Prepare for the longest post in blogger history...

Okay, I have so much to share - where do I begin? ... Let's start with Gracie's halloween photo. This one is for you Aunt Bean:)


We didn't go trick or treating this year - Mark had to work a night shift and so someone had to man the post! We have a lot of trick or treaters in our neighborhood! My friend Laura came over with her sweet little baby girl Calista and we had a girl's night (her husband had to work too) we had fun passing out candy and Gracie LOVED answering the door... everytime she opened the door she said, "Tcka-tee".

Okay, moving right along... Let's talk a bit about the 'Twilight' movie.

Mark and I enjoyed our night together, even if the movie was a little bit of a let down! Yep, I said it - the movie wasn't that great - in fact it was a cheese fest! I think the actors were good (some of them at least), the plot, of course, was fantastic (dejavu?) but the special effects were horrible and some of the casting was a little different than what I had pictured in my head. We still had a great time going out for dinner and it was nice to see the book come to life. It was a little sad being surrounded by a bunch of teenagers in the theater...but, who cares, eh? We weren't able to go for a walk due to the wonderful rain we get here in Washington but we were able to remedy that dissapointment at 5:30am the next day when we went for a 'twilight' jog - just us two... Mark grabbed my hand in the middle of our run and said, "Come closer, my Bella" I then replied, "Oh Edward!" it was very cute!

What else? Oh yes...the puppy!



We are so excited about the newest addition to our family - our puppy just arrived a week ago and as soon as he turns 6 weeks old we can bring him home. We were going to get a girl dog but when we got to the breeders home and we saw the runt of the litter we fell in love with him. He is so sweet and we are so excited to surprise Gracie with a puppy on Christmas morning...we haven't decided on a name yet, but when we do we'll let you know.

Okay, last but certainly not least I wanted to share some photos of Gracie when I caught her having a little tea party in the clothes dryer - she thought she was pretty sneaky! I sure do love my little monster!

Computer problems

I just wanted to let everyone know that I probably won't be blogging very much because our computer crashed due to a virus... we will be purchasing one on black friday so until then I won't be able to blog very often. I'm currently at my in-laws and I know that we will be back here next weekend so perhaps I can bring the memory stick from our camera and at least share Gracie's halloween photos ( for you Bean!:) I'm pretty sure that I will take the time to add a little blurp about our romantic twilight evening and if I'm able to I will also post some photos of the puppy we are getting Gracie for Christmas...we're making a trip to the penninsula next weekend, near Forks (that's right Tia - we're headed back to Forks - the day after Twilight is released!) and we're going to make a deposit on the little thing - she was just born last week and we're all so excited. Until next time...

TWILIGHT

I just saw a new trailer for 'Twilight' the movie and I am even more excited than I was before! When Mark and I read the Twilight series we were hoping they would make the captivating words of Stephanie Meyers come to life on the big screen and now our wish is coming true! We have November 21st already planned out ... and now were just counting down the days! Gracie is going to spend the night at her grandmas and we are going to have a twilight night of our own. We're going to go out for dinner, then see the movie in the theaters...afterwards we're going to go for a moonlit walk on a secluded trail in Anacortes (the trail runs along a stream of water and it is enveloped in a canopy of trees - very romantic!) and then we're going to spend the rest of the night snuggled up - no Gracie- so you can only imagine how fun it will be!:) Don't get me wrong I LOVE my little bug, but, I am so looking forward to spending an evening alone with my "Edward". If you haven't read the first book, 'Twilight' yet - it's not too late! We read it in three days... so you have plenty of time! I have two copies I could lend out - just let me know. If you are planning on seeing the movie - you MUST read the book! I know I sound like such a nerd, but I am really passionate about this! Please, please, please check it out! You'll love it! OH! Also, the movie soundtrack comes out today, so, if you like the kind of music that Mark and I listen to (Alterantive) - let us know - we're getting the soundtrack and you are more than welcome to get a copy! Okay, enough movie plugging for one day...

