Ummm. I know when my birthday is, and thanks for putting the right name on the card, and covering it up in such a classy way.....
cute, right?
Wow. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into my card. How thoughtful.
Way to go, boss!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
KPD Banquet 2010....Cops (and their spouses) gone wild!!!
Our 3rd annual KPD Banquet was fantastic per normal.
We both look forward to the banquet every year, remembering, or attempting to remember fun times from year's past. In true Matt and Rachel, form, we both have embarrassing stories to out live.
This year however, was one of the more mellow banquets, but awesome none the less. We enjoyed a leisurely day leading up to party time, just lounging around at home. We headed to the hotel (odd to say since it was only a city away) and enjoyed Dan's sweet suite complete with trays of food, adult beverages, and my personal favorite, his homemade sangria, which yes, it does taste like juice but gets you intoxicated like wine. Ahhh sangria! We arrived to visit with some of our buddies, Kyle and Amanda, Jack and his wife, followed soon after by the Aksdals, The Ishmaels, Bruce, Audra, and Tim Krahn. We loved having happy hour with our friends before the festivities began downstairs.
We enjoyed a great dinner buffet, their salmon was great, as was the crab salad, which I ate too much of. Awards and PD slideshow followed as did officer of the year and employee of the year. Congrats to Duncan McKay for winning, but Matt's my officer of the year (insert AWWWWWWWWWWs here) .
Dancing followed, and yes, I did a mean electric slide, don't act like you don't do a good one too. Matt enjoyed pseudo gambling in the casino area. We also got our photos professionally crafted for our 2nd year, the photographer was well known to us as Matt cuddled up to the photographer last year when she was posing us. I can neither confirm nor deny that alcohol was involved. Also, this is the same photographer who captured the infamous "Ron and Veronica, channel 4 news picture" from last year. I'm dying to see her creative work from this year. I asked to be on the brochure for next year! :)
All in all, we had a great time and a fantastic weekend together. (Entire weekends off for both of us are extremely rare!)
Already excited for banquet 2011!
We both look forward to the banquet every year, remembering, or attempting to remember fun times from year's past. In true Matt and Rachel, form, we both have embarrassing stories to out live.
This year however, was one of the more mellow banquets, but awesome none the less. We enjoyed a leisurely day leading up to party time, just lounging around at home. We headed to the hotel (odd to say since it was only a city away) and enjoyed Dan's sweet suite complete with trays of food, adult beverages, and my personal favorite, his homemade sangria, which yes, it does taste like juice but gets you intoxicated like wine. Ahhh sangria! We arrived to visit with some of our buddies, Kyle and Amanda, Jack and his wife, followed soon after by the Aksdals, The Ishmaels, Bruce, Audra, and Tim Krahn. We loved having happy hour with our friends before the festivities began downstairs.
We enjoyed a great dinner buffet, their salmon was great, as was the crab salad, which I ate too much of. Awards and PD slideshow followed as did officer of the year and employee of the year. Congrats to Duncan McKay for winning, but Matt's my officer of the year (insert AWWWWWWWWWWs here) .
Dancing followed, and yes, I did a mean electric slide, don't act like you don't do a good one too. Matt enjoyed pseudo gambling in the casino area. We also got our photos professionally crafted for our 2nd year, the photographer was well known to us as Matt cuddled up to the photographer last year when she was posing us. I can neither confirm nor deny that alcohol was involved. Also, this is the same photographer who captured the infamous "Ron and Veronica, channel 4 news picture" from last year. I'm dying to see her creative work from this year. I asked to be on the brochure for next year! :)
All in all, we had a great time and a fantastic weekend together. (Entire weekends off for both of us are extremely rare!)
Already excited for banquet 2011!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!
Happy 2010 to everyone!
We hope that 2010 is a fun, happy, safe, and healthy year for everyone.
We happily celebrated the end of 2009 while participating in DUI Task Force. Its actually become our New Year's tradition. Its fun to start Matt's arrest record for the year with a DUI. At midnight, we were on a traffic stop while others were getting tossed, just waiting for us to come and find them and arrest their drunk butts. Not to worry, friends and family, we found one! We enjoyed some quality time together while writing tickets, giving warnings, and arresting bratty women who should know better than to back-talk a cop. :)
2010 is looking like a great year, we're anticipating another big trip, destination TBD, we're looking forward to Pete and Kelsey's wedding, as well as Jenna and Alex's too.
