Another beautiful sunset

Tonight was another beautiful sunset. Took my breath away. So of course I grabbed my camera. Enjoy

Twilight

I love Twilight. I love the color the sky turns and the way the world changes. Everything calms down a little. Like we are all waiting for the sun to dip below the horizon.



These were taken on a warm February evening in Lynnwood outside our house. It was a peaceful time as Kelly and I stood on the porch and watched the sun leave and the moon arrive.



Love is always sweeter in the dimming light of twilight.

New Goals

This week I started a new goal. To lose weight before Kelly and I go to Hawaii (only 33 more days!!). I don't have a set amount I want to lose, just weight. And it helps to have an end date for a goal.

In order to help me stay on track I started a food journal. Instead of just keeping it with me, I started a food journal blog . I am blogging everything that I eat. So far (4 days in) I haven't messed up at all :)

Besides that, working and reading I haven't done anything this week... Yet I am SO tired. Maybe I need to stop reading before 11pm from now on.

My wonderful Sunday

Sunday was a bright, sunny day in Seattle. Kelly and I had planned on going to Pike Place Market but Megan convinced me to go wash my car at Mom's. The weather was GReaT!! I was in a halter top and didn't get cold until the sun went down. Even though I know Kelly wishes we would have gone to the market, I was happy doing what we did.

After we cleaned all the cars I put air in all the bike tires and Talia and Jackson went on a bike ride.

Jackson back from the bike ride

Then Kelly brought us Taco Bell (he is such a good husband). We ate in the sun on the grass and enjoyed the weather.

"HI!!"

Family Shot

The sun moved behind the trees and out of mom's front yard to we moved to the street. Not the best location if a car comes, but we survived.

Megan only had 3 camp chairs so she used her stadium chair.

Talia was playing the guitar (with only 3 strings)


Kelly did this to her..

It started to rain today but I am still in a good mood. All that sun sure boosted my vitamin D. I am always vitamin D deficient, even in the summer, but in the winter... I am way too low. I take sunshine in any amount I can.

Kelly and I in the sun

When the sun finally went away :( We all went inside and sat by the fire. Brian and Kain came over and we talked. I played with the kids outside. Pushed Kain on the tire swing. The Kain, Jackson, Talia and I played 2:2 basketball. Me and Jackson vs Kain and Talia. We had to stop when Kain went home, but we were tied 5-5. We'll have to finish soon!

Glorious February

So far I am loving February. It has been so warm and sunny. It was above 60º today. Here is a picture of the sunny skies yesterday from work:



It feels more like May than February. It is still pretty cold at night and I have had ice on my windows in the morning. I am so in love with the weather. If this is "Global Warming" I say BRING IT ON!!! I can deal with a little less rain and a little more sun in Seattle.

Today Kelly and I took Maddy and Buster to the dog park out in Silver Firs. We normally go to Marymoore Park in Redmond. This park was much smaller but the dogs had a good time. They have been pretty quiet since then which means we did a good job wearing them out :) We also stopped by to see dad and place flowers on his grave. But he already had some that were fresh... So now I have flowers in my kitchen.

After the park we went into Seattle to have dinner with one of my co-workers. Kristina and her boyfriend Shawn drove over from Spokane for the weekend. We had a really nice dinner at Paddy Coyne's in Seattle. Dinner was really good. I started working with Kristina about a year ago. She works in sales and I have helped process some orders for her. We had never met in person so it was nice to put a face to the name.

The pub was CRaZy tonight! It was SO loud and there were people singing. I have never seen it that way, even on St. Patrick's Day.

I am not sure what we are doing tomorrow, but I am sure I will be outside in the sun. I need all the vitamin D I can get.

Fun with Photoshop

Taking pictures of my dogs is a hobby of mine. I think they are just too cute! I am also trying to learn Photoshop, one day at a time. Today I combined my dogs and Photoshop.

I amuse myself. I keep looking at the pictures and laughing. So, for your enjoyment.... My Photoshop skills:

My Maddy is SO funny!

This is Buster!!

Kelly said she looked like a Jewish Dog (which I didn't know exsisted)

One of my favorite days/Its about time!

One of my favorite days
The last payday in February is always one of my favorite days. I love it! Why do I love it so???

