![[2025-07-Random-1.jpeg]] The second half of 2025 started out with something we should all do more of -- taking out the trash and getting rid of stuff you don't need! Luckily there is free bulky item pickups from our waste management company. ![[2025-07-Random-2.jpeg]] I also went through our pool settings/schedules for a little sanity check ![[2025-07-Random-3.jpeg]] Bingo at Hunter's with Stegar, Cheryl, and Deb! ![[2025-07-Random-4.jpeg]] Hey hey, the gang's reunited in Palm Springs! ![[2025-07-Random-5.jpeg]] But most of our month would be spent outside of the valley this year, back in Seattle on July 4th where we went directly from the airport (multiple heavy bags in tow) and hopped on my parents' boat in Lake Union for hang time and the fireworks celebration. ![[2025-07-Random-6.jpeg]] Relaxing on the water! ![[2025-07-Random-7.jpeg]] Kasen and Dad taking the dinghy out for a spin. ![[2025-07-Random-8.jpeg]] Kasen's getting very good at driving, and like touring folks around. ![[2025-07-Random-9.jpeg]] Putting Dad to work as soon as he's back onboard -- it's grillin' time! ![[2025-07-Random-10.jpeg]] Doug and my turn for an aquatic tour as the light starts to fade into dusk. ![[2025-07-Random-11.jpeg]] My parent's boat -- to be named. ![[2025-07-Random-12.jpeg]] Mama and Son ![[2025-07-Random-13.jpeg]] Twilight begins to fall. ![[2025-07-Random-14.jpeg]] A view toward the south from Lake Union toward downtown Seattle. ![[2025-07-Random-15.jpeg]] The view north toward the fireworks barge, a gazillion boats, and Gasworks park beyond. ![[2025-07-Random-16.jpeg]] I didn't take much of the show itself, preferring to actually experience it. ![[2025-07-Random-17.jpeg]] And with the fireworks over, we wait for the crowds to disperse before making our way back toward their marina. ![[2025-07-Random-18.jpeg]] Later that week, family game time with Kasen featuring NFL-opoly Junior. I lost. ![[2025-07-Random-19.jpeg]] We ventured over to West Seattle to meet up with our friends the Kellers at Mission for some tasty food and drink. ![[2025-07-Random-20.jpeg]] Chris and Jordyn - who is going in to Middle School this year. ![[2025-07-Random-21.jpeg]] Doug, Kandis, and Scott ![[2025-07-Random-22.jpeg]] "The mountain's out!" ![[2025-07-Random-23.jpeg]] Test driving a onesie I got for the [[July Vacaya Alaska Cruise]] ![[2025-07-Random-24.jpeg]] When visiting I always brush my little girl Ella Mai. She really seems to love it and no matter how long I brush we always end up with a good fluffball afterwards. ![[2025-07-Random-25.jpeg]] My parents' condo complex has a few bunnies scampering around. This one was just hanging out in the grass of their front yard. ![[2025-07-Random-26.jpeg]] Just had dinner with Mom & Dad in Redmond before heading over to house sit for the Kellers for a bit! ![[2025-07-Random-27.jpeg]] A Seattle treat we always like to return and enjoy -- Taco Time! I really like their Chicken Caesar tacos (wraps really) they do in the summer. ![[2025-07-Random-28.jpeg]] We enlisted ChatGPT to play a little prank on Kandis -- who is one of the tidiest people I know. We took a photo of their living room and asked ChatGPT to virtually trash it -- it really delivered, but if you look closely you can see clues: ![[2025-07-Random-29.jpeg]] ...such as their Syndey poster that was renamed to "Stoney" by the image generator. ![[2025-07-Random-30.jpeg]] Another Seattle adventure -- meeting up with Jesse and Nico to see the Seattle Sounders play! ![[2025-07-Random-31.jpeg]] Nice seats! ![[2025-07-Random-32.jpeg]] And I got to meet up with my old pal Mason at half-time to say hello, have a quick catch-up (he's a new kitten dad... grandpa?) and send a photo to his wife Anne of us having a lil smooch. ![[2025-07-Random-33.jpeg]] ![[2025-07-Random-34.jpeg]] Jesse, Doug, Nico, and I back at the seats for the second half! ![[2025-07-Random-35.jpeg]] The game ended in a tie -- but a fun time was had by all! ![[2025-07-Random-36.jpeg]] I met up with Darlene in White Center too, having a late lunch/early dinner with her at Alpine Diner. Yum! ![[2025-07-Random-37.jpeg]] But she ended up having car trouble and after trying to jump it ourselves, we had to call in her son Tim. ![[2025-07-Random-38.jpeg]] ...but it was good to see her! ![[2025-07-Random-39.jpeg]] Ella Mai looking pretty in her bow. ![[2025-07-Random-40.jpeg]] Keeping her usual watch over the neighborhood. ![[2025-07-Random-41.jpeg]] Back at the end of high school I worked at Caffe Infinito in Redmond Town Center. It was a cool place to work at (with questionable ownership.) It's since changed hands a few times, as we found out shortly after I quit that they'd already sold out to Tully's and waiting to tell the staff. It's a cool location, but the line was too long for me to get a coffee - there was a car show right outside its doors. ![[2025-07-Random-42.jpeg]] Celebrating Josh's birthday at their house -- Doug and Kasen. ![[2025-07-Random-43.jpeg]] Trying to hold my own at cornhole -- it took me a good match to start getting the feel for it. ![[2025-07-Random-44.jpeg]] Delicious ice cream cake from Coldstone ![[2025-07-Random-45.jpeg]] ...a little help with the candles? Haha! ![[2025-07-Random-46.jpeg]] House sitting for the Kellers - by the end Jupiter was very accepting of cuddles. ![[2025-07-Random-47.jpeg]] ...and even hopped up on my lap! ![[2025-07-Random-48.jpeg]] Dinner with Keith and JR at **Harry's Fine Foods** on Capitol Hill. Cheers! ![[2025-07-Random-49.jpeg]] Breakfast on the run -- I went for an early coffee at **Realfine Coffee** (celebrating their 10th Anniversary!) ![[2025-07-Random-50.jpeg]] They're starting a dog wall with their regulars! ![[2025-07-Random-51.jpeg]] Nice to treat myself to their amazing coffee again. Another place I miss when I'm not in town. ![[2025-07-Random-52.jpeg]] Doug and I went for a date night at **il nido at the Alki Homestead**, much overdue after a recommendation from Jesse. ![[2025-07-Random-53.jpeg]] Comfortably elegant decor. ![[2025-07-Random-54.jpeg]] A delicious cocktail, too! ![[2025-07-Random-55.jpeg]] And great company. ![[2025-07-Random-56.jpeg]] OK, so the antler chandelier looks like a spikey halo. ![[2025-07-Random-57.jpeg]] The pasta special for the day -- which I ended up swapping plates with Doug over. ![[2025-07-Random-58.jpeg]] A photo from Mom of Ella Mai digging through her toys. ![[2025-07-Random-59.jpeg]] While in Seattle we wrapped up one of the last pieces of business after moving... selling my old Audi A5. We ended up selling it to **CarMax** (which was a good experience) and here we are dropping it off. ![[2025-07-Random-60.jpeg]] The literal final drive as I pull it into the service bay at the **CarMax** dealership. ![[2025-07-Random-61.jpeg]] One last look with Ella Mai before heading downtown -- one more sleep until our [[July Vacaya Alaska Cruise]]!