The Phillips Family

Time Flies When You're Having Fun!

2009-08-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

My last post was in late April - oops - so I thought I would quickly recap all that has happened in our lives over the past 4 months...we have been busy!! On May 4th I turned the big 30 - Cameron planned a fantastic weekend which included "boat drinks" with our dear friends Ted and Janelle, the Windermere Crew Regatta, the Kentucky Derby (at Emerald Downs), a NEW CAR, and drinks and appetizers at a wine bar with friends and family. Did I mention a NEW CAR??!

To celebrate the end of medical school we went to Playa del Carmen with 5 of Cameron's classmates - apparently I forgot to take pictures and the only photos that I have are a couple of the group on the ferry to go diving in Cozumel...needless to say,we had a fabulous week eating, drinking, diving, sunning and laughing - a lot.

The big day - Cameron graduated from medical school and officially became Dr. Phillips - which of course makes me Mrs. Dr. Phillips - hahaha! In the middle of June he began a surgical residency at the University of Washington.

I went home to Denver for 2 weeks - I was able to spend a ton of time with my mom - we had the opportunity to be photographed for an amazing book by Katy Tartakoff which documents women and men battling/recovering from breast cancer. This is the photo for the book "Cup Half Full" - I feel so blessed to have such an incredible image.

Cameron's only 2 week vacation was scheduled for the beginning of August - even though we really did not NEED a vacation a month and half into his residency - we decided we better do something because we knew we would regret it in several months if we didn't get away. So we headed over to Montana for a week full of family, friends, and backpacking. We spent the first few days in Missoula with Cameron's parents, his sister Emily, her husband John, and their baby Abigail - we were also able to spend some time with our good friends from Bozeman, Christin and Ryan and their new baby, Preslee. After a few days we went up to Whitefish to spend time with John, Em, and Abigail. This above picture is taken from the top of Big Mountain where we had a brunch picnic complete with mimosas.

After the picnic we went out on the boat - I love this picture of Em and Abigail...Abby cracks me up! You should see her "bobble head" dance - pretty cute.

Cameron has many fond memories of Glacier National Park from childhood so he wanted to take me there. We went on a 3 day backpacking trip - let's just say that my memories of Glacier are not as fond - but I will say it is strikingly beautiful!

Arrow Lake - this is where we had wanted to stay for the first night but there were not any permits available when we arrived at the ranger station that morning. Instead we had to go an additional 3.5 miles to Camus Lake making it an 11 mile hike. This probably would have been fine except that the trail between Arrow Lake and Camus Lake is not regularly traveled so the trail was fairly treacherous and difficult to find. Additionally, we had to make 5 "wet" crossings - during the 2nd wet crossing I fell and injured my ankle - good times...We made it Camus in time for dinner and had a really nice evening only to wake up to a day full of rain. So to recap we hiked 11 miles into a lake only to stay in the tent for the day - like I said it was beautiful.

The hike out was ...WET. This photo was taken at the very end of the hike - I am not sure if you can see it in our faces but we were anxiously anticipating the warm, dry car and warm, dry clothes!! As I told Cameron, I really will enjoy remembering my LAST backpacking trip EVER!! OK maybe not ever, but it will be a long time before I go again...

Austin and Jessica's Wedding!

2009-05-01T11:05:00.001-07:00

We had the pleasure of travelling to Mexico last week for my little brother, Austin's wedding. The entire week was absolutely wonderful and it appears that the festivities were swine flu free!

The beautiful bride, Jessica.

Baby Natalie

The girls with the fabulous mariachi band.

Before, During, and Finally...AFTER!

2009-01-16T12:39:00.000-08:00

After 4 weeks of extremely hard work the bathroom is complete...here is a brief recap:

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER!

The 2 photos above are identical, but highlight the fact that we have 2 sets of towels - ahhh luxury~

The one thing left to do is to install two cabinets for storage in the alcove next to the toilet - unfortunately they are on back order and will not arrive until the 1st week of February...

Apparently dogs like heated floors too!

ALMOST!

