tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:43:42 +0000Welcome to our website. We hope you enjoy yourself.<br> <br>Thanks,<br><a href="mailto:ashlyn@abcdfun.com"><big>A</big>shlyn</a>, <a href="mailto:becky@abcdfun.com"><big>B</big>ecky</a>, <a href="mailto:courtney@abcdfun.com"><big>C</big>ourtney</a>, and <a href="mailto:dax@abcdfun.com"><big>D</big>ax</a><br> <br>You can email any of us by clicking on our names above or by sending an email to all of us by using <a href="mailto:wilsons@abcdfun.com">wilsons@abcdfun.com</a>.http://abcdfun.com/noreply@blogger.com (Dax)Blogger153125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-3051745580350970969Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:48:00 +00002010-01-03T17:01:39.054-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2010/iceskating/"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2010/iceskating/images/P1010026.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>On New Year's Day, we went ice skating with the Jones. We went downtown to the outdoor ice rink in Riverfront Park. Sticking to the norm of being opposites, Ashlyn went crazy as soon as she hit the ice while Courtney skated very carefully holding one of our hands. Ashlyn and Adam were accidents waiting to happen. They must have fallen a hundred times each and were wet when they were done skating. We finished the night with a trip to Olive Garden for dinner. It was a great way to start the New Year.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2010/iceskating/">Photo Album</a></p> <p>Ice Skating Videos<br/><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm2mbz5ztKI">Becky and Courtney</a><br/> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBR-6eH9gpc">Ashlyn</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-3051745580350970969?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2010/01/ice-skating-on-new-years-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-3672350320365155557Tue, 29 Dec 2009 01:06:00 +00002010-01-03T17:46:48.306-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/seattle"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/seattle/images/PC280013.jpg" border="0"/></a> <p>Over Christmas break, we all went to Seattle to just get away to break up normal life. We had simple plans...aquarium, shopping, and...doughnuts. :-) Becky had heard of <a href="http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com">Top Pot</a> doughnuts in Seattle from an episode on the Travel Channel so it became a must see because Spokane has terrible doughnuts...and lets face it...we all love doughnuts! It did not disappoint either! The shop's atmosphere, coffee, and doughnuts were awesome. The aquarium was another must stop. We have been wanting to go since they remodeled it. They completely revamped their front entrance by adding an impressive aquarium. We also wondered around Seattle enjoying the sites and warm weather (as compared to Spokane). We shopped a bit and visited a cool hat shop: <a href="http://www.goorin.com/">Goorin Bros</a>. We also did the girls favorite thing: swim in the hotel's pool! It was another great trip to one of our favorite cities.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/seattle/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-3672350320365155557?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/12/christmas-break-in-seattle.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-7343158977796292006Sat, 26 Dec 2009 02:08:00 +00002010-01-03T18:10:00.404-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/christmas"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/christmas/images/PC240179.jpg" border="0"/></a> <p></p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/christmas/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-7343158977796292006?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/12/christmas-2009.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-3477151574700973806Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:48:00 +00002009-12-31T22:43:34.194-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/thanksgiving/source/PB280021.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/thanksgiving/images/PB280021.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>We celebrated another fabulous Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends. We ate incredible food brought by all and even ate our first wild turkey supplied by two new <a href="http://abcdfun.com/2009/11/our-first-turkey-on-turkey-day.html">"official" turkey hunters</a>. :-)</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/thanksgiving/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-3477151574700973806?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/11/thanksgiving.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-7054379852189498093Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:44:00 +00002010-01-04T18:12:28.643-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/firstturkey/source/PB280001.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/firstturkey/images/PB280001.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Ashlyn and I finally did it. This concludes an over two year journey. Let me bring you up to speed.</p> <p>Three Thanksgiving's ago, Ashlyn asked if we could shoot a turkey and eat it for Thanksgiving dinner. I said sure and didn't really do anything about it. Becky and I just laughed at the thought of her wanting to shoot and eat a turkey. One thing to note...I'm not a hunter, at least I wasn't yet. I didn't have a hunting permit or even a license. Over the next year, she kept bringing it up and I would just talk about what it meant to hunt and even went into the gory details of hunting. I also probed her as to why she was so hot on hunting turkeys for Thanksgiving. Her answer was simple and very thoughtful. She wanted to help provide food for the table so I wouldn't have to work so hard at my job--this stems from one of those "why we have to go to work and earn money" conversations.