Memorial Day -- Fun in the Sun

We took advantage of the sun and the extra day off to go to one of Indy's favorite spots -- the Tolt River in Carnation.  She just loves to swim and we weren't sure how busy it would be, so we thought we would take a chance.  It was a good thing we did because it was not busy at all.

Per her usual form, Indy at the end of the leash.  She just continually pushes her limits!

We reached our favorite swimming hole in no time and Indy was off swimming and fetching sticks! That dog is a swimmer if we ever saw one.  She just loves to go fetch the sticks.  As you can see the water is clear and she is having a great time.

 Look at that face!

 And the concentration!

Of course whenever she brings the stick back, she expects a biscuit from Mommy!  

Who could say no to that face!

We finished the day by hiking around the Tolt -- as usual Indy showed no signs of fatigue and we actually went on another walk through the neighborhood later in the evening.  Like we say time and time again, you wouldn't know that she is sick!

Here are some updates shots of the backyard...things are coming together nicely.

Look at that GREEN yard!

Trees are just amazing and provide amazing shade!

Kristina has been extra busy with planting all of the pots!

This is horseradish!

Strawberries are looking good!

Butter lettuce -- yum!

Peas for Jared...

One Sungold cherry tomato plant...

Yummy Kale...

Herbs for Kristina's cooking!

Happy Memorial Day!

Iron Goat Trail

It's always great to head up to see Iron Goat Trail for anyone that hasn't seen it.  It has pretty views, lots of history, and the trail is really nice.  Jared's parents had never seen it, so it was time they had! The trail starts out paved and then quickly transitions to a nice bark trail that is quite wide.  It follows the old train grade, and has a lot of interpretive signs along the way.

Indy was of course leading the charge as usual.

Rodger and Barbara weren't far behind however!  We had a great day out hiking and soaking in the sights.

After we were done, there was a bit of time left, so Jared decided to take his parents to see the Trout Lake trailhead and maybe make it up to the giant fir tree along that trail.  Unfortunately, there was a serious slide over the winter, and the road was closed... and maybe for a long time!  The slide took a few hundred giant trees down with it and scattered them across the road!  Oh well, better luck next time!

Ziplining in Plain, WA

Jared's parents came over for a visit, and since they were going to be here around a week, we did what we always do -- plan an itinerary!  The first thing on our list was ziplining. Jared and Kristina did this for the first time last August when Kristina's brother's family was here.  We went to Camano Island that time and we had a blast.  Ever since we had that trip, all Barbara talked about was how much she wanted to go.  Well, there is no time like the present!

We decided to try out a new zipline company -- not that we didn't like the other one, we just wanted to try a new one.  There are so many in the area.  That being said we decided on the Leavenworth, WA area.  Leavenworth is a really quaint Bavarian-themed town near the Cascade Mountains.  We figured zipline in the morning, go have lunch in Leavenworth, check out the town, and then head back.

The ziplines are actually in Plain, WA -- but no one really hears about Plain, WA -- so they named it Leavenworth Ziplines.  We highly recommend it, and the scenery was GREAT!

When we left Woodinville, it was cloudy, overcast and a bit drizzly...however, after we got up in elevation, the weather was perfect.  We were a little worried that we didn't have the best weather day, but as you can see, it was spectacular!

Here's a shot from outside the lodge -- we were waiting for everyone to arrive!

After everyone arrived, we took a short walk to the "Mill" to get our gear and then we did a trial zipline so that everyone could see it wasn't THAT scary and how everything worked.  After that, we took UTVs up to the first trailhead and then a short hike to get to the first zipline! And away we go!

Here's Jared taking off from the platform of one of the first ziplines.  We had 8 total ziplines, 2 suspension bridges, and a lot of fun!

Rodger safely landing after one of the first ziplines.  We weren't sure what Rodger and Barbara expected.  It is a little hair raising the first time you do it, but you are so locked into everything after you get going, you feel pretty safe!  And, it is an absolute BLAST!

Here's a video of one of Barbara's first zips!  Her face at the end is priceless!  She was definitely looking for the rope to grab a hold of and pull herself in as soon as possible! 

Rodger coming in for a safe landing!

Kristina pushing off from a tree!  These guides were very happy for guests to try new things and have fun!

Lastly, this one is Kristina letting go!  Like we said, you get pretty brave near the end of the excursion.

Look at Barbara...she has become a pro -- even jumping off the platform!

Indy's Chemo Update -- Plan B

Indy had her latest appointment with the Oncologist today, and we are officially onto Plan B.  She is now resistant to every drug in the CHOP protocol, so there was no use in continuing forward with her 5th and last dose of doxyrubicin.

She continues to act fine, but her rear lymph node continues to be swollen (although small), and the two lymph nodes in her neck are both swollen as well, especially the right one when you are looking at her.

That being said, Dr. Choy decided to move onto Plan B. So today she took a different round of chemotherapy drugs -- very similar to the rescue protocol they used on her early on in her diagnosis. We'll see if this helps shrink those swollen lymph nodes that have become so stubborn.  Her cancer is much like she is -- very resilient. With Plan B, she has a 50% chance of making it to remission, so we will just have to take it as it comes.  She is due back in a couple of week for a bloodwork appointment and then the following week for her next treatment.

Dr. Choy seems to be impressed with how much energy she has and how she looks as if nothing is wrong with her. That helps us know that we are doing the right thing.  She continues to love and enjoy life -- and the more life we can give her, the happier we all are.

Until next time...

House Painting

After the house was re-sided, it was re-painted (part of the re-siding task).  We couldn't decide on a color for a while, but we finally decided on a rusty red color with a cedar accent color (to match the door), and white trim.  We are extremely pleased with it.

Now we finally have a house that looks good enough to go with our magnificent yard that we work so hard on each year.

This is the area we have been cleaning out for raised beds. We aren't there yet, but hopefully next year we'll be able to plant in newly built beds.

17 cubic yards of dirt was slung into this area -- you sure can't tell from the pictures, but we are trying to level it out a bit.  Next up will be landscaping material and bark!

And of course, here's Indy.  Boy is she glad all of the work on the house is done.  She was having to be a security dog and watching the premises while we were gone each day.