The Beginning of a New Era

Kristina started her new job on Monday (4/4).  She is now employed with Physio-Control located in Redmond, WA. Her first week was GREAT and she is looking forward to learning another different technology. Kristina was hired on as a Senior Electrical Engineer and she is working on one of their new projects that has been started, but is in the early stages so she hasn't missed all of the good stuff.  :) That's the exciting thing, lots of new and exciting opportunities!  She will be doing hardware design, which is what she prefers, and she will be working closely with the Mechanical Engineering and the Software Engineering Groups.  All of the people at Physio have been super nice and she is enjoying her new EE group.

Almost Annual Trek to the Tulip Festival

Ahhhh, the tulip festival!  We were lucky enough to get to go during the week this year, and it was a nice weather day too!  The tulips were just hitting their peak and were gorgeous as usual.  So many tulips, so much color!  It still amazes us each time we go!  Enjoy the pictures!

The illustrious photographer...his wife must take good pictures too because this is a good picture of him!

And look at these good looking people...with SHORTS on!

Our Doug

Our Douglas Squirrel had disappeared for a while and we were worried that he/she would never come back. But have no fear, he/she is back and with a friend too!  Kristina has seen at least two different "Dougs" in the backyard at the same time; we don't know if we always have the same two, or if different ones come in and out.  Regardless, we are just happy to have them back!

We did a post a few weeks ago about the love of peanuts, and here is one of them having some corn.  It is quite funny...as soon as the corn is refilled, at least one of them appears out of nowhere and takes up residence next to the corn cob eating until he/she looks like he/she is about to POP!  And, if a gray squirrel comes up to try and have a morsel while he/she is eating, the Doug chases them off and is quite feisty.  Apparently, those Douglas Squirrels know how to fend for themselves and defend themselves!

End of a Era

Today was Kristina's last day of work at SonoSite.  She resigned on Monday, March 24 and gave her two weeks notice.  What will the next chapter hold? 

March Rain -- Wettest March on Record

Wow, did we make up for a drier than average fall and early winter!  March 2014 was the wettest March on record for the Puget Sound, and they have been keeping records for more than 100 years.  In Woodinville (i.e., our back deck), we measured 9.89" of rain.  And let's just say, we believe it. The rain literally came in waves at times and seemed never ending.  It wasn't the normal Seattle drizzle, it was rain. We survived and are now looking for drier weather.

The mudslide in Oso could definitely use some dry days to help in the recovery of the still missing people.  It is hard to believe that something like that could take out that many people.

5-time Wrestling State Champion

Well, Kristina's nephew, Rhett, did it again.  Over the weekend back in Kansas, he successfully defending his wrestling title.  That now makes FIVE Championships in a row -- for anyone who knows anything about wrestling, this is quite remarkable!  CONGRATS to Rhett!

Rhett is 11, so he wrestles the 12 and under category.  At State, he wrestling 68 lbs.  He didn't start the season at 68 lbs, but he gained some height and had to go up to 68 lbs to compensate.  Of course, let's all be clear that 68 lbs isn't really that much to weigh at a 11 year old -- but remember he comes from small-ish genetics (thanks to Grandpa Flipe).

Here he is on the podium.  As you can see, he is full of muscles -- look at that arm definition!  It must be all of those push-ups his Dad makes him do every day!

Of course Dad has to celebrate with him.  Da-Da and Rhett both put a lot of hard work into Rhett's success. Da-Da is lucky to have such a talented son, and Rhett is lucky to have a great coach and Dad wrapped into one!

And here is how it all started -- Grandpa Flipe!  You can tell he is really pondering in this photo.  I wonder what he is thinking!  Maisie looks really serious too!

Woohoo!  Way to go Rhett!

Happy 5th Birthday Indy!

Look who turned 5 years old today!  Jared and Kristina can hardly believe that Indy is already FIVE!  She still acts so much like a puppy -- tons of energy and always ready to go.  She is definitely a do-er.  She loves her treats, to tear up her toys, to run full out, and to swim after sticks in the river.  Little did we know when we picked her up (she was the last puppy left in the litter) that she would be such a good dog!  We are very lucky to have such a loving little girl!  There isn't a person or dog that she doesn't love...squirrels on the other hand are an entirely different matter!