Brewing Beer with the Roses

Thank you Doug for giving us Beer Brewing Lessons.  It is was super fun!

 Vanna showing us her.... grains. 

 The grains are darkening the water.

The hops.

Adding in the extracts

Nick is stirring

 Straining it and getting ready to add the yeast to allow it to rest for the next 3 days.

 When Doug brews, Kim dresses up to display the beer! 

The cutie Dax 

 Indi is a bouncing 10mo old pup

 Thank you Rose Family for the wonderful hospitality.  We had such a good time. Come visit us soon.

Alyssa's Beaverton Swim meet

Swimming pictures are difficult, but here are some favorites of mine from last weekend. Alyssa just moved up to the next swim level and so racing was a bit out of her league.  She handled the pressure perfectly, even with her cold/congestion.  She had quite a family following as well.  My dad, brother & Troy's mom all came into town to see her compete.  Thank you Family for attending.

GO KING AQUATICS.

 

Backstroke

 Ready, Set

Go

Butterfly stroke  - man I love her form.  Look at the art!

 Alyssa knocked 10 seconds off her 50M breast stroke.  PHEW!

Look at that lead into the water.

   I love seeing that SCHURING name on her cap.

It was a fun opportunity to watch her and see family! 

Mi Amiga muy e - Spethial (special)

Cristina and I are soulmates. There are just no if/ands/buts about it. We were meant to be

close friends.  Our hearts are connected.

Our story begins back in 1997, in Cartagena, Espana. - when I was on my mission.  She was/stiill is - my investigator.  She hasn't gone to church since I left, but she was excited to go to church with me again.  It is our 'thing'.  I feel so blessed that she feels connected to me and to Christ with me. 

This past week, Cristina came to visit.  We hadn't seen each other since 1998.  From the moment we beso'd, it was as if 12 years hadn't passed.   

When Cristina arrived in the West Coast she wanted to see two things: the Grey's Anatomy Hospital and Michael Jackson's grave! I told her she wouldn't find either in Seattle. But here is what I did show her.

She borrowed Troy's pants and shoes!

La Capilla de Maple Valley

Cool Grafiti in Seattle

had to get her some pretty flowers for her guest room.

I mean really, everyone must do this photo pose at least once in their life. 

I swore, I would never pose like this... but I did.  What a sick sick place. 

El Templo de Seattle

I told Cristina, if she touched the Temple, the Temple would touch her!  So, she more than touched it!

An early morning ferry ride over to Bainbridge.  What a beautiful sunrise.

Troy took Cristina on a date.  They went first to Snoqualmie Falls. 

Then on a short hike to Twin Falls. 

We walked on the River Trail down to the Testy Chef.  They even made me a veggie sandwich.

Goodbye for now, my beautiful friend!  I love you more than I ever can explain.

Troy's free marathon - oops just found this one in the draft folder

Troy wanted to run a marathon and since we had no race fees in the budget, he chose the Bellevue Ghost which was free. I drove along the way and supported him with water and directions. I failed 2 times when he had a 1/8 mile detour and also another time he sat at a corner for 30 seconds wondering which way to go. :( The guys kept telling me to turn up the music as they ran by. It reminded me of that commercial where the husband drives alongside his running wife and plays tunes for her.

At this point he was ahead of this small pack and doing great! Happy and all smiles!Troy was very miserable at this point.

GARMIN RESULTS

Unfortunately, Troy thinks that was his last one. He may have to retire from running after our Ragnar Race in 2 weeks. We knew we would see this day since both his knee doctors asked him to only run 1 marathon and he has run for 2 years already.

Time to start biking!