister Kara and her boyfriend Kevin arrived about an hour late, but just in time to eat. I prepped tons of food, burgers, brats, salads, chips, dip, bbq beans and even my Dad's favorite chicken gizzards.

Chance's First Fish!

2008-06-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

Well I guess I had no need to worry about Chance and my Dad. They arrived home this afternoon full of smiles and Chance's prized catch, a rock cod!

They both had a great time. Chance got to learn how to launch and drive a boat and all about Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands, a great oppurtunity for him!

Fun, Fun Night.....

2008-06-14T09:29:00.000-07:00

After several weeks of planning the party for Shane and Michelle it went off without a hitch and a great time was had by all. We met at Shane and Michelles all ten of us and the limo picked us up around 6:30 and it was off to dinner. Did I mention that the limo driver turned out to be a race fan and a friends Dad? How perfect could that we for me.....Off Kyotos for the girls and the Keg for the guys.

We had an awesome dinner at Kyotos which is a Japenese style hibatchi resteraunt. We gave Michelle her bachlorette gifts and laughed and joked about things that women do when the guys aren't around. Then, it was off to meet up with the guys again. After dinner we headed to Hot Shotz Martini Bar for a night of drinks and dancing. Shauna and I had went into Hot Shotz earlier in the evening to decorate the VIP Room for our arrival. Everyone had a great time there, I don't think Michelle quite dancing the whole night what a trooper! Not to metion Casey and I pulled out a couple of classic dance moves ourselves.

About 1:30 we all hopped back in the limo and headed out. Casey and I sat up front with our limo driver Dan and talked about the fun night, racing, cars and similar friends. We dropped the crew back off at Shane and Michelles and Dan took us home. Since it was now just past 2am Casey offered to make Dan some coffee before he left for his hour drive back down south. Dan came in and we ended up having coffee, snacking and talking until he headed out about 3:00 am..... what a great night!

Now, time to get to work and get ready for our Father's Day BBQ tonight, I sure hope Chance and my Dad are having fun fishing.... I guess I will find out soon enough!

Chance off to MY Dad's house.....

2008-06-14T09:23:00.000-07:00

Casey and I are hosting a Bachelor/Bachlorette party for our dear friends Shane and Michelle tonight, thus Chance needed somewhere to go for the evening. My parents have been offering to babysit so that worked perfect for tonight. It's odd when you think about the legistics of it since Chance is in no way related to them, Chance being my Father's ex wife's child from another Father..... whewww..... families got to love them. But, like my Step-Mother Shannon said," If Chance is a part of you and Casey's like, he is a part of our lives too."

I am not sure who is more excited Chance or my Dad. My Dad is so good with kids Chance's age and I think that the two of them will have a really good time. Chance is anxious to hang out with him and learn about cars in his automotive shop, and their plan is to go our fishing in Bellingham Bay before them come to our place for our Father's Day BBQ tomorrow. I just hope Chance doesn't get scared with him as my Dad can be a little rough around the edges sometime, to put it politely. Wish them luck together!

Deming Log Show

2008-06-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

Nothing says living out in the county like attending the Deming Log Show. I absolutely love it there, unfortunetly attending the actual show itself isn't going to work out for us this year as we already have so many committments this weekend, the races last night, Shane and Michelles Bachelor/Bachelorette Party tonight, and then we are hosting a Father's Day BBQ tomorrow for Casey and I's fathers, it's going to be quite the weekend to say the least!

Although we cant make the actual show which is actually happening as I write this, Chance and I did head out to the log show grounds this morning to check out the Logging Museum, see the incredible display of trucks and logging equipment and watch all the loggers practicing in the arena for their events.

Chance LOVED the Log Show, what ten year old boy doesn't love big trucks and equipment? But for Chance never having been around anything like this before he was even more excited. He even got to play/drive some child sized logging replicas that were on display. I was sad that Casey wasn't there to see his little face light up, but he was at his folks house working on finishing our enclosed race trailer in time to use it this summer. Someone in the family has to work while we are out playing :)

Another Racing Fan

2008-06-13T09:11:00.000-07:00

Anyone that knows me knows what a huge fan of racing I am, and how important going to the races is to me, but now with Chance in the house it has been a snowball effect, I seriously think he is obsessed, the kid lives, eats and breathes racing. I ofcourse could not be happier. I mean honestly, what would I have done if he came to live with me and was really into something like playing the flute for example? I would have supported it for sure, but this is just so much easier!