</p> <p>A year and a half ago, a good friend of ours was kind enough to let us observe him hunting turkeys. Ashlyn was hooked and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I promised her that I would do what it took to get us hunting turkeys together. So, I went through the proper classes, got permitted, bought gear, bought a license and the necessary tags. This obviously took some time but we were set to go hunting in the Spring of 2009. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful that season, but we had a great time.</p> <p>Now you're up-to-speed...fall hunting season begins. Ashlyn and I hunted a few times together with no success...for the um-teenth time. I know hunting is hard but I started to feel bad for her. :-) The morning of our Thanksgiving dinner, I went out alone. She decided to stay home because it was another cold, early morning and she was burned out from hiking the previous night in sub-freezing temperatures. As before, I sat in the cold for a couple of hours, but this time, I watched turkeys run around in distant trees...way out of range. After sitting there hoping they would come closer for another hour, I decided to go against everything that I read about turkey hunting and try to sneak up on them. I wasn't expecting much but at least it was better than sitting there freezing my keaster off. I stalked the turkeys from downhill and in the shadows of trees and a barn. I peaked around the barn and took my first shot and immediately saw that I was successful. Once the initial shock of actually getting a turkey was over, I called home to inform Ashlyn of our success. Apparently, she jumped out of the shower with shampoo still in her hair. I waited for Ashlyn to arrive before I did anything with the turkey. She was so excited when she arrived. She ran up, picked up the turkey, and plucked several tail feathers for souvenirs. We took some pictures and then skinned it. Even though she wasn't there to witness the actual shot, I told her that "we" finally did it. She really did earn it because she was such a trooper through all the early mornings, cold days, long walks, and the unsuccessful hunts that spanned a year and a half. She really did feel like she was part of the successful hunt.</p> <p>That same day, we cleaned, deep fried, and ate it. To my surprise, it tasted like...turkey. You laugh but I expected it to taste differently. :-)</p> <p>Ashlyn and I sat and talked later that night and recapped this crazy plan of hers. Who knows if we'll hunt again but at least this page that started years ago can be turned.</p> <p>A side note for nostalgia's sake: I took the turkey with a 16g shotgun that my dad got for his 12th birthday.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/firstturkey/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-7054379852189498093?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/11/our-first-turkey-on-turkey-day.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-171515095794275307Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:52:00 +00002009-12-31T22:34:54.091-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/xmaslights/source/PB210025.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/xmaslights/images/PB210025.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Here are a few pics from our annual "putting up Christmas lights" event. As usual, the girls came up on the roof with me. They still find it such a treat! :-)</p> <p>We had some early snow fall this year but we found a clean and dry window in the weather to get them up. It was a cold, beautiful day and the girls did well sitting still and eating there popcorn...it's tradition.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/xmaslights/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-171515095794275307?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/11/christmas-lights.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-2397655186729236231Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:38:00 +00002009-12-31T22:36:26.276-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/firstdayofschool/source/PB140010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/fashionshow/images/PB140010.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>The girls were invited to a kids fashion show at Nordstrom. The fashion show helped promote their kids line while giving the parents a discount on the outfits. They picked out their own outfits and walked down a runway like models. I could tell they were a bit nervous but they performed perfectly.</p> <p>They also had a drawing for prizes at the end. Courtney won a beach towel and Ashlyn won the grand prize Elmo balloon.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/fashionshow/">Photo Album</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNkXtiRTlH4">Video of Courtney</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-2397655186729236231?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/11/nordstrom-fashion-show.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-298295183647511974Thu, 10 Sep 2009 06:02:00 +00002009-12-31T23:09:27.896-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/betsy3rdrip/source/2009-09-18%2012.13.44.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/betsy3rdrip/images/2009-09-18%2012.13.44.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Nine Nine O-Nine marks the death of Betsy III. Becky got in a glancing, head-on collision with a suburban. She walked away with minor aches and pains but Betsy never recovered. She later was declared totaled. Once girls realized that mom was safe, they were so sad and even cried at the fact that our red truck might not ever come home again.</p> <p>Here are some pics from when I went to grab the last of our things from our truck at the junk yard.