Friday Night Lights (aka Rockhurst 10 year Reunion)

Like so many people around the country, we were outside under the lights for Friday night high school football. For Pat's reunion Rockhurst hosted a dinner and tailgate before the game. Pat had not been inside of Rockhurst since high school; he's been to Holy Names more times that Rockhurst in the past 10 years :) It was fun to meet lots of people from his high school class and to see the school. They had fun catching up and we all agree Facebook changes reunions a bit because you know what not people are up to but still fun nonetheless. It was super fun to meet Charlie Schloegel, who was in Pat's class and is the Brown's cousin. Such a small world!

Tonight for the reunion there is mass and a dinner at the school. It's nice that the reunion is for all the grades with reunion years together--fun to see people from lots of classes and see the community come together.

Rockhurst Football

Me, Charlie, and Pat :)

Drinking beer in the gym :)

At the Negro Baseball League museum, which was super cool! 

The location of the start of the Negro Baseball League

Pat reminiscing about his Target employment...straightening items on the shelves

Last Weekend before Work Starts

It's hard to believe that work starts for me tomorrow and that summer is officially over.  I am thankful for the time I was able to spend at SU and on my dissertation, but tomorrow it is back to HNA for in-services and then students the next week.  So, this weekend we spent lots of time with family and friends and had a great time!

On Friday, Pat and I spent the morning at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium.  Yes, fun and, yes, random.  Last year at the Rebuilding Together silent auction we won tickets, and we finally were able to use them.  (I learned at that auction that Pat and RJ like being at auctions together, and it means we ended up with a few random things like zoo tickets!)  We had a great time and particularly enjoyed seeing a 3300 pound walrus swimming around, a sleeping tiger, and 2 amazing elephants, one of whom used to be the deadliest elephant in North America.  Here are some of pics:

dundundundundundundun

I liked this pic :)

Pat was hoping he would jump up and say "They're grrrrreat"

A 3300 pound walrus coming straight for us!  Pat says his name should be John  :)

Polar Bears eating apples, not drinking Diet Coke

White Tail Deer!!!!!

eating some hay

She was pretty cute, even if she killed three people a long time ago

Talk about toe nails

Showing off her skills raising one foot and curling her 400 pound trunk

Friday night Colleen and I enjoyed a night at the Mariners game, with a Mariners win!  At the beginning of the game there was a little tribute to Felix's perfect game on Wednesday.  It was so fun and made for a great atmosphere at the game!

Celebrating Felix!!

Felix being greeted by Mariners owner and GM. So fun!

Saturday we enjoyed a walk around Green Lake with Katrina, Nick, Zach, and Frank.  Zack slept the whole time while the rest of us enjoyed catching up.  Then it was off to Chloe's 5th birthday party.  It is hard to believe she is already 5 and headed to kindergarten in a few weeks!  The party was at the Magnuson Park Arena Sports and all the kids (and some adults) enjoyed bouncing around, followed by pizza, dessert, and presents.  Chloe looked like she was thoroughly enjoying herself!

Parker

Diana and Grandma Sue bouncing

Chloe flying down the slide

Grandma Becki and Parker

One of these things is not like the other???

Sean and Diana bouncing

5 candles!!

Making a wish

Cupcakes were a big hit!

Saturday night Team McGawesome had a going away party for Peter and Caroline.  Definitely bitter sweet.  Peter got a great job in Newport Beach, CA so at the end of the month they will be off to sunny California.  Although we are all sad they are leaving, we enjoyed a great party celebrating!  Ryan and Christen, with some help from us, even made a Peter and Caroline themed trivia game, complete the a music round that Erica dominated.  They will be missed in Seattle, but I'm excited for our first trip to California to visit for Thanksgiving!!

Ryan and Christen put up pictures of Peter and Caroline all around the house,
with McKayla not impressed at their move :)

The girls!!! Rachelle, Elaine, Caroline, me, Madison
Erica, Sarah, Ali, Christen, Tana

Quiz masters Christen and Ryan

Ali was not a fan of sharing Cooper with Sven

Peter and Ryan

Elaine, Caroline, and me

Brew Time

Pat spent the day brewing up a new batch of a brown ale. In about 4 weeks we will have about 5 gallons ready to go!

Yeast is added...a must!

5 gallons

Starting a Blog

It's been five years since I last had a blog.  I found it the other day and enjoyed looking through my pictures from PACT and my last days in New England.  It's crazy how much has changed since then :) I'm excited to start a blog again, although Pat is not as excited as I am.  When I asked what the blog should be called he said, "Marianne wants this blog, Pat does not."  Clearly we went with our second choice, but I think he'll grow into it.  Maybe he'll post some of the math problems he works on for fun.

These days at our house dissertations are the topic of many conversations, excitements, frustrations, and many, many hours.  Pat is in the one month countdown; I'm in the nine month countdown, optimistically counting.  Hard to believe this time next year we will both be done with school; for the first time since we've known each other neither of us will be in school!!

Here are a few pics from the summer to get this blog rolling...

Enjoying some lunch on the beach in Puerto Rico

Pat's poster presentation at the conference

El Yunque Rain Forest

El Yunque Rain Forest

Maria, Andrea, Margie, Jessica, and I at Jeanne's reception

Someone took Margie's beer :(

Gotta love Seattle in the Summer!!