Dave's Surprise 60th Party

Today we organised a surprise party for Joseph's dad. He is turning 60y/o on the 28th. We decided to all dress up with a country/western look. Also Joseph's older brother Clint cooked ribs on the smoker. We worked the day before on the front yard to make it look nice for the party, the house was all cleaned and rearrange, canopies were up, music on ...

Birthday Boy! Dave

Jolene aka Scarlet Joe and Jazz aka Jessy Jane

Riley aka Randa Wilson, the cowgirl

Myself aka  ... Darling

Greg, he is a Country boy, he got a 4WD!

Jazz enjoying (or not) the sun!

Meat Carving!

Nana (Joseph's grand mother) with Greg and Clint (Joseph's brothers)

We build a huge collage for Dave to present him with bunch of pictures of his family. Everyone helped completed the project: Clint build the frame, the girls painted the board, Jolene helped with the pictures, Jazz and I decoupage the pictures. We still have some minors adjustments to make it completely ready but everyone was able to look at the pictures ... the board is 6f x 4f.

And here is a sample of what was on the menu: Burgers, smoked ribs, western beans, pulled pork (Special dedicace for you my love)

 

 Levi enjoying the shade of the porch

Off Roading with the Jeep at Evans Creek

Today, we had such a wonderful adventure! Riley, Jazz and I went 4 wheeling with the Jeep for the first time and it was AWESOME!! Spencer and Logan (Gretchen's sons) joined us around 10am this morning and we drove to Evan Creek, bought a Recreation Day Pass for $5 and went on!! It was such an adrenaline rush! I kinda laugh at myself now when I look at the pictures because the first hill we did seemed to be huge but compared to the ones we did at the end, looked like nothing! Here are some pictures of the afternoon!

From right to left: Jazz Riley Logan and my self

From right to left: Jazz, Spencer, Riley and Logan

Riley and Jazz on the front and Spencer on the back

Riley and Logan

Riley (not sure if she should open her eyes and look at the road) and Jazz

Me!!

Spencer who drove most of the time

Let's talk business!!!

Ok, everything went smooth for like 4 hours and then a branch got caught between the transfer case and the exhaust pipe! After half an hour of each taking turn to pull it  .... Spencer and I finally realised that by working both on the same time on it we would be able to get it out. And here is Spencer with the POC!!!!

We had a wonderful time and were quite lucky for this first time out.

Bad Ass Chick!!!

Yard Sale at the Tacoma House

The Crain Family organised a Yard Sale at the house that Joseph and I bought last year in Tacoma. (Joseph's sister Erin is co-owner with us). Not a lot of people came but we had some sun and some laughters going on!

Levi's New Bedroom!!

I finally found the crate I needed for Levi! At Petsmart! 45inches tall is perfect for our Great Dane! It took us some time to put it together but it was worth it. Levi could sleep in it and if it rains outside and we need to leave the house, he could be left in it for a couple of hours. He seems to like it, even if he cried like 5 minutes when I went to bed and left him alone.

Yeah'! We decide to try the crate before we put the dog in it!!! Jazz, Jolene and I!!!

Wednesday with Friends

We arrived at Grechen's house yesterday and after a relaxing movie night, we decided to go to Seattle today to try on the famous "Red Mill" burgers. And it was awesome!! Jerry joined us there. Personnaly the Blue Cheese Bacon Burger is bomb!!!

Back to the house and Spencer asked me if he could take the Jeep Top and Doors off to enjoy the sun. Did not need to ask me twice! He enrolled Jazz and Riley and it was done really quickly.

Riley and Spencer taking off the screws off the doors

Doors out with Jazz!!

Taking the screws of the top by Riley

Riley and Spencer taking care of the top

Jazz and Riley lifting the top

Strip-tease!!!

The Result!!!

On the evening we went to a drive in to watch "Grown Ups" and "Karate Kid". The movie part with all our blankets was really cool, butt the driving home part with the freezing wind was really bad!!!! But we had a good time and i would love to do it again.

Sunny Weekend of Birthday and Barbecue

We had a nice weekend and a lot of sun: Jazz had her 17th Birthday on Friday and received some nice gifts from the whole family (including a trip to the movie theather with the girls at 10pm at night, a poster of some cute guy from Twilight, an Ipod from her parents ...)

And the weather was so nice on Sunday that we organised a barbecue on the garden with home made burgers made by Clin with ground beef, oignons, blue cheese and spices ... DELICIOUS!

Greg, Dave and Clint

Erin

Enjoying the garden

Greg and Keitha

News from Joseph

Joseph send me new picture from his desert!!

A night in Seattle

I went to Seattle for Jerry's birthday. Nice mexican restaurant followed by Karoke at the bar "Changes" (I was not drunk enough to sing so it will be for the next time!!). This nice evening was complete with the gorgeous pancakes that Jerry cooked for me for breakfast the day after!!!

At Gretchen's house in Gig Harbor

We spend 3 days at Gretchen's house in Gig Harbor! Riley and Jazz (who joined us) had some fun time with Katelynn, Spencer and Logan. The sun was there so we enjoyed a Concert in the Park and some time at the beach (with Jerry).

Concert in the Park

Riley and Jazz at the concert

They organised a cntest for the kids: the most patriotic hat. I think the little girl behing us was cute with her hat!

Here is my friend Gretchen

And here is Spencer her oldest Son

The day after we all went to Penrose Beach

And i decided to complete my experience of the US culture by trying on Jerry's Stetson!! Yeah!!

The kids sepnd the last night of our stay playing Monopoly until late at night and talking and having fun