Where's the Action?

In the time that I have been a "blogger" I have never posted just journaling - I've always used this forum as a mini-scrapbook. The last couple months were so busy with lots of fun events for photo opportunities, I was frequently posting to my blog. It's been quiet the last 10 days or so.

This is not to say we aren't doing things, I guess they are all just "normal" activities. Should I try to get photos of Jordan on a giant soccer field, dashing around an indoor arena or sprinting across the basketball court in poor lighting? Should I embarrass Marina by snapping photos of her through the studio viewing windows while she's at dance, or perhaps while she's laying across her bed doing homework in her incredibly messy room? How about Ryker coming/going from the pool at one of his many swim workouts, upstairs playing crazy video games or sitting on the couch watching movies with his girlfriend?

The dogs are tired of my attempts to capture their personalities on film (is it even film? guess not - it's all digital now...) so hold on for a couple weeks. The holidays are fast approaching. We travel to Las Vegas on the 25th for a soccer tournament and a family Thanksgiving. If anything fun happens, or I get creative with my camera prior to that - you'll see it here!

Halloween Night '08

Ryker as "The Joker"

(bummer it's blurry)
Jzo as "Duct Tape Man"
(his own idea/creation.)

At the Foley's - Nik, Carl (another Joker), Jordan & Noah

Ready to go trick-or-treating.

"Hurry Mom!"

Marina had gone to that big party the night before, so she and a small group of friends went to the high school football game, and then hung out at Lauren's house. The Cats didn't come out again.

Moka

Before.....

...After!

Poor Moka went to the groomers today. This only happens a few times a year, as it's pretty much torture in her mind. She'd become pretty matted (she has "hair" not fur.. and it doesn't shed out, so it mats really easily), and overgrown, so she is now groomed shorted than she's ever been! I like her Halloween ribbons, but not sure she does. She also got a blueberry facial - the groomer's October special. She smells delicious! Tomorrow is her 2nd Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Moka! We love you!

Our Haunted Home

Tina & David

Wishing you a haunting night!

Kitties with clean teeth!

Natalie & Marina... "Meow"

Off to a party last night!

Pickard Girls' Homecoming

Kendyll & Stu (?)

Good buddies from what I understand - I think they might even have been each other's date for last year, but now Senior year Homecoming for Marysville/Pilchuck High School, a large group of Kendyll's friends met at the Pickards for photos before heading off for their fun night!
Kendyll's Girlfriends
The Guys

After the group of Seniors headed off, we finished helping Madi get ready, and this is Chris, a friend of hers. They decided just recently to go as each other's date. Chris is a sophomore, and they also had 3 of Madi's girlfriends join them as a fun group of 5 to do dinner and the dance together. Chris' mom was VERY into the corsage/boutonniere tradition - thankfully Madi passed over to her the honor of pinning on his flower. (I chuckled later when the kids informed us that an older couple eating dinner near them visited with them about the festivities and the woman re-pinned Chris' boutonniere as it was falling over! ha! I know... petty of me, but there's more to the story - just ask Dar!)

4 Freshman girls and 1 guy... pretty good ratio for him I'd say!

Thank you!

Madison, you are a doll for letting your Aunt Tina come and mess with your hair and make-up. I had lots of fun experiencing this first Homecoming with you. You looked beautiful! I hope you had a wonderful time. I want to hear all about the fondue dessert too! (snicker....)

I think it's great that these friends could go as a group and enjoy the fun of dressing up - even with out all having "dates" - sometimes it's just great to be with the girls!

(blurry - sorry)

Madison & Mom (Darlene - my sister!)

Too bad Kevin (brother-in-law) was down in CA helping his mom move. But a father of 3 girls has lots of fancy dances to participate in...

Delaney is 10!

Born October 18th, 1998 - my youngest niece. I'm glad this year we only had to delay your b-day gift by a week. You've been a very patient girl in years past. I had fun driving to the restaurant with just the two of us in the car. We just don't get enough time with our loved ones!

Friday Work & Fun

Dance Premier

I usually have Fridays off of work, but I ended up working this past Friday as the gal I job-share with had a sick daughter. Thought I'd post what Dance Premier's new studio looks like. It's actually a large building (goes way back) and the office is the room with the window to the left of the door, and there is also a dance-classroom, a restroom, a dressing room and a lobby on the 1st level, then upstairs is a really large dance studio/classroom, with a small viewing room. I love the etched glass front door - the image is part of the DP logo - a brushstroke sort of figure.
Friday night's fun was the "Girls Night Out" event for W2O.

This is the final version of the painting I created to donate to the silent auction which would also benefit the Northwest Hope & Healing charity which was the recipient of all funds raised that night. I'm sure it was a successful event - it was very well attended. 4 paintings, a fused glass platter, a ceramic vessel and some really fun silver necklaces were donated by various artists. I'm pleased to brag that my painting was the most popular in the bidding, and pulled in the highest $ amount. (It went for $250) The other 3 paintings had stated values over $700, so it was exciting to me that mine did so well by comparison. I'm also hoping to get some commissions to do custom paintings for other people who showed interest in my style of art.

Yea!

Inglewood Knights!

IJH - Spirit Day!

The week comes to a close with today's finale, Inglewood Spirit Day. Over the years we've gotten a lot of mileage out of many of these assorted clothing items and accessories. Jordan had a blue face for a couple minutes, but changed his mind. If you look back through my blog archives there are many photos of Ryker, Marina & now Jordan too - celebrating this event.

Marina wants to know if it looks like she has blue/white strips growing out of her legs... hmmm?