We’ve been lazy on here… we admit it. The sun has FINALLY been peeking through the constant dripping layers of gray so we’ve been doing our best to capture those moments. Although there weren’t many/any of those orange moments for the 4th of July. In fact, Seattlites are so pessimistic about the weather that everyone of them were predicting a wet day… and they got what they asked for. But in keeping with the spirit of this damp, cold place we didn’t let the drizzle inhibit us from lighting off bottle rockets, missiles, black-cats, sparklers and other minor-explosives with our cousins. My favorite long sleeve shirt even came up with a burn hole but we were so busy having fun I couldn’t even stop to mourn.
This week marks less than 4 weeks until we are back in Mesa. We are off to Whistler, B.C (also known as the best place in Canada) for what has now become the annual birthday mountain bike mecca extravaganza. Don’t expect any updates until the fun has completely settled. Rich & Julie Nichol and Jason & Elizabeth Shafer are running from their locations in hell to experience heaven with us. Of course, pics on these things to follow soon.
There is something primal and awesome about pulling teeth as a kid. Elias repeated last year’s man-up performance this morning, this time a video camera was in hand. Enjoy the man training! Just when I think he might not be the toughest kid around, he really surprises me with stuff like this.
There have been rumblings over the last few weeks that Ryan & Jennifer Russell, along with their three sons are moving from the West Seattle area for the brighter, warmer comforts of the southwest. With them having just moved to the northwest in June of 2009, we weren’t quite sure that our sources were reliable. But, after seeing curious status updates on facebook such as “looking for rental properties in NE Mesa” pop up today, we were able to find this “Official Announcement” on their family blog:
Speaking on behalf of the entire family, we have had a really fun experience living here in Seattle. There are so many positive things that we can say about the community. Life is an adventure that we intend to live to our fullest capacity, and this last year has been a great part of that journey. However, after visiting the sunny state of AZ for a stretch in March, we came to the realization that our ‘home’ is still there. We will miss our family here in Washington, along with our new friends, the sunny summer days, the view of the water, the seafood, the niche shopping and the great parks. Our family, friends, church, play buddies, and business associates in Arizona can expect us to be taking residence back up in the NE Mesa area in time for school in early August. Thank you. - Ryan Russell (father, household leader, family patriarch)
“You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes.”
~Walter M. Schirra, Sr.