Where has this season gone!?

There’s only one month left in the regular season and I think my team needs a pick-me-up. I won't dwell on how they are doing right now, but will go into the past to celebrate how they were doing.

On June 23, I went to a Mariner’s game with Brian and Melissa, and Melissa’s mom Hildred, and her sister, Michelle. We didn’t sit in my normal seats, but were way out in the upperdeck (towards centerfield). We had a great time, although we got our workout climbing all the way to our seats. Here’s a view of the Seattle skyline from our seats (using telephoto lens).



Since many of you have not been to a game with me nor have used my season tickets, here is a view of where our seats are (one with and one without telephoto lens). Our seats are directly under the “C” in “Welcome.” Notice where homeplate is.





This weekend was Ken Griffey Jr.’s homecoming to Seattle. It was great to see him again. Rumor has it that he might return to the Mariners before he retires. Only he knows if it will happen. Here’s a picture of him in the outfield below our seats and one of him up to bat.





When we left to go to the game, we were all worried that the roof would be closed and that we’d end up with rain. Instead, the Lord gave us a beautiful sunset to enjoy. Here’s two of my favorite pictures of that sunset.





For those who were supposed to go with us (you know who you are!!), you missed an awesome game, although I'm sorry that there were no stolen bases (I guess the M's didn't get my memo). We were with great friends, had good food, and an awesome view, plus my guys won!!!! We saw Raul Ibanez hit a grand slam, Richie Sexson hit two solo homeruns, and Ben Broussard hit a two-run homer.

Final score (this is a traditional picture that I always take during the top or bottom of the 9th inning):



On July 28, I drove up to an early afternoon Mariner’s game. I met my college friend, Leslie, there. We reconnected at my cousin, Brittney’s basketball games at Seattle Pacific University. We have gone to a game together for the last few summers, just to catch up on each other’s lives. We sat in my normal season ticket seats, so here is a photo of homeplate from our seats (one with and one without telephoto).





We knew that it was our college’s Alumni Day (George Fox University), but I had forgotten that it was also State Employees Appreciation Day too. We didn't see anyone from our college, but it was our understanding that those who were attending the BBQ before the game were older or we didn't even know them while at Fox.

Leslie and I had a lot of fun talking and cheering for our Mariners. The only bad thing that happened during the game, was that someone ran onto the field to meet Ichiro. We’re assuming the guy was drunk and/or was dared to run out there. He did make it all the way to Ichiro, but then was captured by security. I did get some pictures, but won’t post them here. He’s already had his 15 seconds of fame and doesn’t need any more. We did get to see Kenji Johjima hit a two-run homer and Yuniesky Betancourt hit a solo homer, plus we won!!

Final Score:



My next games will be September 14 and then September 28 and 29, unless they go into the playoffs. Hopefully they get into the playoffs and then maybe I can actually go to a game on my birthday. The last five years, I have gone to the last Friday and Saturday games as a gift to myself for my birthday. Because of that, I have seen Ichiro break the hits record, Edgar and Dan retire, and the M’s knock other teams out of the playoff race (even though we weren’t going). Don't know of any players planning on retiring this year, but maybe the M's will be in the playoff hunt, so these games would really matter. No matter what, the games are just a lot of fun to go to.

35th Anniversary

Sorry I haven't posted in a while, but we've been busy and then we were in Michigan for two weeks. More about that visit in another post. I wanted to get this posted before I left, but time flew by and then we were on vacation.

Sunday, July 29th, my parents would have celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary, if my Dad was still alive. I thought I’d pay tribute to them with a few pictures and words. Here’s a picture of Mom and one of Dad when they were babies. Mom was born in Everett, Washington and Dad in Muskegon, Michigan.





Mom went to Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois and Dad went to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They both went to New York University for Grad school, but at different times. They met in New Jersey, while Mom taught at Eastern Christian School and Dad worked for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City. They were married in Anchorage, Alaska, where Mom’s family had moved to in 1959. This picture is from their wedding on July 29th, 1972. Left to right are: Dad’s sisters (Debbie and Diane), Mom and Dad, and his parents, Jeanette and Rich.



They lived in New Jersey while Dad worked in New York City. After my brother was born, they moved out to Vancouver, Washington, where I was born. We moved to Shelton (December 1977) and then to Olympia in 1988 to be closer to our church. This coming December we will have gone to the same church in Olympia for 30 years. This is a picture of the four of us not long after I was born. Also, here are two of my favorite pictures of my brother and I growing up.







