25 Years Old--Surprise!

For my 25th birthday, Shaun surprised me with a trip to Seattle to Jazz Alley--dinner and a jazz show. We heard Gerald Albright to some wonderful Contemporary Jazz. (Click on the video to hear a little clip of a song.) Please note that the picture of us outside the club after the show at 9pm.

We then stayed overnight at the Westin hotel in Bellevue, WA. It's a beautiful hotel. We had a big room on the 14th floor (see view to right). Sadly, we were awoken 3 times in the night due to our screaming neighbors at 11:00pm, and 1am,...and then by the hotel cleaning staff at 9:15am. So, luckily, the manager of the hotel comp-ed our room and we didn't have to pay for the night's stay. It was an unexpected relief and extra birthday gift.

Then Shaun and I got some great Indian in Bellevue for lunch. And...somehow Shaun occupied my time (the best he could) by driving me around the eastside until 4pm--when I had a surprise party with my family! It was at our friend's house (The Tuppers). It was my favorite part of the whole weekend--seeing everyone. It actually surprised me when I saw them all there.

I received some awesome gifts from many people--including some movie gift certificates from work--but most of all a memorable experience. I appreciate Shaun for planning everything with so much care and love. He's a sweet husband with a drive to enjoy life with me. (Sigh.)

Anyway, that was my weekend. Now, we're down to last minute packing since we're moving this week. Wish us luck! (We'll be okay.)

MOVING SOON, Yah-hoo!

On July 26th we are moving our things out of our first apartment together. We are so excited! We are done with loud neighbors who yell curse smoke outside our window and park too close. We are leaving the aprtment life and moving into a family in our ward's (a.k.a. church) house. It's a newly built beautiful home. It even has a built in vacum and dust pan in the wall! Cool huh?! It's a two huge bedroom home with Pergo floors. It will be a more social living situation also. We are welcome to hang out with the family upstairs and vica-vesa. Local friends should stop by when we move in to check it out.

So, I've been packing up the house. I don't know why Shaun doesn't love packing as much as me? I started July 1st by packing up the books in our "study." Shaun's lucky to have me and I'm lucky to have him--becuase not only is he grateful, but he's good at carrying the boxes I pack up and putting them in a pile in the living room.

Oh, also in Weldon news, I was released as ward activities chairman. I'm now a relief society teacher. (I teach a lesson once a month on Sunday to the women over 18.) I'm grateful for my new calling. Although, I was sad to be released before the BIG ward camp-out....it is a lot less pressure to make things fun for everyone.

Shaun and I are trying to sell the jeep still--with no luck. The clutch is leaking somewhere and making it imposible to drive. Although on the upside of car sales, we think we FINALLY have someone to buy the 1986 Nissan 300ZX that we got from my dad. It has not run more than a month and a half since we took it off my dad's hands around December 2006.

Other than this---there's probably more, but not anything dreadfully exciting. Call if you'd like to double check!

Have a good weekend ya'll!

Ode to Daddio

This is my dad, James, and his wife, Yuko, on Father's Day. You can't tell in the picture, but he's holding a fishing rod...a new one!

I love my dad very much. He is made up of opposites---for example, he is funny and serious, he is quiet and talkative, he is tall and short, he is suspicious and he is trusting. I appreciate the influence for good and for bad that he's had on me. He helps me to realize the good and the bad in myself...yet continues to love me (the part he's least opposite about is loving me).

I am happy when he relazes and enjoys what life has already given him and participates in the new things life is offering. He's brave in that way.

Nephew Richie's Birthday--Party at the Zoo!

June 7th--We went to the Seattle Woodland Park Zoo for our nephew Richie's 3rd birthday. It was a blast! The Tuppers--including Emma (2 1/2) came and had an enjoyable overcast day with the Weldon clan. We were there from 9:20am until 4:20pm...then a few more presents to open back at Richie's house in Kirkland.

(Pictured to left is Emma feeding a bird and above, Richie on a metal elephant.)

June 14th, Saturday, we went to Kirkland again and visited Shaun's Dad for father's day and spent the night at Motel Tupper (our friend's house). Then we drove to Seattle Sunday morning, picked up Lindsay's sister Laurel and headed to Covington to surprise Lindsay's dad for father's day. We made him an Indian dinner, watched a movie/slideshow, opened gifts, made cookies. Lindsay's dad even helped out in the kitchen!! He did great.

In other news, Lindsay took Shaun's hunter safety class and passed with flying colors. Her dear friend Emily Pool joined in on the class as well. She passed as well. (Yeah Emily)

Also, we have a place to move into in August...just down the street with a family in our ward (church) named the Booths. We're excited to have such fun neighbors!

Anyway, that's the catch up!

Hunter's Safety Lesson Anyone?... Shaun's first day of teaching.

Shaun taught his first part of a class yesterday on conservation. He has this interesting story to share about gun barrels though.