Missing Something?

Have you ever considered all the details me miss every day? We run to Starbucks for our latte, or we are late for work. The next thing we know we have blazed right through the day. We seem to be consumed with getting from here to there. Without realizing it, we can miss the small events every day: the smell of coffee, the smile on someones face, or the look in their eye.

This was frost on the car window.

I am glad I didn't miss it.

Wii Will, Wii Will Rock U!

A new gaming system hits the market and you wonder if "it really is all that"? Well, let me tell you personally the brand new Wii sytem by Nintendo
is amazing! From a parents perspective the consistent problem with gaming has been the lack of interaction with other family members - when compared to board games and sitting around a table. Although the Wii doesn't replace boardgames it gives a family a wonderful alternative and really provides more variety. With the Wii system you can now play golf, bowl and even box in your front room!

Here's what a normal playing time sounds like: laughter...lots of laughter and plenty of interaction with everyone in the room.

Just remember that with all this fun there is a good chance you will be sore in the morning....no kidding.

Sausimayok

This month Denise (aka Neesie) got a big wish. She was able to bring home an Alaskan Klee Kai from North Dakota. Barb Wiebelhaus
shipped Sausi to Neesie and Sausi arrived just in time for a wonderful snow storm. Sausimayok is actually her full name and means covered with snow.

If she looks cute, it's because she really is cute. And another thing, this version always looks and smells clean!




















The snowflake hunter on the prowl
























What a beautiful girl!

Volunteering at the Olympics

When I was growing up the Olympics made a huge impression on me, even though we didn't have a TV for most of my childhood (I would watch at my friend Ron Bell's.) I remember my Mom, who has never been a fan of any sport, talking on the phone to me while I was in Peru - and how this guy Eric Heiden was just amazing on the ice. The funny thing is that years later I would meet him in a different sport.

Now the Vancouver Olympics
are coming to the Northwest - well, actually Vancouver, BC. And I think it is going to be soooo cool. Here's a link to their site for information on tickets, venue location and even volunteering. If you have never volunteered for a world class event I highly recommend it. It gives most people a perspective they would never have a snowballs chance to get.

furrygoat comes to Tacoma

A furry goat came to Tacoma this past week. Well actually it was Steve Makofsky who's website is furrygoat.com

Me Ra Koh
invited him (thanks Me Ra!) to our Pictage group at her cute home to give us some insight on how to make our blogs more informative and catchy. Well, I am still working on it, but Steve is a great resource individually and his blog constantly has cool stuff on it - and it is one of the hottest sites going right now. So, be sure to check it out.

Here's a shot of Steve sharing some trade secrets.






















Me Ra quizzing Steve for some info

HIS CREATIONS PHOTOGRAPHY

One of the wonderful benefits this past year was getting to know more photographers. I want you to meet my special new friend and Christian brother out of California Damion Hamilton.
He and his wife just had a beautiful baby girl. Way to go!

Here is the video he put together of Baby Olivia

Getting Married in Seattle?

Getting married or know someone who is soon? Then check out this free publication by Seattle Bride.

It is packed with resource and helpful hints and again it is free, you just need to file out the form and they will send it to you.

Micro-self

"Then I look at my micro-self and wonder, Why do you bother with us? Why take a second look our way?" - Psalms 8:4 The Message Bible.

I received an email this morning from our dear friend Billy Campbell with these images and it made me think of the verse above. How amazing that God would care about us! We are thinking about getting through traffic, clients to meet, schedules, advertising, loans, payments, investments, relationships and list goes on-and-on.

And then,....when we think about God, it is difficult understand why He cares so much. Why does He? I believe we don't need to know why, but just rest in the reality that He does.

New Site

It's here, our brand new site. We have been working on getting our new site online with a new look-and-feel for quite awhile - so it's a great feeling to get it launched. There are more features that we will be adding as well in the near future too. Thanks Rick Allen for your help in getting it done!

site down...for the moment

On the one hand the site being down is bad...but not really. Because the new site that is going to be online any moment is soooo much better. More info, bigger pictures. I can hardly wait!

