barfing, the zoo, and Dave's wedding

A few weeks ago Matt's good friend Dave got married over in Seattle. We went over a day early so we could spend some time enjoying something tourist'y. We were planning on hitting up the Science Center but Annie randomly spent Saturday morning barfing so we thought better of it. After deciding that it wasn't really the flu, just our sensitive little pumpkin having a little reaction to something she ate, we headed out to the zoo. The rational being that she wouldn't be in too close of contact with anyone and therefore we were not bad people. This is Annie having a quick dose of medicine in the parking lot.

After a successful (read: barf free) trip to the zoo we decided she could handle the wedding.  I offered to stay back with her but Matt got in my head and convinced me she wasn't contagious.  I'm pretty sure he just wanted a designated driver and someone to dance with.  It's kind of my role in this marriage so I let him convince me this was a good idea and we all got dressed up and headed out.

Charlie's attempt to get rid of Annie - assign her to a table in the parking lot.  Genius.

We navigated the wedding with no drama and no sickness.  Everyone had a great time - the happy couple was happy, looked great (although it turns out I'm totally narcissistic and didn't take a single picture of the beautiful bride?), and totally enjoyed their day.  

Congrats Dave and Rachael!

S2S and a Lotta BS - Year 2

I have been FAILING the blog big time lately.  I'm going to attempt some catch up these next few days so bear with me (by next few days I mean tonight I'm going to write 6 posts and put them on time delay so 1 goes up each day, who's the blogging genius now!?).

In August I participated in the Spokane to Sandpoint Relay again.  My pictures are totally out of order, I tried to drag them around and Blogger isn't co-operating, must be mad at me or neglecting their site.

The 2012 Team

Diane had the Brightest Running Outfit leg - Rainbow Bright seemed so genius!  Somehow she didn't win though.  She won in my book though :)

Olivia had the Costume Contest leg - she went as "Sparkly and Fabulous".  She didn't win either, she wore her costume all day though so she may not have an actual prize for her efforts but she brought smiles to the faces of the Starbucks workers in Liberty Lake, countless drivers, as well as her proud teammates.  That should count for something!

This is our cute friend Angie all lit up for her 11 pm run!

Melinda after running in 100 degree heat up Doomsday Hill.  Such a trooper!

Out of order!  So frustrating!  This was after most of us were done the next day.  We had to kill the time while our last couple runners finished up somehow.

Steph had the Tattoo and Mustache Contest leg.  She took it very seriously.

Long story involving the blow up doll.  2 days before the race we had a girl drop out.  What?!  Who does that!  Thankfully we found a replacement super last minute.  I brought the doll along and we named her Leta (the gal who dropped out) and we mocked her and abused her and made her pay for Leta's mistake.

So we had a great time and, just like I did last year, when it was all over I thanked the team for coming out and for being great but I would be retiring as captain (and as a participant).  Heat, hills, exertion, lack of sleep - they're all things that make S2S not fun.  However 2 seconds after my declaration I was back on board.  S2S is more of a women's retreat than a race.  We laughed, we cried, we danced with blow up dolls, we drank wine at 10 am - these are all things that make S2S great.  Oh and we didn't have to change anyones sheets because they wet the bed, we didn't have to drop what we were doing to get someone an emergency cup of juice, we didn't have to tie anyones shoes - we just got to be adults for 32 hours and it was really pretty amazing.

Farm livin' is the life...for our friends!

What a great place for a kid's birthday party - their Dad's farm! Tractor rides, climbing on farm equipment, planting flowers, painting rocks, digging for money in hay, pinatas hung from cranes. All fun!

(the kids are on the combine way off in the distance)

(now they're in the tractor)

Speaking of farm livin', went to the Farm Chicks show and picked up this little mag rack.  It makes me smile.

s'more s'mores please

I don't know what it is about this group of friends but every time we get together we always introduce something marginally dangerous to our kids and then supervise them just a little bit and hope for the best.  At New Years it was 12 kids with sparklers, 1 dad lighting off random fireworks, and 9 parents not really paying attention until a firework tipped over and started shooting flames at the kids.  Thankfully no one got hurt, we just all vowed to drink less next time and parent more.

Last weekend it was 9 kids with hot sticks, no dads, 4 moms trying to guard the fire, not really cluing into the fact that the kids were close to poking each others eyes out with their hot marshmallow sticks.  No one got hurt or shot with a firework this time so we may actually get to do this again!

We did overload the kids with sugar though which is another fun thing we like to do when we get together.  I think it makes us all feel better about overindulging in what we like to overindulge in.  We like to keep the kids/parents score even.

MS Walk

The 4 Rings are participating in the MS Walk again to show our support for a dear friend with the MS. If you have extra money in your life and you want to donate to the cause go here:

http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR/Walk/WAIWalkEvents?px=9144463&pg=personal&fr_id=18281


Even $5 - 10 probably helps. I don't know, but I love to assume things.

best.office.party.ever

Let me start by saying we're a bunch of CPAs. Immediately you think that we're boring or that we think dumb stuff is funny, only the latter is true with this crew in this case.

This year one of the partners at our firm (below, on the left) suggested a couple of us wear the same dress to the party. What fun! I'm in. Below we're trying on a purple prom'y little diddy that was beautiful, but mine wouldn't zip (probably a dress malfunction, had nothing to do with my extra-large back). We tried on like 10 dresses and decided on a one shoulder peacock inspired number. We figured if we're going to do this we're doing it big.

The dresses were a hit and everyone (keep in mind we're in a room full of CPAs and their significant others who love the CPAs) thought we were awesome, not clique'ish or exclusive at all, just pure awesome. At least that's how I remember their reaction.

I couldn't get enough of my naked shoulder. It was just so freeing to have it out there.

After the official party at the SteamPlant we went to the Starlight Lounge downtown. Where we proceeded to continue drinking way to much and I started dancing (that's me below, dancing).

Our firms owner came out with us to the 'after party' and actually asked me where I learned to dance like that. 'Ummm...I was born with moves this good?' was all I could think of. I mean it's true really. Some people are just born with really great moves.

Maybe next time I'll put the camera away before I go downstairs for another beer.

Last night after Charlie's soccer game we had a few of his teammates over so we could drink beer with their parents. I mean so the kids could play.Perhaps next time when I turn on a movie and tell them to be good and leave the adults alone I'll actually put my camera away. Annie got ahold of it and documented the events taking place upstairs.

the movie

no one watching the movie

the photographer

one of Charlie's buddies

MS Brewfest

How fun is it to get dressed up and drink beer with co-workers and friends? Turns out it's very fun. The MS Brewfest we volunteered at last night didn't even have all that smelly German food that's I'm never excited about. It just had David's Pizza and about 15 different breweries serving beer.

My job was to pour beer for the Hopworks Urban Brewery in Portland. I may have sampled my fair share and then some, not a bad product.

Most.Fun.Ever

Last weekend one of my besties got married up in Bellingham. She was absolutely stunning and the Rings had an absolute blast. Thanks Anna for making Annie a flower girl - she took her job very seriously and felt like such an important part of the day.

Congratulations my Baby Bird!