Birthday Recap

Well, I wasn't planning on taking a little blog vacation this week but it just seemed like time flew by! Thank you all for the birthday wishes last Monday, I think it was my best birthday yet [and the lobster was Uh-mazing!]

Josh was so cute, he got up early and went to the bakery to get me the the yummy, not so healthy, once a year on my birthday... cream cheese danish!

It is soo super yummy!

We relaxed and sat by the kiddie-pool,

*Jay ♥'s the water*

went to lunch with my fam @ The Treehouse Cafe,

[Josh, Brenton & Mom]

[Me, Jay & Josh]

[Mom, Claire & I]

[Jay tried a lemon for the 1st time and I thought these faces were priceless... he would make the sour face when we gave it to him, but when we took it away he would cry- I was confused and I think he was too!]

and had an awesome birthday dinner.

*I didn't get any pictures... that should tell you how good it was ;)*

One of my gifts was a muddler and with it we made the most delish mojitos I'd ever had [with mint from our herb garden]-yum!

All in all it was an amazing birthday!

Happy Birthday to me!! :)

Happy Me-Day (aka B-day)

It's July 26th so you know what that means....

It's my Birthday!!

Josh has the day off, we're having lobster for dinner and it's a gorgeous sunny day! I'm off to enjoy every minute of it :) Hope you all have a great day too!

Gunnar Lee

Today has been a bitter-sweet day. A year ago today Gunnar passed away unexpectedly, Gunnar Strum was my little sister's best friend. We have known the Strum family for many years and they are no stranger to tragedy. We became close to the Strums when Gunnar's little brother, Hayden, was diagnosed with cancer. We rejoiced with the Strum's when Hayden's cancer went into remission and we mourned with them when little Hayden died of a brain tumor ten years ago, just before his 7th birthday. I remember being so amazed by Gunnar’s strength and maturity at such a young age. I remember Gunnar inventing games to play with Hayden and he was always so careful with his already fragile little brother. I remember their mom, Kathleen, telling us about Gunnar taking placebo shots in front of Hayden to make Hayden less fearful of needles. I remember how strong their mom Kathleen was to be able to speak with such a clear voice and with such pride about her son at Hayden's memorial service. I remember at Hayden’s memorial nine year old Gunnar got on stage and closed his page of notes and gave a beautiful, moving speech from the heart.

Gunnar and Claire

Prom '08

Claire and Gunnar were friends for so many years and I loved how he was such loyal friend to her. Most summer days I would come home and see G's big, black, suped-up truck in the driveway... and if he wasn't there yet you knew he was coming way before you saw him, his sound system was that LOUD. Gunnar was fearless and had been on the motocross circut and had a future in the sport until some huge crashes and injuries sidelined him. Quoting his mom, Kathleen, “At 16 he made the decision to put his energy elsewhere, a decision that demonstrated a level of maturity of which many grown men are incapable.” G had such an amazing sense of self and always seemed so sure of himself, I guess it was because of all he had experienced in his young life. Claire was there for G when his parents went through a hard divorce and when our family started going through the same devastation of divorce Gunnar was always there for Claire, in the middle of the night, whenever, wherever... always...

As we pulled up to the church for Gunnar’s memorial service we saw G's big, shiny black truck parked out in front with his motorcycle in the back. Gunnar's memorial service was beautiful and was just how he would of liked it. A heavy metal version of "Amazing Grace" was played by friends of their family, a beautiful slideshow played that was accompanied by LOUD rock music {which Gunnar would have LOVED}, Gunnar's wakeboard, a skimboard and helmets graced the stage along with gorgeous flowers. And Kathleen spoke again with a clear voice and beamed with pride for Gunnar. Which of course brought back memories of Hayden’s memorial service as it was in the same church and even though that day was hard as Kathleen put it, “the boys were reunited together in heaven.” And that through all of the pain brought comfort.

Point No Point, WA

Today we went to the beach where Gunnar died. I wish that I would have gotten to know him better, I wish that he would have been more than Claire’s friend to me but, I was glad to be there for Claire with my mom and brother.

Claire in Gunnar's shirt at the beach today.

"Gunnar put more life in 19 years than most people put in 100." -Bob Strum

I know you're in a better place and with Hayden now Gunnar. Thank you for loving my sister and being such a good friend to her. You taught me to appreciate how precious life is. You touched so many lives and I truly feel blessed to have known you. You were truly an amazing, one of a kind guy!

the Beahans @ the beach

Today we went to Hansville, the town that Josh grew up in with Josh's brother, Richie, and his mom. Hansville is the cutest little beach town and Josh grew up in the coolest house right on the water. It was so sad when Josh's family sold their place in Hansville, but we had a really fun time walking by the house, enjoying the beach and seeing old friends in the neighborhood.

Jay, Josh, Me, Richie and Patsy

We tried to be sly about taking pictures in front of the house since the new owners were there {another reason i *love* my new iPhone 4: front facing camera!}

Jay playing in the sand in front of the old house

The three of us in front of the stump @ the old Hansville house.

