Before and Afters

 We were hard at work last spring getting our house fixed up.  Here are some of the fun projects that we did.

This room took more than a year to figure out.  I couldn't ever find anything I liked.  During a Memorial Day sale at Macy's I found this beautiful set and decided to go for it.  I even tore apart the headboard and re-stained it.  Dad calls this room the honeymoon suite.  

The deck was falling apart when we started this project.  We ended up replacing many of these boards,   power washed it and painted it.  It looks so fantastic now.  I love it.

Here is the dining room side of the deck.  Grandpa V gave us this  really nice  BBQ grill.

Our neighbor gave us a really nice patio set that had a lot of rust on it.  We sanded off the rust and sprayed Rustoleum on all the painted surface of the four chairs and table legs.  It is a really comfy set and I love how it looks now.

The living room changed a lot after my good friend Marci and her husband Sean gave us a really nice couch, chair and ottoman.  We also removed the tree and had a family picture that I love put on canvas.  This room is a lot more comfy now!! 

Kids' Tri

The YMCA hosted another kids' triathlon in September.  Mr. M and Little L were the participants (Lady K had a volleyball game.)  They both did really well and had a great time racing with a lot of their friends.  The race is 50 yd. swim, 3 mile bike, 1 mile run.  Little L was the first for the girls and Mr. M and his buddy came in together in second.  Great job guys!!

I'm 36!!

One of these days I will stop owning up to my age.  For now I still feel young so there it is, I'm 36.  I had a great birthday this year.  For some reason I was spoiled this year by Dad and my friends.  To celebrate we went to the coast and had a picnic, played in the water and made sand castles.  Dad took me shopping and I got to buy a couple pair of jeans that I have been wanting forever.  After all that I thought the celebrating was done.

The water warriors.

Keeping warm.

Little L and Baby R playing in the sand.

Spoiled!!

At lunch with Leanne.

Then, Dad went to Costco, his newfound favorite place to shop.  He bought me a cake and roses and chocolates and pizza.  Now this may sound like nothing to most of you, but for us, this is way outside the normal birthday celebration.  We usually make the cake and pizza.  Then I had a friend give me a great gift and take me to lunch and another friend send me a gift card.  Man, all for just turning 36.  What happens when you turn 40??

Tri Two

With my bud David and his dad Ron.  I had fun racing with him.  I was close to him until the run which is where he blew me away.  Next year I'll get you David.

I trained again this year for a sprint triathlon.  It was another great experience.  I had a lot of fun racing with friends and having my girls running the 5K while I was finishing my race.  We cheered each other on.  We've decided that next year there will be more Vances on the course.

Here my friend Kristen is lined up with her boys and Lady K and Little L.  They all raced in the 5K and did so well.  

Mom and her little runners.  The girls finished together getting 2nd and 3rd in the  5-12 year-old age group.

Here I am with my bud Kristen.

These are the greatest ladies ever.  They trained with me all summer and we had a blast together.  I learned so much from them.  Emily (left) was first for all the women and Camber was first in her age group.  

I improved my time this year in swimming, came in 5th overall for women and first in my age group.  Next year I want a faster running time.  That's the goal.  Here's looking to 2012.

First Day of School

Mr. M with Lady K and some of the kids from the early morning math class. 

Next year Baby R will get to join these guys on the bus.  She can't wait!!!

Vancouver Vances

Dad with cousin I.

Dad's brother moved to Vancouver last month and we are so excited to have these cousins close by.  Here we are visiting with them at her parents' home.

Uncle G with cousin I

The cutest cousins.

I love how the "babies" are looking at each other.

Seattle Sibs

My sister Annette stabbing a coconut.  So violent!

The weekend before school started we went up to Seattle for a quick trip.  Dad had a meeting with Nintendo, one of his company's clients, and we all wanted to see our cousins.  I have two siblings up in Seattle and an aunt and uncle.  We had a fantastic time with them.  Annette organized a modified triathlon for the kids.  We also went to a party at the YMCA and the kids got to play games and do some climbing.  Later that day we had a fun picnic at a park.  It was a fun-filled day.

Little L with Bo and Max, her buds.

The cousins on the tramp.

We went to the dollar theater to see Kung Fu Panda 2.

Swimming with Aunt Crystal, Uncle Russ and cousins.

At the start of the cousins triathlon.

The boys heading out on the bike portion of the triathlon.  

The girls for their bike part of the tri.

Water balloon toss with dad.

Cousins Mr. M and Robby at the balloon toss.

Elise and Lady K.

My sister Annette holding David and Crystal's son Spencer.  I love my sibs!!

Dad, Mom, Annette, Russ.

Here we are at a park picnic with Aunt Laurie, Tori and Uncle Jay.