Would you let this into your house?

hot day+ manic dog + sprinkler + digging = bad idea

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Marley and Me

Steve and I have now both read Marley and Me and absolutely loved it. If you're looking for a good read about an adorable dog, this is your book. I heard about it from my dad's friend, Don Engdahl, who also had a yellow lab (Buddy). I finished it before we picked up Lucy and was a bit frightened, but I think everything will turn out fine- Lucy doesn't seem to like drywall.

Here is the info taken from http://www.amazon.com/:
Labrador retrievers are generally considered even-tempered, calm and reliable;and then there's Marley, the subject of this delightful tribute to one Lab who doesn't fit the mold. Grogan, a columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, and his wife, Jenny, were newly married and living in West Palm Beach when they decided that owning a dog would give them a foretaste of the parenthood they anticipated. Marley was a sweet, affectionate puppy who grew into a lovably naughty, hyperactive dog. With a light touch, the author details how Marley was kicked out of obedience school after humiliating his instructor (whom Grogan calls Miss Dominatrix) and swallowed an 18-karat solid gold necklace (Grogan describes his gross but hilarious "recovery operation"). With the arrival of children in the family, Marley became so incorrigible that Jenny, stressed out by a new baby, ordered her husband to get rid of him; she eventually recovered her equilibrium and relented. Grogan's chronicle of the adventures parents and children (eventually three) enjoyed with the overly energetic but endearing dog is delivered with great humor. Dog lovers will love this account of Grogan's much loved canine. Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

No Hoopfesting

Steve ran into a bit of a glitch with Hoopfest this year. For those of you who don't know, Hoopfest is a large 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Spokane that happens the last weekend of June each year. Steve has been a part of this iconic Spokane event as long Hoopfest has existed (I'm not quite sure how long that is...). His usual team of hoodlums decided to run off and be fathers and can no longer make the trip. So, Steve decided to join up with his buddies Grant, Sean, and Sherlock this year. The only trouble was that Steve didn't quite get his registration form in on time and the rest of the team was slotted in the 5'10''-6'2'' bracket and they would let Steve play (he missed it by just a few inches). Steve was quite bummed, but we decided to make the journey to Spokane anyway and support the team as much as possible. The Jefferson Street team lost their first, won the second as well as the third. This gave them an another game on Sunday morning, but they decided to forfeit and sleep in. Wise choice boys!

This was also Lucy's first visit to Spokane and both the Walther and the Brooks sets of parents enjoyed hosting her for part of the weekend. They were amazed at how calm she was and easygoing and cooperative she seemed to be. If they only knew... She had a great first swim in the Brooks' pool and enjoyed being with everyone. She was so exhausted after the weekend that she slept all the way to Ellensburg on the way home. Looks like Lucy Lou is turning out to be a great dog. She's konked out on the deck as I type.

Lucy didn't mind the water, but didn't really want to fully get in either.

This beautiful bed of ornamental grasses is now flat. Sorry Ma and Pa Brooks...

Does anyone know where I can get some food around here?

The Brooks Boys

I had to publish this rare photo. As you can see, all of us seem to enjoy each other's company. Rarely caught on film, this occured after each of us had a few drinks to loosen up our minds and accept each other for who we are: Brothers that joke around a lot.

Thanks for coming to the party and thanks for being my bros.

Damn I'm tall.

That's more like it.

Phoenix Man Cons Mechanical Engineer

PHOENIX - Reports state that an electrical engineer working for a Phoenix company has convinced a young mechanical engineer into marriage. The cross connection of electrical and mechanical engineering has been known for some time to be problematic. Historically, mechanical engineers have preyed on electrical engineers for their knowledge of circuits and impedance and little else. ME's then take this info and build really cool stuff.

Editors Note: So to the ME here, beware that this guy, although highly educated at a very prestigious Seattle university (not naming names) this guy has a few things to work on; namely finding work in Seattle - I just can't take the heat of PHX.

I am thoroughly excited to see both of you together and so happy. I wish upon you a forever of happiness and adventure. The later comes guaranteed with the purchase of an Avery and the first part will come easy.

Jen and I look forward to spending more time with the both of you. Cheers to you!

Jenny's Big Day

Long time no blog! Lots to update here...

Jenny had her 9th anniversary of her 21st birthday on June 23rd and we had a few folks over to help ring in the new decade. The Stottlemyres brought their adorable new <5 week old baby up from the great south end and even The Avery and his new fiance (as of June 22nd) were in town to celebrate.

My beauitful bride has had mixed feelings about this milestone in her life. I keep reminding her that I'll always be older and that makes her feel better. Makes me feel old though.

I did my best to stay in the kitchen and help to let the guest of honor mingle, but my social skills sometimes get the better of me and I end up by the cooler debating the benefits of lighter beer after 10pm with "colleagues". Unlike parties of old, this one didn't run into the morning or get a visit from the local authorities. Our neighbors from across the way came by around 11:30 after a party of their own and we sat and talked about all the places they had lived and heard some of their adventurous histories. Who knew this now florist was such a troublesome kid?

The Skippers stopped by late and it was great to see them. They had family in town and we were thrilled they could break away and stop by.

Evidence:

Courtney and Meagan bringin' peace to the world.

Matt and Jenny take a break between cocktails.

Our deck is a perfect summer hangout.

No party is complete without a drunk 3 year old hopped up on chocolate! Ahhh... Belgian chocolate goes great with Heineken.