The Calm before the Storm

Two weeks ago Brenda had a chance to go with her parents over to my parents for the weekend so I was left as a bachelor. That means it is time to go to the races. When you go to the races you never know what you are going to find....like this couple.
He thought it might be nice to match his wife's hair....isn't that cute.

And she is expecting! How exciting. I have never seen a shirt with an ultra sound on the front before...let a lone one where the baby is giving the "finger" to everyone. Yup that is right, this woman is waling around with a picture of a unborn baby flipping off the world. I am sure they are going to be great parents and there is yet another reason to use private education. We really have moved to the country up here in Washington.

But with such a nice night, I had no complaints.

The next day I went to the Ironman Triathlon in Coeur d'Alene just 20 min down the road. I had volunteered to drive my bike around the course carting any media personnel that needed a ride. It ended up I got a photographer from the local paper doing a story on a guy who lost 80lbs to do the race. He was slow, so it ended up being a very long day.

Here is the beginning of the race where there are 2800 participants.

And the transition area.

The lady on the left is the writer and the woman taking the photo is .....the photographer of course.

It was very cool riding without having to pay attention to stop signs or speed limits. Also a good time riding around with some world class athletes.

And of course riding a sweet bike.

I never ceases to amaze me the weirdos out there. When at the finish line where the first runner was coming in breaking the course record, you have this kid. It is about 80 degrees outside and he is in a hoodie and trying to hide his face...while reading the dudgeon masters guide to Dungeons and Dragons...he is going to be normal, or a serial killer.

This 62 yr old crashed at the finish of the bike. She ended up being ok and started to 26 mile run.

Then Dan and Sarah came, but that visit will all be covered at a later date. I figured this guy was getting a bit loud so he had to go. Last week Wednesday was his last day with us alive and now is in the freezer waiting for a special meal. He is looking at the axe like he does not trust it....he is wise to be fearful.

It all did not take that long and now we have another that may have to go to the woodshed shortly.

Life is quite nice here in Greenacres and we are really having a great time.

We went for a walk the other night about 5 min from our house and had a great view of the mountains. The flowers are amazing and the weather perfect.

Here is my lovely lady.

We live about 1 mile from the end of the water below....nice huh.

James was loving it.

He does not love the bills though...I mean really...should Internet really cost that much?

Then this Saturday I got a chance to ride for 6hrs up the St. Joes River and through some old railroad tunnels to Wallace then back home. It was amazing.

Snow covered peaks in the background.

And more.

Then Sunday we went to Steptoe Butte. 1000' above everything else.

What a view.

He did not like it as much as I did.

Brenda sometimes wears her glasses like this when her temples hurt, it is a nice look.

But more often she has them like this. Hottie.

Family AKA the "Storm" is going to be here the next week or two so the next update will be picture intensive as well.

Andrea visits

A couple of weeks ago we got a chance to go to Granger for a long weekend because I had some work in the area and thought we could make a few days out of it. We ended up having a great time. Saturday I got another tutorial on model T driving and went out shooting with Jim. Brenda and her mom do not need the guys around to distract them while they talk and .....whatever else they do.
The weather was perfect and Brenda always loves being outside. Finally here in Spokane this week the temperature actually hit 80. That is the first time that has happened in about 9 months.

James is getting bigger all the time.

Here is a classic Brenda pose while dealing cards. I was looking back the other day at the pics of Will and Jenny's wedding we went to a few years ago and just had to laugh at all the crazy Brenda pics I have.

When we got home we got a call the next week...I think that is when it was....that Brenda;s friend Amy was going to be in town for the night and she was excited to stop by and see James. we could not go to her wedding as it was the Saturday after James was born.

We also had a chance to pack a picnic and hike out to Tubbs Hill in Coeur d'Alene. It was perfect weather and we cannot wait till the lake gets warmer and our family gets out here so we can go for a swim.

Brenda on the hike.

Yet another view.

Oh ya I forgot that when we were in Sunnyside, Laura took a few pics of James and they turned out great.

We have had a great time here at home recently and this past week Andrea and Jake came up from Visalia to hang out. She was so much fun for Brenda and I to hang out with and we have no problem keeping in touch with them. It was a lot of fun to see Jake again the he is so much fun.

Brenda and Andrea had a chance to hang out while I had to work, but that gave them a lot of time to do what girls do best....chat.

Jake loves swings

Bath time with James is like a show at the bellagio. He usually likes baths, but it is no problem if he cries because I kind of think it is funny when he gets hysterical.

We got a chance to go to Coeur d'Alene. While we were there we heard a auctioneer and thought we would go check it out. Well it was a car auction and huge show. I could have spent the whole day there is Brenda and I did not have to got to a wedding later that day.

Here is my favorite dream car of all time. This superbird is a original and worth 283K....wow

Then I also see a couple of awesome cafe racers. I am going to buy one of these someday, no question about it.

Jake loved running around the house.

While Andrea was around I finished up a little project I started earlier that week. Here is the Cedar table and benches I made. You may be asking where I got the plans for that sweet looking table. It was sort of a guesstimate of an endeavor where there was not a lot of measuring and no plans. Amazing it turned out so good without proper tools, but I think we are going to enjoy this table this summer.

Yet another view.

We also went to Manito Park.

Here are the ladies at the Japanese Gardens.

Here is a flower from our front yard and it is looking awesome.

And then to wrap up this blog I got the little guy who as you may be able to tell is gaining weight quite nicely. He is getting some pipes and I will need to workout to keep up.

Home sweet home

We were able to go home on Sunday the 22nd to our awaiting parents. It was kind of surreal when we got in the car and headed home thinking....this is it, this is our new reality. James has really been quite the baby and we have just had the best time hanging out and looking at him, as well as showing him off to everyone we can.
Here we are just before bringing him in the house for the first time.

I was able to take the week off and hang out around the house. It was nice to sleep in to 9 or 10 every morning and then just hang out with James all day.

Man is he cute.

We got a coupon in the mail for 10% off anything left on our baby registry from target. Well, I thought about it a while and then decided that I should add a flat screen to the registry and take advantage of the coupon. I may end up re registering for "new baby" again and then wait for the coupon next time I need something big.

Here is the TV. I got all the wires routed a bit better now, and we have enjoyed the TV alot.

Here is James and Brenda after seeing the TV.

James with a windmill sweatshirt from Holland given to us by our San Jose friends.

This is in front of our apple tree we have in the yard. We have a couple of different types and are looking forward to seeing what we get this year.

I was able to get the garden in the week I was home and some of the sprouts are now through the surface. When they get a bit bigger I will take some pictures when they are a bit bigger and see if we will get any crops from them. If it does not hit 80 by Tuesday this year will be the latest on record for the temperature to hit 80 in Spokane. I am praying for global warming and leaving my car running 24-7 to get this part of the world warmer.

Brenda and I in front of the house.

James...I mean really could not be any cuter.

Lyndsay Schenk gave us this bear and cards for every week this year so we can take a pic of James next to the bear to see how he grows. At his two week appointment he had gained 2lbs and 1.25". At that rate by 20yrs old he will be 55' tall and just over 1000lbs. I assume the growth will be more proportional and slower, but man he is growing.

He loves the vibrating chair

And he loves the BMW. He is going to be raised right.

I also got a chance to put a swing in the front tree for Brenda and our little nieces and nephews this summer. It is a lot of fun.

In two weeks I am going to be volunteering as a motorcycle driver in the Ironman Coeur d'Alene race. I am going to be riding the course and transporting photographers, officials, and really anyone they tell me to drive around. I thought that it would be a good time and I guess I will see how it goes. Now I just got to get the bike polished up.