Our New RV!!!

We got a new RV today!! We have been wanting one since we got our camping property a year and a half ago. But knew practically nothing about RVs and weren't sure what kind was right for us. We decided on a pull-trailer kind, so we can drop it off and go into town without hauling it around. We also still wanted to use the back of the truck for hauling things when we aren't camping, so that meant no fifth-wheel. And, with Nick's baseball tournaments, we thought an RV would come in handy.  Over the weekend, we rented an RV and took it to the Gorge this weekend for a concert and that was it - we were sold. After returning the rented RV in Tacoma, we stopped at Bardos in Fife and found the one we want at the price we want.   Some cool features are:  two bedrooms at each end of the trailer.  The front bedroom has a queen size mattress, the kids bedroom has a good size bunk bed, it's own dining area, another pull-down bed, a TV mount, and a closing door!!! The bathroom has two entrances: one from inside the trailer, and one from the outside.  So, dirty baseball boys don't have to track dirt through the RV to get to the bathroom.  Yay!  It has NO carpet, which is important to me for keeping it clean, and it has TONS of storage.  It also has an oven, which I think will come in handy for Thanskgiving / Holiday dinners when you could use an extra oven.  Oh, and it has a flat-screen TV mount so the TV is visible from the main living area, and it swivels around so you can watch TV from the front (our) bedroom.  Yay!  Isn't it great to be able to get away from it all and still have XBOX and the ability to lay in bed, eat bon-bons and watch TV?  

Here are a few pictures kindof out of order:

This is the kid's dinette in the kids room.  The table pops down and makes into a bed.  And, the wood frame drops down for another kid sleeping area.  These are big enough for full grown kids too! 

This is Nick's room with the bunk beds.  A TV will bolt down to the top of the dresser. 

This is the bathroom showing the exterior door.  I LOVE that feature!  Someone really had their noggin' on...  Probably a Baseball Mom. :-)  Oh, and the shower is tall enough so that Ward can stand up in it.  

This is the kitchen.  Microwave, stove, oven, fridge, freezer.  All represented. 

Bump-out Dining table and Sofa.  And yes - the clock STAYS!!

This is where the flat-screen TV goes.  This wall is also the divider wall from the front bedroom (aka: OUR bedroom) and the main living area.  It has sliding pocket doors and the TV frame swivels.  

Bedroom window complete with day/night privacy shutters.

Front bed / storage.  There is also storage underneath the mattress. 

View along the outside.  Notice the porch lights, the awning, and the dual doors.  Cool!  

It's a Surveyor by Forest River.  Warren Buffet just bought this company. 

Dual Propane tanks with auto and manual switching.  Even the casing is cool.  You don't have to lift it off to switch a tank. 

That's it!!!  Can't wait for camping!! 

I am baaaaack!

OK - I haven't posted in a couple of months... Seems like FaceBook is taking all my attention! What is it about that electronic friendship generator that is so darn addicting?? Actually, I love the fact that I have connected with so many long-lost friends from grade school. Folks have been posting class pictures and commenting about them and laughing at all the clothes, etc. It's been a blast. A couple of weekends ago, I hosted a mini-reunion and it was so much fun seeing everyone again. Everyone had a really good time, I think.

Nick has been VERY busy with baseball. Several tournament games as well as league. We are playing in a Bellevue league, and it's real interesting to see kids with ex-mariners names on their jerseys - meaning, they really are the ex-mariners' kids in this league. We've seen a few other local semi-celebrities on the field too. Nick has had a screamin' great year so far. He primarily plays first base, but also pitches from time to time. His batting has improved dramatically this year, and is currently batting fourth in the "clean up" position. Check out his game schedule and pictures at www.bruinsbaseballclub.com

Little Luke is now 2 months old! It's just amazing how fast time flies. He is an absolutely perfect, beautiful baby boy. His mommy and daddy seem to have settled into a nice routine with him, and other than managing a sensitive little tummy, he seems to be thriving! He can already hold his head up, and actually he could do that since he was born! NOT making that up. He is the most snuggly little baby boy I have ever held, and I just adore him! Being a "grammy" is really really great. For all the latest pictures of Luke, check out Ben and Christina's blogspot - link to the right.

More later!

More Pics of Baby Luke

Ward took these pictures of baby Luke. For a complete story of little Luke's arrival, check Christina's blog site by clicking on the link "Ben and Christina".

Little Boy Luke

Lucas Benjamin Johnson was born late March 3rd at 11:47 pm via C-section at Valley Medical Center. He weighed 6 lbs and 5 oz, and is 18 inches long. He was originally due on March 28, so he is a bit early. But he is doing quite well, as are his mommy and daddy. As you can see by the pictures, Luke is a beautiful little baby. I am head over heels in love with this little guy. Last night I got to hold him for a long time and he is just the sweetest little thing. Little Luke was born early because his mommy was involved in a small accident (she is OK), which resulted in a free trip to the hospital in an ambulance. Her blood pressure was pretty high, and they weren't able to get it to come down. They were concerned about the baby, of course, and didn't think that labor was an option. No pesky labor pains for Chrissy!!

Great job, Ben and Christina!! We love you all so much.

Springtime means....

Here is a picture of Ward's Caprisi Salad that he made us last night...

So, the excitement of Facebook has definitely derailed me from Blogspot. But after much nagging by Ward, I am finally updating my poor, lonely site again.

I've been pretty excited for Spring to come. Seems like it's right around the corner. The days are getting longer and little buds are starting to sprout. Yay!

Springtime means that little boy Luke will arrive soon! I tell you I cannot wait to hold that little babe in my arms. A new baby brings hope, joy, and excitement. I often wonder how this little tiny baby is going to spin our lives around - in a very good way! I can't wait for the little things like keeping a basket of toys handy, childproofing the house, having sleepovers at gramma and grandpa's house, stocking up on baby supplies... Most of all, I can't wait to see Ward fall in love with his grandson.

Springtime means BASEBALL, and soon Nick's tournament team will start playing lots and lots of games. I am really excited for that. Nick has been working so hard through the winter at pitching, in particular. I can't wait to see how his hard work pays off. I will post his game schedule very soon.

Springtime means YARD cleanup and recovering from the winter... We're going to the home and garden show today to look at new gazebos since ours was lost to the Christmas snowstorm.

And.... Springtime means the launch of PACE - our long awaited portfolio accounting system at Russell. There are a lot of people who are going to be extremely GLAD when this platform is live. YAY!