American Idol in Seattle

The big news around Seattle
this week, besides the lingering snow that doesn't want to melt away was the dissing of Seattle by American Idol.



We did have a dear friend of ours try out for it. She has talent and spunk. We love you Kayla!

What Makes You Special?

Recently IBM
has been running a really cool add. This link actually takes a person or company through an very effective intellectual process to help determine what is so special about them.

Although it is no secret I am a Mac guy I really like the questioning behind it. Whether in business or in personal life what a great way to process a simple but tough question.

The author Max Lucado
on the back cover of his devotional book (that I highly recommend) has this to say:


Are you the person you wanted to grow up to to be when you were younger? Why or why not? Hey, today take a few moments and reflect on this and perhaps write out a few goals and be specific. Common do it.

24 - Season 6

Our family got hooked on the program 24
through Netflix last year. Now the world is once again waiting for Jack to pull off the impossible. I think that some of the reasons I appreciate this program is the good acting, drama and filming. Through my travels over the years I have had the chance to meet some of these incredible people like Jack and with the world changing I appreciate the stance that 24 takes. Today you can vote on the program thus far. It's amazing how many people have already voted!

Janea

Everytime we go to Leavenworth we love to bring our dear friends the Allen's However, this year Janea wasn't going to be with us since she is traveling in Asia for the next several months.

So, I thought it would be fun if we made a way to bring her along with us. All I needed was a bit of creativity and a few things.

One picture 8x12
One piece of Cardboard
One Paint Stick
One Bottle of strong glue (for glueing wood)
One Spray Can of 3M Photo Spray Mount.

As you can tell we love Janea!




Shopping with Janea at the Kitchen store





























Janea and Jenny hanging around
























Janea trying to explain how she can be at two places at the same time

















Grant, Torey, Denise, Janea and ron
























Jenny, Janea and Madison try to find their perfect hat

















The Allen's and Storer's

















She even made the ornament tree!
























Janea all worm and cozy.
























The UPS driver even took the time out of his busy day!
























Janea warms up at Starbucks with a White Chocolate Mocha
























The girls at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company were so sweet!



















Janea loves Leavenworth so much she is thinking of moving here

























I try to see what Janea is shooting but I got in the picture.

























Assistant shooter Jenny with Janea
























Another wonderful portrait session with all of the Allen's



















As Jenny chimps with Nicole, Janea and Denise act silly.

















After a busy day Janea (the banker) has some good family time playing Monopoly even though Jenny seems to be helping here self to the cash.

WOW 19 years!

I was doing some organizing yesterday and I found something so special I couldn't believe it....Denise's little shoes from our wedding 19 years ago. Yep, on this Tuesday the 9th, Denise and I will have been married 19 years! So in celebration, we are heading over to Leavenworth for a Wonderful-Winter-Gettaway.

Photography is much different now compared to then, so today I took a picture of her shoes that she wore then.

So, if you are thinking of getting married:

I hope you find someone,
As faithful as my wife Denise,
As deep of a friend,
And supportive as my wife.

She has been there when I have won...
And when I have lost.

When I laughed,
And when I cried.

She has been by my side,
When we have been rich,
And when we have been poor.

She has been consistent,
As the tide coming into Puget Sound.

And she is as gentle to me and our boys,
As the famous rain in Seattle.

Thanks Neesie...I love you!

Love Much-

r

Resolve

New Year 2007. I want to offer a few thoughts and I thought you could email me with your New Years Resolutions. But here are some of mine and I thought that I would share them with you.

I resolve to know God in a deeper way.
I resolve to be a better, kinder, Husband and Father.
I resolve to set aside consistent time for my family so that they have incredible memories.
I resolve to be a better business man for my clients.
I resolve to set aside more time for non-profit work.
I resolve to begin to work out consistently.

Lots of love to you all-

r