Happy { partly sunny } Friday

For some people in Seattle (maybe it's just me), the triumphs of the week are determined by the amout of sunshine we've had throughout the last 7 days. If the sun is shining, I'm 90% more likely to have a better week. However, why does Rich Marriott (or Jim Guy this week...Rich sure takes a lot of time off) tell me Friday morning that the weather will be "cooling down over the weekend"? No! I wish it would be HOT, HOT, HOT on the weekends and cooler when I'm at the office. Ok, enough complaining about this weather, despite a few uncontrollable weather flaws, I love this city.

Yesterday, Michelle sent me this link from MSN and I'm still laughing about it. Seriously, who poses like this with their animal(s)? Most of these photos look like they're from the 80's so maybe this is just something to add to the list of crazy things that were cool...only in the 80's. I am thrilled that there were photographes out there to capture these precious family moments, because their results have brought me hours of joy.

If Steve and I were to have six kids and adopt some kittens, we would absolutely do this pose...I mean, kittens belong in a shirt pocket not a pocket protector, right?

Boots with the Fur has never been in a 'Best in Show' contest, BUT if he were, I would have Steve pose exactly like this man.

"Honey, the photographer is here, please have the goat (or is it a deer?) stand in the living room next to the kids." Weird?

Krissy's 30th Birthday...Duck Dodge Style

Last Tuesday, Kris turned 30 on her favorite day of the week - Duck Dodge Tuesday, so of course, this meant that one of her few parties would be celebrated out on Lake Union and the theme for that week would be 80's. Rather than participating in the race on one of the sailboats, we enjoyed watching the race from the luxurious Committee Boat (since Kris is part of the committee). I used to participate in Duck Dodge a few times a season on Steve's sailboat, Knot Perfect, but since moving to Kent and getting too old for the late Tuesday drinkfest in the usual rain, I hadn't been out in quite a while. I truly am a fair weather sailor, but for Krissy, of course I'd go out. At the end of the races, most of the boats raft-up to the committee boat. Steve was on one of the end boats (about 10 down from us), so he jumped over the boats and stopped by for a JOAT cupcake and to say happy birthday.

Walla Walla Weekend

On July 3, we left our house bright and early to head over to Ellensburg to shoot a wedding...a true cowboy wedding at the rodeo grounds. This was unlike any other wedding I've ever attended and was an awesome experience for Steve and I to capture some photos that we've never had the chance to take before. Here are a couple of photos from the day.

Once the wedding and reception came to an end, we got on the road and drove 2.5 hours to Walla Walla to celebrate the 4th of July and Shawn's birthday with Lauren, Sarah and John at the Mayer-Riker's new home. Most of the wineries were closed on Sunday so we were only able to check out Dunham (Steve's very favorite) and Reiniger. We ate some excellent home-cooked meals, played a few drinking games, lit fireworks and walked around the major acropolis of downtown Walla Walla. The weekend was a blast and as sad as we are to have Shawn and Lauren leaving Seattle, we're excited to visit them again sometime soon.

Welcome to Our World...

Taylor Mae Johnson
Born on Friday, July 9 at 9:19am, weighing 8lbs 10oz and 20 1/2 inches long

Congratulations to Nick, Jenny and Maddy on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl. I was lucky enough to meet Taylor (along with Nicole) on Friday afternoon and snapped just a few photos. Unfortunately, I didn't get any shots of Taylor with her parents and big sister, but you can see more of them on their blog, here. Her chubby cheeks and adorable little face are perfect. I can't wait to see Maddy with Taylor - I'm sure she'll be an amazing big sister.

Perfect { Summer } Weekend - Bend, OR

Last spring/summer my destination of choice was Lake Chelan...this year it's Bend, Oregon - I love this place and can't get enough of it. If the City of Bend is looking for a spokesperson, other than Matthew Fox, I'd love to submit my application. With so much love for this city and the people that live there, how could I resist running a half marathon in Sunriver, with one of my best friends? I couldn't...so we did it!

Few things about this half-marathon that was different than any of my previous races...

1) Training for a half (at least for me) requires a bit more than running a five miler here and there and taking an entire week OFF from running the week before the race.

2) Practice what you preach - NEVER and I mean NEVER wear something to a race that you've haven't run in before. I tell most running friends this and wish so badly that I had taken my own advice. I bought a new sports bra at the Nike outlet in Bend the night before and thought I was going to suffocate from how tight it was. Immediately after crossing the finish line, that thing came right off and most likely will never be put back on.

3) Running in the Seattle area at 300 - 500 ft elevation is COMPLETELY different than running in the high desert at 4,000 ft - WOW! I was perfect until about mile 8 and then the altitude hit me like a ton of bricks - tight lungs (way.too.small.sports.bra.did.not.help), headache, nauseous, etc. I hate excuses, but this was my run for that.