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/betsy3rdrip">Betsy III R.I.P. Photo Album</a></p> <p>Loosing Betsy III reminded me of when I totaled Betsy the second. I dug up some old shots of when I rolled her down a hill in Death Valley.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/betsy2ndrip">Betsy II R.I.P. Photo Album</a></p> <p>While looking for Betsy II R.I.P. pics, I found some cool ones of me off-roading through Death Valley.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/betsy2nd">Betsy II Photo Album</a></p> <p>And finally, I found only one shot of Betsy the first. It's a picture of Mike and I when we were 16 years old. The shot was taken at the "Lizard Ranch" (Mojave, CA).</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/betsy1st">Betsy I Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-298295183647511974?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/09/betsy-iii-rip.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-4603852169883610040Tue, 08 Sep 2009 15:09:00 +00002009-09-09T11:15:24.536-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/firstdayofschool/source/P9080067.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/firstdayofschool/images/P9080067.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>It's that time of the year again...school is back in session. Ashlyn was so excited and Courtney was just a bit nervous. Ashlyn was awake and dressed by seven in the morning (as predicted) and was a chatter-box. She talked about...well...just about everything. She was a blur of words and excitement. Courtney, on the other hand, slept/laid in bed as long as possible. Soon after she woke up, she said she felt sick and asked if she could skip school today--with a smirk on her face.</p> <p>The morning continued in much the same way as Ashlyn sang over and over and over "It's the best day eeeeeeever!" with Courtney singing along interjecting louder than Ashlyn "WORST" instead of "best". It was pretty funny. When it was getting close to leaving time, Courtney asked if she could be driven to school and Ashlyn couldn't wait any longer. She left first and ran to the furthest bus stop to see her friends.</p> <p>They both came home super excited and had nothing but great things to say about their teachers and classmates. Courtney said her teacher was very nice and she even met some new friends--which, she's very good at. Ashlyn didn't say much. I kept probing her with questions about her class, teacher, friends, etc and her answer every time was, "Aaaamaaaaziiiing!" (in this high angelic sing-song voice). Apparently, she loved it. :-)</p> <p>Becky and I were a mixed bag of emotions. We were excited, nervous, relieved, and exhausted all at the same time. School is great because it relieves a chunk of the day where we need to challenge or entertain them, and the house might stay cleaned longer than 10 minutes. Now starts the months of activities, homework, and holidays--which are a big deal for the girls. They're already picking their Halloween costumes. We're very excited to see how they grow and learn this year, but nervous because life is full of ups and downs and there's no way of learning that except through personal experience. They're also getting so big and growing up so fast. It's a good reminder to "smell the roses".</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/firstdayofschool/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-4603852169883610040?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/09/first-day-of-school.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-8394282340503659290Sat, 05 Sep 2009 15:10:00 +00002009-12-31T22:38:51.427-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/kokaneeglacierpp/source/P9050007.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/kokaneeglacierpp/images/P9050007.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Becky, the girls, and I went camping in Canada over Labor Day weekend. We had no definitive schedule or reservations except to head towards Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park. We actually found the campground and got a wonderful site away from the crowds.</p> <p>The weather wasn't so good. It rain off and on but it didn't bother or slow us down. We still hiked, visited the tourist sites, and canoed on Kootenay lake. A few of our most memorable moments include warming up at the hot springs, shoving our face full of huckleberries while hiking, walking on water (we found a sandbar on the lake), eating cake cooked in a dutch oven in our tent, and seeing a black bear.</p> <p>We had a great time and once again agreed that we are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/kokaneeglacierpp/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-8394282340503659290?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/09/kokanee-glacier-provincial-park.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-3615804888017133062Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:06:00 +00002009-08-28T07:08:22.259-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/sanjuanisland/source/P8090091.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/sanjuanisland/images/P8090091.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>It has become a much anticipated summertime tradition to camp with the Grabowski family. This year we ferried our way over to San Juan Island and camped on the shoreline at San Juan County Park. We had high hopes of seeing wildlife and we were definitely not disappointed. Besides the imported wildlife of our five kids, we saw pods of orcas (killer whales) swimming by our campground several times every day. We also saw harbor seals, jelly fish, crabs, huge sea stars, a bald eagle, many other sea creatures, and a few sly red foxes. The kids played in the tide pools for what seemed like hours, we kayaked out of Roche Harbor, we hiked to the Lime Kiln Lighthouse and spent plenty of time relaxing and laughing with good friends. We were able to watch the sunset over Vancouver Island (Canada) and the Haro Strait right from our campsite. We did get rained on a bit (even though the camp host had said that it hadn't rained a day all summer), but that didn't slow us down or dampen our spirits.