3rd Annual 'All Fluked Up'

Well, the Flukes threw yet another amazing rib cook off. The third annual 'All Fluked Up' went off without a hitch. Mary and Tom did a great job entertaining a whole lotta people:).When we got there, Chase was already down for the count. He was a little sleepy from such a big day of eating ribs. I love how this boy can fall asleep ANYWHERE!!! This is pretty much one of my favorite couples ever. They are so fun to hang around and their kids are great. Such a nice little family.

My Mom must have been telling a REALLY funny story!!

Zack, just putting on a show. He saw the camera pointed in his direction and performed on cue.

Griffey boy probably had on of his best days ever!! He found this perfect seat and just popped a squat. I thought it was hilarious that he found a beer box that was just his size:).

See...best day ever. Amy was unable to make it, so Griff was just with Daddy, and usually Dads let kids get away with a little more. All the Flukes thought it was hilarious that he was so messy with the frosting because we were all following him around with napkins trying to keep him clean. In fact, at one point, Tammy was encouraging Griffin to get even more frosting on his face:).

Chase LOVES tractor rides. He has good Grandparents...these two were taking him for rides all day. However, as you can see from the picture, I think Tom enjoyed it as well.

The joys of living so close to family friends is that the kids can help you drive home. Griffin is all about driving right now. He can hang out in the car "driving" for hours. It is so funny!! Like I said earlier, this may have been Griffin's best day ever and this would be one reason to prove that. He got to help Grandpa drive while the car it was actually moving!!! He couldn't stop smiling:). So cute.

Yet another tractor ride:).

Me and Zack hangin' by the fire.

It was such a great day. Every year the rib cook off gets better and better. I can't wait for next year...I think the Hussey's may be entering!!!!

Seriously, aren't they cute!?!?!?!?

Come on, look at these pictures, then try to tell my that my dogs are not the cutest!!! Don't mind the quality...I always just grab my phone really quick so that I can snap the picture without bothering them. Also, remember that Baxter HATES the camera, so I don't have as many pictures of him, however, he is totes my baby and is always snuggled up with me, so the lack of pictures does not equal a lack of love:).

Here is my pretty little Ladybug having a great nap...adorable. She LOVES playing in the water and after I cooled her off one day, I came back outside to see that she had chewed the hose apart and was playing with the half that was no longer connected. Maybe she thought more water would come out! It couldn't get mad...she looked too cute:). She kept gettin herself all tangled up in it.

Here they are, on the couch, both trying to look out the screen door. I love it!

And then, there is my baby, Baxter...a little special, but still, I love the guy!!! He is just keeping watch on the neighborhood. His little ears are so cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know, I know...people don't care about what my dogs are doing, but I love these two and wanted to share my loves with you:).

I hope everyone is having a fabulous week!!!

Happiest Place on Earth

Richies birthday is July 12th and this year it happened to fall on his week vacation from work!! I was so excited because we hardly ever get to do anything fun in the summer because Rich has to work all the time. At the last minute, I decided to check out Disneyland packages. We were not able to get into a Disney hotel, but the Sheraton down the road had openings and it was beautiful, so we went for it:). It was a very quick trip, but so fun and memorable.

For those of you who know me, you know that Disneyland is my MOST FAVORITE place, however, I married a man that had never been. I was so excited to show him all around and make him fall in love so we can go back over and over again:).

The first day that we got there was also the same day as the All Star game, which was really cool because all the players paraded through the park, however, it was the most crowded I have ever seen the park...and I have been there on New Year's Eve at midnight, which is super crowded. Poor Richie kept asking, "Is is ALWAYS like this?" I had to assure him that, while the park is always pretty full, it is not usually that crazy. One of the characters told us at the end of the day that they were 50 people away from shutting the park down...crazy!

Here we are on the Matterhorn.

We hit up California Adventure on the second day, which looking back should have been where we started. I realized that I have so many amazing memories at Disneyland which makes me love it, but for a first timer like Richie, Cali Adv is much more appealing. He said that he liked it much better and was bummed that we weren't able to spend more time there. I told him that we would have to come back next year and then we could stay at the Grand Californian and be right in the park...he thought that sounded pretty good:).

We chose the "F" for our last name:)...

Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way!!

These are a long running family joke. When I walked around the corner after grabbing a fast pass and saw Richie eating one, I had to take a pic to show the fam back home:). Chocolate covered bananas, what an odd looking treat!!!

We had such a wonderful time. I asked Rich what his favorite part was and he said, "Hands down World of Color!!" That is the new show at California Adventure and it is AMAZING!!! Anyone planning a trip to Disney, make sure you get fast passes to this show first thing in the morning. We are hoping to plan another trip for next year, preferably at a less busy time...I just have so much more that I want to show Richie.

Disneyland...happiest place on Earth!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brown Family Pictures

I met up with the Brown Family a couple weeks ago to do a family shoot for them. This was a really special shoot for them because Daddy is getting ready to leave for a year of training followed by a year of deployment. Kyri, the Mom, really wanted to get some family shots before he left. We met up at Tolmie State Park, which was an adventure in itself!!! The Browns got a little lost, I had no cell service at the park to help them, and we ended up getting started an hour late. However, after the rough start we had a great time!!! Here are just a few of my favorites...

This soldier just couldn't keep his lips away from his Lady:).

I think this one may be my favorite. I LOVE the genuine laughter:).

Thank you for such a fun shoot!!!!

Off to Alderbrook

A couple weeks ago I headed to the Alderbrook Resort with my Mom, Dad, and Sophia. One of my best friends was getting married there, but was just having a small wedding with family only. As guests at the Alderbrook, we just happen to be eating dinner while the ceremony was going on so we were able to spy a bit:). It was a fun, relaxing night. Sophia and I were able to swim a little bit, we had some GREAT food, and most importantly, I got to see my dear friend on her special day. Here are a couple pictures from my phone that we took at Alderbrook.

Congratulations Jessica and Jesse!

Bedtime Snuggles

While I was getting ready for bed last night I came out into the living room to find my husband and little Lady have some snuggle time before hittin' the hay. It was so cute because she was trying so hard to sit like a human:). That dog is so funny. I really do think that she thinks she is a human. She likes to sleep with her head on a pillow, covered up with a blanket. So funny. Sorry for the quality...I grabbed my phone off of the coffee table for a quick shot so that I could catch the moment.

Summer Time

One of the best parts of being a teacher is SUMMER TIME!!! Our last day of school was June 23rd. Every year Eddie Gentry, a P.E. teacher at NTHS, organizes a golf tournament for all of the teachers. He calls it the Ram Open, which I think is clever and cute:). It is always such a fun day. Even though Marie is a teacher at Chinook and not North Thurston, she has participated with us the last couple years. Here is a picture of us cheersing (if that is a word) to the last day of school at the Ram Open after party. I hope everyone enjoys their summer and has a great 4th of July today...HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!