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Stefani's most-fantastical-reads book montage

Crooked Kingdom
Six of Crows
Yellow Brick War
The Wicked Will Rise
Charm & Strange
Their Fractured Light
These Broken Stars
NOS4A2
NOS4A2
Big Little Lies
I'll Be There
Red Queen


Stefani's favorite books »

Friday, December 26, 2008

Christmas Time in Moxee...

We were dreaming of a white Christmas... and we sure got it!!

Christmas Eve...


We went to Derek's parents house for Christmas Eve dinner and to see our niece and nephew, Abby and Ryker. It was so much fun to spend Christmas with kids who were so excited for Santa to come. After spaghetti and presents we headed home so Santa could come visit us...



Rick and Annette with the kids...

I got a Monet paining from Derek's parents...


Abby racked up the princess gear... shoes, dresses, and Santa even brought here a princess kitchen!! Lucky kid!

Ryker was far more interested in bringing Uncle Derek pieces of wrapping paper than opening his own presents...

Yay for toothbrushes!

I got a new camera!!

Princess gear for the Leapster! Who woulda thunk it??


Abby in her Tinkerbell outfit that Derek and I got her... it was a hit!

This is the look of someone who does not enjoy reading manuels or trying to figure out electronics...
Christmas Morning...
Derek and I exchanged gifts at home on Christmas morning and then we turned the critters loose with their goodies. I think those animals are more spoiled than most of the children we know...


I really do pity our future children... if our animals are any indication, we're going to be obnoxious parents :)


Raja is a prime example of why animals should not do drugs...

What a good dog...

The critters have called a truce for the holidays...




Christmas Night...
We went to Derek's aunt and uncle's house in Wapato for Christmas dinner (turkey and ham... hit the spot after my Thanksgiving disaster...) It was so good to see out of town family and catch up with everyone.

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Holiday Letter 2008

Season’s Greetings 2008

I am continually amazed by how quickly the years seem to fly by. As I sit down to write this letter and look back at pictures from 2008 I cannot believe that so much can get crammed into one year and still go by so fast!

Derek is still working at the Department of Revenue. He did make the decision to go back to school this past fall, so for the next year and a half he is working toward his Masters in Teaching on the weekends. It is a heavy workload but he is happy to know that he will soon have a career that he likes.

I am still teaching middle school English and Literature. I really enjoy my job and have had so many interesting opportunities over the past year. Last spring, I organized a fundraiser with my 8th graders that provided pet food and money to a local pet shelter. It was exciting to see our school name and my students in the newspaper and it really inspired me to want to do more fundraising activities. This fall I took a job coaching 8th grade volleyball and had a blast. We ended the season 6 – 4 and it gave me a chance to really get to know some of my girls.

This year was also special for me because I got to realize a lifelong dream. Since I was a little girl I have loved horses (as most of you know) and I’ve always had a special love for Friesians. Last Christmas I was introduced to a couple that live in Zillah who have a whole flock of Friesians and they have been kind enough to let me come and ride. Will and Teresa and I have become great friends and they have taken me along to shows, riding lessons, and even gave Derek and I the chance to participate in a carriage driving show in July. Not only have I had the chance to ride these fantastic horses, but also I have even had a chance to begin learning how to drive them. I did compete in a few dressage shows this year and did well enough that I earned some year-end awards from the riding club that I am a part of. I’m hoping to compete even more next spring.

For our fourth wedding anniversary, Derek and I took a trip down the Oregon coast. It was a fantastic (and cold) trip and we’ll treasure those memories forever. We stayed in Newport for a few days and then drove to Cannon Beach. Later in the summer, I spent some time with my parents out at the beach house. We crabbed, almost broke the boat, attempted minor underwater boat repairs, and even got to take my first kayaking trip!

In June we went to Seattle to attend my Grandma’s 90th birthday party. I got to visit with family that I haven’t seen since I was a little girl. While we were home, Derek, my parents, and I attended a Chicago concert at château St. Michelle winery. It was fun to hear the song from our first dance in concert. A few weeks later my parents came over to visit and we put them to work with Derek’s parents and Derek and I building a deck, roof, and tool shed.

Derek won tickets to a Seahawks game at a Department of Revenue conference that he attended in the spring. We went to the season home opener (Against the 49ers) with our friends and even though the Seahawks lost, it was fun to finally attend a game at quest field.

We hope that this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. This time of year makes me realize how seldom we get to see our friends and family and it makes me cherish the time we have together even more. We wish you the best for the New Year and can’t wait to see you again, whenever that may be. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Apple Cup '08

Somehow... after being the suckiest team ALL year... we manage to pull one out over the Dawgs... I guess we have to take our wins where we can get 'em. :)

Friday, November 21, 2008

Twilight Premiere Party...

