Houtrouw Wedding

Here's a few pics from our weekend in The Dalles, Orgeon (visiting Brett's high school buddies (Andy) Sharp, (Jason) Bustos & (Shaun) Siri on our way to Shannyn & Andrew Houtrouw's gorgeous wedding just outside of Hood River. Congratulations you two - what a gorgeous wedding and amazing reception!!

The Guys (Jake, Sharp, Brett, Shaun & Bustos) The Girls (Ali, Brooke & Meena)
Full Sail Brewery
The Wedding I Spy the Bride & Groom Post Wedding

The Ladies @ Dinner (Kimmy, Carisa, Meg, Ali, Kimmy & Brooke)

Kappa Delatas

Um, go Cougs - Martini Ice Luge

The Guys (Marcus, Jake, Brett & Ian)

7 Year Itch!

Last weekend Brett surprised me (I LOVE surprises!) w/ a weekend on Orcas Island in the San Juans! Our private cottage overlooking the water was amazing - I was truly spoiled. The concentrated time together away from the house with all the things we always feel we "should be doing" was a treat. I feel so, so blessed to have become Brett's wife and a part of the Schlameus family three years ago (we've been an "item" for 7 years now), here's to many, many more!



Beer & Pretzels on the Ferry


Ran into Brett's high school friend Geoff Smith, his fiance Cassandra & the entire Burnside/Smith clan just before this pic!Mt. Baker shot a top Mt. ConstitutionThis little bunny ran under my feet while eating lunch at a cafe overlooking the water!Farmer's Market
A couple small deer roaming the beautiful grounds at Rosario
Sunset view from our private deck

Dinner the last night

College Friend Reunion Weekend!

While Brett was celebrating the 9th Annual Brew Fest trip down in Portland, (all of Brett's college buddies bring their significant others & kids to meet up in Portland every last weekend in July for the Portland Brewers festival), I headed down to San Jose del Cabo, Mexico with 11 of my nearest and dearest girlfriends from college to celebrate Shannyn's Bachelorette party!

Spending time with the girls away from the distractions of everyday life and just relaxing and celebrating, ok lots of celebrating, was an absolute blast and an adventure to remember.

p.s. sadly I took the camera for the weekend and therefore there are no pics to share of his weekend. :(

Photo from our private (and completely spontaneous) boat trip with our tour guid buddy Marco... somehow a group of 12 American ladies traveling together seems to get some attention and special treatment. :)

Same scene in evening from our "Adult Beverage Cruise"... oddly named the "Jungle Raggae Cruise", which seemed odd for Mexico, but yes - a lot of fun!We are on a boat!
A view from the deck of our condo:

Dinner at "The Office" on the beach, the night of Shannyn's Bachelorette Party

Me & Brooke

Half of the group gearing up for dinner at the resort

Denver Trip

The celebration of Aunt Kathie's big 6-0 was the perfect excuse for a trip back to Denver last weekend to visit the Warren Family and of course Alyson (Savageau) Ellena.

As usual, things fell right back into place with Aly, my dear friend of 20+ years. Brett & I enjoyed seeing the gorgeous home that Dave remodeled for Aly & Dave up in Keystone and were able to get out on Blue River for a Friday river raft trip through the Rockies. Was so much fun sharing lots of laughs, reminiscing, good talks, and wishing it wasn't so far in between our visits.

Friday evening we got some special BRIDGET time! Our niece of just a year and a half is beyond words. She is already running around, dancing, talking up a storm and stealing the show wherever she goes. Brian and Anna are doing an amazing job raising that little one. Missing her already!!

Aunt Ali & Bridget being silly...
Aunt Kathie & Cousin Elizabeth

Brett & Ali @ the B-Day BBQ

Grandpa Jim & Bridget

Dad & daughter during some post dinner reading

Anna holding Bridget during brush time Bridget LOVES her swing!

Owhi Camping Trip

Last weekend we were able to squeeze in a quick two night camping trip with Brooke & Jake at the Owhi Campground on Cooper Lake just north of Cle Elum. (Thanks for the great recco Nate & Erin!) Weekend was tons of fun all the standard camping "musts"...big hike (8 miler up to Pete Lake), Warren Stew, smores, brews & card games around the fire, and even some fishing in the Lake (for Jake).

Brooke & Jake scoping out a camp site:

Cooper Lake:All set up!

Trail Head:

Pete Lake/Hike Summit:

Happy Hour Begins...

Tahoe for the 4th!

What an wonderful weekend… met up with the fam (my mom, step-dad Kermit, step-brother Travis and his wife Kendra) in North Lake Tahoe for the 4th! Rented a great 4 bedroom cabin within walking distance from the lake, spent days on the water (sailing the lake, rafting the river, etc.) and evenings on the deck enjoying whatever Travis was grilling up to eat, Brett was mixing up to drink and late nights spent enjoying hot tub dips and several games of Apples to Apples (that’s right Kermit and I reign as champions). Oh and, maybe, just maybe, a little trip across the border for an appearance at the casinos. :)

Rock 'n' Roll!

14 weeks ago, after a little persuasion from SIL, I decided to sign up for the Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Half Marathon. What made me think this was a good idea when I literally could barely run a single mile (not to mention that 1.0 mile trek would take upwards of 12 minutes to complete...) I'm not sure... but each run I added a tenth of a mile here, a quarter of a mile there and after all was said and done I managed to complete the 13.1 mile race from Tukwila to Seattle in just under 2:08! While I'm no where near breaking any records or impressing the real runners out there it's a personal best, pretty rewarding, and weird to say I think I might actually enjoy jogging now?! Happy Running! weird!

Me, Brooke, Melanie & Dom (a couple of my fellow Music Amazonians... Dom is pretending the race kicked his butt, however Dom can run a 6 minute mile, so we needn't worry.)

25,000 runners - SOLD OUT!

Brooke (it was her 4th Halfer!!) & Ali

Start Time: 0:31:20, End Time: Sometime before 2:39:53 (luckily Brett was able to put down Lucy and get the camera out for this pic shortly after I crossed the finish line... as sadly my time chip didn't register :( ) ...p.s. for the fam, that big black building in the background (tallest this side of the Mississippi, is where I work!)