Ponderous

Brian, Anthony, Jake and John...all past teammates of Mikey's. We'd auctioned off a BBQ with the national championship football team for St. Charles, and these were just a few of the top notch guys that were part of it. Anthony still holds the record for touchdowns scored in a season, rushing yards, and scoring in a season. And Fulker now teaches the world's funnest water aerobics class that I take. Only he can sing the Jackson 5 while cannonballing into the pool.

These four only needed to catch a quick glimpse of a camera, and they pose like there's no tomorrow. After the BBQ at the house, we all headed down to Purdy where the boys jumped from the Purdy Bridge, and of course, I got some sweet sunset photos of it. :)

Generation II, under SWesty, kicks off their 2005 season today at 1 p.m. in Thousand Oaks, California - against California Lutheran. In a few short weeks, we'll be seeing the Lutes take on the defending national champs - Linfield - in McMinnville. Can't wait to be there.

A hazy bridge

In October of 2003, after a Top Events Relay weekend in Tampa, Florida, I added on a few days and did my first international vacation by myself. I spent several days in the Caymans, and realized just how small the world is.

On what was left of the hurricane-ravaged section of SevenMile Beach where my hotel was, very few people spoke English. In fact, the only one that did, was wearing a Relay For Life t-shirt, just like me. From Tacoma, to Grand Cayman. Go figure.

Champagne grapes

One of my favoritest photos of Miss Kilipohi.

Taken on our girls 'float the river' weekend in Ellensburg, she marveled over the super fabulous tiny champagne grapes that I found at the world's greatest place for yummy eats...Metropolitan Market.

Cool things about this Estrogen Militia gal...

• I'm intensely jealous of her handwriting (nerdy, I know, but it's SO cool looking!)
• She loves photography as much as I do (I'm counting down the days until she starts her own blog)
• My earliest memories of her are coming home from work, and she and Lindsay are camped out in my backyard on the trampoline, offering themselves to the Sun God
• One of the first questions I remember her asking me, "Do you have any clothes that aren't pajamas?" Evidently, I don't wear anything other than that when I'm at home... :)
• She helped play a fun trick on Mr. Missouri when he and I visited her at Paint Yourself Silly, where she worked in Federal Way
• She also turned his stranded beer stein into a really sweet mug, which she painted with her painting skills
• Her laugh is unbelievably contagious

And the best part is, she's back to work now since school started!! I don't have to be jealous of teachers getting the summers off!! :)

Two Relay Angels

The 2004 Relay For Life of Tacoma.

Amy's husband, Brian, and I co-chaired the 2004 event. It was a wee bit crazy at times, with all kinds of national attention on our local event, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the birthplace of Relay. The year before, this little wee one, was still growing and hadn't yet arrived into this world. Amy brought down both of their daughters to see the event, and the three of them were an amazing support to Brian and our event throughout the year.

Plus, they both put up with lots of calls and e-mails from me in the year following Brian's chairing. :) Even when you're done with the RFL, you know you're never really done. Or something like that.

They are a pretty sweet family. I feel so blessed to know them.

Montezuma's Castle

From the archives...

Vickie and I, on another superhero adventure to Arizona, stopped off on the way to Sedona at Montezuma's Castle... You could call these 600-year-old 'high rise apartments' to the Sinagua Indians. Made of limestone, high above the ground.

All that glitters

Little Becca. The last one I'd ever expect to be inked.

Normally known for her stealthy skills to steal skittles from my office, she showed up to the house in the Harbor sporting her brand new painted glitter tattoo...and she couldn't help but show it off.

She and her sister, Sarah, are a riot...Viper once stayed the night with them and slept for two days straight following. It takes a lot to wear her out...but these two wee gals were more than capable! :)

Brandon at bat

A wild game of catch on the lawn...complete with dogs, lost balls in the bushes, and some obvious future All-Star talent. Add a little Catch Phrase and some steaks, and you've found a classic family BBQ on the Puget Sound.

Brandon, with the ball already in his mitt, is showing us how well he can multi-task as the pitcher AND the catcher!

Can't wait to see when he hits the big time. Oh wait, the big time is where he is! :)