Julie's Birthday

Ok, I'm 2 weeks late, but here are the pictures...and there are some really good and cute ones.  In fact, there were too many good ones to post - you'll have to click here to see them all.  I've posted a few of the best below.  Thanks to Matt who took most of the pictures this day; albeit, using my superior Canon 40d to do it with.  :-)

If anyone wants any of these, full resolution, let me know.  Happy to email them out to you!























Click here to see EVEN MORE!

Remembering Mom

Yesterday marked the one year anniversary of my Mom's passing. It was a bit of an emotional day. To mark it, I had a chance to spend the afternoon/evening up in the mountains, a place my Mom loved to be. It felt good for me to make a little memorial for her. The two pictures are the same memorial; one with Mt. Shuksan in the background, the other with Mt. Baker in the background. The following is in memory of her. Click on each photo to see it full size. Click here to see more pictures from table mountain.

New Years Day

A GREAT day at Grammi's: thanks Dave and everyone who helped with the party and the food. To see all the pictures online, click here...




To see all the pictures online, click here...

The Boys (updated)

Another goal?

This year, I have set a goal to make at least 1 summit of either Mt. Baker, Mt. Shuksan, or the 'north' Twin Sister. It will require me to do some "getting in shape" so to help myself track my progress, I created this blog post which I'll update if you're interested.


12/29: 2 mile jog, 21 minutes
12/30: 3 mile bike, 15 minutes
12/30: 4-5 miles, snowshoe
1/2: 2 mile jog, 19:10 (min:sec)
(1/3: stomach virus, and takes me out for a bit)
1/11: 2 mile jog, 20:45
1/13: 2 mile jog, 19:45 (first time doing the loop w/out stopping)
1/16: 2 mile jog, 19:45 again (n.s.)
1/18: snowshoe trip (probably 3-4 miles total)
(1/19 - 1/31: flu)
2/1: 2 mile jog, 21:00
2/2: 2 mile walk/hike (no time)
2/4: 2 mile walk/hike (no time)
2/6: mix walk/jog (20:00) no distance
2/7: 2 mile jog, 21:00
2/9: 2 mile jog, 20:30
2/11: indoor soccer
2/13: 2 mile jog, 19:15 (reverse)
2/16-2/23: lots of boogie boarding in Maui
2/27: 2 mile jog, 18:30 (reverse, w/8 min break 1/2 way, LJ)
3/4: 2 mile jog, 18:30 (reverse)
3/5: 2 mile jog, 18:00 (reverse, w/1 min break 1/2 way, Brian T)
3/8: 2 mile jog, ??? (reverse) - can't remember time
3/11: 2 mile jog, 19:00 (reverse)
3/12: 2 mile jog, 18:05 (reverse)
3/15: 4.6 mile bike, 26:00 ride time, 10.91 avg speed
3/17: 2.5 mile walk (no time)
3/22: 2.5 mile jog, 23:00 (stimpson, short loop)
3/26: 2 mile jog, 19:00? (reverse)
3/30: 2 mile jog, 18:15 (reverse)
3/31: 3.5 mile "walk," 1 hour (stimpson)
4/4: 2 mile jog, time?
4/6: soccer scrimmage, about 75 minutes
4/8: soccer scrimmage at Civic (90 min)
4/11: 2 mile jog, 17:45 time
4/13: soccer scrimmage (about 75 minutes)
4/15: Soccer game (played almost whole game, 1 goal, 1 assist)
4/20: 2 mile jog, 17:50 time
4/22: Soccer game (1 goal, 2 assist)
4/23: 2 mile jog, 18:10 (reverse)
(forgot to journal this week...can't remember)
4/29: Soccer game (1 goal)
5/1: 2 mile jog, 19:00
5/5: 6 mile hike
5/6: Soccer game (1 goal, 1 assist?)
5/7: 4 mile bike ride
5/9: 2 mile jog, 18:45
5/13: Soccer game (1 assist)
5/16: 9 mile bike (bike to work); avg 11.01 mph
5/17: 2 mile jog, 18:30 (very hot day)
5/20: Soccer game (I got shut out)
(Steve&Rhoda week; a couple of short hikes)
5/25: 9+ mile bike ride
5/27: Soccer game; played 1/2, pulled my hamstring

Merry Christmas

What is this?


Thanks Dad, for a great lunch on the day after...


Something to send to my sister in Papua New Guinea, in honor of my Mom


Julie's famous Christmas Cookies


The Family "Greene" (minus mom and dad)


"Little A" with that tongue going...