</p> <p>All Ashlyn wanted to see was a killer whale, so she was beside herself after we saw the first group swim by. By the end of the weekend, new people in the campground would be yelling that you could see whales and Ash actually said, "I've seen so much wildlife, I just don't think I can take it anymore." Of course, she then went down to the beach and spent an hour with Dax exploring a "pirate cave" and watching a harbor seal we affectionately named George.</p> <p>We had many moments of laughter over the weekend: Kendra impressed us with her amazing seal call, Becky discovered a new species of sea creature called the "Bull Kelp-phin" (it is very rare and can only be spotted by a trained eye), Courtney taught the Grabowski boys her funky dance, we assigned everyone in the group "millionaire yacht names," and many more moments.</p> <p>It was an amazing experience to see such a beautiful place with such great people. The Graboatskis (because toboggan is too hard to spell) and the Whalesons will definitely return someday!</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/sanjuanisland/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-3615804888017133062?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/08/san-juan-island.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-8407901681441280694Sat, 08 Aug 2009 14:04:00 +00002009-09-01T21:05:09.053-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/bellinghamtriathlon/source/P8080009.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/bellinghamtriathlon/images/P8080009.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Congratulations, Becky!</p> <p>Becky completed her first triathlon. Becky and her friend ran the Bellingham "sprint distance" triathlon together and they both finished really well. Becky wasn't going for the win. Her goal was to finish within two hours and she did it. Her finish time was 1:53 (official start time +3 minutes - <a href="http://www.onlineraceresults.com/race/view_race.php?re_NO=148&submit_action=select_result&race_id=11657">see race results</a>). The triathlon started off with a half mile swim which looked more like a mile. The buoys were so far out there. I'm convinced I would have drowned. The bike segment was 15 miles and the race ended with a three and half mile run. With the run being Becky's strongest event, she "nailed it!"--a Wilson family expression. She surprised the girls and I by showing up at the finish line 10 minutes before we expected her. She did well on the bike and the swim too but only after the race did we find out that Becky "hated" the swim. She had swimmers cutting her off and swimming over the top over her. She chose to swim the breast stroke the whole way just so she can see the other competitors.</p> <p>It was such a fun event and we had a great time. The girls and I are very proud of her!</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/bellinghamtriathlon/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-8407901681441280694?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/08/bellingham-triathlon.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-6396563379340361076Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:06:00 +00002009-09-01T21:18:48.725-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/frankanddottievisit/source/IMGP0512.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/frankanddottievisit/images/IMGP0512.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>We had the pleasure of having Frank and Dottie visit us this summer. It was great to see them and to show them around Spokane and Coeur d'Alene. We also had fun on the dinner cruise and hosting a barbecue at our house. I was also pretty stoked when Frank (a beer connoisseur) thought my homemade brew was really good.</p> <p>Thanks again Frank and Dottie for coming to Spokane to visit us. We had a lot of fun and we hope you did too!</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/frankanddottievisit/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-6396563379340361076?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/07/frank-and-dottie-visit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-5148035956600624112Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:11:00 +00002009-09-01T22:29:06.244-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/pinehurst3/source/P7240010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/pinehurst3/images/P7240010.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>We spent a weekend in Pinehurst to get away from town and to celebrate meemaw's birthday. It was a ton of fun hanging out and relaxing with family. We even did a little finishing and swam in the cold river. Note: Becky snapped a really redneck shot of me. I should not have put it in the album but Becky made me--farmers tan, pasty white, camo hat, and a fly vest...not attractive! We also got stumped again on that dreaded geocache (see geocaching.com GCNR2C).</p> <p>We stayed a day longer than everyone else and went for a super fun bike ride in the rain. We rode several miles down the "Trail of the Couer d'Alenes" and ate lunch at a really rustic restaurant. As usual, we had another fun weekend in Pinehurst.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/pinehurst3/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-5148035956600624112?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/07/pinehurst-visit.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-8643320303856034599Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:27:00 +00002009-09-01T22:19:41.873-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/courtneys10thbdayparty/source/P7160177.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/courtneys10thbdayparty/images/P7160177.