John & Kristie

Bathroom & Closet Remodel

2010-03-26T18:46:54Z

EDMONDS, WA :: We've done a lot of remodeling work over the years on our own, but we simply didn't have the time to take on another major project. The master bedroom needed to be redone, and to make room for the twins we needed to convert the small closet into a walk-in. To do the work, we were referred to Marybeth and Andy at New Home Solutions.

It was great working with Marybeth and Andy - they were very friendly, open, professional, and neat throughout the entire process. The project took a little longer than we anticipated - mainly due to some code issues concerning the additional square footage being added to the house for the walk-in. As we deciphered the city's building policies, we found that we were already in violation of the impervious surface limits, and had to consider insanely expensive mitigations to appease the bureaucracy. The back-and-forth with the city went on for a few months, but we're glad we hired the pros to negotiate it. In the end, all of the construction was approved, and the mitigation only required the addition of a relatively inexpensive drainage trench to the front of the house connected to the gutters.

Although we had to sleep in our living room for five months, it was all worth it. We absolutely love our new bathroom and walk-in closet! Next, a nursery and one more bathroom!
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Twins!

2010-03-22T18:12:43Z

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 would become our beautiful twin daughters, who we enjoy and love so much today!

For the eight years that Kristie and I have been a couple, we were 99% certain we would not have any children. We were having too much fun and didn't want to risk it with a major life change. But a series of events within the past year made us reevaluate our decision. We were spending more time with our parents, realizing the joy they experienced through us. They seemed to be thanking us for one thing or another daily, and we were clearly a source of great happiness and pride in their lives.

Were we willing to deny our own lives of that experience, just so we could go on a few more vacations together or perhaps climb a couple more rungs on the corporate ladder? Frankly, those trips - amazing as they were - we're starting to blur, and we were very satisfied with our personal and work accomplishments thus far. We had arrived at a pretty good point in our lives.

My sister then gave birth to our wonderful neice. We visited her in the hospital, and something about the experience triggered many tearful conversations between Kristie and I over several weeks. I wasn't pushing one way or the other - as long as I was with Kristie, I knew I would be truly happy with kids or without - in the end, however, we decided to go for a child... And we got two!

As many of my friends have said, there isn't a finite amount of love in a family. Having a child (or two!) does not mean that Kristie and I would need to love each other less in order to provide a part of that love to the child. It seems ridiculous now, but that's something we truly feared. But as we've discovered, adding children just multiplies the love in the home. I love Kristie more than ever now - for bearing our girls and for being the wonderful mommy she has become.

And of course there's a double-helping of a love just as strong for our precious and perfect girls. Although they're only months old, I already feel some of that love being returned through their big smiles, their tiny outstretched arms, and their devastatingly heartwarming giggles.

Parenthood is awesome! We wouldn't trade it for anything (and we're so glad we didn't)!

2D & 3D Sonogram of Our Twins from John Brown on Vimeo.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 at 12 weeks! Just over two inches long, bouncing around in mommy's tummy with healthy heartbeats!

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Cirque du Soleil: O

2009-11-29T19:34:12Z

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 impressed. Perhaps it's because I'm not a swimmer or diver and can't fully appreciate the talent, but this is the first Cirque show where I could have fallen asleep. If we weren't in the splash zone (second row), I easily might have.

It all looked great, but it was too slow and artsy-fartsy for me. In addition to the main act, there were always lots of actors with blank expressions running or floating around, perhaps to provide the illusion that something exciting was actually happening beyond the pretentiousness. Unlike every other Cirque show, O didn't inspire any joy, wonder, or thrill. The acts didn't seem as dangerous, because - well - there's that giant pool of water beneath everyone.

But like I said, synchronized swimming and high-diving aren't really my thing. Unless they are for you, I'd skip O for any other show.
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Cirque du Soleil: KA

2009-11-28T20:22:13Z

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 linear story and emphasizes theatrics over acrobatics. That's not to say the actors were not performing unbelievable, breathtaking stunts - they were - but the amazing theater with its transforming stage and incredible sets was so astounding; it almost stole the show.