2009-01-06T20:09:00.000-08:00

After a brief bathroom remodel hiatus for the holidays - we are back in business and are FINALLY starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel - I have to look back and laugh at my original post stating with sincere naivete that the project would be close to complete in one week - NOW I think that I can finally say the bathroom will be 99% complete by the weekend and "Steve the Project Elk" will be moving to the backyard - anyone want to come help us with landscaping??

Toilet is working!

Cameron demonstrating how to use the "leg shaving bench" ~

I thought the shelf was for shampoo and conditioner - apparently Cameron had something different in mind.

LET IT SNOW!

2008-12-21T14:51:00.000-08:00

Over the past couple of days it has snowed more in Seattle than it ever has since we have lived here - it has been fun to be stuck at home for the past couple of days!

The puppy dogs are not complaining...

Admittedly not a great photo - but proof that people cross country ski down the street -

Riley recommends curling up in your favorite blankie and taking a nap during these cold winter days~

Now, a few photos of bathroom progress:

Light bar, medicine cabinet, and switch plates installed.

Priming and painting finished - we are really hoping to have the majority of the project done before we leave for Christmas so the last major step is tiling the shower...

BATHROOM UPDATE

2008-12-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

Cameron has been working long hours everyday in hopes of completing the bathroom remodel before Christmas...Here are a few photos of the progress he has made over the past week: The tile floor has been laid and we now have a radiant heat floor!!

The shower drain and basin installed

Drywall hung, taped and mudded...this has been the worst part of the project so far and Cameron swears he will hire someone to do the drywall if he ever embarks on a DIY project again.

Shower deck mud complete...

In other news at our house - It has been snowing in Seattle which means that the entire city shuts down - for Cameron and I being Montana and Colorado natives, we think it is pretty funny that 1 to 2 inches of snow can close schools, cancel trash pick up, and stop the mail..the best part, however, is people dig out their one-piece snow suits and cross country ski through the neighborhood! As you can see not even snow can stop Atley...

DAY FOUR: LET THERE BE LIGHT...AND WALLS

2008-12-08T13:53:00.001-08:00

Cameron's goals for the work he wanted completed while his dad was here have been achieved - today they were able to hang all of the drywall and install the light fixture - while the cosmetic work remains Cameron and I are eternally grateful for all of Bob's help - we could never have done it without him - well let me rephrase that - I would never have let Cameron demolish our bathroom without him!

Riley the comfort hound found a new place to relax.

Atley "the dog who will fetch anything" has found that scrap wood makes an excellent toy!

A celebratory scotch - as if an excuse were needed....

DAY THREE: MOVING RIGHT ALONG

2008-12-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

At 7:55 am we welcomed a new addition to our house: an enormous dumpster - she weighs 1,750 lbs and is 50 ft long - we are SO proud! Day three marked a few significant milestones: we now have a floor strong enough to hold tile, all of the plumbing is complete, and the concrete backer board has been installed in the shower.

Bob and Cameron celebrated the end of the day with a glass of chardonnay in the shower - as you can see by their faces, they are pretty pleased with the progress!

Steve put his seal of approval on the new shower fixture! Steve better pack his bags he (hopefully) only has another week of residence in this room of the house...

DAY TWO: THERE'S A HOLE IN MY BATHROOM, DEAR LIZA, DEAR LIZA

2008-12-04T18:50:00.000-08:00

The remodel has continued to progress - while it does not look like much has happened since yesterday, the boys worked from 8 am until after midnight - after those long hours the electrical work and much of the plumbing was completed, the sub floor exposed and repairs are in the works and the dry wall and other large supplies were purchased and delivered. All in all the day was a success and we should be able to see serious results on Day 3!

Steve and Cameron ready for some serious Bathroom ACTION!!

DAY ONE: DEMO

2008-12-03T14:04:00.000-08:00

The remodel adventure began with removing the mirror and vanity which truly gave us a direction for the project. After a brief set back of having the water off for the night, the progress has been steady with very few surprises (luckily). Cameron and Bob have decided that the previous remodelers must have been a couple of drunk monkeys...they are hoping to do a better job so my job is to keep them sober! I think the photos pretty much speak for themselves and at this point in the time the old bathroom looks pretty good in comparison.

