Off to the Races...

This weekend Jason and I decided to try something new and we went to the Emerald Downs Horse Races.  We had bought our tickets through a website called Groupon a while back because it was a pretty good deal for admission and some food.  Weekend and weekend went past and we still hadn't gone.  Well our tickets were about to expire so we figured we better go.  And luckily we waited until a beautiful sunny fall day, so it all worked out.

Isn't that a beautiful view from the track of Mt. Rainier?!

Waiting for the race to begin

This was our first experience with Horse Racing and to tell ya the truth, it's complicated...at least the gambling aspect of it is.  Complicated or not we were down to try.  So we headed over to the newbee corner where two experts taught us how to gamble.  I still didn't think the expert made any sense, but I nodded my head at everything he said while Jason soaked in all the information to share with me later.

Once we learned the easiest way to bet on the races we jumped right in with our big $2 bets.  Even only having $2 invested in the race makes the race all that much more exciting.  I was jumping up and down screaming for my horse to win (according to Jason I was a little too excited).  And much to my surprise we actually won on one of the races!!!  My whopping $2 turned into $3.60...I was rich!

This is how excited I am to have finally won!!!

This was our winning horse...#7

The races occur every 20 mins or so.  So in between each race you have time to go watch them "load the jocks", warm up the horses and make your bets.

Jason watching the horses come out

Getting ready for the "loading of the jocks"

And they're off!!

Overall I would say this was a really fun day!  We learned a lot about horse race gambling and still want to learn more.  Next up on the "bucket list"...the Kentucky Derby baby!!

By the way, if you have ever wondered how big a jockey is...this might give you a good perspective.  I am 5'9" and an average jockey height is 5'3"!

College Roomies Reunite...for a WEDDING!

We attended yet another wedding this month, but this one was most special because it was for my old college roommate, Kim.  It had been 5 years since we saw each other last, at mine and Jason's wedding to be exact, so we were long overdue for a reunion!!

Kim's wedding was in Santa Barbara, so this was perfect for us and my parents (who were also invited)!  Some of my mom's family lives in Santa Barbara, so in addition to the wedding, we also got to visit with relatives.  This too was a much needed visit since it had been awhile since we had seen them.

Our weekend was jammed full of places to be and people to see, so we hit the ground running as soon as we arrived.  Pedicures with the girls at the Aqua Nail Bar started off the wedding weekend.  This was the best time to catch up on life, hear about the last minute wedding details, and meet Kim's soon-to-be mother-in-law and sister-in-law!

Judy (Kim's mom), Kim (the bride), and me at the Aqua Nail Bar

The happy bride-to-be enjoying a little last minute pampering

After the pedicure Jason and I went to help out at rehearsal.  Since Kim was not having a wedding party, there were a few things here and there that needed to be worked out.  And being a "veteran" at weddings, she thought our advice might help.  This was also were we got to meet Kim's fiance, Bryan, for the first time...and we instantly loved him!

Practicing her dad "giving her away"

Kim and Bryan at rehearsal

Once rehearsal was finished, we all headed over to the Goleta Beach for a little rehearsal dinner Luau with many of their family members and a few friends.  It was nice to be at the beach again and also have some DELICIOUS tri-tip, which is so hard to come by here in WA!!!

Awww...a REAL beach!!!

The fog rolled in, but that didn't stop us from having fun!

The following day was WEDDING DAY!!  The nice part was that the wedding wasn't until 5:30, so we got to spend the day with my grandma, cousins and aunt and uncle having lunch, shopping downtown and playing games.

The wedding was at a great events center called Stella Mare, and it was amazing!  Perfect weather, a beautiful bride, and a rockin' reception!  We had some great company at our table (an old college friend), so that made for fun times!  We enjoyed a lot of wine, some great dancing and just fun times being all together!!!

My dad, my mom, Jason and me leaving the house to go to the wedding

The vows

The newest Mr. and Mrs. Zook!!!

The best college roomie ever!

Jason and I gettin' the party started!

Check out those moves my parents have!

Kim's dad, the newlyweds, and us partying the night away!!

Of course the weekend didn't end at the wedding!  On the day we left, although we might have been feeling like we partied too hard the night before, we had a nice breakfast with my grandma and cousin Jenna.  It was a nice mellow way to end the weekend, although it is always hard to say goodbye.

3 generations all together again!

Congratulations Kim and Bryan! 

We were happy to be able to spend your special day with you!

PAWS Walk

It all started back when we adopted our kitty, Rascal, from the PAWS Shelter in March of 2007.  Little did we know that this simple adoption would eventually lead us to many more good things to come.

In the past year Jason has gotten both of us involved with volunteering for PAWS.  Through his Leadership Development Program he needed community service hours, so he looked into volunteering his time at PAWS.  Along with that, he talked me into it, and in the past year we have become more involved with this organization. 

Jason volunteered at the PAWS Walk about 3 years ago.  He liked it so much that he talked me into doing it the following year.  We both had a good time that year, so we wanted to know how we could get more involved with the animals.  That led us to being Dog Walkers at the shelter for a few months.  Even though we don't do the dog walking anymore, we still continue to work with PAWS on all of their special events, but the PAWS Walk is one of our favorites.

This was our first year having a dog for this event (all the other times we just volunteered and admired the cute dogs) and we wanted to volunteer and participate in the walk.  So that was exactly what we did!  Jason and I worked as "The Welcome Crew" holding signs on the street to lead people in.  Not exactly the most exciting job and I am sure Coda could tell you that if he could talk (he had to stand still with Jason for 2 hours, but he did okay).  But I am proud to be able to say that I do now know what it is like to be a sign holder!

After our volunteering duties were over we hit the trail for the 5K walk around Magnuson Park along with hundreds of other dogs and their owners.  Quite a sight to see!

We are proud to say that PAWS raised nearly $200,000 for the animals at this event!!!!  And we are proud to say we helped make that possible!

If you would like to help contribute to the PAWS Shelter, please just go to PAWS Walk Donations and make your donation.  Every little bit helps!

Me and Coda ready to hit the trail

Jason and Coda at one of the little beach spots along the trail

We made it!!!

Weddings, Weddings and MORE Weddings!

This must be the year of weddings for us, as we have counted a total of 6!  The last wedding we just got back from was in Napa, CA and it was for one of Jason's college friends, Brady and his fiancee Abbey.  Jason was an usher in the wedding, along with another college friend. 

The weather turned out to be nice (not too hot, not too cold) and we couldn't have asked for a more fun weekend.  We got to stay with Jason's aunt and uncle in Danville (about 45 minutes from the wedding location) and both of our parents came and stayed with us too.  We spent our free time going into SF and getting a personal tour of the CA Academy of Sciences (compliments of Jason's aunt Velma, who works there).  We love special treatment and a little behind the scenes bonus!  Thanks aunt Velma!

The wedding was great!  A nice small ceremony at the bride's uncle's vineyard called Elkhorn Cellars.  So you know what that means...a lot of good wine to drink (and boy did I do just that)!  The dancing was pretty outstanding and just being with all of our friends made for one heck of an evening in CA!

The bride, Abbey, walking in

Me and Jason at the reception

Jason and his college buddy, Brady (the groom)

The WA crew with the bride and groom

Jason and I at the reception again

And this is how much fun we had drinking and dancing

Congrats Brady and Abbey! 

Thanks for letting us be a part of your special day!!