Christmas 2009
Hope everyone had a nice Christmas, Kwanza, Festivus, Ramadan, Hannukah, whatever you may choose to celebrate.
After I worked, I headed to Sammamish to spend Christmas with my family before heading to the Anderson's humble abode. Mom came up with an awesome new family tradtion, cocktails for Christmas! A truly wonderful idea on her part, and wow, does she know how to make 'em! I enjoyed cuddling with Joey, who rarely left my lap, snacking on cheese and crackers and sipping my cosmo-esque cocktail while we opened presents. Mom has always spoiled Bets and I, and this year was no different. Gift certifcates galore, sports authority, Nordstrom, hair appointments. I got various kitchen goodies which will definately be put to good use, as well. Mom made me a scarf and hat in eggplant purple that I've already warn several times (see pictures) 
Since it was Christmas, I gave in to the Christmas spirit and was a nice sister and did Betsy's hair, which ended up looking better than mine. After Salon Rachel, we headed to the Anderson's for dinner and drinks, and to see the newly engaged Pete and Kelsey.
We enjoyed many more cosmos, a great dinner, good conversation, talk of wedding plans, gifts galore, and many laughs.
Matt and I later did "our Christmas" at home while we attempted to keep our eyes open. Matt LOVED his many Xbox games, Kuhl shirt, voice recorder, and other gifts, while I immediately jumped into my new and uber comfy PJ's, and tried on my new black diamond necklace. The new work out gear would have to wait.
Hope everyone had a great holiday season.
(this photo was taken in one shot! Yes, I rock)
Monday, December 28, 2009
Mourning Bands: Are they the new addition to police uniforms?
It sickens me to the core to write once again that an officer has died.
Deputy Kent Mundell died today at Harborview, surrounded by family and friends as he was taken off life support after being shot several days ago. Deputy Mundell is the 6th, yes 6th officer to have died in 2 months, and let me say this, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Its a numbing feeling to hear of such news, especially after a painful 2 months, particularly as a police wife. As much as such events sadden me, I must admit that they're starting to bring out more and more rage. I'm somewhat comforted knowing that Deputy Mundell killed the person who shot him. One less bastard out amongst us. Washington state doesn't tolerate cop killers. I'm not a very violent person, but if someone were ever to take a shot at Matt or someone I know and love, you can bet that I'd be first in line to shoot right back. (and yes, I'm a good shot)
I feel helpless in situations such as these. I've attended a funeral, I've donated money to the families, yet I feel like I'm not doing enough. There continues to be a part of me that would love a chance to put the uniform on and protect and serve like Matt does, but its not realistic for our lives and our plans to start a family sooner rather than later. Although its getting ahead of ourselves, its a scary thought, bringing a child into the world where there's so much police violence going on. The thought of telling a little one that Daddy's not coming home is a sickening one.
I try my best to remain REALISTIC, which is proving to be harder than I thought. The REALITY is, I'd drive myself and others crazy if I thought that each day would be our last. I trust Matt's police skills and I trust those of his coworkers. Each day he comes home is a blessing, hell, each day any of us come home safe and sound is a blessing. We could get hit by a car crossing the street.
I hope that this is the last police death posting I do for a very long time, I can't say for certain that it'll be the last. I didn't think I'd do one again. My hope is that police continue to do their jobs, serving and protecting. I hope 2010 is a safe year for officers everywhere. I hope the families of the fallen officers find some kind of peace, but most of all, I hope this doesn't happen again.
Justice will be served.