The story involves separated twins struggling to find their way back home and save their family. We watched each of the twins travel through their fantastical world, battling from one magical environ to the next. The performers dance, swing, swim, climb, fly and warp familiar perspectives thanks to a futuristic stage that rises, rotates, inclines and transforms with the grace of the human actors. Add to this the "ninjas" that fly by wire over the audience, shooting arrows over our heads while giant fireballs and other pyrotechnics explode on stage. There were some very intimate and touching moments as well - one involving the young twins and shadow puppets that I never wanted to end. I'm willing to admit I may have shed a couple tears by the time it did.

The show fully saturated our senses and was thoroughly entertaining. Of the nine Cirque shows we've seen, KA is definitely a favorite!
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Vegas

2009-11-28T19:30:21Z

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 scenic strip. Upon checking in, I presented a credit card sandwich, and we were given unlimited passes to the restaurants and buffet. These allowed us to bypass the 90 minute lines and made us feel like high rollers during our stay, although we barely gambled.

I had to let my mom experience the slots, however, and we somehow turned a five dollar play into a couple hours of fun, a ton of free drinks, and about a hundred bucks! The "Lobstermania" slot machine we selected was hot that night, and we hummed its "Rock Lobster" theme for weeks afterwards.

During the day, we toured the themed casinos, shops and attractions. At night, we saw "Ka" and "O". And every chance in between, we used those line passed to enjoy the Bellagio's buffet! Some seriously good eats, and during breakfast, all you can drink champagne. My parents thought they had died and gone to heaven!
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Zion National Park

2009-11-27T19:26:34Z

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 drove two hours south to Zion National Park. Eager to move our legs and work off some of the turkey and gravy, we hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail before checking in at our next hotel. This fun and easy trail starts immediately before the Mount Carmel Tunnel and climbs up 370 feet over half a mile to a high viewpoint overlooking a scenic valley. Along the way we admired the cool shapes and overhangs in the red sandstone. Again, I was impressed that my mom was happily bounding up and down the rocks. There was a section of thin steel and wood planks cantilevered against the side of a cliff that bothered her, but that was just a little acrophobia, not any joint pain.

We stayed at the Pioneer Lodge, just outside the gates of Zion. The place is over a hundred years old, and looks it on the exterior. Fortunately, the nice rooms have a contemporary design featuring handmade furniture. Ours also had a large jacuzzi and kitchen.

The next day, we headed back into Zion to hike the Riverwalk Trail and the Emerald Pools Trail. We were lucky with another gorgeous day, with morning temperatures in the 50s and a mid-afternoon high of 70. For most of the year, cars are not allowed in Zion Canyon. Visitors must park at the entrance and take shuttles. But during Thanksgiving and the winter months, the roads are open to all traffic.

The towering rock cathedrals of Zion are impressive throughout the year, but I missed the green vegetation. The trees were mostly bare, with just a touch of late autumn colors here and there. It was also far too cold to hike into the Narrows, which requires knee-deep to waist-deep wading through the Virgin River - although we saw several groups in dry suits prepared to do just that.

After getting our fill of Zion, we were on our way to our next stop: Vegas.
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Bryce Canyon

2009-11-26T19:11:03Z

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 slaved over at her house. This year we planned a six-day family trip to enjoy the natural wonders of Southwest Utah and the artificial wonders of Las Vegas. These are destinations my parents have never been to, and I was happy to play the part of the travel agent and tour guide.

Upon landing in Las Vegas the day before Thanksgiving, we drove immediately to Bryce Canyon National Park, which is about four hours away. We stayed at historic Ruby's Inn, conveniently located just outside the gates of the park. The hotel features every amenity you might need, including a very large gift/grocery store and a restaurant the serves very tasty, homestyle meals. Our rooms even included a hot tub (but we didn't use it). The plan was to settle in early so that we could depart for the Canyon an hour before sunrise the next day.

