Jam Packed June

June was a crazy busy month for our family. I hosted a garden party on June 1, which was like a HGTV in my back yard. A local garden nursery--My Garden--did a garden make-over in our back yard. Amanda kept us busy with lots of fun stuff, including the Ike Choir Celebration field trip, Applause Studio recital, and the Ike Choral event--"Welcome to TV Land." Then we attended Jasmines College Graduation ceremony and celebrated Father's Day all in the same weekend. Not to worry - I got plenty of entertaining stuff from Austin and the cats too. Come back to check out photos from Austin's school family night at the Aquasox Game, Last Day of School fun, our Annual Cousin's tea, and Jasmine's Graduation Celebration. Enjoy the many photos!!!

Jasmine Graduates from Western Washington University!!

Jasmine graduated from Western Washington University on June 14, 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration (Finance and Economics). We celebrated this big event on June 29. congrats to our jazzy... we are so proud of you!!

Annual Cousin's Tea Party!!

Alyson and Susan hosted a lovely Cousin's tea for all of us. Susan introduced her beautiful daughter and sweet grandson to everyone. I look forward to this annual event each year. It's so wonderful to see my extended family!!

June Recital - Music Montage

Julie's Garden Party

I gathered up my girlfriends for a fun garden party. The ladies from "My Garden" in Mill Creek (formerly Wileywood) did a garden make-over in my back yard. It was like HGTV in my back yard!! It was so much fun and I loved everything they did. Now I just can't wait to get my new garden goodies in the dirt.

Marvelous May

We kicked off May with the fabulously wonderful production of "The Great Penelope." The show spanned two nights and we celebrated at Gianni's after both shows with family and friends.

I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my kids and Kitties. I also made a special Mother's Day tribute for my mommy. I also got to see my high school buddy, Daisy, who I hadn't seen in years.

On May 15, Amanda and her Middle School Choir participated in the Regional Choir Festival. Schools from all over participate and get rated on their performances. Amanda's group scored very high... Woo hoo!!

We finally got a sunny day so we decided to go down to Edmonds Beach and take in the sites and sound... as in Puget Sound. The next day it was up early for the Eisenhower Choir Booster Club
Car Wash Fundraiser where we had 90 degree weather. Then we tried to cool off in the back yard with a new toy that didn't look as cool as it did on the box.

I decided to take advantage of the rare warm weather we were having, so I spent 8 hours in the front gardens - weeding, raking, cutting, trimming... whew! It was all worth it in the end. And be sure to check out the amazing shrinking Austin!

We had so much going on in May, Bob and I never really got to celebrate our 15th Wedding Anniversary, which was May 1. But we are making up for it this summer with three amazing summer concerts: Stevie Wonder, James Taylor, and Ringo Starr & his All-star Band. So don't feel too bad for us. :-)

A Mother's Day Tribute to my Mom!!!

Rather than send my mom an ordinary, every day paper card (and killing a tree), this year I sent my mom a super special and unique greeting made just for her... and it's eco-friendly too. This greeting is all about her life as a mom put to music. She's the best!!! To watch the video, press the "Play" button. Enjoy!!

The Great Penelope Production!!

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to see Amanda & Bob in the fabulous production of “The Great Penelope.” They both had such a wonderful time and
Amanda did a knock-out job playing the role of Penelope (woman of destiny).

For those of you who were unable to make it to the play, we have ordered the DVD. If you would like to see it, let us know and we’ll send you a copy.

In the meantime, take a look at the online photo/video gallery I have created. So find some quiet time and grab a cup of tea and enjoy a journey through the adventures of creating “The Great Penelope!!” Click the photo above or HERE now to begin!!

You’ll find everything from the photo shoot to the live production itself…and everything in between such as the Show-A-Thon at Everett Mall and some of the rehearsals.

Below are some select video clips from all the action:

• The "Great Penelope" in lights!!
• Waltzing Parents Introduced by Penelope (rehearsal)
• Take out the papers and the trash (Bob singing and dancing)
• The chair dance (rehearsal)
• The fight scene (rehearsal)
• She’s the devil in disguise (Amanda singing and dancing)
• Funky dance break with our Super Hero
• Homework help from some dead historical guys
• The Asparagus Dance (check out Bob's moves)
• Time to Disco (Bob really cuts a rug in this one)
• Check out these moves
• The Blues in the Night (part one)
• The Blues in the Night (part two)
• Tears of the vegetables
• It is I, Captain Vegetable
• My name is Andy and I love candy
• Miss Asparagus
• This is the dawning of the age of Asparagus
• Let the sunshine in
• Some final advice from Penelope
• Advice part two
• With love, The Great Penelope
• Finale Dance (part one)
• Finale Dance (part two)
• Finale Dance (part three)
• Finale Dance (part four)
• A bow from Bob
• A bow from Amanda
• The curtain closes

Celebrating with Family & Friends

We celebrated at Giannis restaurant after each of the Great Penelope productions - Saturday with the Rice family & friends and Sunday with the Ross clan & friends. Click HERE to launch the full online album, which includes some video snippits as well. Enjoy!!

Awesome April!!

The kids had the day off from school so mom and dad decided to play hooky and hang with the kids. We all went down to Seattle and spent the day at the Pacific Science Center!! Our favorite exhibit was the Butterfly House. See the full album HERE.

The next weekend we had 85 degree weather only to have it snow big time the weekend after that. Be sure to check out the April Snow album.