Houseboat 2011

AWESOME trip. I drove Katelyn, Adam and Alex up from Rohnert Park through Sonoma and Napa up the 5 past Sacramento until we got to Lake Shasta (just past Redding). Similar to last year, we met up with our friends Tyson, Alena, John, Ashley, Bill and a few new faces Nicole, Jill (aka bestie! or honey-bean!), Michelle, Austin, Josh, Brad and Aimee. Different from last year- I slept a ton! I guess all the traveling this summer must have finally caught up with me, or was it the 20 miles I ran that Monday 0_o'? Pictured in the pyramid is Alena on top, then Nicole and Adam in the middle with Austin, me and Josh forming the base. We did that on the top of the second story of the houseboat. It was scary and fun! Then Nicole and Adam did some owl poses and we also tried some human body planking which I hope to get pictures of from John soon.

Ashley and Thomas also had a boat this year, so there was plenty of fun to be had on the water. I got some great pictures of Alena and Adam catching some air on the wake boards, and Tyson doing some surfing. Cooking with everyone on the boat, having drinks and playing cards was such a relaxing weekend. I also got plenty of time in the relaxation station enjoying a mikes light blueberry lemonade. Both Friday and Saturday night I was the last one up- closing down the boat! I think it was because I was mixing my favorite vanilla vodka, 7up and cranberry drink with red bull.

It was another great houseboat trip and I'm hoping next year Evan, Emma, Peter and Michelle can make it too!

Mom's 60th & 20 Mile Jog

I flew back to Boise this weekend on Saturday to start getting ready for Mom's 60th birthday party on Monday, 7/11/11. Saturday night I went out to the balcony with Chuck and met up with Chelsie, her sister Andrea and their friend Chelsie. We had a lot of fun having drinks and dancing the night away. Sunday morning Mom, Dad and I went to church. It was a good sermon about letting your true talents shine and to share them with the world. That afternoon we ran some errands for the party and then played some cards. Then we headed out to Jim and Nancy's house in Star and did some preliminary party setup. Chuck setup the flags indicating the way to the back yard where the party was held.

Sunday night I went to bed early so I could get up at 5am to go jogging. I'm training for the Santa Rosa marathon at the end of August which is 26.2 miles. So I wanted to run at least 18 miles this weekend.
The morning came all to soon and I forced myself to get up, and put on my jogging gear. I was on the greenbelt from my Parent's house by 5:40 headed towards Boise State University. The sunrise was very pretty about an hour into my jog.

It was only 8 miles to the University, so I decided to go further. Albertson's was 9 miles and I was still feeling good so I jogged 10 miles out, to loggers creek apartments. Then I turned around and jogged the 10 miles back for a total of 20 miles- the farthest I've ever jogged! On my way I saw Bonnie, Scott and Cindy Anson. It was fun saying hello to my old co-workers, surprising them as I jogged by. My average pace was sub-10 minute miles so I was thrilled with that. I did have some shin splint pain after mile 17 and had to run-walk the last 3 miles whenever my leg started to hurt. One spot along the greenbelt was completely flooded over and I had to hop skip and jump my way across on the way out and back. This picture shows how high the water was near Boise State, right up to the edge of the pathway!

After the jog I headed out to the mall and picked up some red, white and blue swim trunks and a Captain America shirt so I could be in with the theme of the party that night. Then I met Mom at Costco and we loaded up the ice and drinks in the coolers. Then I went to meet up with Jami, Camille, Steve and Evelyn at Flatbread in Bown Crossing. Jami was really excited about the last Harry Potter movie being released this weekend. After lunch I headed out to Jim and Nancy's place in Star to finish setting up for Mom's party that night. We put up shade tents, a fountain in the pool, tables and lounge chairs and all sorts of red white and blue decorations. It was a busy afternoon. We were just finishing up as the guests started to arrive! Chuck brought out Mom's birthday cake; an "Uncle Sam's" patriotic hat. It was very cute.

It was really nice spending time with so many of Mom and Dad's friends. Some of which I hadn't seen since high school. It wouldn't have been a pool-party birthday without the birthday girl getting tossed into the pool. I didn't know it was happening so I missed the actual push, but here is a picture of Dad's celebratory moment after pushing Mom in and her still submerged in the water!

At the end of the party one of the guests had brought along an old model T (I think that's what it was?) and Mom got to have a ride in it. It had the funniest horn I've ever heard but it sounded like it was in great condition.

After the car ride I realized how exhausted and sore I was, I'd been up on my feet all day and needed a rest. I went downstairs to Jim and Nancy's theater room for a rest.

All of the preparation and work we did paid off. The party was a success and everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves very much, especially my Mom and Dad. I'm so very glad I could be a part of this and celebrate with my family and their friends for my Mom's 60th! All I'm wondering now is how can we top this for her 70th!?