How cute is Jay's smile?!

Jayden enjoying some quality time with Uncle Richie & Grandma Patsy

Josh and his momma

Did I mention that Jayden *ADORES* Richie?!

Jay had such a fun time at the beach, he was laughing and smiling the whole time! I love watching him soak everything up and it is so fun seeing his little personality come out. I cannot believe how much he is changing and developing each day, sometimes I just have to stop and take it all in. Do you know what I mean? Sometimes, like today, when everything just seems so perfect I try and take a mental picture of just how good and beautiful life is right in that moment. I find myself doing that a lot these days, I feel like these are such precious times and I want to savor every moment. Today was definitely an awesome day!!

Happy Hump Day!

The Zoo

Last week we went to the Woodland Park Zoo with some friends and had so much fun.

The weather was perfect and even though Jay took a nice long nap, he still got some quality time in checking out the animals.

the three of us @ the elephant exhibit.

Jay and daddy

Jay loved watching the penguins swim and jump in and out of the water.

When we walked by this lady Josh kept nudging me to look @ her. At first I didn't realize what was going on, sometimes I am so blown away by people... like this lady.

take a closer look

Why would you dangle your sons legs over the fence?!

Do you know what was behind that fence?

this guy!! Craziness!! ANYWHOO...

I loved watching Jayden watch the animals. Jay was so mesmerized by the turtles, they were his favorite... hands down!!

How stinkin' cute is he?!

*don't mind my squeeky voice or Jay drooling into the turtle pond!!!*

Happy Tuesday :)

Wee Bit of Me

I'm joining Leigh's Wee Bit of Me Wednesday today!

{one} do you believe in ghosts?

I'm not sure... growing up we had this tv that would just randomly turn on with the volume blaring and I was sure that it was haunted. Who knows if that's even possible but I was totally convinced as a kid.

{two} are you more of a talker or more of a listener?

I'd have to say that it really depends on who I'm with and what we are talking about.

{three} would you rather get up early or sleep late?

Both of these options assume that I'm getting sleep, which is FALSE information!! So, I guess I'd pick sleeping late because I'll take sleep wherever I can get in!! [lack of sleep courtesy of Mr. Jayden B]

{four} if you could instantly become an expert at one type of dance, what type would you choose?

I think it would be really fun to be good at ballroom dancing. It sounds like an amazing workout... I mean, have you seen the bodies on those Dancing with the Stars girls?! Sign me up!!

{five} what's your favorite drink?

Non-Alcoholic: water, paradise iced tea & Arnold Palmers( 1/2 lemonade, 1/2 iced tea)

Alcoholic: riesling, pear cider, The Pub's strawberry mojitos and a new found fav- Saracco's Moscato D'Asti ( a super yummy sparkling wine)

{six} if your house caught on fire and you could only grab three things, what would they be?

I think we need to give Josh and his Fire Dept. buddies some credit and assume that the house has some chance ;)

1. Our 2 kitties [as much as I'm not a cat person I really do love them]

2. Our computer [pictures, music]

3. Jay's baby quilt from my mom ♥

{seven} if you could only visit one restaurant for the next five years, which would it be?

I think I would have to pick either The Pub [you can read about my love affair with pub HERE] or San Carlos.

San Carlos is this AMAZING Southwest Restaurant on the Island that has delicious (and award winning) food and drinks. They're chips and salsa are to die for! Plus, they make my fav, the Herbed Crab Chimichanga- it won @ the Bite of Seattle a few years ago and it is to.die.for. Can you tell that I'm hungry for lunch?! ;)

{eight} who inspires you the most?

My Mom

and my Grandma

They are both such amazing mothers and women of faith and just all around great role models, I hope that I can be 1/2 as amazing as they are someday

{nine} if you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be?

Oooh fun!! Hmm...

I would have Dwight Howard on and would make sure I got a chance to touch his arm muscles, I mean look:

Dang Gina!!

and I would have Kristen Wiig from SNL because she is so freaking hilarious

and then I would have Justin Beiber perform because I love him... in a very non-creepy sort of way!! :)

{ten} sneakers or sandals?

I cannot choose!! I love both too much to pick a favorite...

I can't wait...

... for our family vacation to Montana this summer!!

Josh's family has a cabin in Montana and we ALL {aka: Josh, Jay, me, my mom, brother, sister, Josh’s mom, brother, sister, grandma, grandpa, Uncle, Aunt and cousin} are going on vacation together again in August. You would think that we would go crazy with all of us together but it’s seriously so much fun and with 140+ acres there is plenty of room for everyone:

it's so gorgeous and peaceful!

we go ATVing

we each decorate our own cup for the week

(if they make it that long)

we have huge family dinners

we go shooting

Josh wears his gun print shirt pretty much everywhere we go and nobody gives it a 2nd look!!

Josh unleashes his afro

we pick fresh huckleberries and make my fav-huckleberry pancakes

this guy doesn't have to leave for work!!

and best of all:

Josh’s our cellphones don't work ;)