Tonight we headed out to Deming Speedway for our usual Friday night at the Speedway. Casey and I go in the pits while Chance stays in the stands as he is not old enough yet for the pits. He loves it though running around with Tristin and the other kids. He is really catching on fast, he now knows what all the flags mean, who is driving what car and the sequence of the racing events through the night, I am really proud of him and have tremendously enjoyed being able to teach him about the sport that we love so much!

Summer Program

2008-06-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

Chance is all signed up and ready to start at the Bellingham Boys and Girls Club when the summer program starts on June 16th, he can't wait. Being at Casey's folks has be great, don't get me wrong, but he's a ten year old little boy who is craving some serious kid time. With the kids here still being in school he is surrounded by adults all the time and in definet need of some running around, tag, game playing and normal ten year old activities.

I will drop him off on my way to work in the morning at 7am and pick him up on my way home about 5:10, it will be a long day for him, but I think he is going to enjoy it. It seems like a great program with an incredibile facility, game room, reading room, computer room, two gyms, huge park next door. Casey and I have also signed him up for several day field trips to Birch Bay Water Slides, Deception Pass, Birch Bay Mini Golf, a day hike to Fragrance Lake and many more. We are all anxious for the program to start!

First Sleep Over

2008-06-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

Last night Chance had his first sleep over at a friends house. Our good friends JR and Beth have two little boys Sean and Tristin, Tristin is a year younger than Chance and they get to see each other every weekend at the races. The two of them have become quite the little pair running around the track, checking out the scenery and just being little boys.

With Casey and I having two weddings to go to last night Beth offered to take Chance. It worked out awesome for all of us. I dropped Chance off yesterday morning and he got to go down to Skagit Speedway with JR and Tristin, hanging out there, go to the BBQ and watch the races. I don't think he would have been happier, I on the otherhand was worried sick. It being Chance first sleep over I worried he would get home sick, wouldn't brush his teeth, didn't have warm enough clothes.... it's amazing the things that go through your mind when you suddenly have a child after never having one, but alas everything was fine and he came home in one piece with a HUGE smile on his face, he had a blast!

Casey and I had a blast as well. It was our first over night without Chance, although it was still quite busy. We attended the wedding on my dear friend Aaron Lewis and his wife Kristin at the Ferry Terminal in Bellingham. We got to see lots of friends we hadnn't seen in awhile, we headed out of there early and we off to our next wedding event, a reception of Lacey and Chris who married earlier in the day at Shuksan Golf Course. We had an incredible time at the reception, our good friends Jeremy and Brodie were there, as well as Ryon and Gatlin, we danced the night away with friends and even all went over to our local watering hole Bobby Lee's for some more drinks and dancing.

Nice for the whole family to have a break from some "rules" for an evening! :)

It is making sense afterall.....

2008-06-05T12:50:00.000-07:00

After a rough week at home with the little guy and tons and tons of fits and boundry testing I thought it might be nice for just Chance and I to go and do something and take sometime away from the house to talk and enjoy eachother's company without the household interuptions.

I picked up Chance from Casey's folks and we headed to Hannegan Speedway to watch the motocross races. Chance couldn't believe all the racers, the jumps, the wrecks, it was so amazing to him and he has a blast.

But, the best moment of the whole night was when I asked him how he liked it and if this is something he would like to do someday, to which is response was, "yes, this is awesome, this is way better than chasing a little white ball around!" I about died laughing, he was referring to his wanting to play baseball earlier in the week. He said to me, we wouldn't have been able to come here since I would have been at baseball practice. Nice to know despite all that crying at least something is starting to make sense to him!

Baseball

2008-06-04T12:39:00.000-07:00

Chance has made friends with a little boy down the road. He and Alex have a great time out playing in the park and riding bikes. Alex is into sports, especially baseball. Chance on the other hand has never had a mit on his hand and has told me on several occasions that he finds baseball to be boring.

Tonight Chance comes home and informs us he would like to play baseball and that there is a team that has tryouts on Sunday. Trying to be supportive I look into the team. Practice on Tuesdays/Thursdays at 5:30 and games on Friday & Saturday, a huge time committment to something he has never expressed any interest in.

