Big Four Mountain

Big Four Mountain
Originally uploaded by glass_identities

Yesterday we had to run to town and decided to head out on an adventure since we were out. We were also looking for a bit of time with no kids... seems a rare thing these days.. which surprises me... I had always thought that when the kids became teenagers they would be off busy in their own lives.. they are more glued to my side now than when they were two. We headed down to Granite Falls and then up the Mountain loop Highway. Everything was really frosty/icy but we did not really see any snow. The mountain here is called Big Four which I found odd since I was thinking it was about the humps... but it is not.. I guess there is a large 4 shaped snow patch on the other side of the mountain. There are also said to be some really awesome ice caves here that people can go in and view... I have not yet been in there but hope to do that this spring. Click here for more information on all of this. It was a beautiful way to end a wonderful holiday weekend.


Here is a video I took while driving through the gravel (ice) part that connects the Granite Falls side to the Darrington side.

Bridge Girders

Yay!!! we are getting a new bridge onto Camano Island...(click here for info on the construction) This week they have been moving the girders in...the girders are 187 feet long... they are really really long... there is a semi in the front driving and then another one in the back to drive the back half... they placed the first two earlier this week but it was raining and there was some snow and it was cold.. so we did not get to see those.. last night though the timing was perfect... we were at the park and ride in Smokey Point and were able to get on the freeway behind it and then drive past it... got off the freeway ahead of it and took some videos of it coming down the on ramp and getting itself backed up so it could head down 532. We were not able to get any video of them lifting it off the truck and over the bridge as we were not in a good location for that. We were able to get some picture of the car in front of us who I believe are the rudest bunch of people on the island. At least two cars full of people.. honking their horns.. screaming rude things at the flaggers...I guess they were blind and did not notice the huge truck in the bridge.. and that would also explain how they missed the weeks/months of notices that were up all over town and in the local papers. To all the construction workers not only on the 532 project.. but all of our DOT people.. Thank you!!! You really do a great job and put up with a lot from some pretty stupid people. Example below of rude and stupid.


Be sure to click here to view more videos of the bridge girder

Brians Graduation from Washington Youth Academy

He is graduated and home! His graduation was in Bremerton so it was a long day.. a little over 2 hours there... picked up his stuff from the academy at 7:30 am.. then we all went out to breakfast...then over to the high school for the graduation... we were there right when they opened the door at 9 am so we were able to get pretty good seats...the place filled up fast. They started right at ten.. as with all graduations there were a lot of people doing a lot of speaking and many thank you's.

I did record one speech.. give by Colonel Pettit, it was a very heart felt speech and very touching. You can tell the people who work with these kids do it because they care.. and they want to make a difference.. and they really do. 121 kids... high risk... came to WYA for many different reasons but for many of the kids it was their last chance. There are kids who were getting into crime.. gangs... dropping out of school.. very low grades... horrible attitudes... and yet This man spoke of kids who in 6 months went up 6 full grade levels... one child there lost 92 pounds.. in 6 months... these kids, when given what WYA gave them...were able to work so very hard and to change their lives in 6 months. I will forever be grateful for the differences I see in my son... for the chances they have given him and the things they have taught him. I look forward to watching him use the skills and knowledge he has gained while at WYA to continue making changes in his life and in others. I have always known that Brian can do it.. and WYA showed/taught him that he can.

One of my favorite parts... yes I cried in it.. I cried like a baby through the whole thing.. was when they showed a video of before and after photos... I enjoyed watching the video and seeing how much each person had changed.. not only did they all get short hair.. but you can see in their eyes a different attitude... the best part though was watching and listening to the group of cadets as they watched their own photos and that of their friends... you could tell from the sounds and pointing that there was shock and surprise at who they themselves had been and had become.

Washington Youth Academy... Thank you.. to each and ever person involved. If this sounds like something that might be good for your child.. I highly suggest looking into it.. and I do believe it is offered in other states too. On the main page there is a drop down list of other states so you can find one near you.

Washington Youth Academy

Posted some pictures here Flickr

and some videos here youtube

Great Weekend

Christmas Lights
Originally uploaded by glass_identities

We had a wonderful weekend... very relaxing and calm and fun. Starting to really feel the holiday spirit. Last weekend we put up all the lights and decorated but it was so hectic trying to get it all done.. that it just did not have the right feeling. This weekend we relaxed... started a puzzle... had some pizza...played some board games... watched a movie.. went out on Saturday night to check out Christmas lights.. the one above was the best we found.. besides ours....ok no they are a lot better.... and then on Sunday we went into town.. took some photos on the way in because the freeway was totally stopped due to a lot of accidents all in one area... the roads were really slippery... Dave bought me my birthday present... a really fun camera that takes great videos too *thank you so very much*... and then we went to visit his parents... and found the route with the most snow to come home on... there are some photos on my flickr page. All in all it was just a wonderful relaxing weekend... today the kids have a snow day.. I am guessing it was pretty icy in town today since there is really no snow here at the house.

Be sure to click "here" to view more photos of our weekend.

thanks,
Michelle

Lanees shop

See something you love you can click on it to buy it right from here.. or you can click here to visit her shop and see even more of her beautiful work.

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