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.  

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Indy (and Jared) were sweet enough to bring these flowers home for me.  Flowers are such a wonderful way to brighten up a room!

One lone rose broke off, but Jared was sweet enough to save it for me...

Updated Coat Closet

As the outside gets updated, we continue with our quest of replacing all of our interior closet doors. The downstairs coat closet is the latest to be updated, and it looks a lot better.  Jared not only replaced the door, but he re-did the trim as well.

House Re-Side

It has been a busy spring for us!  When we moved into the house almost 6 years ago now, we knew the siding needed to be re-done.  However, the list of things to do was so long it got postponed until now.  We finally bit the bullet and are having the house re-sided.  We received three different bids and finally went with the company that was very concerned with shedding water properly -- a big deal when you live in the Seattle area.

We got started as soon as the weather permitted and the siding guys finished another job.  Here are some shots of the work in progress...

This side is still untouched, but you can see the damage in the siding.

This is a reminder of how the front looked when they started.

Siding is primed (hence the yellow color)...it looks so much better.

Along the way they re-wrapped the house and replaced any rotten wood.  There was more rotten wood than we would have liked, but it wasn't as bad as we thought it might be in certain places.

April Rain

Wow -- April was way different than the fall and winter months.  Spring seems to have arrived.  We only logged 1.59" of rain in April, and the weather seems to be looking up.  More sunny days and warmer temperatures -- we even broke a few records for 80 degree days!  Not that we are looking forward to breaking records, but it is nice to have some warmer weather.  With yard work large and in charge, it is nice to get more things accomplished.