Megs and I had hoped to finish the race together, but for the first time ever I had to stop and walk so I told her to go ahead - she was on FIRE and I didn't want to hold her back anymore than I already had. The course was the most beautiful and flattest I've ever run and I will definitely be back to do it again. Another plus side - there were only 1,600 runners in the half and 250 - 300 in the full! I highly recommend this race if you're looking for something with less crowde. Congratulations to all of my friends that ran the Rock N Roll races this past Saturday - we were talking about you and cheering you on from Sunriver - Spry and Becki (each of their first - they did AWESOME), Karli, Brad, and Brooke (I would have traded you my sports bra for your cabbage).

Steve and I drove down Friday morning and had the best weekend ever (to date) in Bend. On Friday, we picked up our packets, ran errands, carbo-loaded on a an excellent pasta dinner and Greek salad, enjoyed some beers on the deck and relaxed. Saturday, we ran the half, considered going to a bar to watch the World Cup, but decided against the crowds and hung out at home instead. We love spending as much time as possible with Miles and Ava so we figured staying home and playing the yard would be easier than hanging out in a bar. That afternoon, Steve and I ran out and surprised Ava with a slip and slide and a tutu bathing suit - we can't help but spoil these two kids when we're with them. That night, Galen and Ava had a party to go to so me, Steve, Megs and Miles went and walked around downtown to check out the Bite of Bend, ate a delicious Thai dinner and of course...drank some more beers. Sunday morning, Steve and Miles got their first summer buzz cuts...courtesy of their barber, Galen. On our way out of town, we had a photoshoot some of Megs and Galen's friends and then headed out for our long and gorgeous drive home.

The highlight of the car ride home was stopping in Longview and meeting our friends, Lindsay and Ryan's, newborn baby boy, Gunnar - isn't he precious?? He was born on Father's Day (2 weeks early!) and currently weighs 5 lbs 9 oz. He is the tiniest baby I've ever held and already looks exactly like his daddy. Congratulations Linds and Ryan!

{ LOVE }

Friends with new babies have all expressed a similar story...the love you feel for your child is unlike any love you've ever felt before. I know this little fact is true for my friends Kelly & John who welcomed their darling baby girl, Sloane Nicole Poort, into their lives last Tuesday. They're completely in love with their girl and made it seem to me that they had been parenting for years - they're definitely naturals.

John & Kelly - Congratulations on your new family - Sloane is beautiful and perfectly fits into your life.

Happy { Belated } Father's Day

To my dad - the best dad in the entire world.

How Megs and I were lucky enough to end up with JCoff as our dad, is something I've never quite figured out. He's the most thoughtful, supportive, caring and loving man I've ever met. His unselfishness is immeasurable. I'm assuming this trait was learned during his years at seminary to become a Catholic priest. His decision to not pursue a career in the church and instead marry my mom was the best decision he ever made (believe me it was) because it allowed for Megs and I to be here.
Dad - thank you for all that you have done for our family - we love you - more than words can ever express.

* Weekend of Celebrations *

Happy 30th Birthday to one of the three most important Megan's in my life - Meg Baumgartner/Addi's Mama! Friday night we celebrated at the Cashman's house in Redmond with friends and family. The night was complete with a very excited birthday girl, an outdoor bar, JOAT cupcakes, food from Qdoba, music for every generation, beer pong, flip cup, bonfire and no rain!

Me, Lauren, Meg, Jenny, Wexler, Rask, Hilary

Saturday morning I ran errands and then spent the day in our vegetable garden and weeding the yard while Steve helped his dad paint their house. You know you're old when you weed the yard because you enjoy it, not because it's forced upon you by your parents. Gardening was quite relaxing in the sun and the time passed by rather quick while eavesdropping on the neighbor kids while they played 'I Never' - hilarious! That night we went out to Anthony's at Shilshole Bay with Mike and Mo to celebrate the sun being out, met up with Josh for his photography show at Hidden Hand Tattoo in Fremont, also met up with Lauren and went to Norms for some beers.

Sunday morning I had a photoshoot in Poulsbo, lunch with my aunt and that night another celebration - my little Ryan (aka the boy I nannied for about 10 years) graduated from highschool! I have known Ryan and his brother Matthew for about 14 years. I have traveled the world with their family and have always treated these two boys like my brothers. I'm so proud of Ryan and all of his accomplishments. This fall, he's off to Trinity College in CT where I'm sure he'll do great. Oh...he's also been doing a bit of modeling, hence the perfect pose I captured at his party,