Spoons, Spoons Everywhere

At one point, I wasn't sure who owned which arm that was connected to which spoon! Diana THOUGHT she was feeding the girls but Lauren decided her mother was a little hungry, so she took it upon herself to feed her.

Dinner at Hakata's

Hailey and her parents joined us for dinner at our favorite Sushi restaurant tonight. We were just a gang of nine, but when we left it looked like a battalion of ninety had been in our place. Luckily, we are frequent patrons....and, we left a big tip!

It was a lost cause to get us all smiling and in the same picture frame. I was just going for the "essence of the evening!

Lions, Tigers, Bears & Popsicles

We had a great trip into Seattle, with a visit to the Woodland Park Zoo. The girls (young and old) just loved being out and about, but the guys (Dad and Grandpa) were interested in seeing the animals that could "kill you and/or eat you" (meaning: the petting farm is nice and quaint, but let's not spend all our time here). We saw some cool animals, walked through lush forests and heard sounds that made me think we were on an African Safari.

The girls favorite part of the day might have been the Strawberry popsicle bought as a lunch time treat.

P.S. I had posted a pic of all of us taken just before we left the park, but then went to Joe & Diana's Blog and they had the SAME photo! You'll have to link to their site to see our smiling faces.

ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE....

Great-Grandma Florence

Mickey's mom, Florence was over on Sunday to celebrate her 85th birthday and spend time with her great-grandchildren. As she was leaving, she EASILY got down on the floor to give a last kiss and hug to each of the twins!

Tri-Babes continue to celebrate

A subset of the Kitsap TriBabes gathered at a neighbors on Sunday evening for a final "High Five". Several of us live near each other and trained together, or carpooled to the BRICKS (remember: Bike-Run-ICK) during the weeks leading up to the triathlon. The sense of accomplished was great, the chance to spend time with some wonderful women was even better.

A 50th Birthday Party Celebration

Last Saturday night we had a party in celebration of my upcoming 50th birthday. It was great fun -- the weather perfect, the food delicious (or so we heard), and most of my closest friends and family in attendance....I wish I could have bottled how I felt that night.

Lots of activity at Ioka these days...

After the Triathlon was finished, Mickey and I kicked into high gear getting ready for the Birthday party celebration AND more importantly, the arrival of Sarah and Lauren (and their parents). After the purchasing and/or collecting of cribs and toys and baby food and diapers, the finishing touch was the installation of the TWO new car seats....

Very tired tri-athletes

It's the end of the long awaited and much stressed over Triathlon weekend! Yesterday Steph and I headed over to Seattle to register, 'rack the bikes' and eventually meet up with our Support Crew. We all went over to a Carbo Load dinner with the training group from Kitsap County -- all 120+ Kitsap Tri-Babes and their families and supporters!

My swim 'wave' started at 7:29AM and Steph got wet about 30 minutes later. The good news -- I crossed the line (still standing) AND cut a minute or two off last year's time.

Ken, Mickey and Hailey were superb cheerleaders, dressed in matching Kitsap Tri-Babe supporter t-shirts.

Go Mommy! Go Grandma Betsy!

Peanut Butter with a dash of flea medicine

Yogi is easily persuaded into taking his monthly flea/heartworm medicine when it's coated w/ a big spoonfull of peanut butter. In the past, he would eat everything in his food bowl and leave the pill practically untouched.

We have found yet another of his many food weaknesses!

BTW, can you tell I'm scraping the bottom of the blog posting barrel? Yikes!

"Surrender Dorothy"

As we were mooring the boat last evening, I looked to the Southern skies and saw this.

(PLEASE... tell me you get the 'Dorothy' reference?? I will be so dissapointed if you don't!)

Whaling Days 2006 (revisited)

Melissa Ford sent me a couple of photos from Whaling Days that depict the day pretty well. Another of Hailey at the starting line of HER race (what the heck is everyone yelling about?) ......her fan club waiting nervously by (remember all that we coached you)....her Trainer at his own race (Thank god, that's over. Where's the beer garden?)

Final prep for next week's Tri

This morning 120 Kitsap Tri-Babes got together for an organized final prep for the Danskin Triathalon. We swam 1/2 mile, biked 13+ miles and ran about 2 miles (a mile short of the actual 'Sprint Tri' next weekend). This helps get us past the jitters and unknowns for the big event.

Steph, of course, looked barely winded when I passed her on my way out on the run and she was heading towards the finish line. The picture of the 2 of us is just before we started the swim, and then I asked one of the volunteers to take a picture when we all hit the water.

YAHOO!!!!

The Tax Man calls Florence

Grandma Florence got a letter today from the IRS questioning her last year's tax return. She called her accountant REALLY SPUN UP!!!!!!!

This is a candid photo of Mickey, the accountant, after he had picked up the letter and was rechecking his numbers. His finger placement gives you a good idea on HIS mood.

Two against one (duo et mano?)

Mickey, Ken, Yogi and I took a quick trip down the beach late morning for a -2.7 low tide, in search of the elusive Hood Canal Geoduck. We (I say that VERY liberally, as I only carried a shovel and the camera) came home with two and cooked up the delicacy as part of an early dinner. It amazing what a little garlic, olive oil, butter and garlic can produce. (We’re thinking of trying that same recipe on an old tennis shoe…..)!


Joe will smirk at the need for a Geoduck barrel (aka ‘gun’) and shovels. He was quite proud of his mano-et-mano fight he’d undertaken a few years ago. I was even able to find the old picture that recorded the occasion. Makes me proud, Joe!

Fish Fear Us.....(or, laugh at us)

Yogi, Mickey and I went fishing for cuthroat this evening. We had a ton of hits, brought quite a few up and it was quite fun(ny). These little guys were obviously the slowest and weakest to get captured by us....It was Catch and Release, thankfully!

P.S. Ick, Ick, Ick...they are slimy little suckers; My actually TOUCHING them was ONLY for the photo op!

Establishing control over the inhabitants of Ioka

Hailey spent about an hour or so with us this morning. By the time her parents arrived, she'd firmly established control over her Grandpa Mickey and Stubbs and was VERY close to wrapping Yogi and me around her cute little pinkie!!! ... we know it's only a matter of time.

It's official...the company has been sold

Pitney Bowes to Acquire Print Inc.
"Pitney Bowes Inc. has signed a definitive agreement to buy 100 percent of the stock of Print Inc. for approximately $47 million. Subject to the completion of customary conditions, this transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2006.....".

Well, it actually closed yesterday, so the CEO invited a handful of long term employees for a blow-out evening in Seattle. He even invited his favorite employee spouse (Mickey) to join this select group of about 20. Since the pics from last night were too dark, I've included a pic from a past Sales Recognition trip to Mexico where Gary and Mickey bonded over Tequila.

Who knows how long I'll be employed with the new company. I don't really care, but I think my best strategy is to lay low and just see what happens.....