FanFest 2011

This past weekend the Seattle Mariners hosted "FanFest" to jump start the upcoming baseball season.  Afterall, spring training starts in a couple weeks....So, while Jay worked at Northlake and Trev stayed home with gram, I took Scotty and Zac over to Safeco Field for the day to explore every corner of the stadium, play games and have a little fun.  It was FREEZING and I hadn't planned that well for it, but we survived.  First thing was first, the boys wanted to eat a Mariner Dog for lunch...

And enjoyed the scenery for a minute while we figured out our game plan....

There were several stations throughout the field where you could catch some flyballs in the outfield, batting stations, run the bases and even a makeshift sportscaster desk where you could actually have a real interview with FSN's Jen Mueller, a regular Mariners game coorespondent.  But for the little ones who didn't want to wait in those long lines, they had kiddie stations throughout the stadium.  So the boys enjoyed throwing some balls.....

 

Hitting some balls......

Climbing.....

Trying things on for size....

And even having a photo op with the Mariner Moose (Zac's highlight of the day)....

But of course, part of the fun was to be able to experience the stadium like the players experience it.  So we had to stand in line for some things, like running the bases....

And posing for mom when she makes you stop at second base....

We had to walk on a metal walkway in order to get to the bases, as the grounds crew didn't want you to step on other areas of the dirt, but of course the boys were gravitating toward it....they did good, but it was a challenge!

They got to sit inside the visitors dugout.....

Then we went on to tour the clubhouse....the players locker room (Ichiro's actual locker!)

And where they workout...

Then we had to visit the touching tribute to the late, great Dave Niehaus, Mariners beloved announcer who died of a heart attack last November.  He had been with the team and called the games since the very beginning in 1977....

They had special Q&A sessions with certain players but the boys weren't about to sit for that.  However, I had to snap a picture when a couple of the favorite veterans showed up: Jay Buhner and Bret Boone, along with the other Mariners announcer Rick Rizzs....

But my most favorite part of the day came when we got in line to throw pitches in the Mariners actual bullpen and two Mariners pitchers came over to hang out!  Brandon League is one of the relief pitchers.  He said hello to us as we walked by....EEK!

And starting pitcher Jason Vargas was at the station we were sent to and the boys got to throw pitches with him.  They weren't starstruck, but I sure was!  It was pretty darn cool...

It was a great day and got us excited for the baseball season, though it is still two months away!  Fingers crossed our beloved Mariners have a better season this year.....

Day With Dad

We went over and spent the day with my dad, going out to eat at The Crab Pot (yum), one of our favorite places to go when we're on the Seattle side of the water.

Trev ready to crack some crab shells with his mallet

My bro and his friend, the Shrimp (note the bib)

my poor dad, his kids goofing around at the table...some things never change.

The gang outside of the restaurant

and then of course hitting Uwajimaya, the asian market that we all love and one of my dad's favorite things to do.  Unfortunately Jay and Scotty did not join us.  Jay had to stay back because his electrician cousin was in town and they had to work at Northlake.  Scotty was feeling under the weather and we didn't want to share his germs with Papa.  So we will just have to pick another day for all of us to go out there again.  It was a lot of fun, alot of laughter and always good to spend this time with my dad, seeing him smile. 

Discovering a Museum of Fun

I've been wanting to check out this Discovery Kids Museum forever, but just haven't gotten around to it.  It is located on Bainbridge Island, about 30 miles away, and it's not often that we get out that direction.  But today we didn't have much planned other than Flu shots (ugh...), so afterwards, while Zac had his weekly afternoon date with Gram, Scotty Trev and I took the opportunity to head out to the museum.  Thought I would test the waters with just two kids instead of having both the older ones with me in case it didn't go so smoothly.  Turns out, mid-day on Thursdays is the best time to go because we had the whole place to ourselves for a good while.  It was pretty darn cool and for just $4 admission, it was the best two hours Scotty has probably had in a long time!  There was a big tree house to climb and different stations like a Market complete with play food, cash register and play money; a banking/teller station; a doctors office; a waterfront area with a ship's helm; and a big dirt digging area with a bunch of construction toys.  Upstairs was a whole other area that had several contraptions to use with golf balls and a "fabrication station" where you could build things with PVC pipes.  It was Brilliant!  To be honest, I didn't snap a lot of pics because I was playing right along with him a lot of the time!  But here's a few that I managed to get.  We will definitely be heading back there again sometime with Zac....afterall, first Thursdays of the month are FREE :)

I always thought these things were toys!