And of course, the freshly harvested reindeer ploppies

Snow and more Christmas Images

More Holiday Pictures, and pictures from our little bout with snow - we ended up with about 4 inches, but it's almost all gone now.

More Ornaments (see 1st post below)

If you haven't seen the first blog post, click here or scroll down...




This ornament is from a street market in Austria!

Christmas Arrives...

Tree's up, outside lights up, Christmas has arrived...this first ornament is new this year, in memory of my Mom...the only one I know who "lived for the Holidays" more than I did.

Greene Family Christmas Wish List

Biz: ANYTHING - surprise me
Derrick: See Biz
Mike: two items - a 72mm to 77mm step up ring and then a 77mm circular polarizer.
Julie: surprises, an old navy fleece, high quality chocolates, Ratatouille dvd, gift cards, another white SB mug like the on in this picture.
Kathryn: a Starbucks photo mug, SB peppermint syrup, I really want to spend time having fun with people so a "treat with people or a person" sounds great. There's also a lime green big cute teapot at the SpiceHut in B'ham. The identifying factor is that has a strainer that works for roiboos tea, if that's easier than figuring out that treat. :) Also a great gluten free baking book is welcome. and a surprise
Dave: Gift certificate to Flats Tapas Bar in Bellingham <http://www.flatstapas.com/ > or Milano's Restaurant & Deli(360-599-2863) in Glacier. :)
Nicki: a cheap, brown guitar strap, not leather: sephora stuff, Pilates or Yoga mat
Matt: Ok, just so I'm not the only person without a Christmas item on the list: Box of Joe-Joes cookies from Trader Joes - $2.49. Yes, I bought two boxes today. Yes, they only have them this time of year. Yes, I will need another box come Christmas time. :) I'd be perfectly happy with a box of Joe-Joes and being able to hang out with family and go on a walk in Whatcom Falls Park. I might think of something else later that I want, but I really just want people to not stress out about buying gifts and just have a fun day with the family. Sharing my Joe-Joes - best Christmas cookie known to man.
Here's more from Matt:
Bourne Ultimatum @ Best Buy - $14.99http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8575062&st=bourne+ultimatum&lp=2&type=product&cp=1&id=1777946
Narnia @ Half.com - $12.90http://product.half.ebay.com/The-Chronicles-of-Narnia-The-Lion-The-Witch-and-the-Wardrobe_W0QQprZ51082657QQtgZinfo
America's Cheapest Family @ Half.com - $7.92http://product.half.ebay.com/_W0QQprZ54343784QQcpidZ1375904398

An Anniversary to Remember

So for our fifth anniversary, Friday (the 8th), I surprised Julie with the cake you see below. This cake was made by Randy Isselin, who is an amazing guy. His wife is our church secretary/receptionist and if you want to see more of his stuff, click here.

Why the cake? Well, when we got married our wedding cake had an accident, (it fell). As a result, Julie has often regretted not ever seeing her wedding cake the way it was pictured in her head. So, to celebrate our 5-year anniversary, I surprised her with this one. Needless to say, I scored some husband points!

It looks amazing, and tastes amazing. It's a white cake with cream cheese frosting and a "tayberry" filling (a cross between a blackberry and raspberry). Yes, those flowers are made by Randy and are edible! It's an amazing cake.

Lake Geneva?

Yes, it's true, Julie and I found a beautiful lake, er uh "pond" only a few minutes from our house. Just head out on Lake Louise Road (off of Lakeway) and go about 5 minutes, looking for the parking lot on your left.

It was a beautiful day and we hit the trail following the signs to "Geneva Pond" - when we got there, we encountered another older sign that called it Lake Geneva. Sounds like there's some confusion there...still, a highly recommended walk/run/hike - (about 2 miles from the parking lot, round trip).

The other two pictures are of our Japanese Maple Tree in our yard which turns a brilliant red this time of year.

She is SO cool

Just another day...

I love Bellingham! In the last 12 hours:
- Hail (had white stuff on our lawn for a few minutes)
- Sun (beautiful)
- Rain (lots of rain)
- Massive Thunder/Lightning show
- 2-point buck (deer) in our front yard
- Racoon family in our back yard (3 of them)
- Beautiful Sunset

Adri...again

Celebrated my wife's birthday over the weekend and wouldn't you know it, our niece tried to steal the show. If you want to see more of our amazing niece, click here.