Little by Little

We are slowing working towards completely having the house put together.  We finished another section this weekend with the addition of Shawn's man-cave in the garage.  He has been getting things organized in there during his few hours of free time these last few weeks.  Last weekend we knocked out the rest of it when we put up the peg board.

Rambo decided to hang out and check out the new motorcycle while we  worked.

Completed Man Cave

Now all we need to do is add more tools and Harley stuff.  (Christmas wish list!!)  Shawn already has a list of things he wants to build.  At the top (or at least near the top) is a dog house for Rambo!! (Or at least a platform for his kennel to sit on!)

"Okay, what do you want to help with?"

Hobbies

We've picked up a few new hobbies this last month or so around our house.  The big one that everyone is involved in is our make-shift garden in the back. We've got a couple of the Topsy-Turvey tomato and strawberry planters, a litter herb garden, spinach, and a bleeding heart plant from Shawn's parents.  They are all doing very well, except the spinach.  Only half of it came up, so since our growing season is so long I'm gonna plant another bit in a week or so.  The garden idea came from the boys and they spend more time taking care of and watering them than the girls do.  They were more excited about the tiny strawberries, too!!

Little, Baby Strawberries!

One of Our Tomato Plants

See the Baby Tomatoes!

Spinach . . . Sad Only Half Came Up

Can't Remember What's What . . . But the Boys Do!

I have also been enjoying our hammock.  I try to sneak away for a hour or so a day to lay there and read.  Its so relaxing.  I think everyone needs a hammock.  Just because I love it so much, here's another picture.  :)

Add a Nice Breeze and You've Got the Perfect Recipe for Relaxation

Shawn also picked up a hobby in the form of a motorcycle.  He took his motorcycle safety class and the next week bought a bike.  Its the one thing he promised himself he'd get when he got back from deployment.  Its actually a great investment because he rides it to work and it spending $20 a week in gas verses $60 a week. With the outlook on gas prices, the bike will pay for itself in no time.  Plus, every time he comes home after a ride he's got the biggest grin on his face.  Its fantastic to see him so relaxed and happy.

Lookin' Good, Honey!!

Can't end a post without an update on Rambo!  He's enjoyed having Chief here.  Chief takes one of Rambo's squeaky balls and runs around the house while Rambo chases after him.  We missed a few days with Chief and Rambo started to pout.  Hardly eating, didn't want treats . . . I was getting a bit nervous.  As soon as Chief walked in the house, Rambo was back to normal.  Funny how dogs miss their friends, too.

"I love the LoveSac!"

First Month in Yakima

It's been about a month now that I've been living in Yakima.  We've gotten a bit of time to see some sights.  We spent a weekend in Leavenworth for Maifest.  Its a German celebration celebrating the start of May and Spring. The town of Leavenworth has completely embraced the heritage and require all store fronts and signs to have the Bavarian/German feel to it.

Main Street in Leavenworth

Rambo even got into the spirit with a Bavarian style hat!

After stuffing ourselves silly on the amazing food and drink, the boys decided we were going to take some Old Time Photos.  We had a good time with it, especially Shawn who got into character.  Haha!

Careful . . . we're coming to get you!!

Here are a few photos of our house.  I'll post more when things slow down.  Its so crazy here with everyone that its tough to keep it clean long enough to take a picture.  But, I love my roommates and wouldn't trade them for anything!!!

Front Door

Our Street

Backyard

Backyard

I have been watching our friend's dog, Chief, during the day.  He helps pass the days along until I find a job.  We checked out a dog part in the area and loved it so much we're heading back there very soon.  Chief loved being off the leash and chasing down his ball, which he is completely obsessed with.

Creek bed but no water . . . too dry here.

Nice shade area for everyone to rest in.

Last item . . . we got a hammock!!  Its fantastic to relax in!  We've been wanting one since Glenna and Bill brought one with camping last summer.  Just for the record, hammocks are AWESOME!! I laid down and instantly fell asleep.  Rambo joined me and we snuggled for awhile.  Unfortunately, now our backyard looks like an obstacle course.  Haha!

Relaxation at its finest!