Gracie's Bedroom

For the longest time I have been procrastinating painting a murral on Gracie's bedroom wall - I've wanted to - I've just never made it priority... well, that all changed this past week! I finally did it and now her room is complete. When she gets a little bigger we are going to get her new furniture - white this time- and save her old furniture for her new (hopefully soon - we're trying) brother or sister. It has been so much fun decorating a little girl's room and now I can't wait to have a boy - I have so many ideas floating around up in this crazy head of mine!

Blue Lake

This weekend we were able to finally hike up to Blue Lake (Whatcom county). We tried hiking there when Gracie was 6 months old but the trail was super wet and slick and I was too nervous to continue on...this time the conditions were much better and Gracie is much older. Grace absolutely LOVES hiking! She loves looking at all of the trees and pretty leaves. She loves RUNNING down the trail. She loves picking up sticks, pinecones and snow. She loves snacking on goodies while chilling in her pack nestled on top of her daddy's back (that kinda rhymes!) I love how adventurous our little bug is - I don't think I could handle a prissy girl (or boy for that matter!)Don't get me wrong - we love to shop together, but we aren't afraid to get dirty either! I love my little girl - she is a perfect mix of the both of us! I love my husband too. Ten years ago it was hiking along trails and talking about spiritual matters when I fell in love with him - and I love him even more today!! I thouroughly enjoy doing the same things we did as teenagers and count it as one of my many blessings. Enjoy the pics! (The one of Gracie standing all alone is my favorite - She gave me that look when I told her we were all done hiking.)

Roller Skating

Gracie was invited to her first birthday party and it was at the roller skating rink! Mark had work off and so we were all able to go as a family. Gracie was a pro at skating - the wheels were super tight so she was essentially walking with skates on, but she was very courageous in them - every time we tried to hold her hand she got upset - she is a very independant little girl and this is just one example of many. I got my skates on after I put on Gracie's and I noticed that Mark didn't have size 13 skates in his hand so I asked him where his skates were - he said he forgot to wear socks so he couldn't skate with us and I replied, "Oh, you're skating with us big boy! Go buy some socks up at the front counter." He thought he was off the hook but I bursted his bubble real quick! He was absolutely hilarious in skates - he looked much taller in them (his legs seemed to go on for miles!) and not very graceful, although I have to admitt, he did get much better towards the end - except for when he started to fall and he used Gracie to brace himself!! Even though Gracie seemed to really enjoy herself on the skates we spent the majority of our time at the arcade - Mark had a good time racing his buddy Keith and Gracie loved eating candy she won. We had a blast and I can't wait to take her again!

Tragedy in our hometown

As you all know, we had a major tradegy hit our community a week ago. A crazed gunman went on a shooting spree, killing 6 people and wounding 4. I haven't written about this until now because I've needed time to collect my thoughts and process them. When Mark and I married I knew he wanted to go into Law Enforcement - and I was 100% okay with his choice - never, for one second, have I been worried about him - I've just always known that the Lord would protect him - some may call it being faithful and others may call it being naive - I call it being supportive. Even after this recent tragedy that shook our entire community I am still 100% supportive of my husband. I was shocked to see him on the cover of every newspaper and on every news channel, but more importantly I was grateful and PROUD - my husband was blessed with the protection needed in order to capture that man without accident or injury AND he was given the opportunity to serve his fellow men - in a way that some of us will never fully comprehend. This job takes him places he would rather not go and he sees things he would much rather not see, but in the end, when the day is through he has had the privaledge of making our community, and this world, a little safer and for that I am extremely proud of him. The other trooper who assisted Mark in arresting this man is also Mormon and there's a little joke going around the station that they are the "Stormin Mormons" and no one stands a chance with them! It's funny and perhaps a little true. I am grateful that I have a husband who trusts the Lord and was able to call upon Him just seconds before he encountered this man, and ask for protection, so that he could see Grace and I again, and strength to shoot this man if need be. This past week I have been a little emotional at times as I've reflected on the craziness of this world and the heartache the poor families who lost their loved ones must feel - my heart goes out to them. May they find comfort and peace in the Lord.