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Courtney is officially a “double-digit midget!” To celebrate her first decade, she invited some of her friends over for a mystery party. The fun began with a scavenger hunt around our neighborhood, and boy, did we get some treasures. If you ever want to see a group of kids get creative, send them on the hunt for something that bounces, something that’s fuzzy, something that smells bad, and so on. After the scavenger hunt, the girls sat down for a mystery dinner. They had to choose their food from a menu that had code names for all of the items. They didn’t know what they would get to eat, what they would have to eat it with, and if they would have dessert or the main course first or last. There was plenty of laughter coming from the dining room as each course was served. Of course, the food was delivered by the esteemed DaxSillius (Dax), and his colleague Francois, Francois (Uncle Gary). Francois, Francois, Jr. (Cousin, Nate) also joined in on the fun serving the girls. The girls all spent the night and made this birthday a truly memorable one for Courtney. Happy Birthday to our big girl!!</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/courtneys10thbdayparty/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-8643320303856034599?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/07/courtneys-10th-birthday-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-6915259293076952944Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:17:00 +00002009-09-01T22:20:17.781-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/glacier/source/P7060128.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/glacier/images/P7060128.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Glacier National Park is one of our favorite places, and this year we went back with a group of friends and family. We stayed in St. Mary on the east side of the park and explored the Many Glacier area, Two Medicine Lake and the eastern section of the Going to the Sun Road. One of my hopes was to see a bear. Note to self: DO NOT hike with 17 people if you would like to see a bear. Not only were we quite the cluster, but we also had several hikers who definitely did not want to see a bear, so they sang, shouted and generally did everything they could to send any bear within 50 mile radius ducking for cover. So, while we could not add a bear-sighting to our memory bank, we had many more moments that made for some fun memories. Here’s a small sampling of our adventures. We enjoyed our lunch halfway up a waterfall after scaling rocks to get there. We hiked miles of beautiful trails with kids leading the charge. We escaped an incoming storm (with “damaging winds and rainfall”) by wading through a swelling river with kids, cameras and backpacks in tow. We walked to the Hidden Lake Overlook in several feet of snow, sliding and skidding all the way. We swam, we ate and we enjoyed good friends and family back at our campground. It was a GREAT way to celebrate the 4th!</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/glacier/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-6915259293076952944?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/07/glacier.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-2853840853801964392Sun, 21 Jun 2009 05:24:00 +00002009-07-10T07:31:41.644-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/eds60thbdayparty/source/P6200037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/eds60thbdayparty/images/P6200037.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Surprised! Ed was so surprised that after everyone yelled "SURPRISE!" he leaned over to Sharon and whispered, "Surprise for what?". His birthday was not for a couple of weeks so he had no idea what the party was about. Ed even joked throughout the party saying, "I sure hope I make it to 60; otherwise, this party will be a waste."</p> <p>The party was a huge success--the weather even held out for it. Ed was greeted by new and old friends and family, with some traveling across country to make it. An emotional moment came when Sharon recited a living eulogy introducing the family and friends that Ed has affected in his life.</p> <p>The party was held in our backyard with many items to draw your attention. The chocolate fountain and freezers packed full of ice cream treats proved to be big hits. However, it was the table decorations and the slide show that captured everyone's attention. Each table was decorated with items that signified a period in Ed's life. The decorations ranged from when Ed lived in Argentina, flying F-4s in the Marine Corps, college days, to raising a family. The slide show was a 45 minute barrage of sight and sound with pictures spanning Ed's life. It was fun to watch friends perusing the decorations and watch the slide show. You would see them either nod as they acknowledged their own memories or gape as they learned new things about a life that has had so many distinctive eras.</p> <p>The party was a huge success. Ed was so thankful (even though he had previously made Sharon promise not to throw a party for him), emotional, and honored by the party.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/eds60thbdayparty/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-2853840853801964392?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/06/eds-60th-surprise-birthday-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-4199620495736802984Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:21:00 +00002009-07-21T20:01:32.945-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/ashlyns8thbdayparty/source/P6170028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/ashlyns8thbdayparty/images/P6170028.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Ashlyn celebrated her birthday early this year. She wanted all her friends to come and summer is often a hard time to get everyone together so we actually celebrated it on the last day of school.