All Grown Up

Yesterday we celebrated the marriage of Eric's nephew, Michael, and his new bride Rachel. It was a lovely wedding, but bittersweet, with the recent passing of Steve. He was there in spirit, though, dressed in his fine 1983 white tuxedo.

How quickly time flies. . . this was Michael, as ring-bearer at our wedding, almost 15 years ago.

Cowboy Take Me Away

One of my all-time favorite Dixie Chicks songs, and although my "cowboy" wasn't a cowboy at all, I could relate to the sentiment.

Fast forward 16 years, as we are about to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversay, I found the gift of a love story too good to be true, that brought me back to the memories of those first days and weeks of new love.

As the author notes, it's Harlequin Romance meets Green Acres - just up my alley. (It makes me want to pack up and head to the country with my own "Marlboro Man" and "punks.")

If you don't have a few hours to spare - I didn't, but indulged anyway - you should at least check out the photography.

http://thepioneerwoman.com/blog/category/black_heelstractor_wheels/the_night_i_met_marlboro_man

Our mini Great American Road Trip

Have any of you been watching the summer TV series "The Great American Road Trip"? Well, we have and it sure looks like a ton of fun - without the arguing, of course.

This weekend we took our own little mini roadtrip in the Stevens' family RV. We headed north up I-5 to the lovely, and conveniently close, Camano Island. The state park there is beautiful, and best of all, the camping stalls are first come, first served! No need to make reservations in January not knowing what our schedule will be in July and August.

The weather was spectacular and as I mentioned, the park and beach are gorgeous - I think Camano Island might give Lake Sylvia a run for its money.

Our friends, the Hendersons and Duthweilers, even joined us for a couple days.

The RV camping was so nice and easy, maybe next time we can venture a little further down the road!

Saying Goodbye

Thank you so much to you all for the hugs, kind words, cards and flowers sent our way in remembrance of Steve. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Thrift Store Finds

I stumbled across this chair one morning at Value Village. The boys were not impressed with its former pink and blue cushion. One trip to JoAnn Fabrics later - voila! New great chair. (I do plan to paint or stain the wood a darker brown, but haven't had time for that bigger project yet.)

Don't you love the fabric? I would like to use it in every room of my house, but as of yet, have refrained.

Then there's the table. I have been searching for the perfect round coffee table for over a year. To my delight, one afternoon a couple weeks ago, Lane and I stumbled across this one at Deseret Industries. $8 for a little white table that had been a child's art table in its former life - the glitter, glue and paint evidence remained. A little sanding and a few coats of ORANGE paint later, new great coffee table.

SING - and take time to enjoy the flowers

Gardening with boys. . .

notice anything wrong with this picture?

Hmm. . . looks a like a baseball was here.

Some days there won't be a song in your heart. Sing anyway. - Emory Austin

WOMEN & STRENGTH

To all my "pigeons" out there. . . grab a box of tissue before clicking on the post below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNY8KL_YSlc

STEVEN J OXNEVAD 1958 - 2009

Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose. -from The Wonder Years television show

Eric's brother, Steve, passed away suddenly yesterday at the age of 51. He leaves behind wife Kathi, and children, Michael and Lynsie. We miss you, Steve!!

4TH IN STATE - RICHMOND ROCKS!!

After a smokin' hot and fun-filled week in Port Orchard, our Richmond Allstars ended their tournament run with a loss to Bainbridge Island (again.)

Mercer Island (D9) will represent Washington in San Bernardino. 2nd place went to Pasco National and 3rd to that darn Bainbridge team.

We are so proud of these of boys and are grateful for the amazing ride they took us on. And as I said earlier. . . RICHMOND ROCKS!