John
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John

1261 Articles
A group of people poses with two costumed mascots at an outdoor event.
A group of people poses with two costumed mascots at an outdoor event.

Earth Day in Chelan

April 21, 2024
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CHELAN, WA :: We had a great weekend in Chelan! Celebrated Earth Day at Riverwalk Park, shopped the downtown Sidewalk Sale, Miranda caught their first three rainbow trout at the...

A vintage red truck loaded with logs in a pine forest. Tall trees and rustic decor create a nostalgic atmosphere.
A vintage red truck loaded with logs in a pine forest. Tall trees and rustic decor create a nostalgic atmosphere.

2024 Solar Eclipse

April 8, 2024
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DAS PEACH HAUS- FISCHER & WIESER, FREDERICKSBURG, TX :: Against all odds we experienced the 2024 eclipse! The clouds held out just long enough to witness the totality! Had a...

A person visits the Expo 2023 venue, shown alongside a close-up of a Depeche Mode 2023 World Tour poster.
A person visits the Expo 2023 venue, shown alongside a close-up of a Depeche Mode 2023 World Tour poster.

Depeche Mode: Memento Mori

November 27, 2023
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CLIMATE PLEDGE ARENA, SEATTLE, WA :: Some highlights from another fun and amazing Depeche Mode concert! This was our third time seeing them in Seattle. Despite the passing of...

Exterior view of a modern home with covered porches, gravel landscaping, and sidewalk. A person in red holding a child stands on the porch next to picnic tables.
Exterior view of a modern home with covered porches, gravel landscaping, and sidewalk. A person in red holding a child stands on the porch next to picnic tables.

Snake Charmer

July 28, 2023
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CHELAN LOOKOUT, CHELAN, WA :: The snake excitement continued later in the day as we got ready for some rounds of ping pong. This time it was a gopher snake,...

Panoramic view of Snoqualmie Falls and the surrounding rock gorge with a viewing platform.
Panoramic view of Snoqualmie Falls and the surrounding rock gorge with a viewing platform.

Trümmelbachfälle

July 15, 2022
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TRÜMMELBACHFÄLLE, LAUTERBRUNNEN, SWITZERLAND :: Trummelbach is the largest subterranean waterfall in Europe, fed by the snows of the mighty Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. We...

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...

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...

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,...

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
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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...

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...

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....

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...

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....

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...

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...

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
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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...

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...

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,...

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...

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 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...

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