</p> <p>Ashlyn planned the whole thing--as usual. Her birthday was called a "Garden Party". They decorated pots and planted flowers. She planned a light but healthy appetizer style lunch complete with instructions letting her friends know which items were "optional". :-) Her dessert was called "dirt and worms". It was a small terra-cotta pot filled with chocolate pudding, topped with Oreo cookie crumbs and a gummy worm, and finished off with one real daisy.</p> <p>The party was filled with lots of screaming and laughter. They did other activities like freeze dance and hide-n-seek games.</p> <p>Ashlyn enjoyed every minute of it. She really does plan a fun party.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/ashlyns8thbdayparty/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-4199620495736802984?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/06/ashlyns-8th-birthday-party.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-4511351762781490753Sun, 07 Jun 2009 04:58:00 +00002009-07-21T20:02:13.827-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/cjspianorecital/source/P6060008.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/cjspianorecital/images/P6060008.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Courtney ended another year of piano with a big recital. This year's was more intimate than last. There were less kids and closer seating which doesn't help Courtney's nervousness. Yes, she was nervous but she always pulls through and performs very well. She played three songs this year: a solo, a duet with a friend, and a duet with Becky.</p> <p>Courtney also receive an award for a thousand memorized measures and her instructor always says she's a pleasure to teach. Needless to say, we are very proud of her.</p> <p>Videos:<br/><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q43LhuDdCcI">At The Robot Factory</a><br/> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoVdAmaFPiM">Beauty and the Beast</a><br/> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlMdptykMa8">Blue Danube</a></p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/cjspianorecital/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-4511351762781490753?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/06/courtneys-piano-recital.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-6711090055263011320Sat, 16 May 2009 05:25:00 +00002009-09-01T22:32:43.373-07:00<h3>Disneyland and California Adventure</h3> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/anaheim/source/P5180064.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/anaheim/images/P5180064.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>We took a trip to southern California for a family reunion trip uniting the Wilson, Wilson, and Scott clans. Since Gary and Coby are back state-side, we thought that it would be a great opportunity to hang out and be tourist where most of us were born.</p> <p>We started off by staying with my Dad and Susie at one of their timeshares. It was a fabulous condo right down the street from Disneyland—you could not have asked for a better location. Let’s just say we watched Disneyland’s fireworks from our balcony!</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/anaheim/">Photo Album</a></p> <h3>Huntington Beach</h3> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/huntingtonbeach/source/P5170051.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/huntingtonbeach/images/P5170051.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>We spent one day at Huntington Beach where Castle Grandpa and Ashlyn out performed Castle Courtney and Dax. We went with the strong multiple outer wall tactic while they went for height--height was way better! Our castle was nonexistent while their's stood even after we left and I'm sure it's still probably there.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/huntingtonbeach/">Photo Album</a></p> <h3>Sea World and the USS Midway</h3> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/sandiego/source/P5220162.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/sandiego/images/P5220162.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>After our time with family, we extended our trip to include a jaunt to San Diego. We took the girls to Sea World (which they loved) and walked around the Gaslamp district (which they loved...not so much). We ate at an amazing Mexican restaurant and found a store devoted to cupcakes. Needless to say, Becky and the girls were in heaven. We made an unplanned stop at the USS Midway. Ummm....amazing! You must see it! I was like a little kid running around looking at all the aircraft and equipment. It was really neat to see especially since we knew that Ed had landed on this carrier when he flew in the Marine Corps.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/sandiego/">Photo Album</a></p> <h3>Mission Viejo</h3> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/mv/source/P5230216.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/mv/images/P5230216.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Last but not least, we visited some of our friends in Mission Viejo. We hung out with Snyder's and got to meet Kody for the first time. We also visited Stonecreek and reunited with many friends of ours from our old church.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/mv/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-6711090055263011320?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/05/so-cal-vacation.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-8931691465146003211Sat, 25 Apr 2009 13:00:00 +00002009-07-21T23:08:41.614-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/turkeyhunting/source/P4250002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/turkeyhunting/images/P4250002.