6 down and 1 to go :)

We had a graduation in the house this last week - for Mr. Chad - doesn't he look thrilled?
The victory jump that we've gotten of all the kids at this point in their life . . but I was a little too quick with the snap

that's better - YE-HAW!

OOPS! This is out of order - "the morning AFTER the grad night party"

One of our traditions has been to go to Ixtapa for dinner before the big graduation ceremony, so here's everyone congregating

Good friend, Maurine Elwell, with daughters Melissa and Dana. Maurine's son Michael also graduated.

Chad getting his diploma

Tyson congratulating Chad

The graduate couple

Tyson congratulating Emily

The LITTLE Grandma congratulating Emily

The LITTLE Grandma trying to hold Chad like she used to.

Notice Chad's candy lei that Calley made for both Chad and Emily.

"FRIENDS"

Sam Grady

Pat and Sunne Grady

Chad with the Druschba's

Chad with Mr. Frederick who he was a teacher's aid for. Mr Frederick is also the football coach and athletic director for CHS

Nellie trying it on for size :)

Emily's sister wasn't able to attend graduation so here's our girls standing in for an "adopted sisters" picture - we LOVE Emily!!

Chad opening his graduation card - it's a sound card and I thought it was funny anyway ")

I tried to put this one in order but for some reason my videos always end up on the bottom

"Owww - my wrist"

Okay, so I wasn't named Grace for a reason; I was out running the trail Tuesday morning and @ a mile and a half into my run, I found myself on the ground. I'm still not sure what even happened, but it was REALLY embarrassing, and it HURT!! I jumped up and quickly looked around to see if anybody had observed my cool dance moves (I didn't see anyone thank heavens) and continued on my way . . . thinking to myself OW, that hurt. On further inspection there was a little "road/trail rash" on my leg and elbow and a couple of chunks taken out of my poor arthritic hand. By last night I looked down and it had started bruising. I'm not sure if you can see it in the pictures but it's bruised a little down my wrist and in the thumb area.
Yep, "the bigger they are the harder they fall" I guess - I'm glad I don't make a habit out of things like this :)

So for all of my kids that love to tease me about "Ow, my wrist" - there ya go - it's official :)

YA-WHAAaa!!

Duvall 10K Fun (?) Run and Mother's Day Pedicure

I decided to take part in the "Valley Cup" this year where you run in the 3 valley fun runs; Duvall (June 6th), Fall City (June 20th) and Carnation (July 4th). Duvall's fun run was yesterday - they offered a flat fast 5K or a "challenging" VERY HILLY 10K, so I took the challenge and ran the 10K . . . and it was INDEED very hilly!! A special thanks to Emilee and co. for being my personal cheerleaders; they witnessed me gasping for air as I crested the hill by their house, and then again going down the final hill.

(I thought my bib # was a bit ironic given the fact that my husband is in the FD business and all). ")

I was 2nd place in my age group . . . which isn't bad . . . until you know that there was only 2 women in my age group (50 - 59) - ha ha! Seriously - however I'm giving myself a bit of a pass as I haven't been running many hills lately. I'll do another 10K in a couple of weeks and I believe it's fairly flat so we'll see if my time improves. I ran a 62:40 10K with hills. I was hoping to break 60 minutes, which normally isn't difficult, but in realizing how many hills there were I'm okay with my time. I was 110th place over all out of 132 (men and women combined), with 33:19 being the best time, down to 79:30. There were 61 female runners all together and I was 44th . . . but you know "I'm 50 - 50 years old!!", and that included runners from age 14 up. At least I wasn't last right?

Kaisa and Billy gave me a gift certificate for a pedicure for Mother's Day, so I cashed it in on Thursday - it was Heaven. Now my fat little toes look a lot nicer - thanks guys :).

So that's what has been going on in MY neck of the woods - how 'bout you????

Personal Progress blankets and "Decades Day"

After helping with countless fleece blankets for others, Nellie made her very own for a Personal Progress value project - she LOVES it!!
She loves it so much that it caused her to pretend that she was asleep with it :)
She makes fun of my blog, but is also quick to say "take a picture and you can put it on your blog"

While we were shopping at Value Village for Chad's play costume, Nellie found all sorts of things for a future Halloween costume. She took the opportunity to use those items today for "Decades Day". In case you can't tell, she's sporting a 60's look. She's been watching a lot of modeling shows lately so excuse her "suggestive" poses "~

PS - she had black shorts on under this dress . . . just in case :)

"It's a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood . . . "

Lee humored me this morning and joined me on a scenic bike ride. It was such a beautiful day so I grabbed the camera and thought I'd share a few sights from the big town of Carnation. Lee wouldn't pose so I got his best side :)
What would Carnation be without cows?

A cute little farm

Snoqualmie River

Years and years ago this was a school house - see the bell on top?

We caught this guy in action cutting silage

a little chicken house/coop

A MARSHMALLOW FARM (at least that's what Lee used to tell the kids)!!! It's actually hay wrapped in white plastic to keep it dry.

an old wagon

some fishermen

. . . and a happy bike rider :)

. . . . and then we had to go home . . .

and do more weeding and spreading of topsoil/mulch :)

I'll be glad when that pile is gone :)

I hope you had a nice day in the sunshine as well :)

Snow White and the 70's

Chad was in a play last night; "Snow White and the 70's", so Grandma and Grandpa Barrett drove to Carnation in their flashy new car so they could see it with us. Calley, Jen and Emilee came too ")
Druschba was also in the play . . . Bishop Richie wasn't, but I guess he couldn't pass up a good opportunity!

Notice the improvised "bell bottoms" made out of Chad's old church pants with leopard print for the "bells" :). You really can't tell but his shirt was a silky woman's blouse from Value Village (sort of "disco-ish") and he had a wig wrapped around his chest for his chest hair, Austin Powers style, with a big necklace on. This was AFTER the play was over (and Chad had thrown some of his costume off) they had specifically asked for no flash photography during the play.

It was a different play (just ask Grandpa), but all the kids did a great job!

I can't believe we did the W H O L E (front) yard!!

Late last Wednesday, we had 10 yards of black organic mulch delivered. Now mind you, I can't put down that expensive soil on top of weeds and moss - which we seem to have a plethora of around this neck of the woods, which meant not only spreading the soil, but weeding first - THOROUGHLY!! I had to leave Thursday at noon and wouldn't be home until @ 7:30 PM, and then we were leaving Friday to go camping and I still had to get ready for that . . . but, we busted our rears, got in gear, and got quite a bit done before leaving for our trip. Then after cleaning up the trailer, doing laundry, going to a couple of appointments and such, the job continued Tuesday AND Wednesday, but I am VERY happy to report that, at least for 2 seconds, the front yard is done!! Sorry, but this feels like a HUGE accomplishment to me so I had to share it. We've still got a long way to go on our yard, but it feels good to have at least this much done for now. I know it won't last so I had to snap some pictures - you know: "take a picture it will last longer" :)