Ocean Shores

We took our annual Ocean Shores trip with Jenn's family last weekend. This was Abbey's first trip to the ocean and she had a BLAST!!! She never slowed down while we were on the beach. She was so much fun to play with. I'm glad she shares my love for all things ocean.

photo by Candace

We had a nice relaxing time enjoying the beach.

And what vacation would be complete without some family board games?

Sing-a-long night at Galloway Bay Irish Pub.

photo by Candace

Joel enjoying a cold one on a cold beach (what time is it?).

photo by Candace

Obligatory family photo.

photo by Candace

I saw this guy on the beach. He is SO cool.

Family portrait.

photo by Candace

Disgusting sunset.

photo by Candace

Tuckered.

Brian

Good Times (wait, I think I've used that title before)

These are my wheels for the week. A 2005, 6 liter, Pontiac GTO. Yeah, it's pretty fun. My friend went to Alaska for the week and let me car sit for him. Lucky me. It's just a litttttle bit more powerful than my truck, but the gas mileage is about the same :) I'll be sad to give it back.

This is Jenn at her domestic best. And Jenn's best is pretty good!

And I know everyone wants to see pictures of the baby bump! Here it is in all its splendor. Jenn was able to hear the strong heart beat at her last appointment. She's doing really well- just extremely tired and a little joint pain. We should be finding out the gender toward the end of September.

Future parents.

Last but not least, we think we have a grass spider here.

I start my new position as Shift Supervisor tomorrow at my new store in Auburn. I'm super sad to leave my store, but I'm excited for the new opportunities.

Adios,

Brian

Good Stuff

It's been an exciting last week...

Jenn and I got to attend a 7th anniversary party for our good friends Ben and Jess at Schultzy's in Seattle. Cheese steak reuben= delicious.

Photo by Candace

We also co-celebrated Jenn and Candace's birthdays by traveling to Sun Top where there is an absolutely breathtaking view... if it's not completely cloudy like it was when we went. Still, there was something so amazing, peaceful, tranquil being on top of the peak surrounded by cloud and forest. To add to the fun, we locked ourselves out of the van!

Jenn and I tagged along with mom and dad-in-law to the Mariner's game. I don't follow baseball at all, but it's always fun to go to a game. Did you know you can make a little whistle from an empty raisin box?

Got to go fishing again with my good pal Russ. We braved the brewing storm and fished despite rain, thunder AND lightning. We were cold, we were wet, but we were unusually successful at Shadow Lake.

Jenn is getting fat. I love it. She loves it. The baby loves it. Abbey hasn't decided yet.

Brian

Educate Yourself

I don't know about you, but I read the news multiple times a day. I was just talking with my coworker about how surprised I get when people have no idea what's on the front page of the newspaper (but they probably know all their friends' statuses on Facebook- wait, this doesn't sound like me... kind of snobbish? Candace will like it).

I don't pretend to know everything that's going on, but I try to keep abreast. I personally feel that it is important to have an understanding of what goes on in other parts of the world- to keep from being ignorant- otherwise we're no better off than the North Koreans who don't have the same access we do. Fight ignorance! Break out of your bubble! Expand your worldview!

I have heard the excuses that the news is depressing, there's too much to take in, the news is biased, or just plain lack of interest. What about you? What's your excuse?

Try this for starters.

Inspiration

Even though I have been truant on my creative projects (kind of...), I know someone else who's been burning the midnight oil.

My good friend that I met in Canada, Justin, has been working hard on building a guitar with his own two hands. As you can see from the pictures, it is absolutely gorgeous. He built it almost entirely from antique hand tools over the course of 14 months!

This was a huge undertaking as he had to build all kinds of jigs etc. since this was the first guitar he ever crafted. He wrote this to me in an e-mail after he finished:

"One of the most beautiful aspects of building this guitar was learning to have confidence in undertaking a task that seems impossible. It was truly humbling, rewarding, and encouraging to learn this."

Right on Justin!

Just had to...

I just had to add this picture my mom just sent me.

The Dude abides.

Family Vacation

My lovely family came up for a visit from cold CA to warm WA this last weekend. We enjoyed a nice, relaxing weekend in La Conner WA at the fantastic Wild Iris Inn.

We had some great meals, viewed some scenic vistas, and laughed 'til we cried. It was so much fun having my family up here.

We also celebrated the lovely Jennifer's 28th birthday!

If these pics aren't enough, you can view more here.