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A beautifully tiled walk-in shower featuring glass walls and a step-in design.
A beautifully tiled walk-in shower featuring glass walls and a step-in design.

Master Bedroom Remodel

March 28, 2010
2 Comments

EDMONDS, WA :: This weekend, Kristie and I finally moved back into our bedroom. It was a rough five months living with the construction in and around the house, but ultimately...

A collection of golden-tinted 4D ultrasound images showing a baby's face and profile. These pictures capture intimate moments of our growing family.
A collection of golden-tinted 4D ultrasound images showing a baby's face and profile. These pictures capture intimate moments of our growing family.

Twins!

March 22, 2010
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EASTSIDE MATERNAL AND FETAL MEDICINE :: BELLEVUE, WA :: The ultrasound images are from Kristie’s tummy, approximately two months into her pregnancy! These fuzzy little blobs...

A serene hilly terrain with a lone figure atop, set against a backdrop of majestic mountains.
A serene hilly terrain with a lone figure atop, set against a backdrop of majestic mountains.

Cirque du Soleil: O

November 29, 2009
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SOUTHWEST FAMILY VACATION DAY 5 :: LAS VEGAS, NV :: Add a giant swimming pool to Cirque du Soleil and you have O. A lot of people seem to really like it, but I wasn’t as...

A woman in traditional Japanese attire energetically strikes a large taiko drum with a mallet during a live performance.
A woman in traditional Japanese attire energetically strikes a large taiko drum with a mallet during a live performance.

Cirque du Soleil: KA

November 28, 2009
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SOUTHWEST FAMILY VACATION DAY 4 :: LAS VEGAS, NV :: Tonight we took my parents to see Cirque du Soleil’s KA playing at the MGM Grand. Unlike most Cirque shows, KA presents a...

The iconic Bellagio hotel with the Eiffel Tower replica, surrounded by the famous dancing fountains creating a rainbow.
The iconic Bellagio hotel with the Eiffel Tower replica, surrounded by the famous dancing fountains creating a rainbow.

Vegas

November 28, 2009
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SOUTHWEST FAMILY VACATION DAYS 3 – 6 :: LAS VEGAS, NV :: We continued our family vacation with a few nights at the Bellagio in rooms overlooking the beautiful fountain and...

Tourists walking along a sandy trail to Mesa Arch in the Utah desert.
Tourists walking along a sandy trail to Mesa Arch in the Utah desert.

Zion National Park

November 27, 2009
One Comment

SOUTHWEST FAMILY VACATION DAYS 2 & 3 :: ZION NATIONAL PARK, UT :: After our early-morning hike through Bryce Canyon and a great Thanksgiving lunch at Ruby’s Inn, we...

Stunning view of Bryce Canyon's unique rock formations under a clear sky.
Stunning view of Bryce Canyon's unique rock formations under a clear sky.

Bryce Canyon

November 26, 2009
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SOUTHWEST FAMILY VACATION DAYS 1 & 2 :: BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK, UT :: This Thanksgiving we spent some time with my parents, but not just for a large meal that my mom...

A dancer performs a graceful sword routine on stage wearing traditional white attire.
A dancer performs a graceful sword routine on stage wearing traditional white attire.

Narae 2009 Korean Festival

November 7, 2009
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EDMONDS CENTER FOR THE ARTS, EDMONDS, WA :: Hye Ran and Rob invited us to another performance of “Narae” by the Morning Star Korean Cultural Center. The name of the...

A dynamic concert at night with a massive stage illuminated by vivid blue and yellow lights, captivating a large crowd.
A dynamic concert at night with a massive stage illuminated by vivid blue and yellow lights, captivating a large crowd.

U2 at The Rose Bowl

October 25, 2009
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THE ROSE BOWL, PASADENA, CA :: Just the facts on U2’s awesome Rose Bowl concert: Our hotel: Marriott Courtyard in Old Town Pasadena (an easy 15 minute walk to the Rose Bowl)...

A woman stands smiling in front of a vibrant KooZA Rawhauh by Cirque du Soleil sign.
A woman stands smiling in front of a vibrant KooZA Rawhauh by Cirque du Soleil sign.

Cirque du Soleil: Kooza

October 24, 2009
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SANTA MONICA PIER, SANTA MONICA, CA :: We met with Kristie’s Dad and Carol at the Santa Monica Pier and treated them to their first Cirque du Soleil show: Kooza. As...

Grassy hills under a dramatic sky with a single tree on top.
Grassy hills under a dramatic sky with a single tree on top.

Eureka Dunes

October 23, 2009
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DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA :: After exploring the Racetrack, I drove in pitch darkness to Eureka Dunes and camped there overnight. I was a little spooked out by being in an...

A lone sailing stone rests on the cracked mudflats of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park. Photo by johnandkristie.com
A lone sailing stone rests on the cracked mudflats of Racetrack Playa in Death Valley National Park. Photo by johnandkristie.com

The Racetrack

October 22, 2009
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DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA :: Kristie attended another education conference in Los Angeles, which we somehow magically coordinated with U2’s concert at the Rose Bowl...

