Weekend photos

We've had a fun-filled soccer weekend (with a final game tomorrow morning at 8:30am) - but I just wanted to post a few photos of Emma and her teammates - because the camaraderie is so obvious.  Four of us came from last year's team, to an established team, and the girls welcomed our four like they were long lost friends.  It is so fun to watch them at this age: they are so chatty, they love to sing, and they giggle incessantly - super fun.  Last night after our game, a few of the parents and their girls came over to our house for pizza.  This is what it looked like in the backyard:

And this is what it looked like before this evening's game:

And this is Cooper and Vinnie:

Coopie loves to stand and box with the bigger dogs... he was giving Vinnie a love-tap on the nose :)

Wonderful Weekend

I had been looking forward to this weekend for about a month... for several reasons:  1) Emma would be coming home from her week-long trip to visit family; 2)  Said family would be coming back with her and staying the weekend; and 3) I'd have lunch with two dear junior/senior high friends:

Meet Kathy and Suzanne.  We went to school together from 7th-12th grade, had LOTS of good times.  I went out on my 16th birthday with Kathy in my new car.  Suzanne and I dated two boys who were best friends in 9th grade and we had lots of fun together.  Suzanne has lived in Switzerland since 1988 and has two handsome sons, and her Dad just happens to live over on the Olympic Peninsula (west of Seattle).  Kathy has worked for a prominent retailer for almost 20 years and just happened to transfer up here a few years back.  Funny how everything can come together and put friends in the same place, at the same time.  Thanks Facebook :)

Prior to that I had D & D staying the weekend - and first on the agenda was to get D1's hair cut.  I've been trying to get it cut in the vision I've had for her for about 15 years - and she finally let me take charge.  Before and after:

Isn't she super cute hottie pants??  Well, she already was... but I *love* the new hair :)

And this was later that day - loading up my VW at Ikea, just like the commercial with all that stuff strapped on the top - and then the beautiful evening in Kirkland.  Prior to all that Emma came home and it sure was great to have her back where she belongs.  I missed that girl of mine :)

Pool Party

We had a soccer bonding session (aka pool party) last weekend at Jim & Carrie's house - which is such a lovely spot to hang out, very warm and inviting, and the pool and backyard are just perfect for a party - thanks friends!  All but two girls were able to join us and Emma and I stayed for about 8 hours! :)  Lots of fun with Coach in the pool, and I shocked him by cannonballing him in my clothes when he wasn't looking - ha!

Coopie has a girlfriend!

And her name is *Pixie* !!!  Aren't they just soooo cute?

And just because I want to try uploading a video:

Celebrate Your Freedom!

I never used to truly pay attention to what this day means, except that it was two days before my birthday (and I would be counting down the hours to my party) and there were lots of fancy fireworks!  Let's be honest... I still think about my birthday coming up when it gets to the 4th, but as I've grown older, I really stop to think about the freedoms we enjoy by living in the USA - and most importantly, those who have given their lives so that I can live my freedom every single day.  Celebrate your freedom today!

Here's the biggest sparkler in my life (decked out in Party City's finest accoutrement)!