Halloween 2010!

Tinkerbell!

Halloween was a blast this year! We left for Dad's (Grandpa's) on Friday...a few days before Halloween and immediately upon getting to Chelan, we went over to Tiffany's where she had a bunch of vegetarian food for us, and then on to pumkin carving! After dinner, however, I left and went back to my Dad's (yes, at 7 p.m.) and went to sleep. I left Myan in the capable hands of Tiffany and Evony and Dad went back about 9 and picked her up. I was sooo tired from the week of work, and being that Tiffany is my best friend, she didnt' mind that I was at her house for bout 10 minutes before I said, 'I'm leaving Myan here, and I'm going to Dad's to sleep.' Gotta love good friends!!

We got the girls (Evony and Myan) in their costumes and hit the streets of Chelan. For the first couple of blocks, they were quiet, shy---- the last 3 blocks of town? They were running, yelling, singing, dancing -- having so much fun!

Dad and I were amazed at how many people were out on the streets of Chelan. One person told me that their store had 1200 kids come to it! That's a LOT of trick-or-treat(ers) for the small 4 block town of Chelan. It was a little claustrophobic. It was great fun, though, and the girl's had a blast: That's what Matters!

Getting Ready To Head Downtown...Still a little curious about the night's events...

Grandpa and Myan -- collecting candy

The Girls!

On the 3 blocks where they thought there were IT!

After -- at Gramps house....showing off her loot!

Girl's Day!

Myan asked to put on her Halloween costume for our Spa Day! She took it off before Lee got there, but she had good intentions!

Myan and Auntie Lee -- after our make-up makeovers. Two of my favorite people!

The Three Girls - after make-up and a perfectly relaxing day on the king size bed with nothing but snacks, OJ (for Lee!) and good talks...

Myan and 'her' dog, Jonah. No, Jonah didn't get the spa treatment makeover.....But Myan does dress him up in her shirts, so I'm sure he didn't feel left out. :)

My cousin Lee came up yesterday to hang with Myan and me...we had so much fun! We laid on the bed with some Glueten-Free candy, some OJ and had Girl Afternoon. We had such a blast. Lee and I laughed, talked about old times, talked about new times and the future, cried a little, had a makeup makeover and just relaxed. It was the most amazing afternoon, and I'm so lucky to have Lee in my life. Even though she's my cousin, we grew up (along with all of the cousins) so close that it's like having more brothers and sisters. I wouldn't trade my cousins for anything in the world! Thanks for the wonderful day, Lee. I love you!

Dad's Visiting!

Dad came to visit for a week -- to hang with his perfect grand-daughter and his almost perfect daughter! We had such a good week, chilling out, making dinners, going out to dinner and just playing with Myan. She follows 'Gramps' around like a shadow -- and I love every minute of it! (and so does he!)

Here is a pic of Myan and Gramps at the playland toys at the mall. She takes a while to warm up, but once she gets going, she has a blast!

First Day of Preschool!

Myan's first day of preschool was yesterday. She was a trooper! She looked a little worried when we dropped her off and kept eyeing us to see if we were leaving. We stayed for 10 minutes and then told her that we'd be outside waiting. We waited for 10 minutes (while Lanny paced around and tried to look in the windows) and then we went back in to let her know that we were leaving and would be back after school. She wasn't thrilled, but I walked her over to the teacher (Miss Naomi) and she sat back in the circle.

I called Lanny at 2 when he picked her up and he said that her words were, "It was Fantastic!" and that "I had fun!"

When I got home and immediately asked her about school, she slapped me in the side of the head (twice) and the only answer I got when asking her anything about her school day was -- a fart sound. Apparently she wasn't (and didn't) going to tell me anything about school.

In bed last night, when she was too tired to defend herself from my questions, she did let me know that she wanted to go back.

Mission Accomplished!

At the Park

Saturday Outing!

Last Day of August

Myan lives in her swimsuits; I don't know what we're going to do in the winter.... Here is her latest pose! We had such a great weekend. Spent Saturday goofing around and Sunday Auntie Lee came up and spent the day with us. I got some fresh cut flowers from Lanny's yard -- couldn't resist - they're so beautiful! (thanks to his landlord). Lee and I got a bunch of stuff packed up from Mom's studio -- not the most fun thing to do, but Lee was a trooper and I can't thank her enough for her love and support. Oh, and you should see her belly! The twins are taking over ;)

Franklin is Born!

Last night, Larnie gave birth to a beautiful baby boy: Franklin Severson Raught. He was born at 5:48 p.m. - 6 pounds - 19 inches.


