August, come and gone...

Not much new going on in the Baldwin household. Christopher is 2, and acting every minute of it. While he's exploring his environment and figuring out the workings of his world I'm trying very hard not to scream and hide in my room. It's hard to stay upset at him for all the naughty things; painting my desk with lotion, writing all over the couch, bending a beater beyond recognition, pouring flour all over the floor, and wreaking general havok... when you've got this looking back at you during most of it.

He's very charming when he wants to be and for every bad thing he does he also does something extraordinarily darling or smart. The time out step/corner is getting a lot of extra use right now, which I hope will slow down one of these days.

Adam is very very busy with nGenuity. He was featured as a young professional in the Tri-Cities Journal of Business this month which was a great achievement, here's the article. If you can get the actual print it has a very nice picture of him in it. Our friends Jennifer Mitchell (Account Sense) and Adam Brault (&yet) also were chosen, kudos to you!!

He went to Defcon at the beginning of the month and hacked his way through some fun with the mystery challenge. There are talks and things to learn... but I'm not sure he did any of that. Beer was drank, codes were broken, friends were made.

He's been talking to realtors and is looking to expand into some office space. This is a big and positive step forward. We'll see how this pans out over the next couple of months.

In between those things he's working very hard, he's out and about networking and making sure that he's doing all he can to have nGenuity be successful. While we miss his presence at home sometimes were hoping all the hard work now will enable him to be home/present more later.

My super awesome birthday!!

This last Monday, June 1st I headed up to my big sister's in Skagit County. You see she'd been working on a surprise birthday getaway for me as I'm turning 30 this year. All I knew was that we'd be going to Seattle and I'd need some good walking shoes, a swimsuit and a good book to read.

In my head I'd been flipping through all the possible things she could have planned: a day at the zoo, the food tour walk of Pike's Place, or just a nice relaxing couple of days hanging out by the pool enjoying the company of a good book and each other. How wrong I was.

Monday night when we got to her house after watching my very talented nephew play some basketball I got to open the big box waiting for me. I untied the string and pulled the bag away, out popped a big mickey mouse balloon... I didn't think much of it, I love Disney stuff so thought it was cute. Then I read the scroll she'd attached to it. Many heartfelt sentiments, the kind that bring tears to your eyes were written (I love my sister very much, she's my best friend) and the last line, "I decided we should celebrate your first magical 30 years at the Magic Kingdom!!!"

I was in shock and disbelief. No way would my sister surprise me with a trip to Disneyland, but sure enough she did. I haven't been since 2005 (which I know doesn't sound like long, but trust me it is) and didn't think I would be going for a while, you see my little man is a little bit short, he'll be six before he can get on most of the rides. I was so excited I couldn't even show it properly. Theresa you're the best sister a girl could have, thank you for the trip and the effort you put into it. I loved the shirts you made us too!! I will treasure this memory always.

Here are some pictures.

The reflection of the castle in the "moat" at night was gorgeous.

We decided to get our faces painted.


I'm celebrating!! I'm celebrating!!


Our last day. We were sad but had a great time!!!


Even Christopher got to share in the magic.

My family and I had a great dinner on the 10th. My mom always does such a great job and it really is all I need to warm my heart, getting to spend precious quality time with my family. We joked and giggled over a great gluten/dairy/pepper/tomato/citrus free dinner. I know, crazy right.

Adam took me out to Bonefish on the actual day of my birth and got me a Kindle with a cover for my gift. I'm very excited to get to using it. I love to read and this was the perfect thing to get me. Thanks honey!!

I also want to say thank you to all my loved ones, family and friends that touched base and said hello to me on my birthday. It meant a lot. Thank you so much.

I'll leave you with this for now and will post again soon. Love, Rachel

Kathleen's Baby Shower.

On the 18th of April I attended a baby shower for my very good friend, of a very long time, Kathleen. Due mid-July she's looking great and you can just see how excited she is to be a mommy, she truly is glowing. That's one lucky little man growing in there.

Kathleen got some very cute gifts and many friends showed up to join in the fun. I loved getting to catch up and have a girls night out later. It was long overdue, the last movie I was in the theaters was Children of Men a couple of weeks before Christopher was born. Here are some pictures!!

We all loved this shirt.


Suzy, Kathleen and myself... how long has it been since we got a group pic. Too long.


Kathleen, glowing.

New hobby, Housesitting.

So my across the street neighbors were gone for a week and I told them I would watch their house, i.e. put the trash out on garbage day, get the mail and water the flowers. No biggie. They were getting some work done in the back having sprinklers put in and a paver patio. Well, the workers turned off the irrigation, and..... the front lawn wasn't getting watered. I noticed some dark spots but wasn't sure what was going on, by the time I figured it out (I never see the sprinklers go off so couldn't tell if the lawn was getting watered or not) they were back and the yard had some definite brown spots. It's already recovered though and is nice and green again. Now that I know what a dying lawn looks like I can prevent it in future sitting ventures.

A couple of my other friends are in the the Happiest Place on Earth right now. I'm feeding their fish, getting their mail and bringing in the paper. When I walked in the first day there was a huge plate of GF Chocolate Chip cookies to thank me!!! Yummy. I'm probably enjoying them a bit to much. My second day I walked in to not one, not two... but THREE giant spiders just hanging out on the walls, so I've added exterminator to my list of duties while they are gone. Don't worry, I washed all the bug guts off the wall.

Kajsa and Daniel!!!

My visit with Kajsa and Daniel was great, unfortunately too short but very enjoyable. I do love when I get to see my friends. Started with a tour of the house and then we played some catch up. Daniel promised to try some Dutch Bros. for me so we'll see if he actually does, I suggested a Miky Way because they are tasty. I sure miss those two, good friends they are. (And yes, I know they will end up reading this, they are some of my most faithful readers... haha.) Anyway, here are a couple of pictures.

Kajsa, Rachel and Christopher.
Kajsa is wearing Lego heads for earings, they were very cute!!


Christopher enjoying the toy Kajsa and Daniel bought him.