Fourth of July and Housewarming

Evan, Emma and I invited some friends over for the fourth of July and as it was our first event in the new house, it was kind of a housewarming, too. We spent the previous two days getting the house ready. Evan and Emma finished up some painting. We moved the rest of the boxes to the garage. Organized the furniture. Emma bought and assembled a grill on the back patio. I think we took about four trips tot he grocery store- I couldn't believe how much food we had. I helped make margaritas and I also made grandma's watermelon dip- Mmmm good! Tyson helped out on the grilling. Peter brought some delicious salsa dip. Amanda made some holiday red white and blue vegan cupcakes which were DELICIOUS! The back patio proved to be a perfect place for cooking and relaxing with beverages. I'm looking forward to more nights out there grilling. Once the sun started to set we got the fireworks out. It was fun lighting off fireworks from the ladder, as Emma suggested. With help from Peter and Ian, i setup the fireworks and they lit them. We had a pretty good show! Then I even got in some guitar hero with a few people before everyone headed home for the night. It was a fun and memorable fourth of July.

San Francisco Pride

Today was San Francisco PRIDE! I drove down to the city on my motorcycle on Saturday. I spent the afternoon with my friend Brandon. That evening, we went out to the "Pink Party" which is essentially one huge party up and down the Castro district. The streets are blocked off and everyone is walking around in the street and going to and from the bars and snack shops. We stayed mostly at the Cafe and also hit up Hot Cookie for Brandon's favorite M&M cookies and I had a peanut butter fudge bar. It was so much fun being able to drink and have fun in the Castro and then just walk to Brandon's place a few streets away.

Saturday morning came all to quickly and I had to get ready for marching in the parade. Having my motorcycle in the city was wonderful. I drove Brandon and me down to the end of Beale street and parked my bike there. Just a few blocks up was where the Sonoma State University float was waiting to start. I had an absolute blast handing out sunglasses and beads to the crowd! Adam wore the Sonoma State mascot head "Lobo" the Seawolf. He did an awesome job of dancing and getting the crowd going. The parade went by so quickly, as a participant. At the end, I found Brandon and we walked around the Civic center and watched the crowd for a while before I had to head back home to Sonoma county for Stefanie and Janina's 24th birthday BBQ. It was a fun weekend!

100 Miles

One of my goals for running was to run over 100 miles in a month. This June, I finally realized this goal. After back to back jogging days this month (except Sunday) and trying not to miss any work day jog or Saturday run, I finally did it! As of the 25th of June, I was at 106 miles! There's still a few days left in June, so I'm shooting for 125 miles. We'll see if I make the new goal. I'm still unsure about the Santa Rosa Marathon in August- but if I do it, it will be a realization of my utmost jogging aspiration; jogging 26.2 miles at once.

Katie's Wedding Day

Today was a busy day! I started off the day meeting Joe at Starbucks for coffee. It was nice catching up with him. He was really excited for the Britney Spears concert next weekend in Portland. Then I went to PF Changs in BODO to have lunch with my friends Kris, Kimberly, Mandy and Jami. It was nice just chatting and hearing how things were with everyone over a delicious lunch! All too soon the lunch hour was up and I headed home to get just a few more hands of hearts in with my parents. Then I got ready for Katie & Tim's Wedding! When I got there Jennifer and Justin were already there, with camera in hand. Most of the guests I knew from Esthetic Evolution that weekend. It was so nice seeing Katie's family and friends come together to support them in their new union. Katie's father walked her through the crowd and handed her off to Tim. The officiator rang a gong three times and then light some paper on fire ceremoniously, attuning the space around them. They each said their vows and before I knew it they were kissing and smiling for the cameras.

A beautiful kiss! I love you both so VERY MUCH!!! I'm looking forward to our upcoming yet-to-be-planned trip in Northern California somewhere amongst the redwoods.

That night I picked up Joe and we went to Edwards 22 Cineplex to catch the Green Lantern! It was amazing. Stood up to all the hype. I'm going to go watch it again as soon as I can! What a fun, relaxing, connected weekend I had in Boise. I'm very blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Esthetic Evolution

This weekend I flew to Boise for several fun events, the first of which was Esthetic Evolution on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday. This was my third time attending. First time in 2008, second time in 2009. I missed 2010 but was back for 2011! Before heading up I stopped by to see my friends Matt and Jimmy, then headed over to Shannon's house for a jog along the Columbia Village / Surprise Valley cliff. We got in a good four miles and it was wonderful catching up with her!

I drove up to Twin Springs resort which is past Lucky Peak and Arrowrock Dams in my Dad's explorer loaded up with an air mattress, camping supplies and enough beverages to down an ox. The first night was perfect because I had a few drinks, talked with random people and danced until the bars close (that's about as late as I can stay up). I woke up Saturday morning with my camera neatly hanging from the clothing hook. A bottle of empty water next to me. My car keys next to the water. My shoes were on a plastic bag in the back seat. Perfect. Had a nice day walking around the campsite. Katie and I walked up the hill a bit to get a picture of the camp end to end.

On the far right is the main stage and on the far left is the second stage. It was the first year where it was overcast and cloudy for one of the days. Normally it's so hot you can't stand to sleep past 8am.

Saturday night was a total blast! Jay made a fire show for Jessica's birthday complete with led balloons. They were also strung up in a row of hundreds of balloons and were atop the nearest hill. I got up bright and early Sunday morning and headed back to Boise for Father's day. It was a wonderful weekend with Katie, Tim, Aaron, Shawn, Tashauna, Jay, Jessica and all the other party goers.