Shannon.I.Am

I was looking up the origin of someone's name and came across this website.  I had to be selfish and have a look at my own name.  Would people agree this is true?  FYI - I have only been constipated once in my life after taking some herbal tincture to reduce my breast milk! 

Below is a brief analysis of the first name only. For an analysis of your full name and destiny, see our full free Name and Birth Date Report service for further details.

• The name of Shannon creates a very quiet, practical nature and a clever and inventive mind.
   
• Being analytical and naturally studious, you are interested in a factual understanding of the mysteries of life.
   
• Your methodical nature requires that you like to finish what you start without interruptions and also to have everything in its place and properly organized.
   
• An ability to concentrate could take you into computer programming or accountancy or any work requiring concentration and attention to detail.
   
• You have, also, a flair for creative expression with your hands.
   
• You take life seriously and can be easily and deeply hurt and go into moods which can be quite extreme at times, causing much turmoil and unhappiness.
   
• Finding it difficult to join in conversation with those with whom you are not well-acquainted, you could feel quite alone and uncommunicative with new acquaintances or in a large crowd.
   
• As a result, you could be accused of being unfriendly.
   
• You desire so much to be understood, but your name has limited your verbal expression to such an extent that it is very difficult for you to divulge your innermost thoughts even to those closest to you.
   
• One of your greatest salvations is being out in nature, for it is there that you find the peace and serenity you so much desire.
   
• Physically you could suffer through tension in the heart, lungs, or bronchial organs, and also through intestinal problems, constipation, etc.

P.i.e.

I have been craving cherry pie.  Andrew brought home a huge load of cherries from the Farmer's Market the other day.  Today, I finally got around to making the pie.

Step 1: Mix cherries with sugar 

Step 2: Be lazy and buy pre-made pie crusts.  Two come in a pack so I pull out one of the bottoms and cut it into strips to make the lattice top

Step 3: Run around opening every door and window while this thing bakes so you don't set off the smoke alarm because you are on a Skype call with your Program Director trying to get your work website up and running

The recipe I followed was from a yummy website called Lottie + Doof

HTTYD2

...is a great movie.  

It was a kid rom-com.  That might not bode well for everyone, but it had me hooked.  I developed a crush on Hiccup (the main character guy) and want Piper to dress up as Astrid for Halloween: 

The movie came out on Piper's birthday so we had planned on going then.  I forgot the boys were still in school so I waited until the first day of summer.  We took Piper because we thought it was a good idea.  It wasn't.  Thank goodness there weren't a lot of people in the theater.  She spent the majority of the movie oozing up and down the stairs.  She liked the movie, but she gets to wait another six months before being invited back:

These were acquired at the thrift store.  They are imitation Legos, but Blake is so happy to have his own Toothless now.  Lots of dragon talk around here:

Uploaded

Here is looking back at a great weekend of camping:

Piper loved finding sandwich bags to wear as socks:

Proof that I have started liking beer!  

Creeping Along

We had a great time.  We met other Seattle people and enjoyed their company ($5 bow & arrow sets were a huge hit with all the kids).  We are filthy and the kids are pooped.  We just hit traffic so it might be a slow, last hour and a half.

Quiet-er

This is a quiet moment in the trip.  We went down to the river this morning and the boys played in the pool while Piper slept.  I brought out a mechanical science "cams & cranks" set I picked up at the thrift store for $2.  I built the fishing crane for them and now they are playing river games while Andrew gets to read.  We are taking the 5pm shuttle back into Leavenworth to whoop it up German style.

Day Trip

We visited the faux Bavarian town of Leavenworth, WA today.  Cute and musical since there is an accordion festival going on.  Piper got her first swimming lesson from her daddy today.