RTS auction...yeah for Margie!!!!

On Friday we attended the annual Rebuilding Together Seattle Beer and Wine Tasting event.  It was, once again, an awesome time!!  We had an especially fun time as Margie is the Executive Director and did an awesome job with the event, and in general running the organization.  We are both so proud of her!!  It was so great to see the homeowner we all got to know last Spring, Margot, the cutest woman who exemplifies all that RTS is about.  I was also excited because some of the pictures I took last year as a volunteer photographer were used for the event.  The event was a huge success and raised $78,000 for RTS!

Not only did we enjoy great company, beer, and wine, we also won a silent auction item (a four course meal and bowling at the Garage).  Who knew that Pat loved silent auctions so much :)  It should be a very fun date night when we use it!

The Harris' are big fans of RTS--we need to get Sean to come next year!

Me and Margie--so proud of her!!!

We were a little loud in the back, but had lots of fun :)

I love Pat Thirlby!!

Melissa, Becky, RJ, and Tudor

Getting into the Fall spirit

Today we brainstormed fun things we want to do this Fall to enjoy the season. We are looking forward to enjoying Fall amidst school work, job applications, and weddings! Here's our list, with a little pumpkin:

Memories from Camp

Last Friday we had a great dinner over at the big blue house for a little Camp Long reunion.  Buzz and Woody were reunited, with Pepe and Mickey too!  (AKA Tymmony, me, mom, Colleen, and Pat and dad joined too!)  We had so much fun catching up and laughing a ton.  I think my favorite line is still when my mom says, "My friend Tymmony" or "My friend Chelsea."  Hard to believe we have been friends for over 20 years!!

Pepe, Buzz, Woody, and Mickey!!

To celebrate another great camp tradition, the other night Pat and I made foil dinners!!  I was so excited to relive so many overnight meals from the great summers at Sunny Camp Don Bosco.  We even bought some Johnny's seasoning to be super authentic.  Even now, 10 years later, I was excited to be able to use two pieces of foil.  They dinners definitely cook better that way, but at camp the kids could only have one piece, and if you were lucky you would get two as a staffer.  Oh, the memories :)

Getting everything ready... I can't believe I forgot the tater tots!  Next time, they'll be added!

Just like at camp, so excited you make a HUGE foil dinner

I think this is my first foil dinner with a drink :)

Dr. Patrick McGah

This week was an exciting one...Pat's birthday and dissertation defense, on the same day!  Luckily both went well and now Pat is officially Dr. McGah!!  On Monday, Pat and I went out for his birthday to Wild Ginger and a walk at the Sculpture Park downtown.

They even brought Pat dessert!

Beautiful day at the Sculpture Park downtown

Wednesday, Pat's birthday, was the day we have all been waiting for for a long time!  Pat had the presentation for his dissertation defense.  The first portion was a 50 minute presentation open to the public.  It was fun to have his lab-mates and lots of friends come for the presentation.  Pat did an awesome job!!  Then after a few questions from the audience, Pat went into a closed door session with his committee and a few other professors from the department.  They asked him questions for over an hour about his research.  After a few minutes of deliberation, Alberto come out to the hallway with a huge smile on his face and a congratulatory handshake and hug for Pat...Dr. Pat, now!  It was all very exciting!!

Pat ready for the big presentation

He even had some cool pictures and videos to show

Action shot!

A proud dissertation chair --Alberto and Pat after a successful defense 

For a bit longer we will be Dr. and Mrs. McGah

Pat enjoyed celebrating for a bit longer at the College Inn.  Thanks so the many people who stopped by to celebrate!  Sadly there are no pictures, because I headed back to HNA for Back to School night to meet the parents.  However there were many hilarious text messages sent from the celebrations as I was at work!