Deputy Kent Mundell died today at Harborview, surrounded by family and friends as he was taken off life support after being shot several days ago. Deputy Mundell is the 6th, yes 6th officer to have died in 2 months, and let me say this, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Its a numbing feeling to hear of such news, especially after a painful 2 months, particularly as a police wife. As much as such events sadden me, I must admit that they're starting to bring out more and more rage. I'm somewhat comforted knowing that Deputy Mundell killed the person who shot him. One less bastard out amongst us. Washington state doesn't tolerate cop killers. I'm not a very violent person, but if someone were ever to take a shot at Matt or someone I know and love, you can bet that I'd be first in line to shoot right back. (and yes, I'm a good shot)
I feel helpless in situations such as these. I've attended a funeral, I've donated money to the families, yet I feel like I'm not doing enough. There continues to be a part of me that would love a chance to put the uniform on and protect and serve like Matt does, but its not realistic for our lives and our plans to start a family sooner rather than later. Although its getting ahead of ourselves, its a scary thought, bringing a child into the world where there's so much police violence going on. The thought of telling a little one that Daddy's not coming home is a sickening one.
I try my best to remain REALISTIC, which is proving to be harder than I thought. The REALITY is, I'd drive myself and others crazy if I thought that each day would be our last. I trust Matt's police skills and I trust those of his coworkers. Each day he comes home is a blessing, hell, each day any of us come home safe and sound is a blessing. We could get hit by a car crossing the street.
I hope that this is the last police death posting I do for a very long time, I can't say for certain that it'll be the last. I didn't think I'd do one again. My hope is that police continue to do their jobs, serving and protecting. I hope 2010 is a safe year for officers everywhere. I hope the families of the fallen officers find some kind of peace, but most of all, I hope this doesn't happen again.
Justice will be served.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
New Addition to the family, not what you think, though!
CONGRATULATIONS to Pete and Kelsey as they celebrate their engagement on Christmas Eve!
Another Anderson wedding in the works!
Another Anderson wedding in the works!
Kindness of strangers, holiday style
When I dragged myself out of bed this morning, my first thoughts were: I want to stay in bed, its cold outside, boypump is too early (0830!), I don't want to go to work tonight and tomorrow, I wish Matt were at home and not at work. Complaints complaints complains.
After finishing up a great work out, and teaching the squat track, I was not only glad I had gotten up and out of bed and to the gym on time, since class was earlier than normal, I had extra time to eliptical, and work legs, back, and triceps just a bit more. Gift #1, the gift of time.
With the gift of time, I deided to run a few errands to get some last minute things from the drug store and to get some goodies at Starbucks.
Upon arriving at Starbucks, I was so happy to be in the warm store, its 30 degrees outside. There was a woman, clearly homeless, with all of her belongings, leaning up against the wall, fast asleep at a table. I ached for her. This woman is obviously down on her luck, likely through no fault of her own, and here she is, with everything she owns next to her, and dressed in a garbage bag as a wind breaker. Starbucks must have been the only warm place where she could rest. I bought my gift cards and a cup and bought her a sandwich and snacks. I figured it was the least I could do, afterall, it is the holiday season.
I was so touched by the generousity of others when I put the food in front of the sleeping woman. I wasn't the only one who had the idea to make a kind gesture. There was a warm cup of coffee, $20, and a Starbuck giftcard. I guess there are some good people in the world, even in my own backyard.
I suppose the moral of this story is to be thankful and show some kindness. Here I was bitching about getting out of my warm bed, and this woman didn't even have that. I complained about having to work Christmas Eve and Christmas day, instead of being with my 2 families, when the reality is, I spend my day with my work family then my 2 others, whereas, who knows where this woman will be. Wherever it is, I hope some more people show her kindness, whether its Christmas or not.
Happy Holidays to all. Christmas posts to come.
After finishing up a great work out, and teaching the squat track, I was not only glad I had gotten up and out of bed and to the gym on time, since class was earlier than normal, I had extra time to eliptical, and work legs, back, and triceps just a bit more. Gift #1, the gift of time.
With the gift of time, I deided to run a few errands to get some last minute things from the drug store and to get some goodies at Starbucks.
Upon arriving at Starbucks, I was so happy to be in the warm store, its 30 degrees outside. There was a woman, clearly homeless, with all of her belongings, leaning up against the wall, fast asleep at a table. I ached for her. This woman is obviously down on her luck, likely through no fault of her own, and here she is, with everything she owns next to her, and dressed in a garbage bag as a wind breaker. Starbucks must have been the only warm place where she could rest. I bought my gift cards and a cup and bought her a sandwich and snacks. I figured it was the least I could do, afterall, it is the holiday season.
