project mini ramp

all 4 sections framed and ready for surfacing


it pretty much takes up the whole garage


Steve came over tonight to check it out

construction has begun

Mini ramp construction began yesterday with the first of 4 sections. If only I could get as motivated on Project Kitchen 2008 as Mike is on Project Mini Ramp. The only thing I have done so far for the kitchen (besides ripping down the wainscoting) was buy paint.


This shot is the reason why I wanted a fish eye. How cute is that?
Note the dead grass. That is just proof that it doesn't rain in Seattle during the summer. Besides, it's not very ecological to water your lawn.

Washboarding

Last Sunday Sarah, Matt, Claire, and myself went out on the boat formerly known as Red Reign. The boat formerly known as Red Reign is about the same color as one '84 Impala in its latter years but lacks a 5L V8 and a squirrel in the back window. So plans to buy materials for the mini-ramp were put on hold, and we skipped the Joy Wants Eternity show (my favorite band but they're playing again Friday) to go wakeboarding for the first time in Washington and the first time in about 5 years.

We launched at the Sunnyside Avenue N Boat Ramp east of Gas Works Park in Wallingford on Lake Union (holy hyperlinks). Then we motored our way out to Lake Washington at 7 knots (because that's the speed limit) through the cut. Then we went all the way up to Kenmore in search of good water, but it was hot and busy and a choppy mess most of the afternoon.


Opting not to waste perfect drinking weather, Sarah forgoes wakeboarding for Jolly Roger.


Here's a shot of the skipper of the mighty formerly known as Red Reign. If this isn't embarrassing, I don't know what is. Sorry, Claire.


Washington state law requires you to have an orange flag raised above your boat whenever anyone from your vessel is in the water. While Claire did not go wakeboarding I think her arms were probably more tired than mine. Which also explains why there are no pictures of any actual "wakeboarding" in this post.

Wakeboarding on Lake Washington is a little different than what I'm used to. There are numerous distractions including...


Float planes...


Hawks and bald eagles...


And Mt. Rainier. It was pretty sweet to cut in towards the wake, see this view, and then tweak a boned out back-side shifty indy grab (no picture but seriously I did it).


The mighty formerly known as Red Reign and her stout crew just before sunset.

Christmas in July!

Look what I found at the Ballard Market last night. I just about pooped my pants!


Seriously, it was really hot here yesterday. I went shopping at U Village where the line for the new iPhone was ridiculous. Mike stayed home and worked on his plans for the mini ramp. We rode our bikes to Jolly Roger Taproom to meet Matt and Claire for dinner. We went back to our house to have a boot since we ditched out on meeting up with them Friday night at Prost. Don't worry, the boot was not filled with Jolly Roger - we drank a growler of Flagship Red on nitro from the Taproom instead.


an engineer at work (on mini ramp plans)






Claire and Matt booting it up!

Look what came in the mail today!

What's in the box?


Yum!


cutest doggie treat ever made

Nollie says "Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Swenson!"

Nollie's Birthday BBQ

Yesterday was Nollie's 4th birthday. We celebrated by throwing a BBQ in her honor. She got some gifts, licked a baby's head, ate some Frosty Paws, and wrestled with her friend Madison. The boot was filled and passed around twice. Mike has a hangover today. All in all I think it was a good party.


New eggs!


Oscar with the blanket I knitted for him