Birthday Bash

To celebrate Natalie's belated birthday (August 12) and Corey's upcoming birthday (September 2), the Reeders invited the crew over for a fun Mexican celebration.

With a perfect evening in store, we got to enjoy a taco bar, drinks, dessert (Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Icing), and a round of Dirty Minds in their awesome backyard.

We had a great time with good friends and lots of laughs. Thanks all!

Host Lisa showing off her fancy plastic wine glass.

Chef Jason showing us how a Mexican feast is done.

The gang: Reeders, Gossetts, Bishops & Morans.

Time for a birthday serenade and dessert!

The gals: Natalie, Ashlie, Lisa and I.

The boys enjoying the fire.

And at the end of the night, we got to come home to one cute pup.

Sex and the City on the Big Screen

A bunch of us gals got together last night at Redhook Brewery for Redhook Moonlight Cinema night. On tap? Sex and the City the movie! We'd all seen the movie in theaters last year, loved it and couldn't wait to check it out again.

With sunny skies, perfect temps, a prime viewing spot, and yummy food that we each brought to share, it was the perfect evening. Until a few weeks ago, I didn't even realize the Moonlight Cinema existed. We had a blast - I can't wait to plan some outdoor movie adventures next summer!

Here are a few pics from the evening.

Kels enjoying one of the yummy appetizers.

Gina, Sara, and Julie sitting pretty waiting for the movie to start.

Kels and I enjoying a drink.

Jennifer, Gina and I.

Mmm these fruit kabobs were fabulous. (And don't worry, I'm not really trying to poke Jennifer in the neck with my skewer.)

Gina, Sara and I getting comfy for the show!

Marathon Training Update - Week 13

It's hard to believe it's been 5 weeks since my last update. It doesn't feel like it was all that long ago, yet that is the same amount of time I have left until the race!

Speaking of race - Corey has decided to run the Bellingham Bay half marathon! I'm so proud of him! A year-and-a-half ago, he wasn't even running / working out and now here he is planning to run a half. He's been up running 3-4 miles several times a week and about a month ago, he ran 7 miles and then ran 10 miles the following week. When training for a half, that is the longest distance you need to go, so knowing that he'd still have time to get some more long runs in before the race, he decided to sign up. I am so impressed as his drive, determination and willingness to get up early to run, especially when he would prefer to run in the evenings. I can't wait to see how he does!

I've just completed week 13 of my marathon training. In the last 13 weeks, I've run 297 miles and I only have 123 miles left until race day. This week included an 18-mile run yesterday, which I was able to run with my dad while I was in Yakima. This was my longest run so far - the second longest run was a 16-miler two weeks ago. I have just one longer run left - I'll be running 20 miles in two weeks. After that, my runs start tapering down in preparation for the race on September 27!

• Over the last 13 weeks, I've learned a lot about running and about myself:
  My dad is the most healthy, in shape person I know, especially over 55. (I already knew this but seeing him train for the race has re-confirmed this.) He is such a role model to me. I can only hope I'll be half as energetic as he is when I'm 55.
• The more I run, the less I dread it. (Before, the nights before I went for a 5-6 mile run, I'd kind of dread getting up to run.) I actually don't mind my long Saturday morning runs - I don't mind going to bed early, getting up early or the actual act of running. In fact, I actually kind of look forward to it.
• I thought running 15, 16 and 18 miles would be horrible since I'd never run that far, ever. Instead, they actually go by pretty fast, especially if I'm running with my dad. I never thought 2-1/2+ hours of running could go by quickly.
• I can finally understand why those who said they'd never run more than one marathon actually run another. When I first started, I said this would be my only one...but I may be persuaded to run another (just not for a really long time - I need my sleep!). Note: ask me about this after I actually finish the marathon to see if I still feel this way!
• I actually feel better on my long runs on Saturday after having a 48-hour break than I do during my shorter runs on Wednesdays and Thursdays, when I've run several days in a row.
• I hate running when it's over 70 degrees. I've run a few times in 75-85+ degree weather and it's awful. I feel so much better, can run much further and runs go by much faster when it's cool, first thing in the morning.
• I would much rather run on weekday mornings, after only 5-6 hours of sleep, than work all day, thinking about having to run that night. I've been extremely tired these past few months because I just can't get to bed earlier than 11 p.m. or so (while getting up at 5 or 5:30), but I can't fathom only running at night after work, considering that we get home after 6, have to walk Roxy and make and clean up dinner. When not running at night, we don't sit down to relax until 8:30 or 9 p.m. on a good night.

That's all for now. Gotta relax and get ready for tomorrow morning's run!

Adventures in Yakima

Corey had various football activities planned for the weekend (first Seahawks home game and a fantasy football draft), so it was the perfect weekend for Roxy and I to pack up and head east for a few days.

I love taking Roxy to Yakima - she has a huge yard to play in and we don't have to trek down a flight of stairs and go around the block for every bathroom break. Plus, my parents have a pool, so when it's hot (like it was this weekend), it's a great way to cool off. Tried to take Roxy swimming again and she's still not a fan. Some day, she'll figure it out.

It was great to see my parents again, for the second weekend in a row. Had lots of fun visiting with them and my grandma, going out to eat (2nd Street Grill) and going to the movies with my mom and Kels' mom, Patti (Julie & Julia - super cute!). I was able to run yesterday with my dad - it was so nice to have a running buddy for my long run (18-miles!). We left nice and early, when it was a little cooler, and literally jogged from one of town to the other and back. We finished in 2:48, which I think is about a 9:25 pace.

