SURPRISE!

The Blog really looks different, huh? I actually logged on tonight to get some extra work done but the application I needed to use, kept hanging, so before I knew it I was investigating new things to add to the blog.

1. Note the fancy schmancy 'Slide' application which is now scrolling pictures of Nathan and his wonder with the waterhose. I noticed this very cool do-diddy on someone else's blog, a new up and comer in the scrapbooking world, Elizabeth Kartchner, click on her name to check out her blogsite.

2. If you did check out Elizabeth's site, you may have noticed that she has pictures that are side by side. I've been wanting the ability to do this for some time, so I figured if I used the same blog template she has, I might be able to do the same. I haven't tested it yet but I'll check it out soon.

3. White Backgrounds are all the rage right now in Blog sites and I was trying to go with the flow but the pictures just didn't pop out to me, which is why I selected the Black background. But my friend Courtney's blogsite also has a black background and she may think I've copied her-well consider it flattery darnit! However, I'm wondering if this will be harder on the eyes or not as easy to read. Leave me some feedback and let me know if the Black Background makes it difficult to read the longer paragraphs of text. Maybe, I'll take a poll....

4. Don't you just love the Double-Double Entendre in my header? First let's clarify the definition of a Double Entendre. I thought it meant a double meaning, Greg thought it meant something risque. The definition is...

• NOUN: 1. A word or phrase having a double meaning, especially when the second meaning is risqué. 2. The use of such a word or phrase; ambiguity.
  

We were both right! So the Double-Double Entendre in my header is this:

1. The 1st Double Entendre is - Texas Size Hull. Play on the catch phrase Texas Size Hole, replacing Hole with our last name Hull. You probably figured that one out a while ago!
   
2. The new 2nd entendre is the picture of the boat Hull and our last name being Hull.

Is that not the most clever ever? I'm so proud of myself, really I am! Well...that's my update and the reasons behind it!

We had FUN today!

Greg left early this morning for a camping trip in Utah, so I welcomed the chance to spend time with Josh's extended family for a birthday party. It was so nice to see their familiar faces and enjoy another afternoon of passing time and eating good food with them! Nathan especially loved watching all the other children running around. Here are a few candid shots from the afternoon...

Nathan has been taking his time warming up to 'Crazy Aunt Lynn' but today he ran right to her and wanted to sit in the same chair. A Big-Deal moment!

Nathan spent alot of time playing with this balloon which was very entertaining for the adults in the room. Josh's grandparents Grandma Jo and Grandpa John are in the background.
I cut Nathan's hair this morning and this is the best picture I have right now to show how short it is in the front. We no longer have the long, wispy, Lenny-style hair coming down his forehead.
And this last picture just sums up the afternoon of a 4 year old's birthday party...
Boys walking around with eye patches, a child who asked to be hog-tied by her father and he agrees to and another child being held upside down, for what reason I can't seem to remember.

Just another afternoon with Josh's family...Fun times!

Our new address...

...in Arizona.
Pending everything goes smoothly, this will be our new address. I got back from D.C. on Thursday night and we looked at about 5 different houses with a realtor on Friday and this was the one that we chose. We have a contract on the house and our close date is scheduled for September 25th.

Just a few pictures. Disclaimer for my professional photographer friends, pictures are low quality as they were taken with my little Canon camera.
We have a clean slate for a backyard which is actually goodness...that way we can do exactly what we want...like put in a pool!
Yes...it is a 2 story house. Yes, the laundry room is downstairs. I realized in the beginning of this process that I would probably have to deal with a 2 story in order for us to get the kind of space we want so I've talked myself into a good attitude. And I will choose not to complain about it, until at some point it won't even be a thought that crosses my mind! :)

The funny part about our subdivision, is to get to our house you would turn right on Laredo Ranch Drive, left on El Paso, right on Tumbleweed. If you pass Austin Lane, Odessa Drive or Longhorn street, then you've gone to far. Are you getting it? All the street names are Texas themed! Too funny, huh?

For those interested in additional pictures (like my father in law), about 80 more detailed pictures can be found at: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/20310710

Another Perfect Day

Just some pictures from hanging out with friends in the pool today!

Nathan in his pool hat.
Nathan's dunking lessons had nothing to do with the water!
Splish-splashing around.
Nathan sticking out his tongue, trying to taste or catch the water splashes.

A Few of My Favorite Things

Since I was so close to Virginia, I had the privilege of seeing my family and of course we had to uphold our standard tradition of eating at this restaurant. It's a rare combination of Korean and Japanese food, which I never seen anywhere else. I consider it the best of two worlds!Here is a picture of my plate with just a few of my favorite things; Sticky white rice, KimChi, Jap Chae, Wontons, Vegetable Sushi and Ginger. Yum, Yum!!
Another standard tradition when we get together is to take pictures and lots of them. Here's my other mom, Chapom; my brother, Daniel; my Sister, Naomi; and my sweet niece, Tatyana.

They also came to visit me at the Gaylord Resort which afforded many photo opportunities!
Here is Tatyana, mesmermized with the water fountain light show inside the Atrium of the hotel. Ironically enough our Dad was also in town even though he actually lives in Lake Havasu, Arizona!

It was so nice to see everyone and be able to visit while I was in town. I can't wait to come back in September when my brother gets married to the nicest & sweetest gal ever...wait till you see her!

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

On Wednesday night in D.C., Sun employees were treated to a private party at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. As expected, it was a spectacular event and I was reminded how fortunate I am to work for Sun Microsystems.

Not many know that I have a mild fascination with helicopters, to the point that I planned a my 30th birthday around a helicopter ride. So I had to get a picture with this helicopter, appropriately named 'Spirit of Texas' . Piloted by H. Ross Perot Jr. it was the first helicopter to ever fly around the world (Sept 1982).

This is the front wheel of a plane, they always look so small on the ground when your watching from the airport or from the plane. As you can see, it is alot larger than it seems!
So I was probably the only one at the Air & Space museum taking pictures of flowers! The buffet stations had the most beautiful arrangements that I couldn't help but take pictures....
Oh this next one is just a picture of me with my Boss! ;) She is based in New Hamshire, pronounced New 'Hamsha'.

Out of Town.....

This week I am in Washington D.C. staying at the beautiful Gaylord National Resort for the annual Sun sales conference and it's really spectacular. There are only 4 of these hotels and it seems the commonality between the 4 properties is they all have an indoor glass atrium that spans 18 stories high. I took the picture below standing on the bank of the Potomac River.

The next picture is taken from the 7th floor looking down at the Atrium. Unfortunately, it's impossible to see the exotic gardens, water fountains and lazy river.
Here is a picture of me and some of my team members. Including the missing members from this picture we represent 7 states (AZ, CA, CT, NY, OR, TX, & VA) . We are truly a 'virtual' team in every sense! (The 'Boss' is in the white top just behind me.)
Monday night we enjoyed an outdoor reception that included food/drink, a live band and other forms of entertainment including....Fireworks over the Potomac! Here's my team watching the show and the best possible picture I could take of some fireworks in action.
The other great part about being in D.C. is being able to see my family that lives in Virginia but that will be a separate post! To be continued....