Washington or Bust

So, we made it out to Washington in one piece, safe and sound.  We took some time on our way out to stop and see Shawn's parents and Aiden.  We spent time relaxing and enjoying the company.  Rob and Amanda (Shawn's bro and sis-in-law) drove out for the weekend from MN and brought us Easter goodies!!!  We rewarded ourselves (well, Shawn and Bill did . . . I'm still getting use to guns) and spent an afternoon shooting some of Bill's guns.  I did partake . . . I think there is a picture of it somewhere . . .

The boys having a paper airplane contest.

Rambo made a new friend!

After a few days in ND, we took off to WA.  We drove half way to Great Falls, MT and then the rest of the way Yakima the next day.  Considering we were riding in a moving truck, it wasn't too bad.  Not the most comfortable and we both are still a little stiff but all in all, it wasn't terrible.  We spent a good portion of the trip driving through the mountains.  They are gorgeous!!!  I can't wait to make the trip back to MN and see them again!!  (This time in a regular vehicle!!)

The Beast!

The Open Road

Going through MT

Still Snow Up Here

Coming into Yakima . . . Home

We have finally finished packing and I think have everything pretty much where we want it.  There are still a few more things we need to get and once that is done, photos of the house will follow.

Here is a funny photo of Rambo to end with.  Matt, one of the roommates, bought a Roomba.  We've named it Robby the Roomba.  Rambo and Robby don't get along.

Time Definitely Speeds Up as We Get Older

It's been 17 days since I quit my job and I have had only a couple of days were I wasn't running around like a chicken with my head cut off.  Haha!  In less than 3 days we'll be loading up the moving truck, hook up the car and than off to WA with a pit stop in ND for 4-5 days.  It's been a roller coaster ride for me but I know in my heart that this is the path for me.

We had my sister's bridal shower, bachelorette party and a "Welcome Home Shawn/See Ya Later Kate" gathering all in one day.  I'm tried just writing it down!!  We had a good time celebrating Anna's upcoming marriage to Darrin that weekend with a fantastic bridal shower and a slumber party bachelorette party that turned into the rest of the weekend party with a pit stop at Jackpot Casino to see "The Rat Pack Returns"!

Anna and I at her bridal shower

Shawn, Me, Dad, Mom, Darrin, and Anna

 

Anna and the Rat Pack

 Keep your fingers crossed that the snow that we're suppose to get on Wednesday stays away.  We leave at 7:30 AM!

We're Gonna Win, Twins!

2011 Home Opener . . . and a win!!  I was a bit nervous but we ended up pulled through and knocked out a win!  It was great to see Nathan walk out onto Target Field for the first time.  Yes, I watched in on TV, but still!!  Nathan has been such a huge part of the Twins franchise that it was very satisfying seeing him pitch there.

I am not sure how many games I'll get to watch after moving out to WA.  Hopefully the boys will let us get a game package or something like that for the baseball season . . . keep your fingers crossed!!  Every time I watch a game I think of Grandpa F.  He listened to pretty much every game for as long as I can remember.  :)

The Clock is Ticking Very Loudly!

I've got a countdown going on my bathroom mirror counting down the days until Shawn gets back to the States.  Every morning I go in there and rip another one day.  Some days violently, some days nicely.  Its very therapeutic.  As the number of days grow smaller, I get more impatient.  Its a bad habit I have, impatience.  This year has been a huge lesson for me, waiting for an amazing man to do his duty overseas and come home to me and the rest of us that love and care about him.  After that countdown is done I think I'll do another one . . . counting the days left at my job. Like every job, it has its good days and bad days.  I'm ready to close this chapter in my work life and start another.  I've learned many invaluable lessons at my job from many people, both expected and unexpected.  I never thought I would say that this job has made me a better person.  I believe everyone should be required to work in retail, just so you know what's it like.  Maybe then will people stop being mean and rude to retail workers . . . maybe not . . .  maybe its just wishful thinking.


I will admit I have stopped anything related to packing.  Not knowing exactly when I'll be moving has caused me to lose ambition.  Haha!!  Good excuse, right?  Probably not . . . guess I better get my butt in gear and start going through my stuff again.  This is a good time to purge myself of the random useless things I have laying around my area.  Yeah, that's what I'll do tomorrow on my day off.  Sounds good to me!  Tonight . . . more episodes of "Bones".  I can't get enough of that show!!!


Love always,
K & R