Little Lady Huskies

Today was Oni's 2nd game and Gabbi's first. After a long hiatus with Winter Break and the snow days the week prior, our basketball seaon came to a screeching halt shortly after it started.


If you'll remember me telling you about Oni's first game- it was painful.... today- they did so much better!!!! They are starting to get the concept- and the team found their aggressive bone- Oni started as center and played a good first quarter. Coach Mike rotated her out for 2nd quarter and then she didn't want to come back in.... she was overwhelmed with the noise and yelling.... we hope next weekend will see her play atleast 2 quarters... because her teammate and fellow tall girl is running her buns off trying to cover the ball!
Oni jumping for the ball- against another big girl who could move and had no problem fighting for the ball....
She was all over Oni.....

We were so proud of the team -- first game only saw them score 4 points- today they scored 19! I was so proud of Oni- not because she scored any baskets or played or didn't play... but for how she viewed the team's performance today.... instead of lamenting that her team didn't win... she was excited that they had scored 15 more points than last week and "beat our record".....

Here the girls tussle over a ball- I'm so glad they are starting to find their aggressive bone....

Last game saw her leave in tears.... today- we got smiles... so we're making progress!

Gabbi's game- a couple hours later in a different location...... saw a bunch of first graders who can play some ball- far more organized and aggressive than Oni's team's first game!

She shoots.... she didn't score- but she certainly tried today!

These girls have a lot of team spirit and coach Scott is so good and patient with them.

The girls warming up and having quick huddle

Going for another 2....

Gabbi- looking for the assist here....

and looking for a laugh.....funny girl!

Not sure if you can see the expression on Gabbi's face in this one- it's more of a grimmace as she snagged a rebound in the face- but she got it!

Hope this finds you all having fun too this weekend! xoxo D

2009 Floods.....

Welcome to the flood of 2009...... I felt compelled to toss my camera in the car on my way out the door this morning to drive the kids to school.... wasn't going to chance the school bus transportation.... they had enough issues to deal with today.

I drove on down to Snohomish- as far as they would let you- the roads are closed in most areas here, and planes and helecopters buzzing over head since daybreak... news crews and looky-loos surveying the damage.

I usually scoff at folks like that- capitalizing on other's tragedy... sadly- today I was one them. I wanted to capture the power of the water and nature.... it's a very humbling experience. I felt guilty part of the time- as I watched hundreds of other people walking around with me- all looking sort of lost as they peered over the edge of the Snohomish River bridge and walked along First Ave. (is this how reporters feel all the time- if so- sorry for them- I couldn't do it...)

These things always seem to work themselves out... but it's hard to see how sometimes. Keep these folks who have been so dramatically affected in your thoughts- they will need them.

Happy New Year!

Hello and Happy New Year!!!!

We rang in the new year surrounded by friends and family. Thomas and Heidi and baby T came to visit and stay over as it's a long drive home. We and most of the neighborhood bounced back and forth across the streets as several of us were hosting New Year's house parties.... what fun! Great food and plenty of bubbly and cocktails- and no one had to drive!

We (and half the neighborhood) took to the streets and lit fireworks at midnight and all the kids got giant sparklers from uncle Joel... it was crazy good fun. We tucked the exhausted kids in to beds (and some exhausted grown-ups too) and carried on until almost 3 A.M.!

The next morning we got up and I played Batista with the espresso machine and Thomas ran for donughnuts....mmmmm.....doughnuts!

My in-laws were on their way up to do late Xmas as the snow kept everyone home.... so we had kids galore on Thursday! It was fun- they played with their Xmas gifts and the Wii, and we feasted on the pulled pork and bbq beans that Ron made- and watched football. It was a fun day!

Buddy & Heather (my brother in law and my adorable sis in law)

My sweet T- oh how I love this boy!

T made a new best friend in my little niece Kiana- is it too early to begin arranging their marriage already?????My goodness could you even imagine how beautiful their kids would be???? oh- so I'm 20 years too early- but don't think it won't come up again...... Mwaaaahaaaaahaaaaaaa!!!!!!

The girls opening their gifts....

Kendyl in anticipation of what's inside....

I love this shot- Buddy with all four girls..... we have this shot almost every year- and it gets better every year- for a while it was only Oni & Kendyl, then added Gabbi and then Kiana...and they all get more beautiful everyday (yes, I know- I'm biased!)

I wish you all a wonderful New Year- and hope all of your wishes come true!

xoox D

Christmas morning

Good morning and Merry Christmas!!!! Just a few quick shots of the opening frenzy that was my living room this morning!

There was some great giftage shared here today.

We are grateful and blessed to have each other- the rest of the "stuff" is delicious frosting on the cake!

Christmas Eve feast...

Merry Christmas!!!

Our neighbors from across the street came over tonight to visit- none of us were traveling tonight.. So we decided to do a little pot-luck dinner action. J is a fantastic chef from South America-He has a dayjob that involves food- specifically seafood- but not cooking- tho it's his passion and he'd phenominal at it!!!! He and wife M (who is three days over due with their first baby...) brought over some lobster tail and amazing looking shrimp and oh my oh my!!!!! talk about incredible!
Here J is deveining the monster shrimp and lobster tails....chopping cilantro and veggies for the dishes... and his salsa- OMGosh! He made a cooked, hot salsa- dried chile de arbol, fresh jalepenos, onion, tomato, garlic... sauteed... and blended in the big blender.... so texture is like a creme fresh- only it's all veggie..... so good! I'd eat it on anything- but it was particularly good on the seafood- especially drizzled on the scallops! Tho I'm thinking that it would rock drizzled on scrambled ham & eggs..... mmmmmm.
Ron threw together his bacon wrapped scallops, grilled and topped as they come out with a bit of Kosher salt and brown sugar...... oh- so good!

What a fun impromtu dinner party! And such is the way it tends to happen around here.. if the weather is good- everyone is here to bbq... if the weather is bad..... the whole neighborhood still ends up here.... and we love that. That's the one thing that sold this house to us two years ago- was the space- our kitchen/dining/living rooms- are all one- and it fits everyone comfortably..... designed with entertaining in mind.

We are blessed to have such good friends, nieghbors and family to enjoy our lives with!

Merry Christmas!