BONUS DAY!!!! Yaaaaaaaah Hoooooo!!!

That is the day my wonderful company give us a yearly bonus. This year I got a nice % of my annual income.

Which brings me to....

It's about time!

This morning Kelly and I booked our honeymoon to Hawaii!! **HaPPy HuLa DaNCiNG** We will be there for 10 days. I am looking forward to it. The weather has been amazing in Seattle this February, but I can't soak up the sun and swim at the same time (60ºF is still a little too cold, and have you ever tried swimming in the Puget Sound?? BRRR)

I am looking forward to long walks on the beach, long swims in the surf, roadside food and the wind in my hair as we drive our convertible (as Kelly pretends he's Magnum PI with the theme song playing).

Only 40 more days!!

Emma

Tomorrow is my niece Emma's birthday

Emma and Braeden

I like Emma. I can still remember being in New Haven, CT in Adam and Thelma's apartment. Mom, Dad and I were visiting. Braeden was just a little guy. We were sitting around the kitchen table having breakfast (either waffles or pancakes... I remember syrup) and Adam gave Thelma 2 plates. I had no idea why he did it, I thought maybe she was extra hungry. Adam pointed out Thelma had 2 of everything because she was eating for 2. It took me a while to get it, Thelma was pregnant. That is my first encounter with Emma. Emma made the whole room happy, and she was only the size of a pea-pod.

I was talking to a childhood friend this weekend and telling her what Kelly and I got Emma for her birthday. I also mentioned that picking out a gift for Emma was so much easier than shopping for my other nieces. **I can't say what I picked out because I haven't given it to her yet** I was supposed to get here for Christmas, I was so excited! But then I had to swap with someone else. Good thing her birthday was right around the corner.

As I was describing Emma, I mentioned that Emma is smart, funny and creative. I also mentioned how Emma marches to the beat of her own drum. My friend said "Sounds exactly like you at that age." As I thought about it, I realized she was right. Emma hears her own drum. It sets her apart from her cousins. She thinks less about boys and more about her awesome talents (well, maybe she thinks about boys just as much, but can talk about something a person not boy-crazy could understand). She is quick-witted and can make up song lyrics like no one I know.

This girl is going far in life.. She is either becoming a writer, a comedian or a songwriter. Whatever life may bring her, I hope my amazing niece realizes her potential in life and always hears the drum that is played just for her.

HaPPy BiRTHDay eMMa!!

Why I love Kelly

I love Kelly because when I am having a rough day he buys me one of these...

Today he got me Cookies 'n Cream. You have no idea how happy a milkshake can make you after a loooong day at work... and then an hour+ drive home. Only in a messed up place like Seattle does it take you 68 minutes to go 22 miles at 6pm.... I digress...

F'Real Milkshakes are sold at the Chevron by our house. I never thought a milkshake from a gas station could be good... It just sounds bad.... But they are soooo good.

Heaven.. In a cup.

Valentine's Day

I had a great V-day weekend!

Friday after work, Kelly and I went to Megan's. We watched the Olympic opening ceremonies. I love the Olympics. They inspire me. I like seeing people achieve their life long goals.

I thought Vancouver did a great job! They incorporated so many wonderful Canadian things into the show. It was beautiful and showed off the talent of Canadians.

On Saturday, Kelly and I went to the 13th Ave Pub & Eatery to meet Melissa and Sean. It was PACKED in there. I have seen the pub my entire life and I had no idea it was so popular. It was a little too crowed for us so we went back to our place to hang out. Megan came over for a while and we all had a good time.

On Sunday Kelly made me breakfast. He made me "catastrophe" (eggs, hash browns, sausage, peppers and onions all mixed together). MMMMMMM it was delicious. We went to Costco and I bought him jeans for a V-day present. Then I vacuumed and steam cleaned the dining room. You can tell how romantic I am. But a clean home is a happy home, right?

We had planned on making dinner at Megan's for her, Talia and Jackson so Kelly had to go to the store. Kelly came home with my V-day present. Now I should preface this by mentioning the fact that I am not into V-day. It holds no meaning to me. It is just another day out of the 365 (or 366) days I tell Kelly I love him. So I would not have cared if I didn't get a present. But my loving hubby found something at the store and knew I HAD to have it.