A stunning view of a turquoise mountain lake surrounded by lush forests and towering peaks.
A stunning view of a turquoise mountain lake surrounded by lush forests and towering peaks.

Larch Lake

September 26, 2009
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WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST, WA :: I was eager to return to the mountains and wanted to spend a night outdoors, but I didn’t want to camp in the freezing cold. I also hoped to...

Old-fashioned bicycle leaning against a textured yellow wall with green windows and red shutters.
Old-fashioned bicycle leaning against a textured yellow wall with green windows and red shutters.

Our Niece, Shielle

September 11, 2009
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VALLEY MEDICAL CENTER :: RENTON, WA :: On September 11th, 2009, our beautiful baby niece, Shielle Shivner, was born. As a stern, older brother, I rarely praise the actions of my...

A woman standing in front of a vibrant mural for the Cirque Du Soleil show Koozà, smiling warmly. The artwork features bold colors and patterns, creating an energetic backdrop.
A woman standing in front of a vibrant mural for the Cirque Du Soleil show Koozà, smiling warmly. The artwork features bold colors and patterns, creating an energetic backdrop.

Burg Eltz

August 25, 2009
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EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 13 :: MOSELKERN, GERMANY :: The last stop on our European vacation was Burg Eltz, perhaps Germany’s most famous and best preserved medieval castle...

A group of hikers walks along a sandy path under a large rock overhang.
A group of hikers walks along a sandy path under a large rock overhang.

St. Goar & Bacharach

August 24, 2009
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EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 12 :: ST. GOAR & BACHARACH, GERMANY :: The last two days of our European vacation were spent on the most scenic stretch of the Rhine River, between...

A beautiful sunset view from the terrace of Castello di Amorosa, surrounded by lush greenery.
A beautiful sunset view from the terrace of Castello di Amorosa, surrounded by lush greenery.

Castle Hotel Auf Schoenburg

August 24, 2009
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EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 12 :: OBERWESEL, GERMANY :: While vacationing on the enchanting Rhine River, we decided it was well worth the splurge to stay in a real-life castle! The...

Historic half-timbered houses lined up along a riverfront with twin spires towering behind under a clear blue sky.
Historic half-timbered houses lined up along a riverfront with twin spires towering behind under a clear blue sky.

Gelnhausen

August 24, 2009
5 Comments

EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 12 :: GELNHAUSEN, GERMANY :: From Kraków, we boarded an early morning flight to Frankfurt. After picking up our car from the airport, we experienced our...

A black and white photograph of the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign at the entrance of Auschwitz concentration camp.
A black and white photograph of the infamous 'Arbeit Macht Frei' sign at the entrance of Auschwitz concentration camp.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

August 23, 2009
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EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 11 :: OŚWIĘCIM, POLAND :: Among the symbols of the holocaust, the sign above the gate to Auschwitz concentration camp perhaps best encapsulates the evil and...

A rock band performs on stage during a live concert while the audience records and enjoys the show.
A rock band performs on stage during a live concert while the audience records and enjoys the show.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

August 23, 2009
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EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 11 :: WIELICZKA, POLAND :: On our way back to Kraków, we stopped to tour the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Normally, we wouldn’t be too excited to spend a...

A hiker walks along a narrow dirt path beneath a large, sandy-colored rock overhang.
A hiker walks along a narrow dirt path beneath a large, sandy-colored rock overhang.

Kraków

August 22, 2009
4 Comments

EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 10 :: KRAKOW, POLAND :: After Kristie completed her Business Week program in Gdynia, we flew south to Kraków where we enjoyed two days of fantastic...

A historic stone building overlooking the Douro River and the lush valley.
A historic stone building overlooking the Douro River and the lush valley.

Gdynia Business Week

August 21, 2009
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EUROPEAN VACATION DAYS 3-9 :: GDYNIA, POLAND :: Kristie says, “After volunteering as a Company Advisor (CA) for Washington Business Week for 8+ years, I was intrigued when I...

A weathered concrete coastal artillery emplacement sits isolated on the sand. The long gun barrel points out toward the ocean horizon.
A weathered concrete coastal artillery emplacement sits isolated on the sand. The long gun barrel points out toward the ocean horizon.

Hel

August 17, 2009
One Comment

EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 5 :: HEL, POLAND :: When looking across the sea from the shores of Gdynia, you can just barely spot a strip of land that seems to stretch half-way across the...

A serene statue surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage with charming old buildings in the background.
A serene statue surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage with charming old buildings in the background.

Toruń

August 16, 2009
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EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 4 :: TORUN, POLAND :: Today, I visited Toruń, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 200 kilometers south of Gdynia. I hired one of the hotel’s taxis to...

A pure white daisy with bright yellow center stands out against a stark black background. This image captures the flower's intricate details.
A pure white daisy with bright yellow center stands out against a stark black background. This image captures the flower's intricate details.

Sopot

August 15, 2009
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EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 3 :: SOPOT, POLAND :: Today was my first day on my own as Kristie started her Business Week program. I had planned to check out Sopot, a resort town between...

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