One of the many golf ball contraptions

Building something with those pipes

My Dad, My Hero

This afternoon became emotionally draining upon hearing what the doctor had to say about my dad's chemo proceedings and what is to come.  He is in round 2 of his chemo treatments and though his doctor is impressed with how well he has taken to the treatment in terms of how mild his side effects have been, she warned that it is going to get worse as the chemo builds in his system.  However, in talking with my dad, like everything else he's ever dealt with, he is upbeat and positive and ready to take on whatever challenges he may face in the coming weeks/months.  I don't think I've ever seen my dad sweat or overreact or get too terribly emotional about anything.  He's even-keeled at all times with a quiet calmness about him always, and today was no exception.  Whether it is to protect us and keep us from worrying, I will never know.  But his strength amazes me and I want to take a moment to share some of my favorite photos and a few little known facts about this man I call "Pops".....

-Named Thomas Tranilla, he goes by "Tom" and has no middle name
-Was born and raised in Hawaii
-Is the middle of three boys
-Married my mom within just months of meeting her and they were married 32 years

-Is a Black Belt in Karate
-Was nominated to the 1972 Olympics for Archery, but had to decline due to his job

-Is an exceptional softball player

-Retired 20 years in the US Navy as Chief Petty Officer

-The most hilarious Pictionary player
-Wanted to name me Roxanne so he could call me "Rocky"

-Settled on calling me "Punky"
-Loves Elvis
-Plays the guitar
-Will drink coffee and eat rice at every meal
-Was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy
-Loves to fish and loves to eat any type of it
-Does not like cheese or drinking milk
-Can build or draw just about anything
-Has two kids, two kids-in-law and five grandkids that really love him

Its Just a Bathroom

Before I get started, let me just say that I do realize how ridiculous this entry sounds being that it's about a bathroom.  Honestly, a bathroom!?  I really can't expect anyone to understand when I say I got emotional when the finished product was revealed to me today.  Because of the fact that I am emotionally attached to this house, it is more than new fixtures and flooring.  In my mind, it summed up all that we are trying to do.  Taking something so neglected and run down and in desperate need of some serious TLC, TLC that my parents were never able to do, and creating a masterpiece.  Something that would make my parents proud.  It is unreal to me the transformation that has taken place in that small space.  It has become the bathroom I always hoped it would be, but never thought could be.  I am in awe of the beautiful work Jeff and Carin did to it.  Maybe the pictures don't do it justice, but believe me it is really hard to grasp that it is the same bathroom.  There have been many moments where I've looked around that house and felt hopeless, but today my hope and faith in the work we are doing over there has been renewed.  Jeff and Carin are so good at what they do and there really isn't anyone else we would rather be doing business with....THANK YOU!

Before - Shower Demo

Before - Prep

After

Happy to say that the light fixture was bought at a local Builders Bargain store for $10,

 where all proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity 

Other Goings On

Aside from Northlake (see previous post), the boys have managed to constantly remind us that there are more important things in life than stressing over an old house.  Thus, here are a few pics from over the past couple weeks.

PEAS

(like all the Wahrmund boys, Trev has had no problem adjusting to his new menu)

Scotty showing off his 4th tooth to fall out

(though he has no teeth, he still has no problem eating)

Road trip...took the boys to Port Angeles last week to play at the beach

Boys and I went to Portland to visit some of Jay's family;

here with his Grandpa Reed

We had snow and 24 hours later it is almost all gone

But the boys had no problem capitalizing

Even Trev was outside enjoying the fresh air

You can tell the house with people who lived in Alaska...cleanest driveway in the neighborhood

I can't help myself, I GOTTA SHOVEL!!!

Sitting up

(waaahhhh....he's growing too fast!)