3 hours make a difference.

A three hour time difference does not seem like it would be a big deal, but once you factor in the hours I am at work and the hours I am sleeping... there is a very small window of time in which it makes any sense at all for me to talk to people on the East Coast.  I know this is not a good excuse, but it is a large part of the reason that I have been seriously out of touch with a lot of people lately... including my family.

For this, I apologize.  The next few weeks should be less busy.  Meaning that I will be a little more social and less of a workaholic.  :)

Anyways, here is a quick recap in pictures of the last week...

Tuesday: JACKIE's BIRTHDAY!!!  

And a Sarah Mclachlan concert...   

I got an unexpected invite to tag along with Uncle Joel and the girls.  

I was actually really impressed by Sarah and the two other band members who sang their own songs

Friday:  Late night muffin creations with Jackie  :)  

We were both in need of something to do, I think.

Saturday: Beautiful afternoon with Lauren.  

We had a few drawing lessons and then went for a long walk...

Sunday:  Solo trip to Alki Beach in West Seattle.  

I cannot explain how good it felt to be in the sun and on the beach for a few hours.

Bonus: Some strangers invited me to join their beach volleyball game.  :) 

Dear Seattle,

I love you, but- I NEED SUNLIGHT!!!!  
This is JULY.

The rest of the country is practically melting, and I haven't worn shorts in weeks.  Also, I am becoming relatively pale.  

Oy...  I am going to need a vacation after this summer.

Full House

After a week in Mexico with their Dad, the girls are coming home tonight!  :)  It has been such a quiet week, and it will be good to have everyone back in the house for the next few days.

And it gets better- Tuesday is Jackie's birthday!  Whoop Whoop!  

Other than this excitement - Life has been pretty calm (and cloudy).  

This week, I stayed busy with the internship, which has been quite fun!  Today, Aunt Sheila and I occupied ourselves by running errands, avoiding the gym, Skyping with the family, and doing yard work... aka pulling a LOT of weeds.  :)

My fingers are crossed for sunshine tomorrow!  The forecast calls for a high of 75!  OH HAPPY DAY!

I seem to blog on weekends...

This week FLEW by.  Megan left Tuesday night [sad face], and the internship was stressful due to various deadlines.

So now it is the weekend, and I think think this one will be very quiet.  The girls are heading to Mexico for a vaction with their dad and Sheila is heading to a business conference...

I guess that means I'll be working out, reading, catching some sun, and brainstorming adventures for other weekends.  In other words, I will be daydreaming of paddle boarding on Seattle's lakes, climbing mountains, riding ferries, and visiting Canadian Islands.

TO-DO LIST Highlights:

PADDLE BOARDING!!!  Check out the beautiful Mt. Rainier in the background!

(By the way- I stole this picture from another blog called "A New Journey...")

An interesting idea from Aunt Sheila- Paddle Board Yoga.

Dear Mount Si, one day, when I'm feeling especially ambitious and energetic, I will hike you.

Holiday Weekend. YES!

The past week has FLOWN by.  Ordinarily, I dislike time to pass too quickly, but it is actually pretty great.  I have been looking forward to this weekend for a few reasons.
1. Meggsie is here!!!
2. It is a holiday weekend.
3. The weather is supposed to be beautiful for a few days.
4. Without work on Monday, there is plenty of time to go exploring.

I don't have anything insightful to say right now, but I do have a few pictures to share!

A quick one from last weekend- Aunt Sheila, Lauren, and I went to "Suncadia!!!" which is basically a mountainous golf resort in the Cascades.  We had a sunny outside lunch, walked around, and enjoyed the scenery.  Apparently, I absolutely love mountains.

TODAY, after work, Sheila, the girls, Megan, and I went on a quick hike at Cougar Mountain to Coal Creek Falls...

It was a nice trail, and the woods were unlike anything at home.  I felt more like I was in a rainforest than the "woods"- but there was no humidity.  A perfect 75 degrees and sunny.

It was only a mile or so to the falls.  Highlights of the walk include:

A horse.

A giant slug.

A slip and cliffhanger stunts by Lauren... literally.

The falls were actually pretty cool, too!

Notice the GIANT green tree stumps.

After the hike, we drove just a few minutes to a public golf club that is one of the prettiest clubs/courses that I've visited.  We were there to check out the view of Seattle, but we stayed for a delightful dinner on the patio.

Sweet view of Seattle from our table on the sunny patio.

And the girls playing... 

Back at the house, we had an early Birthday Party for Megs.  :)  19 in 2 days...  

Tomorrow's agenda includes...  the Public Market and other downtown shenanigans in the morning followed by KAYAKING in the afternoon!