We had fabulous luck with the weather during our entire trip, but being at the cusp of winter and at 8000' feet elevation, it was extremely cold. Bundled in multiple layers of clothing, we waddled out of our rooms in pitch darkness at 6:00 AM, cringing at the thermometer that read 5 degrees. I promised it would all be worth it. And it most defintely was. The naturally orange walls of Bryce Canyon glow gorgeously in dawn's early light.

After enjoying the view from the canyon's rim, we chose to immerse ourselves in the otherworldly scene by descending into the Navajo, Queen's Garden, and Rim trails - a relatively easy and very scenic 3-mile loop. I was concerned about my mother's joints, however, which have been nagging her recently. The trail drops and climbs 550 feet, but she handled it like a champ - blazing forward and frequently insisting we hike further throughout the trip! The dry, desert air and the constant sunshine did wonders for her mobility and spirit. This really was the perfect escape from the Pacific Northwest's grey and gloomy winter weather.

The spectacle that is Bryce Canyon is hard to capture in words or photos. The dazzling colors, strange landforms and their immense scale are thrilling to experience. I had wandered through Bryce Canyon before, but I'm very glad I got to share it with Kristie and my parents. I was filled with warm fuzzy feelings whenever I saw their jaws drop in amazement, heard them exclaim a "Wow!", or simply smiled. That was the best part of this trip for me, and it'll be one of my favorite Thanksgivings ever!

I was also filled with a wonderful meal served back at Ruby's Inn! We loaded up on turkey, ham, mashed potatos, gravy, cornbread and pies before heading out to our next destination: Zion National Park.
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Narae 2009 Korean Festival

2009-11-07T19:08:21Z

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 annual production translates to "Wings" in English, and showcases traditional Korean dance and music. We invited my parents to the show this time as well, knowing my mom (and dad) would appreciate a dose of her culture.

The program was mostly the same as it was two years ago, but that's not a complaint. The variety of performances were just as entertaining; at times thrilling, poetic, or cute, instilling pride and respect for traditional Korean culture.
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U2

2009-10-25T18:04:58Z

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)

Our seats: Two (RED) Zone VIP stage-side tickets.

Sitting next to us: Danny Devito and Josh Homme, along with a couple LiveNation VPs.

Celebrities sighted: Hillary Swank, Demi Moore, Paris Hilton, Collin Farrell, Winona Ryder, and the guy who invented Napster.

Opening band: The Black Eyed Peas

Onstage surprise: Slash & Fergie performing "Sweet Child of Mine"

Nickname for U2's stage (the largest concert stage ever): The Claw or The Space Station

Stage statistics: 164' tall, 210' wide, 190 tons, 72 subwoofers, rotating centerstage, two moving bridges, expandable 360-degree screen with 500,000 pixels and a 14,000' surface area.

Number of people and days required to build and dismantle the stage: More than 250 crew over 8 days for a two-hour concert. There are three copies of the stage continuously being constructed/deconstructed in stadiums around the world.

Number of semi-trucks required to transport the stage: 120

Attendance for U2's Rose Bowl concert: 97,000 (record Rose Bowl crowd)

Viewers of U2's Rose Bowl concert via live YouTube stream: 10 million across 7 continents (YouTube's largest event to-date and first live concert broadcast)

Most distant performer during the concert: Astronaut Frank De Winne aboard the International Space Station sings a segment of "Your Blue Room"

Setlist: Breathe, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Mysterious Ways, Beautiful Day, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Stand By Me, Stuck In A Moment, No Line On The Horizon, Elevation, In A Little While, Unknown Caller, Until the End of the World, The Unforgettable Fire, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo - It's Only Rock and Roll, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight (remix), Sunday Bloody Sunday, MLK, Walk On - You'll Never Walk Alone, One, Amazing Grace, Where the Streets Have No Name, Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender

John & Kristie's next U2 concert attendance: Qwest Field, Saturday, June 4th, 2011. See ya there!!
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Cirque du Soleil: Kooza

2009-10-24T18:37:12Z

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 expected, the performances were amazing, and we think Dad and Carol were also impressed.

