(from Hun)

It's been a while since we posted. Joel was focused on the framing in the basement and I was working on wrapping up her job in the House, while preparing for the Senate. No big projects and no pictures, unfortunately.

We did just get back from a week long vacation home to the Pacific Northwest! We started with a few days in the Portland/Vancouver area to spend time with some family and friends. Most importantly, we set a date for our wedding - February 23, 2008!! Now, six months to plan a wedding - GO!

We got to sleep in (as late as Baker would allow) and enjoyed meeting Ann and Greg's (Joel's mom and stepdad) friends, Jan and Guy, at this fantastic coffee place called "Bipartisan Cafe" on SE Stark. Here's a picture of us enjoying a huge cinnamon roll, marionberry anything and yummy coffee.

Baker and Perita (Ann and Greg's Dog) waited for us outside. Unfortunately, Baker couldn't stand the fact that we were inside - even though we were right next to the window. He constantly barked until we were done visiting. Afterwards, we stopped by the Montavilla Farmers Market for some flowers from Grandma Curtin and sweets for Grandpa Curtin. We also picked up some treats for the family we're staying with in Seattle (Duyen, James and Bella).

Afterwards, we went up to the Mount Tabor Dog Park, where Baker and Perita got to play.










Then we spent three relaxing days on Detroit Lake, in central Oregon, with Ann. This was a family camping location for Joel's family. During college, Joel and I had come camping here too. This is where I had learned that I really, really liked jumping waves in a boat. And that was in a tiny aluminum fishing boat.

To feed my excitement, Joel had reserved a speed boat and we took out a knee-board and an inner-tube. I think Joel enjoyed watching me sling back and forth on a rope tow. I know I thoroughly enjoyed watching him catch air on the inner-tube. When the inner-tube landed back in the water, Joel was no longer riding it. Too bad we didn't have any pictures of that.

Joel's father, Jim, drove down for the day and we met him on the dock. Joel had told me that his dad enjoyed being on a boat, but just doesn't remember it. Well, we had convinced him to ride the innertube and he wasn't on there longer than a minute before he asked for us to whip him around in circles! Again, too bad we didn't have pictures of that!

But we do have one picture from the boat.

We also have some pictures of our fun times at the lake, swimming, relaxing and just enjoying the outdoors.

Okay, really - Joel and Ann were there camping with me and Baker...and the ducks...


We then returned back from the woods in time to drive up to Seattle to visit with Duyen, James and Baker's new best friend, Bella. She's an english bulldog with the best personality. She's 45 pounds of raw excitment. Plus, Baker and Bella are so cute together! Duyen and I got to spend an early Saturday morning at the Marymoor Dog Park in Redmond. Baker, having just got back from camping, was entrigued by the water. Bella, following her new found friend towards the water, went in for a sip and fell straight into the water! Luckily, it wasn't deep, but it left Bella completely wet for the ride home.

We also went to Seattle for a friend's wedding. Joel was participating in Colin's wedding as a groomsman. And yes, I was excited to see Joel all dressed up again! Doing the calculation, the last time I saw Joel dressed up in a tux was at Jenn and Tristan's wedding. And maybe the time before that was prom.

Here's a picture of the groomsmen: Colin (groom), Jeremy, Joel and Jeff (Colin's cousin).

We had a wonderful time at their wedding, one of the best of the year! It was held at the Delille Winery in Woodinville, WA. Touching ceremony, good food (the salad was fantastic!), great dancing. I even got Joel to dance! I hope he's warming up to our wedding reception.

As many of you know, Joel and I aren't religious folk, so we really enjoyed the officiant at Colin and Jo's wedding. He was apparently a Two-Time Winner: "Best Wedding Officiant" Named by Seattle Bride Magazine in both 2006 & 2007. Check him out at: http://www.seanpatrickoreilly.com/. We had connected with him after the ceremony and really enjoyed our conversation with him. Who knows!

Here is a picture of the two of us from that event.

















It was a whirlwind trip home and we're glad to be back. We're looking forward to fall, no more mosquitoes, and a visit from Jenn and Tristan in September and Joel's father in October. Did I mention that I have to pass a major piece of legislation this fall?????

Hope you all are well!