I was so touched by the generousity of others when I put the food in front of the sleeping woman. I wasn't the only one who had the idea to make a kind gesture. There was a warm cup of coffee, $20, and a Starbuck giftcard. I guess there are some good people in the world, even in my own backyard.
I suppose the moral of this story is to be thankful and show some kindness. Here I was bitching about getting out of my warm bed, and this woman didn't even have that. I complained about having to work Christmas Eve and Christmas day, instead of being with my 2 families, when the reality is, I spend my day with my work family then my 2 others, whereas, who knows where this woman will be. Wherever it is, I hope some more people show her kindness, whether its Christmas or not.
Happy Holidays to all. Christmas posts to come.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Leavenworth.....the Bavarian North Pole......
I've come to the realization that Santa doesn't come from the North Pole, he must come from Leavenworth.
Matt and I were lucky enough to head to our favorite B and B, Run of the River, in Leavenworth, WA. This was our 3rd annual trip, and one of our favorite yearly/holiday traditions. After all, this was the infamous place where Matt proposed last year, via old fashioned typewriter. (this wasn't him proposing, this was his "Husband Loves Wife Note")
Our trip over the pass went smoothly, we made it from our house to the B and B in roughly 2 hours with no issues along the way. Arriving in town, it was a far cry from last year where it was covered in snow and 8 degrees, yes 8. This year, roads were bare and wet with about 2 inches of snow covering lawns and sidewalks. We were a bit early for check in so we headed to lunch at one of our favorite spots, the soup cellar. (A must-eat at when in Leavenworth during the winter months, amazing soups, bread bowls, potato salads and sausage plates) *I decided that calories don't count in Leavenworth.* They all still count at home, even heading into holiday time, but when in Leavenworth, EAT! We enjoyed a leisurely lunch and eventually headed to the B and B where we were greeted with a warm welcome to "our suite", Enchantments.
In true Leavenworth fashion, we read by the fire and sipped cider and cocoa (as appetizers of course) before heading to Pavs for dinner. (I've come to the conclusion that people might not read our blog because they're curious about us, I think its because I use them as PSAs about where to go, where not to go....perhaps I'll start a blog of products we love next.....) .....Pavs! What Pavs lacks in size, they certainly make up for in friendly service and delectable food, crepes in particular. http://www.pavz.net/index.html. Matt typically gets the roast beef, but the portabella crepe is where its at! And who can have crepes for dinner and not have them for dessert! The fresh pear is amazing, I'm pretty sure its the calorie counter's nightmare, but who cares.
Day 2 was filled with a fantastic multi-course breakfast at the B and B, reading by the fire, shopping in town, feeding the birds, and snowshoeing. We went to Cafe Mozart for dinner and enjoyed both our dinners and for Matt, the liter of beer. :) (Their hazelnut butter salmon is amazing!). Our last night we played boggle and scrabble and Matt kicked my butt in both games. I still think he was making words up, though.
We're already looking forward to next year's trip and are eagerly awaiting the dates of availability.
Another trip, another year of great memories, and another great opportunity for photo taking! .....primarily of ourselves.
In true Leavenworth fashion, we read by the fire and sipped cider and cocoa (as appetizers of course) before heading to Pavs for dinner. (I've come to the conclusion that people might not read our blog because they're curious about us, I think its because I use them as PSAs about where to go, where not to go....perhaps I'll start a blog of products we love next.....) .....Pavs! What Pavs lacks in size, they certainly make up for in friendly service and delectable food, crepes in particular. http://www.pavz.net/index.html. Matt typically gets the roast beef, but the portabella crepe is where its at! And who can have crepes for dinner and not have them for dessert! The fresh pear is amazing, I'm pretty sure its the calorie counter's nightmare, but who cares.
Day 2 was filled with a fantastic multi-course breakfast at the B and B, reading by the fire, shopping in town, feeding the birds, and snowshoeing. We went to Cafe Mozart for dinner and enjoyed both our dinners and for Matt, the liter of beer. :) (Their hazelnut butter salmon is amazing!). Our last night we played boggle and scrabble and Matt kicked my butt in both games. I still think he was making words up, though.
We're already looking forward to next year's trip and are eagerly awaiting the dates of availability.
Another trip, another year of great memories, and another great opportunity for photo taking! .....primarily of ourselves.
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