All of the Cirque shows feature a theme: a dream, a life, a love, a song, a struggle... or a death. Incredibly, Kooza may be the first Cirque show with "a circus" as the theme. It's a magical and twisted take on a circus - complete with a slick and slightly scary ringleader, a majestic king of fools, and clowns that actually made me cry with laughter - but the focus of the show was on the acrobatic performances. Emphasis on action and incredible feats, a little less on atmosphere. It was one of the better traveling Cirque shows that we've seen.

After the show, we strolled along the Pier, enjoying the night and debating endlessly about where to eat. Dad and Carol finally treated us to a tasty and healthy dinner at one of many vegan/raw restaurants along the 3rd Street Promenade.
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Eureka Dunes

2009-10-23T18:09:05Z

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 unfamiliar place, not knowing what creepy critters lingered in the shadows of my small flashlight and in the blackness beyond the beam. So rather than pitching my tent outside, I slept in the back of the Escalade, comforted by the dome light and the satellite radio.

When dawn broke, I finally saw the mountain of sand dunes towering nearly 700 feet high before me. They're supposedly the tallest in the United States. I've always been impressed by images of these sinuous landscapes and of people walking along their pristine surfaces and sharp, crescent ridges. Until I can book a trip to the Sahara, this experience will have to do.

As I expected, it was neat wandering atop the huge dunes, watching the early light sculpt cool, curvy shadows among hills. Trudging up the steep, ever-slipping sand was not so neat, however. It was extremely exhausting. Imagine climbing the height of the Space Needle along a 30 degree incline of loose sand. I was nearly crawling on all fours, and each step forward included half a step sinking back. The sand also poured into my shoes and locked my feet as if they were cast in concrete. I had to empty them a few times during my hike to relieve the pain.

It was tough, but definitely worth it. And sliding back down the dunes was fun! Unfortunately, I seem to have lost a CF card containing the second half of this hike and the other stops in Death Valley. I think some of the better images were on that card... Oh well, another excuse to go back. Kristie and I often joke that if it isn't on the website, then it didn't happen!
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The Racetrack

2009-10-22T18:57:01Z

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 (photos soon). I tagged along on this trip as usual to support her, but also to spend a couple days in Death Valley prior to the concert. I'm not sure if most people consider a stark and deadly desert to be an exciting destination, but I was thrilled! After making sure Kristie was settled in at the hotel, I loaded up the rental vehicle with my backpacking gear, several gallons of extra water, and a couple cans of fix-a-flat and then set off on the 300 mile roadtrip from the City of Angels to the Valley of Death.

We lucked out with our rental. I had reserved a 4X4 SUV for the rough terrain of Death Valley's backcountry, but upon arriving at LAX, the only vehicle the agency had remaining that fit the requirement was a brand new Escalade. Wow. I didn't mind cruising through the streets of LA in an ostentatious car - in fact, it was kind of fun! - but I would look foolish hauling that 3-ton luxury ride off-road! My suspicions were confirmed as I pulled into the Stovepipe Wells entrance of the park and asked to have my vehicle assessed for the 120+ miles of rocky and sandy terrain I intended to travel. Upon seeing the Escalade, a couple rangers pretty much laughed at me and told me to stick to the paved roadside attractions.

I thanked the rangers for their advice, but respectfully and recklessly ignored it. Onward to The Racetrack Playa, my first destination! This required a cruise up to Ubehebe Crater on approximately 45 miles of paved road, and then 25 miles on some pretty rough dirt road. The road is embedded with sharp rocks, bumpy channels, and sandy washes. I averaged about 15 miles per hour, so it took me about 90 minutes to traverse. I was being especially careful on my thin road tires. A lighter SUV with off-road tires could cruise through here in half the time or less. However, this part of the park is very isolated, and a traveler should always be prepared to survive the desert for a day or two on his own in case of a breakdown. I'm very, very glad I made it through without incident.