So, what did he get me.....???



A NEW VACUUM!!! YAY!! **HaPPy DaNCe**

I have wanted a bag-less vacuum for a while. He heard me complaining all morning how much I hated my old one. He was a little nervous to get it for me. TV sitcoms always show the guy getting the girl a household appliance and the girl freaking out. Not me. I was so happy I vacuumed 3 times :D

I was amazed how dirty my carpets were, even after vacuuming and steam cleaning that morning. It was a great, unexpected present and I couldn't be happier with it.

I am so lucky to have a husband who gets me and my strange wants. He is the best person for me and I am so happy and in love.... all 365 days of the year.

Feel Good

My friend Katie sent me an email about Official Hank an up and coming recording artist.
I am in love! The first single is called Feel Good. And I love, love, love it!! I put a music player on my blog if you want to listen to it. It is a great song that makes me happy. I really like the other song, Life On Stage, too.
Only 22 more days until the album comes out on iTunes. I am looking forward to it. I hope Official Hank does well. I really like his style. Check him out at www.officialhank.com

My favorite Holiday

FORGET VALENTINE'S DAY!!!

St Patrick's Day is coming!!! 3/17 is bigger than Christmas in the Shane house. Kelly has a lot of Irish blood running in his veins, and I have a little. But on St. Paddy's Day we are both 100% Irish.

It is a holiday all can enjoy. We wear green, drink a lot, pinch people, celebrate a lack of snakes, honor redheads (the one and only true minority!!! According to my dad), and celebrate the luck of the Irish.

Only 5 more weeks!!!!

Winter

So, the East Coast and Midwest are getting pounded with snow and horrible weather. Seattle has been nice and mild all winter long. I love it!!! I am glad I don't live in the DC area... or I would have had to watch this last week.

My gift to Kelly

I forgot to mention this in my last blog.

I woke up this morning sicker than a dog (and I have 2 so I know how sick they can get). I have been taking antibiotics because I have bronchitis. The bronchitis was annoying but I was dealing with it. I went to the doctor for cough medicine (with codeine.. Its the best). He put me on the death pills. They SUCK!! They have made me sick for 2 weeks!!! Of course, my cough is almost gone, but really, the nausea is driving me crazy. Luckily today was my last day of taking them :)

So, I was home from work today and checking my email. I received one from Groupon. They have deeply discounted stuff everyday. Companies offer large discounts to them as long as so many people buy the product. I bought Kelly a 3-hour cooking class from Blue Ribbon Cooking and Culinary Center He is not sure what class he is going to take yet, but it was such a good deal that I couldn't pass it up. Only $48 and he gets to cook. After everything is made they have a dinner party and eat everything they made. I am not going because I don't like to cook. But I like eating what he makes. I think he will go to the English or the Greek classes. Either way, he will have a good time.

Beautiful Sunset

Kelly and I went to see the sunset at Edmonds Beach today. It was amazing! Bright red light lit up the Eastern sky and shot rays of red through the clouds over the Olympic Mountain Range. And I caught it all on camera. Unfortunately for me, I didn't make sure all of the pictures I took were uploaded to the computer before I erased all the pictures from my camera. I only uploaded 15 of the 30 I took. But I still like the ones I have, so it is not too big of a loss.















I love taking pictures and I especially love taking pictures of ferry's. They are part of the charm of the Puget Sound area. Kelly and I were discussing me going to cosmetology school so I could learn how to do hair and makeup and take pictures of people for a living. While I think that could be fun, taking pictures of people is not my favorite. I like taking pictures of nature. Snow on the trees, flowers in my parent's yard, the water, sunsets.. all of it. My pictures may not be the best, but they are beautiful to me.

I am glad I haven't taken lots of photography classes, or I might judge my pictures too much. I don't think I would like them as much if I really knew what to look for in a picture.

Basketball

Yesterday was a day for basketball in the Davis family. I went to 3 games yesterday. That is a lot for someone who doesn't really like to watch it. But basketball is better when you are watching someone you love play.
I wish my camera took better action pictures... They are all grainy and blurry, but that's OK.


Jackson made a basket

I love the look on Jackson's face


Braeden helped Kain score


Braeden in action

The Boys all played well and I hope they all had a good time.