Flowers and Greenery from Butchart Gardens

Butchart Gardens

Finally, pictures of our trip back in April. We went to Butchart Gardens on our anniversary. Here are a few from our trip. We took so many so here are some highlights. I will do another post of just flowers. The gardens are just gorgeous. We weren't even there for the rose blooms. I have only been there in the spring.

Joe entering the Japanese gardens.

The main house. This is now updated and turned into shops and dining.

Adrienne in front of the rose gardens. They were not in bloom while we were there. There were rose bushes and vines all over. I am sure it is quite spectacular.

It is so incredible to think that these gardens were a once a private residence. Joe and I really enjoyed ourselves there at the gardens. We walked around for hours. It is such a peaceful place. I am hoping one day I will have a beautiful garden of my own. If it is a 1/8 of what Butchart Gardens is I will be happy.

Happy Birthday Joey!!!

Some of our favorite pics of Joe!!! We love you daddy, Happy Birthday!

Love Madi, Gavin, and Annika

We hope you have a great year!! Love you, Adrienne

The Humboldt House

http://www.humboldthouse.com/
We stayed at the Humboldt House in Victoria, BC. This is where we spent our Honeymoon many years ago. We were both excited to return. It is an old Victorian home that has been perfectly restored. There is the front parlour where you can find maps, magazines, goodies and a comfy place to plan your day. There is also a place where you sign up for your breakfast. They always have at least 4 choices and you pick the time. They deliver the breakfast in a basket in a cubby next to your room. We stayed in the Celebration Room. It's decor is remarkable and exactly how we remember it. Wood burning fireplace and a cute little breakfast nook to make your stay more comfortable. I highly recommend this place if you are looking for a fun getaway. No TV, No, Internet, it is wonderful. It is also a short walk from all the sightseeing and shopping.

Victoria wharf.

The Parliament building.

Adrienne in front of The Empress Hotel.

I will write more about Butchart Gardens in another post. We walked around the city enjoyed the sunshine. We also went to dinner at this great restaurant called Nautical Nellies. We enjoyed coconut prawns (mmm my favorite) and incredible steak and veggies. We also found a Romano's Macaroni Grill, WA doesn't have one so I was happy. Then as we got off the ferry in Port Angeles I spotted the Bella Italia Restaurant. It is the site of Edward and Bella's first date. The scene where he rescues her and then she devours mushroom ravioli. Although we didn't eat the ravioli's we did find a new favorite drink. Blood Orange Sparkling Cider. It was fabulous.

We had such a fun weekend. It was nice to be a couple again. We adore our children and missed them too. However, we enjoyed going and doing whatever we wanted. We didn't have to pack a bag with snacks and diapers. We got to stay out late and catch a movie and sleep in. Everyone deserves a a few days like that. On a side note we asked the kids if they missed us and the older two said "no". I like to think that our little Anni missed us. She got so happy when we came home. She wouldn't take her eyes off of Joe. It was so funny. She is a daddy's girl too.

A decade together!

Adrienne and Joe engagement photo. Taken By Christine Wilcox.

Joe and Adrienne sealed in the Manti Temple April 23, 1999

So here we are 10 years later. A little older, a little wiser, a little fatter, 3 more family members. Maybe a white hair or two.

Then, I didn't think that I could love you any more than I did that moment kneeling across the alter in that temple that day. We have had our share of ups and down. I think evey marriage does. I am just glad that I went through them with you. I think that joy and sorrow has brought us closer as a couple. Our love has changed in the last ten years. It has gotten better. I am really glad that we will be together forever. I love you and Happy Anniversary Joey!!!

201(k)

At work today, we had our annual meeting with our retirement plan representative. I have to admit I have really tried to not look at my 401(k) lately, because I knew it wouldn't be pretty. However, with the rep paying us a visit I figured I would log on and take a peak today. I should have resisted the urge. This is what greeted me:

From: Jul-27-2007
To: Nov-20-2008
Percent Return: -53.15%

I had heard the running joke about them now being 201(k)s..... but this is just ridiculous....

The day the Sonics died.....