The Racetrack is famous for those mysterious boulders (the "sailing stones") that seem to move across the dry lakebed on their own, leaving twisted tracks in the dirt as evidence of their journies. Some claim magical or extraterrestrial powers are at play here, but the movements have been replicated in windtunnels with rain and 90 mph wind conditions, which suprisingly are not too uncommon in this region of the desert.

I was enchanted by the unique and stark landscape. The lakebed is about 2.8 miles long and perfectly level across the entire expanse. I parked at the north end of the lake, where an outcropping of boulders 73 feet high (The Grandstand) pokes above the surface. I then leisurely walked the length of the lake and back, enjoying the silence, solitude and strangeness of the scenery. As the sun set, I carefully made my way back up the dirt road to my next destination and campsite: Eureka Dunes.
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Larch Lake

2009-09-26T18:17:07Z

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 catch the season's changing colors, particularly the golden larches. My research led me to Larch Lake, which seemed like the ideal destination, but the 23 mile trail via Chiwaukum Creek would be too long for a day hike - and again, too cold to camp in comfort. Fortunately, a much shorter, 11 mile route originates from the Scottish Lakes High Camp. This plan fit the bill perfectly!

I called the privately owned camp and reserved one of its smaller cabins for one night. Early in the day, the very friendly owners and crew picked me up alongside US 2. Upon arriving at my cabin, I unloaded my overnight gear and immediately hit the trail, knowing I had limited daylight this time of year.

The trail from the camp basically climbs up to McCue Ridge, descends down to Chiwaukum Lake, climbs back up through scenic Ewing Basin, and up a little further to beautiful Larch Lake. The entire way was varied and interesting, changing from forest, to open rocky ridges, back to forest, to boulder-strewn prairie, and finally to a picturesque alpine lake. Brilliant reds and yellows lined the trail, but I think I was a couple weeks too early for the larches.

It was a gorgeous day, but I was very glad I decided not to camp. The winds picked up in the late afternoon and the temperatures dropped quickly. Whitecaps and plumes of mist blew off of the lake, and the trees moaned and creeked ominously as they swayed above me. I double-timed back to the safety and warm wood stove of my cabin!
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Our Niece, Shielle

2009-09-11T18:08:23Z

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 younger sister. But I gotta say, with the pregnancy and birth of her perfect little daughter, she did all right. And although she was a brat as a sibling, I know she'll be wonderful as a mom.

Congratulations, Susan and Erik!
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Burg Eltz

2009-08-25T18:07:13Z

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 (it's also Rick Steve's favorite). Built in the 12th century, the scenic structure sits strategically upon a large rock, towering ten stories and more than three hundred feet above the namesake river. From the parking lot, the castle is about two kilometers away via a steep road or a beautiful forested trail. We chose the road on the way down, and the more gradual trail on the way back up. There is also a van that shuttles visitors along the road, but the lines were long.

In the courtyard, we joined an English-speaking tour guide that took us through a dozen or so of the 80 rooms in the castle. These rooms that are open to the public are furnished and decorated much as they were centuries ago. After more than 30 generations, the original family still occupies the castle and reserves 1/3 of the rooms as their private residences.

The castle has only ever been attacked once during its 900 year history. The attackers were persuaded to call off their assault and there was no damage. Today, the castle's worst enemy is simply time. Parts of the structure and foundation have settled, and sections of the outer wall are splitting apart. Many of the outer walls were covered with scaffolding, and I was disappointed by the spoiled view.

After our tour of Burg Eltz, we were ready to return to our own castle for one more night before our long trip back home. It had been a wonderful two weeks in Poland and Germany! Although it will probably be a while, we look forward to visiting Europe again!
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