Last 12 years....... Update

It's been quite sometime since I have posted on my blog.  It seems like blogging has gone out of fashion but I still enjoy it even though I haven't kept up with it regularly for a few years.  This is my attempt to try and start back.
As of this date, July 23, 2018, my husband and I are still enjoying our retirement in Yakima, Washington.  As you might remember, back 12 years ago we both retired from our positions with companies in Bellevue, Washington on June 30, 2006.  Greg retired from Weyerhauser (formerly Willamette Industries) and myself from Symetra Financial (formerly Safeco Life).  At that time we were making plans to fill our dream of living in Mazatlán, Mexico.  We fullfilled that dream on August 13, 2006 when we made the move to Mazatlán with the plan to live there full time.   We are so grateful we had the opportunity to live in another country and experience the culture and adventures it brought to our lives.  After a few years, we found the summers to be very hot and decided to purchase a condo in Yakima and lived here during the hot summer months in Mazatlán.  By 2010, with the cartel violence hitting Mazatlán strong and more and more grandchildren on the way, we decided to sell our Mazatlán condo and live in Yakima full time.  We really miss Mazatlán with it's beautiful sunsets, interesting culture and the many friends we made but are now enjoying living close to our 6 children and 13 grandchildren.  Greg now enjoys fly fishing here in eastern Washington and I enjoy crafts, yogo and just doing things to stay fit and healthy.  We are planning an extended visit to Mazatlán in 2020. 

Time again to catch up.

Unfortunatley, it has been over 2 years since I've posted to my blog.  I think Facebook has become the norm these days and just got away from blogging. 


Since my last post, February of 2015, we were blessed with our 13th grandchild.  A grandson, Kyle Jacob was born on June 4, 2016 and is now 1 year old.  We haven't had as much time as we would like to spend with him but hope to spend more time with him and his brother, Kasen and sister Kaylyn and of course their Mommy and Daddy. 

We feel so blessed to have 13 grandchildren and 6 children that are doing a great job of raising them. 



Photos of our home after it was painted last fall. Still have more landscaping to do in the backyard.

Time to catch up......

Well it's been almost a year since I posted on my blog.  Guess it's time to catch you up on our life here in Yakima, Washington.

2014 was an incredibly busy year with the renovation of our new home.  It turned out just beautiful and we are enjoying it so much.  Our view of the Naches River is ever changing with the seasons of which we just love.  We are also loving retirement!!  Free to do whatever we want.  Such a great feeling.  

We moved into our new home April of 2014 and sold our condo here in Yakima shortly after that.  We were very lucky to sell it so fast and move on with our life in our new home.  We still miss certain things about Mazatlan and are hoping to go back on our 20th wedding anniversary in 2017.  We would like to go down around Carnaval time and Valentine's Day which is our anniversary.  Of course, we will stay at Torres Mazatlan where we were married.  As for now, we are just enjoying our new home and sharing it with all our children and grandchildren.

Here are a few pics of a beautiful sunrise this morning.  It's not the ocean view we enjoyed in Mazatlan but it's pretty spectacular.  Enjoy!!

New adventure ongoing......

As of this date, February 27, 2014, we are deep into the renovation of our fix-r-upper home we purchased in December 2013.  With some unfortunate delays, our approximate move-in date is now mid-April.  The renovation has gone fairly well but more projects and planning than I had anticipated. Greg is doing an incredible job but I think, he too, would admit more was involved than originally thought.  It will be a beautiful home when finished.  The view is just spectacular!!  Also, Greg has retired "take two" as of January 2014.  Hooray!!  Here's the timeline for the completion of our home:

Tuesday, February 26 - Kitchen appliances were delivered

Wednesday, February 27 and 28 - Electrical and plumbing for master and guest baths/rough in

Monday, March 3 - Electrician starts in kitchen

Monday, March 10 - Lighting in master and guest baths

Wednesday, March 12 - 14 - Kitchen cabinets and applicances installed

Monday, March 17 - sinks and faucets installed in master and guest baths

Thursday, March 20 - Granite kitchen countertop measure/install 10 days later

Monday, March 24 - 25 - Carpet installed

Week of April 1 - Hopefully, move in

Our 12th grandchild is born.......

On January 30th, our 12th grandchild, a grandson, Kasen Jacob was born to Jake and Jackie.  We are so very happy to welcome Kasen to our family.  Kasen is now 3 years old and loves being a Super Hero.  Never know who he will be, Batman, Superman, Spider-Man......Definetly a little boy Super Hero in disquise. 

Our 11th grandchid is born......

On January 18th, our 11th grandchild, a granddaughter, Justene Marie was born to Joel and Joyce.  We are so very happy to welcome Justene to our family. 

Our Mazatlan dream comes to an end.......

On November 24, 2013, we flew to Mazatlan to close on the sale of our condo.  We stayed at Torres Mazatlan, our timeshare, celebrated Thanksgiving there while we awaited the day and time to go to the notorio to sign closing documents.  As it turned out, the date was December 3rd at 5:00 pm.  Both the buyers and their realtor, our realtor, as well as, an interpreter were present.  It took 2 hours and our condo was in the hands of a new owner.  We felt very good about the Mexican couple who purchased our condo.  They were very happy and we wished them much happiness in their new home.  

It was with bitter/sweet emotions that we closed this chapter of our life.  We are now on to new adventures, starting with the purchase of a 3,600 sq ft/1 1/2 acre fix-r-upper home in Naches Heights, Yakima, WA.  It will be alot of work but we think it will be well worth it in the end.  We wiill be living in our Yakima condo until the renovation is completed.  Estimate early March 2014 before we move in.  At this point, we are awaiting closing on the house which should be the week of December 16th.  Then the work begins.  We're anxious to begin this chapter of our life and see where it takes us.