I am disgusted by the logo above. What else can be said.

It is the most ugly thing I have ever seen. It makes me sick.

I want to thank Cory for giving me what appears to now be a chance of a lifetime. I was able to sit courtside this last season for several games at Key Arena. Who knows if that will ever be a possibility again. The Seattle Sonics fans lost, and the city is celebrating as if they won.

What a joke.

I need your help......

I don't know how many of you are following the trial here in Seattle against the Professional Basketball Club of Oklahoma. It has provided some interesting reading to say the least. The reason that I need your help is that I want to have a contest. I know some of you out there are wise guys, and I could use a good laugh. You may have seen the contests where they ask you to put the dialog for a scene on a picture. For example:

Well I noticed this picture on one of the local newspaper websites, and well I was wondering what was going through the head of Clay Bennett when this picture was taken. So I ask you, what was Clay Clay thinking?

The winner of course will get worldwide recognition on our blog! I know you guys are pretty creative so lets hear your thoughts.

On a side note, if you had arrived home late one evening when you were a teenager and this was what greeted you when you walked in the door............

SCARY!!!!

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to a pretty great Dad!!! Joe you are the best Dad a kid could have. You are the fun Dad! I SO appreciate all of the help that you lend me as a partner in crime. You are always there for our children. When Madi has a school thing, or for Annika and her therapy appointments you are always there. I love that you are there because you want to be and not because you have to be. I love that you are so supportive to all of us. You are great and THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for being such an awesome Dad. We make a great team.

And for all of you to know how much our kids love there dad...Joe asked Madi on a scale of 1 to 10 How much did she like her daddy. Joe got a 100. Then he asked where mommy would be and I got an 8. What a kid!!!!

WE LOVE YOU DADDY. Love, Madi, Gavin, and Annika

We are celebrating Fathers Day next week due to some schedules. We will get some pics then and post them.

Jr. Griffey Hits #600!!!

Every once in a while it is important to reflect on one of the truly important things in life. Baseball. Tonight Jr. hit his 600th homerun. It's a shame he did it in a Red's jersey. You may or may not understand my man crush on Jr. and that's ok. I don't expect everyone to understand. I still have the magazines with him on the cover and the signed baseball cards.

Whether it was watching his double on opening day in his rookie year against Dave Stewart in Oakland, him breaking his wrist making a spectacular catch against the wall in centerfield, his walk off homeruns, or him scoring on Edgar's now famous "double" in 1995 he has always had a flare for the dramatic.

I think it was just the joy he had in playing the game. While that smile may not be as prevalent today, in this season of pathetic baseball in Seattle he brings back great memories of what the game is all about.

A dad playing catch with his son, and enjoying every moment.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

More pictures of Daddy that we love.

Joe and the Giant Pumpkin! October 2003.

Joe and Madi at McCord Airforce Base checking out the Blue Angels. August 2005.

Joe and one of his favorite pastimes, baseball. Seaside, Oregon August 2005.

Joe and Gavin his little buddy. Spooner Farms pumpkin patch, October 2007.

Joe, Madi, and Gavin at the Pacific Science Center. January 2008. We love Dinosaurs!

Happy Birthday Joe!

10 Things We Love About You
10.You take the garbage out and mow the lawn.
9. You scare away the monsters.
8. You play video games with us.
7. You are fun during church!
6. You are a smart Alic

5. You tolerate all the chaos of having 3 kids.
4. You are a hard worker!
3. You like to play wrestle. (Madi and Gavin)
2. You are so handsome. You are the strongest daddy in the whole world!
1. You like being with us!!!

All in all we think you are pretty great. We love you So much! I am glad that you are a great husband and friend, Madi, Gavin and Annika think you are the greatest daddy ever!

Some of our favorite pics.

Joe and Adrienne in Portland August 1999.

Joe and Madi at Disneyland. Daddy's give the best piggy back rides. Madi is actually sitting in Joe's hood.

Joe at Delicate Arch. This was our 2nd anniversary.

Joe and Madi at Timpanogos Regional Hospital. January 2002.

HAPPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY!