"The Memories You Will Remember ..... in Washington"

CJ's Bakery! We loved, loved loved their birthday cakes and donuts. The cakes with the thick fudgey chocolate frosting. No one else ever has made it taste like that.

It's just the cutest little building in Maple Valley just the way I remembered the outside and the inside.  The smell, the tables the wooden walkway in - even the coolers and cake idea book inside were the same.  Thanks CJ's for not changing a thing! 

When I was a child and then as a gown up a trip to Tacoma could only mean one thing......a visit to the Brown and Haley candy factory.  We would get misdipped Mountain Bars and miswrapped Almond Roca.  It is the cutest circular building with pink accents. 

For some reason I could stare at this picture all day.  I love them walking in there.  Their little shadows, the pink flag in the distance and the blue sky peeking through. 

Here it is, the inside.  It is the 100 anniversary of Almond Roca so, look at this cute display. 

Before I blog about my trip to Washington I have to share an experience.  Things don't always work out the way you think they are going to.  When time got away from me on this trip I could not sleep.  I was frustrated, sad, anxious and upset.  In the early part of the night I remembered this experience which helped me think things through and make a new plan. 

There was a time a long time ago when I was preparing to run in my very first 5K ever.  I was living in Kent, Wa and I was going to run with Colby in the Jingle Bell Dash down across the valley floor in Kent.  I was working full time so I prepared by running on the treadmill in my garage in the early morning hours.  I could run the distance of the race and then some so I felt prepared knowing I could run far enough even if these were hills on the course that would slow me down, take my energy.  I knew I could do it. 
When I woke up the day of the race it was raining.  It had never occurred to me that it might be raining on the race.  I did not have rain gear and my legs and shoes got soaked.  I did not pull my hair up and back so it became waterlogged and icky.  I remember thinking as I was running, "This is not what I prepared for."

At home when I visualized myself in Wa and I put on Facebook and emailed people I was coming, it never occurred to me that my children would sleep so long.  Here at home as everyone around me sleeps I get up and move about the day.  I love mornings, I love getting stuff done and by noon to me the day is half over! When they stay up until midnight it is bound to happen.  Unfortunately even when I stay up late I have an internal clock that goes off at 6:30.

So, as I laid there frustrated in the night, running out of time to see the people I wanted to, I made the decision Family First. The next day I cancelled appts and lunch and saw family.  It was a good choice.  

I am so happy I got to see what and who I did.  I made the most out of every minute I was there and I am sorry that I missed seeing some people.  I am hoping for a return visit sooner than 6 and a half years.

Big Mountain Jam-South Jordan, Utah 2013

Now this was a fun tournament for me to watch and for Logan to play in. The games started on Thursday.

When we entered the South Towne Expo Center we knew we were in for a lot of noise, games and fun.

 First of all this was the first tournament I have ever been to that charged to get in. (They only took cash and I had to go and find a cash machine.) Not to mention it cost to have him play in tournament which I had already paid for at the school. This proved to be an expensive tournament.

 A day rate or a 3 day pass??? I chose the 3 day pass as I figured I would get my money's worth. I paid for and got a bracelet that I wore for 3 days. It was worth it. 3 games a day and good games to watch.

Some of Logan's friends and team mates.  Look behind him at the vastness of this place. 

Since he played on 2 teams he received medals for both teams.

One team won first and the other won second. 

Womens Conference 2013

All of us together for the Thursday session of Women's' conference at BYU. 

 Faith from here, Shannon from Kansas and my Mom from Washington.

This is where we shared a delicious lunch, laughing and visiting.  So nice to be together.

Shannon's poor feet.  She thought the shoes would be OK.  She wears them all day while she works but it is a different kind of walking here.....constant!

Brunch at my house on Saturday morning. 

We made Shannon's 90 minute bread at Faiths house.

We all piled in the Bug to run to Walmart while the bread was baking.  Both pictures are cute I just could not decide which one shows Mom and Shannon the best.

Smokin'

We love our smoker.  We have smoked pulled pork, brisket and ribs.  We have figured how long to cook it, how to keep the heat on even during the night, what rub to use and how delicious it is.

Lehi Horse Parade 5 years running!

It was as hot as it always is.

It was as fun as it always is.

It was over too fast.

I love a tradition!

Why I love my Neighborhood!!!!!

Someone in my neighborhood works at Camp Williams and is being deployed to Afghanistan. The morning he was to leave this is what he saw as he was leaving. Flags lining the street and a sign on his garage and in front of his house. Very touching!