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>April 15 starts the spring turkey season and Ashlyn and I have been ramping up for the hunt for several weeks. We have been practicing our hen and crow calls and gathering gear from friends. We hunted three times this season and unfortunately never did get one. We hunted two mornings and one evening. While we had success with toms responding to our calls, we never had one come close enough to take a shot. We learned a lot and hope to do better in the fall.</p> <p>After sitting in our turkey blind for a couple hours and watching deer walk by, Ashlyn asked why we couldn't just shoot a deer. I explained to the her all about hunting seasons and why deer season is in the fall. She sat quietly for moment and then asked me, "Why can't there just be an animal season so we can shoot whatever we want?" I'm sure my laughter scared away several toms. :-)</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/turkeyhunting/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-8931691465146003211?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/04/turkey-hunting.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-3887859950891556212Mon, 20 Apr 2009 05:18:00 +00002009-08-27T22:07:54.310-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/raceforthecure/source/P4190028.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/raceforthecure/images/P4190028.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Becky and the girls participated on Telect's Race for the Cure team this year. They did the walking race track but hope to do the run next year. The event had a huge turn out and the girls had a great time.</p> <p>Becky and the girls raced in honor of great-grandma Carmina and great-grandma Dottie--both survivors of cancer!</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/raceforthecure/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-3887859950891556212?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/04/race-for-cure.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-1025543489077022242Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:17:00 +00002009-07-21T11:18:22.168-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/easter/source/P4110016.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/easter/images/P4110016.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>We had a really nice Easter this year with all the usual suspects. We celebrated this year at Becky's parents house and once again, we had way too much food at the pot-luck. It's amazing to see how all the kids are growing up. I wonder how many more years we'll have before decorating eggs and hunting for them is "so not cool"?</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/easter/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-1025543489077022242?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/04/easter.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-3419081686995509423Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:00:00 +00002009-03-18T22:36:26.682-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/howdoesyourgardengrow/source/P3170003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/howdoesyourgardengrow/images/P3170003.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>Ashlyn performed magnificently as a flower in her second grade musical called "How Does Your Garden Grow?". The musical was about a garden where weeds were taking over and the gardener was being blamed. It was actually a pretty funny musical and the class did really well. We were all really impressed. Ashlyn kept pretty quiet about it all (well, at least to me). I think she wanted to surprise me with her solo. She did so well! She sang with the song and was totally on key. I could tell she was a little nervous but she didn't show it. The solo was so good there wasn't a dry eye in the house! Ok, ok, ok--I was the only one that cried (I know, no surprise there) and I even told myself that I wasn't going to do that this time. :-) Oh well, what can I say? I'm a sap.</p> <p>Videos:<br/><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8NTSwp-u9U">Planting Seeds</a><br/> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4b4shkYdL0A">We Are the Loveliest Flowers</a> (Ashlyn's solo is about minute into it)<br/> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvpcoEvieAw">Credits</a></p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/howdoesyourgardengrow/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-3419081686995509423?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/03/how-does-your-garden-grow.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12689330.post-6006141527269260106Sat, 07 Mar 2009 05:39:00 +00002009-03-14T20:25:44.555-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/pinehurst2/source/P3060003.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/pinehurst2/images/P3060003.jpg" border="0" alt="Click here to see a larger picture" /></a> <p>We headed up to Ed and Sharon's Pinehurst cabin again but this time we had skiing on the agenda. We all rented skis and headed up Idaho's Silver Mountain. The girls did awesome! We managed to ski all of the green runs and even traversed a blue run by accident. We were able to ski several runs without any mishaps too--except for me falling on a run that Courtney and Ashlyn didn't. Which of course, I was reminded of numerous times. I also lost every race to the ski lift. Who knows? Maybe someday I'll get good enough to win. ;-)</p> <p>The next couple of days we just chilled. We also tried to find that <a href="http://abcdfun.com/2009/01/pinehurst.html">Old Mill</a> cache but failed again. We're either missing something or there's still too much snow.</p> <p>As usual, our weekend get-aways were a much needed Wilson down time. We basically watched movies, played games, and ate gobs of Oreo cookies.</p> <p><a href="http://abcdfun.com/photogallery/2009/pinehurst2/">Photo Album</a></p><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/12689330-6006141527269260106?l=abcdfun.com%2Findex.html' alt='' /></div>http://abcdfun.com/2009/03/another-trip-to-pinehurst.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Dax)0