Well, I must say that I had an amazing time last night. At 8:30pm I picked up four girls and headed to Sunnyside for the Twilight Movie Premiere Party at Bon Vino Bistro. We arrived to find a beautifully decorated restaurant, TONS of Twilight fans, and a life-sized Edward and Bella to play with. We participated in trivia (yay for Mrs. Bowman getting up on stage and holding her own!), entered in a costume contest (which I won based soley on the unbelievable screams and applause from the Zillah kids), and ate mountain lion (okay, steak but we can pretend, right?). The girls and I had our fortunes told, tried to win a Twilight test (we flunked), and tried to answer questions to get entered in the lottery drawing. The party went by so fast that before we knew it, it was 11:30pm and time to head to the theatre. The movie started late (almost 30 minutes late!) but it was worth the wait. I can't say it was as good as the books, and I didn't expect it to be, but it was a movie I'll remember and watch again. All in all, it was fantastic and I hope we can all do it again when New Moon comes out!! I may be running on 2 hours of sleep, but it was worth it!






Sunday, November 16, 2008

Dinner at Tony's

Heidi, Tonya, Michael, Darren, Paula, Ken, Me, Michael, and Derek (and the ghost of a waiter behind us!) at Tony's Restaurant in Yakima...

Last night, Derek and I went out to celebrate Ken's 63rd birthday at the newest restaurant in town, Tony's. We have heard rave reviews about the food and we have recently gotten to know the head chef, Darren, and his wife Amy. Paula and Ken were kind enough to invite us to dinner with Michael and Heidi and Tonya and Michael. We met up with Tonya and Michael at the bar and had a few drinks with them. When everyone else arrived we were seated at the Chef's Table, located right next to the huge kitchen. Sitting at the Chef's Table was different than anything I have ever experienced in a restaurant - Darren came out and asked what our preferences were for dinner, and even make a point to create a separate menu for me because I don't eat seafood or red meat (I know, I know, I'm a pain! :). We got a private tour of the kitchen and the refrigerator (which is bigger than our bedroom!!). We had the most amazing six course dinner last night that I can't even begin to put it into words! Each dish was more delicious and more beautiful than the last - even things that I couldn't eat looked appealing! :) I started off with the most amazing fruit and cheese tray - the grapes were the best I have EVER had. Next was a sweet potato salad with blue cheese dressing and bacon crumbles. I never would have put those flavors together in my own kitchen but they were perfect. After that, I had a yummy green salad with a dressing I can't begin to name. Next was the perfect chicken served with garlic mashed potatoes and green bean (hello, that just screams Stefani!!) and then it all ended with a mouthwatering dessert - chocolate torte... Derek and the rest of our party had a slightly different menu - they started off with a seared Tasmanian tuna and seaweed salad, which I heard was fantastic. Second they had deep fried portabello mushrooms with a thinly sliced steak that looked unbelievable. Next up were apple wood smoked prawns with a hot mustard sauce. Fourth, they had a marinated portabello mushroom with dried cherries, risotto, and Kobe pork jowl, hands down the MOST DELICIOUS THING I HAVE EVER EATEN! It was amazing!!! Fifth, they had Tasmanian salmon served on candied sweet potatoes. Their last course was a tenderloin with a Gorgonzola and balsamic cream sauce - also pretty darn good (coming from someone who doesn't eat steak!)... I can't even describe how good all this food was... when you come to Yakima, you need to eat there. I will admit that it is pricey - but Derek and I both agreed that it was well worth every last penny for food that amazing. Now I look at my pantry and fridge and realize it's back to real life for us :(

Friday, November 7, 2008

A Fresh Coat of Paint...

Okay... after three days of painting and a couple hundered bucks at Home Depot our house has a whole new look. I got inspired when my parents were here and on Halloween I dove into my project. I painted the family room, kitchen, dining room, and hallway. I thought I'd post some pics to show off my handy-work... let me know what you think!! :)

ohhhh!!! dark paint :)

family room...

more family room...

my kitchen...

dining room...

dining room again...
hallway... with new lights!

guest bathroom... haunted by my fingers :)
our bedroom....

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Show Season 2008

On Sunday I went to the awards banquet for the Central Washington Dressage Society and walked away with a few awards of my own. :) I took 3rd in my dressage level (training), 2nd in my age group (18 - 39), and Rookie of the Year. I only competed twice this year and now I'm motivated to do more next year. I didn't get a blue ribbon this year - that's my goal for 2009.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Friesian Day at the Bron's


fun with photoshop...

friesians, friesians, everywhere!!








buster is the same size as harmony!!


teresa and jackie during the scavenger hunt...

the boys playing in the field...


unicorn formation...

anne davis and i waiting for our turn...

mic and rin...


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