Thanksgiving 2011

This year, under the tutelage of Kathy (Alexis' mom), Alexis and I cooked a Turkey and all the fixings. I made 7 layer dip (a Leonard favorite) for the football games, homemade rolls, and mashed potatoes. Alexis made a sweet potato pie, 6 cup salad, gravy, and stuffing. COSCO made the pumpkin pie for us. The food was great and cooking a turkey is not as hard as I thought.

I was worried that I would add too much flour and they would be heavy but they turned out really light and fluffy.

The bird is ready! Alexis gracefully places the Turkey in the oven.

Von teaching Derek how to carve a Turkey.

L to R: Von Kays, Greta, Derek, Alexis, Evan, and Kathy Kays. Dinner is served.

Part of Derek and Alexis' Thanksgiving traditions is the creation of a Thankful tree. Every day you write something you are thankful for on a leaf and add it to the tree. There are a lot of things I am thankful for and have been greatly blessed by the Lord. Evan is adding a leaf to the tree.

Greta, in her Turkey hat made at preschool, adds one more thing she is grateful for.

Northwest Whiplash

One thing about living in the Northwest is the potential for whiplash is higher due to all the spider webs. There has been many times when I am walking along and find my face covered with cobwebs. It usually causes a startling jolt (hence the whiplash) and quick move of the hands to free the face.

Boeing Classic

Back in August, I got to to be a spectator at the Boeing Classic. Since, Alexis' mom lives in Snoqualmie she receives 4 free passes thisChampions Golf Tournament. I really enjoyed not only the golf but the beautiful setting in which the golf course is located. It is absolutely gorgeous.

Must be rough to have to shoot from the ruff in such a beautiful place.

At the tee on the 12th hole there is a view of Snowqualmie Falls.

The beautiful view of the 13th hole. I spent a lot of time at this hole and the 17th hole because you could watch the golfers both tee off and put since it was a par 3.

Mt. Si in the background of the 14th hole.

The 17th hole was my favorite. We just had really good view of the golfers teeing off and then putting. On the last day of the tournament we were at the 17th hole and there was a guy snoring nearby. He slept through some amazing shots. When Cochran birdied on this hole to tie for first place with Calcavecchia going into the final hole, the sleeping spectator finally woke up from the cheers of the crowd.

View from the 18th fairway.

View from the 18th hole; isn't it just spectacular. I really did enjoyed the golf even though most of my pictures are of the landscape.

Since Cochran and Calcavecchia were tied after 18 holes they had to play the 18th hole again. It was pretty exciting and here is Calcavecchia making his winning shot.

Since it is called the Boeing Classic, Boeing has a flyby each year. This year a 787 Dreamliner was the star of the show; it was pretty neat.

The pilot on his way back towards us tipped the wing.

Mt. Si is in the background.

Fall Photo Shoot

I have really enjoyed the beauty of Fall this year. The colors are so vibrant and stunning. Yesterday I took some time to capture the trees amazing transformation.

Becoming a Green River Community College Gator

After 20 applications I finally found a job at Green River Community College (GRCC). I am working as a Program Coordinator for Disability Support Services (DSS). Yes, I have entered a world of acronyms.

I am starting my fourth week and it is hard to believe that I have almost been there a month. I really love the GRCC campus; it is surrounded by woods and very close to the Green River (hence the name). The campus reminds me of lot of Germany (even the rough toilet paper). I remember as a child in Wurzburg walking down a path to collect snails and there was a school hidden in the forest.

This is not the best picture but it is the only one I could find on the Internet. Anyway, you can see the building set back in the trees.

There are quite a few trails around the campus that I run on during lunch. There is a trail that has a lookout of Mt. Rainer. I haven't seen Mt. Rainer from this point due to cloud cover but I have faith that some day I will.

This from the Mt. Rainer lookout. Hwy-18 is below.

I work with 2 other women and they are great co-workers. And lucky us we work in a condemned building. It is freezing in the building too. One day I wore 2 shirts, a pull over fleece, and a zip-up fleece to stay warm. On the job listing it said that the applicant should be able to work in temperatures 15 degrees higher or lower than 75 and now I see why. :)

It is interesting how much the Community College setting reminds me of teaching high school. My first day there I was ease dropping on some students conversation and felt like I was back at Highland. Overall things are going pretty well and I am grateful for a job.

Since I don't have a car yet I am using the bus. It takes me about an one hour to get to GRCC. I enjoy this quiet time and use it to read. I have not had any weird bus incidents but I am sure they are coming. Oh, I did over hear one guy tell his friend that he liked a job because "1........ and B......".

We made it to the top!

Owen and me after running to the top of Hidden Peak. We thought about riding the chairlift down but decided we didn't have the energy to hike down to it. So, we sat on the Tram floor and relaxed.

Snowbird 2011

The cool mountain air, the smell of the cement walls in the stairwell, Twizzlers, scone breakfast, hiking to the top of Hidden Peak, playing uncoordinated tennis, and soaking in a highly chlorinated hot tub are just some of the things I love about....

This year I decided to hike to Hidden Peak more than once. Monday, Owen and I set off just to take some pictures but we ended up hiking via the Gad Valley to Hidden Peak. I think the Gad Valley is little shorter but it is a lot steeper. We were tired by the time we got to the top. Tuesday, I set off alone up the Peruvian Gulch. I think my record has been to hike it in 1 hr 50 minutes. This time I hiked it in 1 hr. 40 mins. On Thursday Owen, Derek, and Alexis ran to the top. I have never ran to the top and was jealous of their experience so Owen and I ran on Friday in the afternoon after hiking 2 miles to Secret Lake. Running it was quite difficult and is more like a run/hike experience. I did run the switchbacks from the chairlift to the top. It took me 1 hr 27 minutes.

Me at the top of Hidden Peak.



The valley is in the background. Since there was a lot of snow this year there were huge patches still on the Peruvian Trail.

On Friday when Owen, Derek, and Alexis ran, Nana came up and helped me bring the twins on the Tram. We had a nice visit with her.

I rode the Peruvian Chairlift 3 times. In the distance you can see the Alpine Slide.

Alexis and Evan cruising down the Alpine Slide.

"AAAHHHHH, Greta hold on to me"

Holly and Greta come out of the corner at 150 mph.

Alexis and Greta ride the chairlift for another race on the Alpine Slide.

As Owen and I were walking around on Monday we could see Derek, Alexis, and the twins on the balcony. Look straight ahead; they are the white dots near the roof of the Iron Blossom.

Friday we hike up to Secret Lake which is just past Alta. Owen, Derek, and Evan led the way.

I thought this was a cute Father and Son picture. Derek and Evan stop to take a rest.

Me at Secret Lake.

On our way down Greta said, "Take a picture of me." Here is one picture from her requested photo shoot.

There were so many beautiful wild flowers this year.

I love taking pictures of flowers and the beautiful earth God created for us.

Sting must of been in Alta when he wrote "Fields of Gold."