Couple notes:

1-I'm waiting for the classic crime show to begin- in Arizona, so I can listened to the hubbub of sound that transfers over the phone. It's usually a convoluted mess. And yet I wait. And I will enjoy it. And sing along.

2- while waiting I am practicing my guitar. I started guitar lessons last week. Coworker- Singing Simon plays the guitar- really well, actually, and has agreed to be teacher. Not gonna lie it's kind f wired to see him flip a switch and be serious. Guess it just proves that it's possible. Anywho- that started. There is some about of pride getting smacked in the face when I feel inadequacies are so evident. Which really just shows my pride needs to be taken down and punched in the gut.

3- if I haven't told you, I will mention it now. I'm going to Hawaii in 10 days. I have a friend on the big island that I'm going to see for a couple days and then go to Maui and meet up w aunt&cousins to visit places my grandma grew up. And to scatter her ashes. It's time she goes home. They invited me along- and due to my lack of car and therefore lack of car payment, I have a little bit to play with. I do love to travel.

4-I've discovered a new podcast called! Books on the nightstand. If you need book club books, this is a great place for suggestions. Or just suggestions period. I have a list of books going. I don't know how I will read them all.

5- reading partials- by Dan wells. Need to broaden my scope of reading. YA isn't doing it for me.

Summer of Awesome .. in bullet points

*The Early November: I went to this awesome show back in February- Anthony Raneri (lead singer of Bayside) and other various leads from different bands. Enter appreciation of one, Ace Enders & The Early November. They had an album coming out which is called In Currents- which is kind of spectacular, btw. I love the title track. It's just an excellent album. Yes, you should check it out. I also got introduced to another band called The Swellers- punk rock awesome. They were awesome live. I am happy to say I have 2 of their albums.

*Bekki & fam of COURSE coming. On the weekends I would jump on bus-train-ferry-car to get to Whidbey to hang out and spend every spare moment up there. We went on hikes, went to Fort Casey. (Which was way better this time around. It's amazing what one more year and adding Adam can do to calm the nerves while kids are playing around a place that shouldnt be for children.) I bonded with the kids. Kaylie especially. We went to the Lavender Wind Farm- and got a triple berry lavender ice cream. Umm. Surprisingly spectacular and lovely. I highly recommend it.. Hmm what else..

*Derek and Teana came out- had a HUGE layover in Seattle and we all got together, went to the temple, and met up with our aunt/cousins later to play catch-up.

there's a serious one.. but whats the fun in that? 

Come on, Cassidy.. just stick your finger up his nose. it's funny... 

The moment of truth! Derek and Teana are here!! 

Cassidy adores Teana.. this is the perfect face to capture that moment. 

And Quan.. Oh Senior Quan, he thinks Derek is the coolest. 

 And D&T got to announce that they're going to have a baby! All Hail! Congrats!

We went on this hike on Whidbey one day. Bek, me, kids. To amuse the kids and ourselves, come to find, we had a leader and we had to follow exactly what the leader did. Every sound, every move. The quiet woods echoed with our exclamations about sludge, breaking into songs, and whatever random noises kids just choose to spirt out. 

One of the things we found was this BIG tree knocked over. Kaylie, being Kaylie, decided she wanted to climb the roots. It made bekki kinda nervous, I think. 

*What was ALSO pretty stellar about spending my weekends up on Whidbey was getting to be taught by an AWESOME Sunday School teacher. I cant spell his name. But know, he's great. He's big and loud and loves the gospel. And loves to tease the fellow ward members. You can see this emanate from his person and his powerpoint presentation that he can never seem to get through.
Bekki and I are his biggest fans. We'll make t-shirts next time around.

*Cold 4th of July. Whidbey celebrates the 4th on the 3rd. Not sure exactly why, unless they want to;
1. Extend the celebrations
2. Not compete with Seattle
Whichever reason, or whatever the cause, I came up for the 4th- since I had it off. It was cold and mingling with islanders is always a.. treat.

More later. Work in AM.

Gasworks Park

Ok, this one isnt at the park, and I wasnt even there for it. BUT! 

The Tolman clan came up for a whole MONTH! 

Hmm.. Not the park either... 

 We had a few Seattle days, and one in particular was to Gasworks Park. Which I love. This is one of my favorite parks in Seattle. Has an amazing view of the city and when I lived on the island and would come down to Seattle for the day, I would often find myself here. 

 And I think it's safe to say they enjoyed themselves. 

Part 1- mini bits from phone.

This summer was crazy-busy. So much good so far, I've waited too long to explain it and remark on remarkable things. They remain stamped in my person and give me a moment to reflect. 

2 of my roommates, Krista & Rochelle, went down to Kent-ish area and while waiting for the actual "main event" aka church dance and various activities, We were taken here: 

Amanda, why oh why are you taking a picture of your bed? 

When I first moved down to Seattle, I had an airmattress. 

It was a great day when I moved to a bed, yet, said bed was actually on the floor. I have moved into a completely different realm because now I have a bed frame for said mattress. I felt this was a grand move to some degree of permanence, a declaration that I liked my location and my job enough to stick around. 

This is my grand move towards adulthood. 

Revel in it.  

Umm. Seattle.. Cloudy day? Who knew. 

 I miss you gloomy clouds. 

Guess what happens the first Thursday of every month? Various museums become FREE to the public. I've been meaning to do this for ages, and I finally got to. 

What was AWESOME about the day that I went, was that my friend Eric was able to come and explain various things to me. He happens to work for Boeing and is crazy obsessed with planes. As he should be. 

 There was something touching and poetic about this older gentleman at this wall of honor. This is the reason for this shot. This is the purpose of its capture. 

 Dad would have loved it... 

(The other day when we were walking by the graveyard near the house, you asked me if you thought we would ever die...) 

Runs through my head every day when I walk by the- graveyard near the house. 

Teaser Trailer