Teneriffe Falls (aka Kamikaze Falls) 

Roundtrip 6.0 miles Elevation Gain 1420 ft Highest Point 2370 ft 

Last mile up!

      Last Wednesday, Cly'ta and I headed up to North Bend to begin our summer hiking! On a somewhat partly cloudy day we started our hike to the falls. I was nervous as to how I would do making it to the falls due to my pregnancy-induced anemia (that would be my excuse anyway), but with a few pauses I easily made it...and am ready for some more easy to moderate hikes!!! Thank you Cly'ta for a fun day hiking and picnicking, always awesome with a bag of chips!!

Many glimpses of the river after the falls (below) are seen along the hike. But our destination was the falls: Teneriffe Falls (above)

Cly'ta at the base of the falls

 View of Snoqualmie Valley

Views of Rattlesnake Ledge and Cedar Butte in the background

    

 

     Well, I did it. I applied, was accepted and I confirmed my acceptance to the University of Washington School of Nursing's Doctorate of Nursing Practice Program with a specialty in neonatal nursing. I need to take a deep breath...or two,  or three. I am so scared and excited at the same time. Today, I just registered for 3 summer classes...which officially begins the program. There's no turning back now...well I guess officially no turning back after June 24th when my money is no longer refundable. I do have to say I probably wouldn't be making this decision to return to school if it wasn't for the complete support and encouragement of my husband. He has known I have wanted to continue my education, but with the recent news of baby Arnson's impending arrival, he has still encouraged me that things will work out....so we'll see! I am excited for this crazy, hectic, fun road I am about to start traveling come June 18th!

Introducing Little Bean!

Brandon and I are pleased to announce that we are expecting our first baby in November! We couldn't be more excited! About 1 more month until hopefully we find out the gender!

Whistler, BC

{March 2012}

Along with our friends the Newgards, we took a week long trip to Whistler. We had to learn to ride in powder up to our knees!! A few pictures from the trip. Thank you for a wonderful time! Hope to make something happen in 2013!

 

In the Peak to Peak Gondola

The boys sharing their sushi

February

February came and went! What a month! Valentine's Day and my birthday...I am one loved gal!

A hike to the summit of Tiger Mountain overlooking Lake Sammamish with Brandon!

Brandon and I got to celebrate Valentine's Day. I barely got the night off work....but gratefully I did and it did not disappoint! At El Gaucho before viewing a movie at Big Picture!

 Valentine's Day at Woodinville Wineries...chocolate and wine = a perfect combination!

Celebrated at Cactus with friends! Thanks Sarah, Colleen, Annie Rose, Meagan, Cly'ta and Brooke for coming out!

 ...then continued the night at La Luna. 

Annie Rose, Brooke, me and Meagan at La Luna

Friendship Roses

Christine & Tom drove up from Portland to help celebrate Saturday! My sister made one of our favorite dishes, short ribs over pasta with chocolate shavings on top! Thanks for helping make my birthday special!

Great food, great wine, great people! Thanks Gramma, Grampa, Tom and Linda for helping celebrate!

My new birthday wine glasses..we couldn't help do a taste test between the 'old' glasses and my new fine crystal Cabernet Sauvignon glasses. Wow what a difference a glass made specifally for each grape varietal makes! I love wine even more!!!!! Thanks Mom, Dad and Christine!!!

iPhone family photo...is there any other way? 

The boys!

                          Mom got in on the bowling!                     Thanks to the soon-to-be bride!!!

Brandon and I skirted down to Portland for a night on the town with Christine!!! We also went to watch our niece perform with the Action Athletics!!

My coworkers delighted me in another birthday celebration at Big Whisky in Tacoma! It was a great night complete with tons of country dancing! Thank you to everyone who came out! Jaime, Keja, Meghan, Jo, Cindy, Jen, Jessica, Tiffany, and Bethany... I had way too much fun pretending I could dance country!

Jaime made Jessica and me these cute maskes. Happy Birthday co-birthday Jessica!

Tiffany knows how to get down on the dance floor. She kept me company all night long!

 Thanks Beth for the pretty boquet of roses!

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THIS YEARS BRINGS!!! Up next, Whistler!!!

A Week of Snow!

Sunday's snowfall around the Puget Sound meant 1 thing: SNOW dumping in the mountains! With all the new snow we decided to jump on the opportunity to shred some powder! Monday at Crystal did not disappoint!

 

Our friends, Tiffany and Kory, joined us for an amazing day. Although you can not tell in this picture, the sun was trying to peek through the clouds the entire day, making visibiltiy good!

  

Many of our runs included finding untouched powder through the gorgeous snow capped trees!!! One word: AWESOME

  

End of the day: resting tired legs while sipping your beverage of choice in the warm lodge!

 Thanks Brandon for making our trip to Crystal super fun and enjoyable. A full 9-6 day, for sure!

      After snowboarding, I had to work 3 shifts in the NICU. Unfortunately, I had to drive in one of the worst ice storms ever. We cannot handle snow!!!! Once the pretty snow falls, it quickly melts, but then the night time temperature freezes the melting snow. I have figured that in my 5 1/2 years working at TG, I have had to work almost every snow day!!!!! But, it's not all complaints over here! We did get to have a little snow fun! After my last night working, I took a quick nap Thursday and went for a walk. What a scary walk! Every 3 seconds frozen branches were falling around us; I think we saw 2 trees fall. Downed trees and bushes are everywhere. The pictures from my prior post and this post are night & day! 2 things I am thankful for: I made it safely to and from work, and we did not lose power during this crazy snow ~ ice storm.

Our winter walk to Lake Wildnerness. Such destruction from the ice!



Such beautiful, but destructive icicles!

 Brandon demonstrating; he is an angel!

Here's to hoping and praying, no more ice storms this year!!!