Heather Lake

For this new year, Peter has a goal to incorporate more backpacking trips, preferably with our little family. Upon further discussion with him, he said he'd love to go out at least once a month.

So...this last Friday, we went out! We left immediately after Peter got off work. We could only stay out for one night since Sundays are designated for Clifford's basketball games. Peter was fine with that though. He was just so happy that we went out as a family without anyone fussing (side note: I actually came down super sick on Tuesday and still wasn't completely recovered by then, AND Kristjan didn't complain once during our hike and he actually said he had fun!).

Our destination was Heather Lake up near Granite Falls. The hike was only 2 miles, so it was quick and easy. We made it to the lake and found a campsite right as it got dark. By the time we set up camp, got dressed in our warm pj's, and ate dinner 'n dessert, it was not even 7 pm yet and we were ready for bed! The night was a little chilly, but we survived. Considering Peter and I tossed and turned a lot during the night, we woke up feeling good. Breakfast of scrambled eggs with bacon and biscuits 'n gravy was amazing, and provided us with the energy we needed to pack camp up and head out. We were out and back to the car before noon. The remainder of our Saturday consisted of cleaning gear up, ordering some Chinese take-out, and watching the Seahawks. Not too bad!

One trip down, eleven more to go!

Happy (Blue) Friday!!!

(Former) PTA Treasurer Charged with First-Degree Theft

Well, it's officially been publicly announced....yes!!!

Last August, about a month and a half after completing my term as PTA Secretary, it was discovered that the Treasurer stole close to $40,000 from the PTA funds!!!!! I was trying to finish packing for our family reunion trip when my friend, and fellow Board member, Anne called in a panic. She had discovered that some recent checks written out had bounced, and after calling the bank, discovered the account was negative (like in the thousands), and it had been for quite some time. Since our names were both still on the account, Anne and I headed straight to the bank to try to figure out what was going on.....

So, long story short, yes, the Treasurer stole the money!! Checks had been written to herself and cashed, money from events was never deposited, but rather pocketed, and even her apartment complex made an automatic withdrawal a time or two for her rent (!!!). So how did she get away with this for so long??? Simple...the President of our Board didn't do his job. One of the "job descriptions" of the President is to meet every month with the Treasurer and review all bank statements and checks written. He never did. If he had, this probably could have been caught early on, maybe two months after she started doing this. The guy is a complete idiot and he is partly to blame for this happening (phew....I feel soooo much better now that I've said that. Been waiting a long time for that).

And now, it's finally become public. The article gives her reason as to why she did this (well, actually, I have a copy of her statement, and the news is only stating half of her reason. I can't divulge what was written, but I will say it's a complete lie. I had to write a statement contradicting what she had written). She paid back a majority of the funds missing (or I should say her dad did) and apologized. We call BS on everything...her reason, her apology. She's just sorry she got caught.

http://www.kirotv.com/news/news/former-pta-treasurer-charged-stealing-cover-gambli/njh8x/

Happy New Year!!!

Happy New Year!!! Peter and I rang in the New Year with a small party at our house with a handful of friends, while the boys were down in Yakima visiting with cousins. 

Peter and I still can't believe 2014 is already over. It's day three of the new year, and I'm still not prepared for it (I STILL don't have a new calendar put up...it's sitting on my dresser!). Last year was a great year. We had many new changes for us, with the highlights being moving into a house, boys changing schools, me going back to work part-time, and Peter getting Lasik eye surgery.

We have big plans for 2015. We have a goal of getting healthier and more active. We'll be working on paying off more debt. Peter wants to increase the amount of family backpacking we do. I want us to add a few more family vacations throughout the year (I would love to go somewhere big like Disneyland and/or Legoland, as well as a more trips to the beach). And I'd like to be more organized (the last few years has been rough with my time on PTA and now having a job).

Hope everyone had a great end to 2014 and have an awesome to 2015!