Julia texted me at 7 a.m. yesterday to say that they were at the hospital. About every 2 hours, she kept texting me updates -- Mom's at 3! Mom's at 7! I left work at 1:30 -- went and picked up Myan -- missed a ferry - finally caught the 3 o'clock ferry - and arrived at Swedish Hospital in Seattle at 4. While I was trying to find a parking spot at Swedish, Julia texted me: Mom's at 10! She's ready!!! I texted back that I was trying to find a parking spot!

Myan and I got upstairs and saw Julia. I ran into Larnie's birthing suite to give her a kiss and let her know that we were there and then Julia, Myan and I went back to the waiting room to talk about the days happenings for a few. We went to the cafeteria and got something to eat...went out for a smoke...and went back up to the waiting room.

About 5:30 Nick (Larnie's boyfriend...and Frankie's Dad!) came to the waiting room and say to Julia -- they're ready for her to push! So, Juj jumped up and ran out. About 20 minutes later...Julia came back to the waiting room. I assumed that they were still laboring -- or they were waiting for some odd reason -- something -- but then Julia handed me her iPhone and there was Frankie lying on the cleaning table. WHAT?? HE'S HERE?? I could NOT believe it. Julia left literally 20 minutes before that -- and came back with ... a picture...of Frankie OUT of the belly! What a surprise!!!

Julia stayed with Myan for a minute while I ran in to give Larn a kiss and to kiss Frankie. I then left the room so they could do whatever it is that they have to do -- clean up, I presume -- and went back to watch Myan so Julia could go be with her Mom.

We hung out until a little after 10 p.m. -- Larnie and Frankie were then moved to another room and we were all settled in. Larnie was in great spirits -- said that it was virtually painless. She only did NINE pushes and little Frankie was out. NINE! Amazing work, Larn. And, thankfully, the little guy was -- well, little!

A new life is with us now . . . another member of this odd clan that we call family. I can't wait for them to get home so I can sit on Larn's couch and hold the little peanut.

Myan's Day Out!

Myan's pose when something's not quite going her way.

Myan got to spend an entire afternoon with Nicole (Aunt Nikki) my longest/dearest friend here on this side of the water. While I was out in Seattle with Julia kicking up my heels to celebrate our birthdays - Myan got to spend an afternoon being spoiled (I'm assuming) and getting to hang out with Nicole. They spent the day at the park -- and from the pictures that Nicole took -- it looks like Myan was on cloud nine! Myan told me when I saw her the next day that she's going back to Nikki's tomorrow. I asked her, 'Did Nicole say you could come back?" She said defiantly, 'YES' as if to say -- I don't have to ask, it's a standing invitation. We'll leave that up for Nicole to decide ;)

I had a wonderful night out with Julia and Myan had an amazing day out with Nicole. I didn't have to worry or think about Myan as I knew she was in great hands! That's such a blessing....However, if Myan doesn't stop talking about Nicole and how much fun they had -- I'm not sure if I'm going to send her back ;)

Catch Aunt Nikki!

Hello Lovely!

I'm not sure this is sanitary ...

Myan doesn't like noise!

I'm outta here...

Not sure what she's doing, but I love this pic all the same!

Swaggerin...

Here Ducky, ducky, ducky...

Lovely, quiet picture...

A Star is born!

Precious...

Waiting for ducks...

Talking back to someone...I presume

Duck feeding!

Julia and Jenn's Birthday Evening!

Juj and I went to Seattle on Saturday night for a girls' night out. It started with the ferry...then a taxi ride to the Seattle Center for dinner at the Space Needle (compliments of Dad/Grandpa!). The food & service at the Space Needle restaurant was absolutely amazing. The dinner was so, so good. I recommend it to anyone. A little pricey, but the view is stunning and the food is honestly amazing.

From there, we jumped in another taxi and went to 6th Ave to my surprise b-day gift for Juj - the Grease Sing-A-Long. They were passing out 'Pink Lady' pins and 'T-Bird' pins and posters! There were so many girls dressed up in the Pink Lady jackets, it was so cute. The sing a long was hilarious -- the whole audience was cheering, singing and having a great time. The whole audience cheered when Mr. Travolta came on screen and 'BOOOO'd' when the opposition showed up. Rizzo by far got the most cheers -- throughout the entire movie!

I did fall asleep once...in honor of my Mom I assume -- but Juj woke me up for the last song and said that I only slept for 15 minutes or so. I'm 38 -- what is happening to me!!! #$)%&

It was a beautiful night -- just the two of us - catching up, goofing around and just enjoying each others company. What a wonderful, magical night with my beautiful niece and friend, Julia Rose Bryant Page Garcia. ;)