MWBP '09 Volume III

Another chapter in the bachelor party weekend. After another evening of card playing, video gaming, drinking, and some great burgers and beer-brauts we woke up on Sunday to the sight of new snow covering the lovely valley landscape in our cozy cabin in the woods. What a beautiful way to start the day. We enjoyed some additional pancakes, eggs, and some very angry bacon. Thanks to John and Jesse for being the cooks that morning and to Todd and Matt Leicester for working so hard to clean up the mess. We got in a few more games of Rock Band and got to watch Justin do his thing at the expert level of many songs, pretty darn impressive if you ask me. We slowly packed up our gear and set about cleaning the cabin to a good shine. I honestly say it was cleaner after we left. Not to bad for a group of 7 guys don't you think? We headed out to the snow and were glad to find winter weather but clear roads along Stevens Pass as we cruised back to our Seattle homes.

Once back home we were able to break up the carpool and I tagged along with Jesse back to his place where Janelle had been the focus of a bridal shower at the Paulson's new house. It worked great as we were able to catch up with my folks there, who then dropped us back off at our small Shoreline bungalow. Nice to see their faces at least once more before they flew back to Denver. From the sounds of it Janelle had a great time this weekend as well with her own activities and shower, thanks to all of the special women who made that possible for her. A huge thanks once again to the Fletchers for use of the cabin, for all of the guys willing to make it such a special weekend for me, and to the Weaver parents for making the trip out and share in the festivities. It sure was nice to get in some extra hugs and the usual fun pics. The MWBP '09 Roster: Matt Weaver, John Weaver, Jesse Paulson, Moses Lunquist, Justin Paulson, Todd Moore, and Matt Leicester. And always remember....One Way Plumbing!!!

MWBP '09 Volume II

The second installment of the story from last weekend. While the boys were at the cabin Janelle was being surprised on her "girl day" of shopping by cousin Amy with a lunch including her mother, Kris, and Stephanie Paulson. This was included in her ongoing day of shopping, massages, and fun in the big city. Meanwhile the guys woke to another cold but clear and sunny day. After a great breakfast of pancakes, bacon, and eggs wonderfully prepared by one John Weaver and Todd Moore we decided to head into town to see what fun we might be able to run into. (A big thanks to Jesse and Justin for cleaning up after the first prepped meal!) We hit the picturesque town with some light snow falling and decided to hit the first bar we saw, the Old Post Office Saloon to grab a beer to start the day in town, planning to move on from there. Little did I know this was the final destination as upon entering we found a great little spot including darts, 2 nice pool tables, a good music system, and some TVs to catch the Pac-10 basketball games as we enjoyed the company. That was in fact the only place we made it to in town. A total of 16-18 pitchers, many games of pool, some yummy snacks, and a disappointing WSU loss later we were headed back to the cabin for more good times. While at the saloon my dad managed to drop by with friend Dan Nelson to join in a few beers, a few games of pool and general merriment with the "boys". My mom and Mary Nelson also dropped by briefly to check in and get a few quick hugs. It was great to see the parents, however briefly during the Leavenworth adventure. From there it was a quick stop at my favorite cookie shop for some gingerbread snacks and back to the cabin!! The rest of the evening was much as with Friday night including Rock Band, card playing, continued drinking, and overall great times with the crew. More to come!!

MWBP '09 Volume I

This is the first of what might be several entries about the adventure this last weekend as I had my bachelor party/"Man's Weekend" with a small group of seven good friends. We were very lucky to get the use of the "cabin" owned by John and Carolyn Fletcher, my fiance's aunt and uncle. (Thanks you guys!!) It is an awesome location and property located in the picturesque valley just outside of Leavenworth, WA. We were able to cruise through Stevens Pass on Friday evening without too much issue. Even with the heavy snow fall this year we timed it well to have mostly bare roads for the majority of the ride. That night we tapped our fine keg of Coors Lite and the weekend was officially on!! We whiled away the evening hours playing a array of card games and some fun rock band on the small TV and gaming gear we brought with us. (Big thanks to Justin and John for hauling all of the gear and letting us use it to augment the fun!!) That was the majority for the first evening as we went to bed ready to recharge for all of the activities before us that weekend. More to come!!

As per usual it seems that time flies past without my notice between posts on this thing. I am really looking forward to some warmer weather so I can get outside and attack the landscaping, yard, and plant this year's garden in our lot. I have found such a great deal of enjoyment working outside and live things like plants. I find it very calming (Always a good thing for a hothead like me) and quite therapeutic to be honest. In the eventual case that the weather will turn, we continue to have snow flurries here in the Seattle area even in March, I have planted some starters in the house and will nurse them along with my grow-light as I have them ready to go into the ground to extend their growing season during the warmer months. I hope to have some usable peppers this year as my big goal. Last year the goal was at least one "carvable" pumpkin for the Halloween festivities and I ended up with 3 that I could use!! Really a fun way to do the holidays. The peppers came up just short so I am taking steps to try and get them "over the hump" if you will to something I can use in some stir-fry and salads. ;-) Despite the continued cold weather and occasional light blankets of snow the crocuses, daffodils, and tulips have all managed to come up and start blooming quite well. I also have some nice stalks coming up from all of my irises, even those I split and transplanted in the last 2 seasons of work. Now if I can get the honeysuckle to grow on my other lattice to balance out the front of the house and find something to take in the one marshy spot near the shaded front as well I will really be getting somewhere. It sure is fun to at the very least try some of this things for myself. In any case it is fun to have some color in the yard both front and back and see the silly statues we have meander their way through the fun shapes and plants that populate our beds. Till next time......