Now, we're back home and we're all resting after our busy weekends.

Here are some photos from the weekend.

Love this toy - fits perfectly in her mouth.

Love the view from my parents' house - you can see for miles.

Their dog, Maggie. She's getting old but she's still so sweet and cute. And she's so good with Roxy.

Playing fetch in the backyard.

Yep, I throw like a girl. Roxy doesn't care, as long as you're throwing the ball for her.

Posin' for a pic.

Roxy and my dad, hanging out in my grandma's backyard.

Roxy had a busy weekend. She was so tired last night, she didn't even make it to her bed.

She was still tired today - slept almost the entire way back to Seattle.

My parents came to visit this weekend to keep Roxy and I company while Corey was out of town for Spence's bachelor party. We had a busy weekend, including a trip to the dog park, lots (seriously, lots) of fetch with Roxy, a 12-miler through Discovery Park, shopping, drives through both West Seattle and Magnolia, and happy hour at Matador.

One of the highlights of the weekend, though, was the tour of the Sea Star. The Sea Star was built in 1969 and was one of seven 94-foot vessels built for the Bering Sea crab industry and has been featured on the show Deadliest Catch. Kenny, one of the deckhands, told us about the boat and even posed for a few photos.

We got lots of great photos from the tour which I uploaded to Flickr, but my favorites are included below.

Full view of the Sea Star.

Background on the Sea Star. (Click to enlarge.)

Kenny took his turn throwing the hook out that helps bring the crab pots.

My dad and I with Kenny, in front of one of the huge crab pots (they weigh 900 lbs...empty!).

Hanging out in one of the life rafts.

My dad pretending he's Capt. Larry.

The crew's bathroom.

The crew's sleeping quarters.

My mom and I hanging out at the dining table. Note the edges on the table and green mat - both to keep plates from slipping when out at sea.

The kitchen.

My dad, pretending he's guiding the crab nets back on board.

Making sure the safety suits were nice and safe...

This is a (once living) crab. It's about 8 inches --- they only keep the crabs that are 6+ inches.

A crab pulled him right into the crab pot!

The parents in front of the Sea Star.

T-Mobile Team BBQ

Last night, my team from work and I met up at Stephanie & Billy's house for a BBQ. We hadn't gotten together as a team + significant others (or -1 in my case as Corey is in Sonoma for Spence's bachelor party) for quite some time (I think the last time was around Christmas!) so it was great to catch up with everyone and relax.

It was so much fun to spend time together outside of the office, especially after some busy / stressful weeks at work lately.

You can by the photos below that a good time was had by all. Thanks Steph and Billy for the awesome night!

Crazy picture of Doyin and our boss man, Tony.

Less crazy picture of Doyin and Tony.

Miss Siiri chilling on their deck.

Stephanie and Billy have all kinds of hats / dress up stuff, which tends to find its way to the guests during our get-togethers. Dara testing out a cowboy hat...

And Stacy trying it out as well.

But I'm not going to lie - the cowboy hat + green wig is my favorite combo.

Roxy's New BFF

Roxy and I met up with the Tintle clan (Alison, Quincy (2 1/2), Jayne & Audrey (8 months)) at Greenlake today for some time outdoors.

The twins are adorable - I hadn't seen them for a few months and they have gotten so big. They were so good the whole time. And Q Dawg was so social and outgoing - he made all kinds of new friends on the playground, including Roxy. Initially, he was excited to see Roxy but afraid to get too close, but after getting more used to her, he loved running up to her to get 'kiss-eys' (aka he would put his forehead on her nose). He even shared his popcorn with her later and wanted to give her his water bottle. She was great with him.

No pics of the twins as they were in their carriers in their stroller but here's my favorite photo of Q and Roxy.

Thanks for the fun morning guys!

True love...

Lisa's Dirty 30

In honor of our dear friend Lisa's 30th birthday, we all donned our fancy clothes and headed out for a fun night. First stop? The Met, where 8 of us managed to spend $859 (don't worry, that includes tax and tip). Final stop? The Art Lounge at the Four Seasons for after dinner drinks.

Since there were 8 of us, we got to enjoy dinner in a more private area of the restaurant, which was good since we tend to be a little loud.

Dinner was amazing and included drinks, appetizers, salads, main course and delicious desserts. The guys raved about the Maker's Mark ice cream (tasted like eggnog to me, and nothing like Maker's Mark, which tastes and smells like nail polish remover) but I'll stick to the Chocolate Lava cake or the White Chocolate Coconut cake. YUM.

The Art Lounge was fun - pretty swanky and had a great view of the water.

We had a blast last night and I hope our fun evening out made Lisa enjoy, rather than dread, the arrival of her 30s!

The guys (Corey, Nate, Chris, Jason)...

And the girls (me, Lisa, Natalie, Ashlie)...

Prom pose time for us...

And get-a-room-pose time for the Reeders...

Little Prosecco to enjoy with dessert.

Yes, she blew out all 3 candles at once. Wahoo!

The making of Bananas Foster for the Bishops & Gossetts. Do you think he's ever scorched his brows doing this?

Awww, sharing dessert really brought their relationship to a whole new level.

What good is dinner without a pic with the waiter at the end of the night?