Thursday, June 25, 2009

sew....

I made this monster diaper bag for my sister as a 'congratulations, you're a new mom' present. It was definitely the hardest thing I've made so far, but I think it turned out alright...

I used Amy Butler's fabric. Check it out, she's got some great stuff.


Look at all those interior pockets! I guess moms have a lot to carry:)
Enjoy it, Maura!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Meet Sam!

The newest member of the Kimble family, Sam, was born May 2oth. So I had to fly out to Chicago to spend some good QT with my nephew, and of course, visit with my fam.



Sam and his parents, Steve and Maura.


My other brother, Bryan, his girlfriend, Emily, and my Mom all met out there.


Some good 'ole fashion cuddlage with baby Sam.


I don't know how I snagged this picture, but my favorite thing was right before he had to sneeze, as pictured above.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

lessons from a dog: dance

lessons from a dog:
dance like no one is watching.

Friday, June 19, 2009

4th year anniversary - orca island

this year is our big 4 year anniversary!
off to orcas island for a nice, quiet, relaxing getaway.

the whole point of this trip was to spend time with
one another, slow down, and take in every moment
with each other.


when we arrived in eastsound, we sat in this little park,
ate a picnic, and just gazed out over the water...


and the lavender.


did we mention lavender?

we stayed at the Inn at Ship Bay, a nice little bed and breakfast with the best restaurant on orcas.
we'd highly recommend this place to anyone wishing a quiet retreat, a quality dinner, and a quiet evening.


the next day, our only adventure [excluding visiting
art studios/shops], was checking out mt constitution.


we have to confess, we drove to the top of this one.

we will surly visit orcas island in the future. we enjoyed the laid back atmosphere, and all of the art.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

townsend's new bed

townsend wanted to show off his new bed!


he's so happy because he can fit his whole body on it!




although, at first, he was more interested in the box it came in.



ps - townsend also wanted to let everyone know that he graduated from puppy obedience class!


it was hard to get a phot of him in his graduation cap!

Saturday, May 23, 2009

my left arm.

on the way home from the ER this evening, i [brooke] reflected on everything i've ever done to my left arm:
  1. age 3-4: i fell over a pig fence and ripped a chunk of skin from under my bicep. there wasn't enough skin left to stitch it back together. [edit: just realized this was on my right arm.]
  2. age 5-6: sliced my pinky open with a butcher knife. no stitches needed, but still have issues with control of my pinky. watch me play guitar, i rarely use my pinky.
  3. age 8-9: i fell off my skateboard and split open my elbow. a trip to the ER for 3 stitches.
  4. age 14-15: one of my best friends, and he is still one of my best friends, shot me in the arm with a high powered pellet gun. a trip to the ER for x-rays, pellet removal, and 3 stitches.
  5. age 23: sliced the back of my thumb open down to the tendons with an exacto knife. a trip to the ER, 6 stitches and 6 weeks of healing time. it took me a year to get full movement back to my thumb.
  6. age 31: fell off my bike while riding down the burke gilman trail and punched a dime-sized hole on my outer elbow. a trip to the ER, 3 x-rays and 3 stitches.


the good things that have happened to my left arm? my wedding ring!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

columbia river gorge/beacon rock state park

this past weekend we journeyed down to the columbia river gorge area to check out beacon rock state park. we wanted to give townsend a test drive at camping. he did exceptionally well...except for ripping three holes in our favorite tent. but you can't really blame him, he's only a puppy and not used to sleeping in a mesh container.

although townsend didn't receive high marks in the 'tent' area, he did awesome around camp. he was intriqued by all of the slugs, but didn't eat any. for he had a smorgsboard of sticks, bark, grass, and other assorted objects.


he really enjoyed the big picnic table. he loved jumping up on the benches so he could have a bird's eye view. he was up on the bench so long, that we finally just moved his water bowl up onto the table. spoiled rotten!


most of the time you can tell when he's ready to go. if he's tied up, he will start pulling with all of his might, as if to say "commmmmee oooonnnn!"


if you don't respond quick enough, he passes out for a nap. this dog loves four things: his tennis ball, treats, naps, and us!


so as he napped the late morning away, we hunkered down for a hiker's lunch! a BIG hiker's lunch! a safeway sub!

after we cramped down half a huge sub, we made our way to the trailhead for dog mountain. dog mountain is a rather strenuous hike with amazing views.

at our first overlook, about a third of the way up.


we all rested for a bit.


townsend said, 'i've never been this high up in my life!'


one. tuckered. puppy.


we sat and took the scenery in for a while.


we even saw some para gliders overhead.



enough break time, onward to the summit.


up the winding trail.


almost to the summit; you can see mt st helens in the distance.


i'm not sure what is more sloped, the girl and dog or the trees.


worn out.


the panoramic view from the top.


townsend, ready to head back down for dinner.


the next day we checked out beacon rock state park, where townsend got to run through tall grass and we got a chance to stroll by the columbia river and take in some fresh river air.

if there's one thing this dog loves, it's running through tall grass!


and rolling in it!


what a noble sporting dog!