.photo fun.

Nick's family came in town this past weekend and we had a great weekend. On Friday night we had a big taco feed with everyone and then went to see a late showing of "The Ugly Truth". There are some really funny parts in the movie, but I thought it was kind of degrading and dirty overall. Not my favorite. Before the movie, Hannah and I had a quick photo session. It is always fun to use Hannah as my ginuea pig because she is so willing to work with me and is such a great model!! Below are a few of the pics of my beautiful sister in law. On Saturday we went to the Mariner's game and then came back and went to dinner at Cheesecake factory and then I made Nick do a little shopping for himself since the Nordstrom sale is going on. I tell ya....its like pulling teeth trying to get him to shop for himself! But it was a success and he found some great deals. Sunday was church and then we made some hamburgers for lunch/dinner before the Dietzen clan took off.

.i'm on a boat.

Last night Nick and I got the opportunity to hang out with some of our good friends Dani and Bryan. We haven't seen them all summer because we both have been so busy but we were finally able to meet up and go out on their boat last night. It was the perfect night in Seattle and it made me fall in love with this place. The summers are absolutely beautiful and this summer especially has been fabulous.

We ate dinner at the Seattle Yacht Club and then hopped on the boat for a few hours to enjoy the beautiful night and the great company. It was how summer nights should be. We had so much fun catching up with Dani and Bryan and can't believe it has been so long since we hung out. This summer has flown by! Where has the time gone?!?

We have company coming in town this weekend. Going to a Mariners game on Saturday and then I have a 5k charity run for work on Sunday morning. If you are in the Seattle area on Sunday morning you should come out to the Seattle Summerun and support the cure for cancer!

Here was the sunset...you can I see the Olympic mountains and Husky stadium...

Dani and Bryan...

Nick and I...

More scenery pictures...Mt. Rainier was so clear and beautiful last night...not a very good picture but it was hard to capture the beauty on my little digital camera...

.beau man.

Last week Nick's cousin Joel and his wife Julie came over for dinner along with their son Beau. We had so much fun just enjoying the good food and great company. It was so fun to have a little man running around our place. Beau has grown up so much since we saw him last and he is such a well behaved little boy. Julie and Joel have done a great job of raising this little guy.

I gave him a bobble head to play with (since we have no other toys around...ooops). The greatest part was when we would say "Beau, what does a bobblehead do?" and he would shake his head just like the bobble. It was awesome!! I cant wait to have our own little man!!!

Here are some pictures from that night...
Beau cheesin....

He was modeling for us....note the hands on the hips :)

Gotta get the bobble head in the picture!

.shopaholic.

If you haven't had a chance yet, you must make an appearance at the Nordstrom sale. Let me tell you, when Nordstrom has a sale, they do it right! There are so many great deals and a lot of great clothes for both summer and fall. I was in shopping heaven with all the great deals. If you haven't gone yet.....stop whatever you are doing and go to the mall :)

.obsessed.

If you have not read any Karen Kingsbury books you are seriously missing out. I love her books and read through them in literally a day or two. Once I start reading I cannot stop!! This last series I started over 4th of July and finished the first two books within 5 days! The next one in the series does not come out until April so I have a while to wait...but I am already counting down the days. I highly recommend these books!!!

.hope for american marriages.

This post is a little somber but I came across something that I thought was worth sharing.

Yesterday while browsing through Barnes and Noble I came across Time Magazine. The cover captivated me and I knew I had to read the article.

You can click here if you want to read the article.

To summarize it, marriage works. No matter how much our culture and society try to tell us it doesn't, there is research and facts to back it up. Our culture is so self-centered and focused on "self" that people only do things for themselves, even if it hurts their spouse or children. The effects on children are catastrophic and irreversible. It makes me sick to think of how selfish people can be in a marriage.

I think marriage is the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced. It takes a lot of sacrifice and selflessness, but in the process you refine each other.

I read a quote the other day that said:

"Maybe marriage isn't about making us happy, maybe it's about making us Holy"

This is a very humbling quote. Maybe marriage isn't about me...maybe it's designed by God for me to learn more about Him, and in the process become more like Him. Maybe marriage is a relationship with another person where we can grow and learn and deepen our relationship with our creator.

It makes me so sad to see the demise of marriage in our culture, and I pray that people can see past themselves and the importance of what it was designed for.

.let freedom ring.

Happy 4th of July! Hope that everyone had a great weekend. We had a blast spending time with family over in Spokane. We spent the weekend hanging out, eating delicious food, laying by the pool at the country club while the boys played golf, shopping, laughing and having fun!!

Here is a picture of the trifle dessert I made for the 4th. It was delicious. If you want the recipe just leave a comment and I would be more than happy to share.

.finally friday.

It's finally...well not Friday but Thursday and since we have tomorrow off work...today is my Friday :) Cannot wait for the 3 day weekend!!!!

This morning Nick left to go work on a sprinkler system with his Dad and brothers at the church that he went to when they lived in Moses Lake. They are helping out by putting in a sprinkler system in the lawn on the church. Nothing like a little manual labor!!

Today I have a half day of work at the office and then they are having a bbq lunch in the park for us with food and games. It should be great since it's supposed to be 85 degrees today...I love the warm weather!!!

Then tonight after work I am jumping on a plane and heading to Spokane for the weekend. Should be nice and relaxing. I am making a trifle for 4th of July that I learned from the Heim family. It is to die for...yummmmmyyy! I will post the recipe later.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and a great 4th of July!