Casey and I set down and told Chance what we had learned about the team and how with our work schedule we wouldn't be able to make it to practice on time and not only that but with games on Friday we also wouldn't be able to go to the races, which happen to be his favorite event, as well as mine. To a ten year old this just didn't make sense. He didn't understand why he couldn't play, instead went into another crying fit, this time for THREE HOURS... three hours of crying, you hate me, why can't I play baseball? What a night!

I sat in his room tried to consule him tell him all the reasons he couldn't play and all the things he would get to do instead while not committed to playing, such as riding his motorcycle afterwork, going to Deming Speedway, sleeping in on Saturdays just to name a few.... but at the time nothing seemed to sink in. Instead Casey and were the bad guys who wouldn't let him play baseball when the parents down the road would. He cried himself to sleep tonight... we shall see how his mood is in the morning. I guess something you just have to learn the hard way.

Time to brush your teeth

2008-06-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

What a week! Casey and I are exhausted. Chance is still on his boundry testing spree. It's been tough on all of us. We know that Chance is having a hard time having so many rules sprung on him at one time, but we also know that if Chance doesn't have those rules that it wouldn't be in his best interest. Believe me it would be much easier to just let him go to bed without brushing his teeth, but he need to learn to brush his teeth, end of story. Brushing his teeth is a good half hour routine, me asking, followed by me asking, followed by me telling....(because it's not an option), followed by crying, door slamming, crying, me telling, teeth brushing, crying and bed....... Ahhhhhh nothing like a peaceful night in our house. I can't wait till the morning when we can do it again :)

Crying, Crying, Crying!

2008-06-01T12:20:00.000-07:00

Well, the honeymoon period between Casey, myself and Chance is officially over. Now, we have full bore talking back, fit throwing, mess making ten year old who is trying to test his boundries. We keep telling ourselves that this too will pass, but when you are in the thick of it it's tough to remember that. Everything this week has been a battle. Taking a shower everday at the same time is a battle. He is having a hard time understanding why he needs to take a shower and brush his teeth as it wasn't part of his daily routine previously. His new thing is crying.... anything that you tell him that isn't something he wants to hear or something he doesn't want to do he will at the drop of a hat start bawling. This strategy has obviously worked for him in the past, and the fact it isn't working for him now seems to be frustrating him even more.

Chance had very few rules before he came to live with us, no curfew, no set meal times, no daily shower routine, no real structure to speak up. At our house, that isn't the way things work. Our lives are so busy structure is the only way things can flow smoothly. It will just take him sometime to adjust to our structure and our rules. For the sake of our sanity I sure hope it happens soon!

Memorial Day Weekend Camping!

2008-05-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

We just got home from an amazing weekend of camping in Winthrop at our usual camping spot, Big Twin Lakes. Casey's parents loaned us their travel trailer and we were able to pack it up early and be ready to take off first thing in the morning on Friday.

Chance has never been camping before or in a car for anything longer than a trip from Bellingham to Seattle, so this trip was a BIG deal. We headed out of the house about 7am, which I thought was great considering it was my first camping trip packing for me, Casey and a child. We headed through the Acme Valley and connected to Hwy 20 in Sedro Wooley and headed over the pass. Chance loved the pass and Casey and I had a great time getting to tell him what all the various sites where along the way passing by Diablo Dam and heading up Rainey Pass.

We met the crew at the site about 11am on Saturday. We camped with our great friends, Jeremy and Brodie Hoekema, they had headed over the night before. Shortly after we arrived Gatlin, and Ryon pulled in as well. It was a much smaller group then usually heads over for the long weekend, but we had so much fun! We built fires, walked around Winthrop. Brodie and I escaped to the Wintrop Brewery for a beer while the boys rode their bikes down from Sun Mountain Lodge. We went to the rodeo, and just plain sat around and relaxed, which I must admit was much needed.

Chance enjoyed the whole group and decided at the beging of the trip to start calling everyone Aunt and Uncle, so now we have Uncle Ryon, Uncle Gatlin, Uncle Hoof and Aunt Brodie. It was cute!

New Gear!

2008-05-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

Today was awesome! Casey took Chance and I to the Mt Bake Motosport Annual Sale. Chance got all new gear and when I say all new gear I mean, new helmet, jersey, riding pants, gloves, and boots. He is decked out and spoiled to say the least. Casey also got me a really cute camo riding jacket for the cold days while out riding, I love it and had had my eye on it for quite awhile, it was a really nice suprise. He and I also both bought a new pair of riding boots as ours where getting old and worn out.

After getting our gear we headed over to Casey's folks to ride. Casey has been into dirt bikes since childhood and spent most of his youth racing around the state. I on the other hand have only ridden dirt bikes once as a child and have instead ridden fourwheelers, but with Casey into bikes I have decided to learn. Casey lowered his suzuki 125 so it would be a better fit for me. He cut some of the padding out of the seat and lowered the forks so I could better reach the ground. It made a huge differance! Chance and I spent the day out in the field below the house learning to ride, shift and get comfortable on our bikes while Casey watched and worked in the shop with his Dad. Below is a picture of me getting ready to ride the 125

Thoughts are with Vanessa!

2008-05-16T15:38:00.000-07:00

My amazingly wonderful friend Vanessa is in for surgery for her gull bladder today, wish her luck! I am on my way down to good old Sedro to be there when she comes too after surgery!

Learning to ride

2008-05-15T11:52:00.000-07:00

Little boys are so much fun! Chance is having such a good time learning how to ride his new motorcycle. He and Casey and Casey's Dad "Grandpa Howard," as Chance calls him went and looked at motorcycle gear today and in the meantime he is wearing my helmet.

Casey's parent live on 10 acres with a field and woods so it's a perfect place for him to learn. Casey rides the little scooter along side him and tells him when to shift and give suggestions on his riding and how to get better. I think he is going to catch on quick!

Both Casey and I have really enjoyed teaching him about his motorcycle. It is a great tool for him to learn responsibility with his things and respect for property.

Daytime Care

2008-05-14T11:55:00.000-07:00

With the kids here not getting out of school until the end of the month and Casey and I both working during the day, the major issue weighing on our minds is where Chance will go during the days?!?!?! That's where Casey's parent, "Grandpa Howard and Grandma Sue," has stepped in. They are both retired and amazing! They have graciously stepped up to the plate and agreed to take Chance Monday-Thursday while both Casey and I are at work. I drop him off at their place on my way to work and Casey picks him up on his way home, I couldn't be more thankful to them!

Chance loves being at their house and everything that it has to offer. A big shop full of "boy toys" ten acres to roam, a loving grandma to tickle and play games with him. His life right now is great, but it is a long day for him, up at 6:00am.... what ten year old likes to get up at 6am? But he is doing great and Casey and I are very proud of him to say the least!

Settling In.....

2008-05-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well we are getting all settled in with the new addition to the house, suprisingly enough Chance is in very high spirits despite the crazy events of the past month.

Today was a big day for him. Casey and I gave him his new 50cc dirtbike. Should should have seen his face, he was so happy when Casey wheeled it in from the garage and into the dining area. He is anxious to learn to ride and go off jumps. He's a ten year old boy that sort of stuff is really "cool."

Today we will be running errand and getting things all settled before Casey and I head back to work next week. Still worrying about what I will be doing with him durring that day while we are working. All the kids down here are still in school an least another month.... ahhhh a lot to think about!

The Eagle has landed!

2008-05-10T11:38:00.000-07:00

Chance is here! I picked Chance up from the airport and could not be happier.

I picked up Chance at noon at Sea Tac aiport, the drive home was nice and we had a great time talking and catching up on what's been going on in his little life during the past several months since his last visit. On the way home we stopped to pick him up a new comforter for his bed (camo of course) a new pillow and lastly a haircut. Man, that kids hair grows like crazy and it hasn't been cut since he visited us last.

When we got home we unpacked his stuff and got him all settled in. Keeping to our usual Friday routine, it was off to the races. Chance and I left for the race about 3 o'clock. I had such a good time taking him to the track, introducing him the people that mean so much to me and to the sport that I can never seem to seperate myself from.

Halfway through the races Casey called, they had decided to leave training that night instead of in the morning and was ready to be picked up. Chance and I high tailed it out of the track and met Casey at the airport just after 9pm...... a long day for the little man who had been up since around 4am...... Well off to bed for me, more to come!