So I don’t bore you with details, I’ll skip a bunch of years and include some more recent photos. These last pictures are of Dad in May 2000 not long after his second round of chemo. We were celebrating his birthday (May 18) and Mom’s birthday (May 20). The next picture is of Dad with his two sisters in July 2000. Aunt Diane and Aunt Debbie came out for about a week to spend some time with Dad, since he couldn’t travel much. Dad died on November 17, 2000, of complications to colon cancer. He was 53. The last picture is of Mom, my brother, sister-in-law, and myself on Mother’s Day 2007, six and a half years after Dad died. As you can see, we are doing well, which we give all the credit to our Lord. He has provided an awesome family and a wonderful church family who have supported us throughout our lives and I know they will continue to do so.







So although Dad’s not around to celebrate their 35th Wedding Anniversary, I know he’s with us and will never be forgotten.

July 13-15 Campout

What can you do when people bail on you? Our big Youth Group Campout was supposed to happen July 13-15 and by Thursday morning all of our high schoolers cancelled for various reasons. The Youth Leaders decided that we still wanted to enjoy a weekend of camping and hiking, so we headed out to Lake Cushman (north of Shelton). Tom and Alan went early Friday evening, while Brian, Melissa, and I went up after our softball game (which we lost). Juanita came up on Saturday afternoon with her family. There was a burn ban in effect on Friday, so we missed out on S'mores and campfire stories that night.

Saturday morning we ate and packed lunches for our hikes. It was a grand affair and the guys spent much of their time trying to decide where to go on their hike. Have to say that we never went hungry on this trip. Here's a picture of Brian, Melissa, and Tom preparing their lunches.



The guys decided to conquer Mt. Washington and with Melissa at almost 8 months pregnant and I not having hiked in awhile, we had already decided to head towards Lower Lena Lake. Below is Melissa and I about halfway to the lake.



We ate lunch under the trees on the far side of the lake. Melissa thinks that we were next to the campsite where she and Brian stayed at on a previous trip. Here's the view:



Here's another view of the lake on the way back:



Melissa and I had hiked about 8 miles roundtrip and were happy to get back to camp. The guys had beat us back by a few minutes and we also saw that Juanita and her family had come up. To see more about the guys climb/hike, check out Tom's and Brian's websites (Links are to the right).

Since the burn ban had been lifted, we relaxed around the fire before we enjoyed a dinner of Hobo pies. Here's Dave, Alan, Jakob, and Brian sitting around the fire. The second picture is of the makings used for the Hobo pies.





Dessert was S'mores and doughboys. Dave and Juanita's son Jakob made his first S'more and then Dave taught Brian, Melissa, and I how to make doughboys (we added jam and frosting to ours). They were so good.





Brian, Melissa, and I walked down to the lake, so that Brian could show us where they had climbed today. The first picture is of Mt. Ellinor (on the left) and Mt. Washington (on the right). You have to climb Mt. Ellinor first and then climb over to Mt. Washington. The second picture is a close up of Mt. Ellinor and several of the peaks that they bagged.





Breakfast on Sunday morning was pancakes that were made and served by Dave. He did a great job. Here's Dave at the grill.



Brian and Melissa brought their dog, Matty with us. She went with the guys on their hike and then slept most of the evening and through the night. She was entertaining us after breakfast on Sunday morning. She is in the midst of one of her tricks in the picture below. Brian had placed a piece of pancake on her paw and she is supposed to wait for his command to eat it. She did pretty good at waiting, but once she tasted one, she wasn't so sure she could wait any more.



Brian, Melissa, and I headed back home to get showers in before church (Tom and Alan went back home Saturday evening). Dave and Juanita planned to drive in just before church. All of us did make it to church on time. I was sore since my twice-a-day walks at work aren't this hard. Monday was my most painful day and I still had to work. I was back to full strength by Thursday and I'm ready for another hike.

My 1st Post!!

Welcome to my new blog. I've had several people tell me that I need one, so thanks to some encouragement from Brian, Melissa, and Tom, here is my attempt at a blog.

Don't worry, unlike what my blog name implies, this will not be ALL Mariners, ALL the time. I love my Mariners, but I don't want to bore everyone, plus I'm sure some of you might not care about baseball. You will have to put up with some M's pictures and stories, especially after I go to a game. Of course, when the M's go to the playoffs this year, you may see more M's stuff here.

I want to apologize right now in case this blog ever gets boring for you. I don't think I lead an exciting life, but I've been told that I do. This blog is mainly for sharing my pictures with family and friends. Many people want to see them and I can't print or e-mail them to everyone.

Hope you enjoy this blog. If you don't, I'm sorry and I hope your life is more exciting than mine.

Thanks for visiting and may God Bless You today, tomorrow, and always.