Seattle

We started our midwinter break with a trip to Seattle.

We went to Pike's Place Market.

(Do you see the ferry in the background?)

They say when you go to the market you must see the gum wall.

I do not agree... I just think the wall is gross.

The hammering man is very big.  It was a beautiful day.  Seattle looked good.

We visited the troll under the bridge.  ( See the full size vw bug in his hand?)  Watch out when you drive over the Fremont bridge, he just might grab your car.

This was Joey's favorite place we visited because he could climb all over the troll.

We drove through the University of Washington campus.

This is the view down the the other way.  Looking toward husky stadium.  I can't figure out my camera so it is an overexposed picture so you can't see Mt. Rainer in the background.  The UW has a beautiful campus.

We went to Archie McPhee's in Wallingford.

We ended at UW village and had Chicago style stuffed pizza.
It was a great day!  During this trip we focused on some of the public art that Seattle is filled with.  I didn't take a picture of all  of it.  We can't wait to go back to Seattle  when the weather is warmer.

Happy Birthday Bill !

We celebrated Bill's Birthday !

For his birthday he requested an icebox cake. 

We made one out of chocolate chip cookies and mocha whip cream.

It was good.

We later had chocolate fondue with strawberries, angel food cake, cookies, bananas, etc..

We played Clue!

Dad won!!

Happy Birthday, Bill !

Happy Valentines Day

I love my valentines both here and in far away places.

And treats for those who live here....

I hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day!!

Great swim season !

Here is the picture that the Issaquah press photographer took of Thomas during his 500 fly race.  This is one of the races he won.

He had a great swim season this year.  He qualified for kingco in the 100fly.  He raced and took another 3 seconds off his time.  We are already excited for next year.

We are really proud of him.  It was so fun to watch him swim. 

  Good Job Thomas!!!

Super bowl

We had a great super bowl party. 
We started with placing our bets.

Coin Toss......heads or tails
dad
Joseph
Emma chose tails.

Thomas and I chose heads......we won!

National Anthem .......longer than 1:54 or shorter?
Thomas, mom, Joseph and Emma said that it would go over.
Dad said under.....The national Anthem was 1:53.......Dad won!

Game winner.....steelers or packers?
Joseph and Emma chose the steelers.
Thomas, dad, and mom went with the packers...winners.

Total points scored....more than 50 or less than 50?
Dad, Joseph and mom said less
Emma and  Thomas chose more...they won.

The prize was a dollar for every one we guessed right.  Thomas won the most...unfortunately Joseph only got a dollar for his participation, because he didn't guess one right.   He's hoping he'll make up for it during our Oscar party.

Our Menu:
We decided to served different dishes each quarter.
First quarter....Paula Deen's Cheese ball, hamburger sliders, fruit salsa and cinnamon chips.

Second quarter.....Sausage chicken gumbo (Emeril) crab dip in sour dough bread, pretzels and chips.

Third quarter cinnamon popcorn, brown sugar smokies, m&m almond, m&m pretzel and m&m plain.

Fourth quarter.....Texas sheet cake

We were stuffed!!

We kept track of each of the new commercials and voted on which one we liked the best.  Here are the five top vote getter:
Audi......Escape luxury
McDonalds......report card
VW.....using the force
Eniem....Detroit
Chevy.....rescuing Timmy

Up next.....Dad's birthday!!

Candy Cake

The candy cake I made for Thomas was so fun to make. 

It takes lots of candy

and some Styrofoam discs

You can just glue the candy on the discs if you leave the plastic wrap on.  If you want to cut a hole in the center to fill with candy than you need to warp the outside of the disc with a ribbon or construction paper before you glue the candy. 

YUM!!

Happy Birthday Thomas !

Thomas turned 16!!!!!

He got mostly clothes and gift cards and.....

Candy.

The cake he choose for his birthday (besides the candy cake) was an ice cream cake.

Now he is going to get his drivers licence.
Happy Happy Birthday Thomas!!!