Taking the toilet to the front yard...let me tell you it looks great in the middle of the driveway next to "Bev the Chev" our '88 powder blue S-10 pickup...

Studs without Walls - come on, I couldn't help myself!

Steve - still hangin' in there!

Meet Steve "The Project Elk"

2008-12-02T10:16:00.001-08:00

On a father -son camping trip several years ago, Cameron picked up this gem of a souvenir in Checkerboard, MT for me. Upon moving into our new house in Seattle, we found the one room in the house that we really hated was our bathroom. We knew eventually we wanted to remodel the bathroom, but worried that after months of living in the house we would lose motivation. So we decided to hang our lovely laminated elk photo framed in a horse shoe in the ugly bathroom and name him "Steve the Project Elk" so every time we looked at it we would stay motivated to remodel the bathroom - because Steve has to stay put until the project is completed...

Cameron now has a couple of weeks off, so the bathroom remodel has begun - with the help of his dad we are hoping to have the project close to complete by the end of the week. Here are a couple of the "Before" photos:

Lovely isn't it?? If you look closely you can see that the former owners decided to put linoleum not only on the floors, but also on the walls - Brilliant!

A Lovely Fall Day

2008-10-26T15:41:00.000-07:00

We were lucky enough to have another gorgeous weekend in Seattle (don't forget...it always rains here) - so we took advantage of the weather with our good friends Ted and Janelle - the day began with golf and progressed into dinner and pumpkin carving. My new golf partner - Janelle

What can I say?? Boys will be boys...

Pumpkin carving with three future surgeons..good times!

We Love Our Puppies

2008-10-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

I normally try to refrain from posting our ridiculous number of dog photos - but it has been a while and I just couldn't help myself - we take so many photos of the dogs - I can only imagine what will happen when we finally decide to have kids! Atley taking a nap with Cameron after a long night of call at Harborview...

I just asked Riley if he wanted to go for a walk - I think he may be interested...

She has sat like this since she was 8 weeks old.

Awkward Riley - no one can ever say that this dog lacks personality.

Relaxing after the dog park

Baby Abigail Mae!

2008-09-30T20:28:00.000-07:00

Cameron and I feel incredibly lucky to have become an aunt and uncle for the 2nd time in just a matter of months! Cameron's sister Emily and her husband John had a baby girl , Abigail Mae Brown, on Tuesday, September 23rd - we cannot wait to meet our newest niece - isn't she precious??

A Visit from the Masings

2008-09-07T15:03:00.001-07:00

Five years ago I decided to quit my job at the symphony, leave my beloved apartment at the Lola and move to Berlin, Germany to become an aupair. I completely lucked out and was matched with an absolutely wonderful family, the Masings. After a six month stay I bid my new German family farewell - and upon my departure my host father, Erik, told me that they would see me again...As the years went by I grew increasingly skeptical that I would ever see them again, but low and behold they came to Seattle as a stop on their "All American Road Trip". So the Masing family came to our house for dinner - It was absolutely amazing to see them all again and to hear the children speak impeccable English (when I arrived in Germany the children only spoke German). I can only hope that I will have the opportunity to see them again someday... Henri, Moritz, Marie and Me

Vanessa and Henri

Meine Deutsche Familie

Baby Natalie!

2008-07-29T22:16:00.000-07:00

Here she is - isn't she the cutest niece ever???

Proud Papa - that's right...Austin is a DAD!

It's Official!

2008-07-18T17:31:00.001-07:00

Cameron and I are officially an aunt and uncle. My little brother Austin and his fiancee, Jessica had a baby girl on July 17th. Baby Natalie Irene Norris was born at 6:46 am, weighed 7 lbs 10 oz and is 20.5 inches long. Both mom and baby are doing fantastically. We are so excited and cannot wait to meet her next month...I will post photos soon!

A Day Spent At...

2008-06-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of spending the day with some of our favorite friends, Kji, Becca, Jack, Kate, and Davis Kelly. Becca, the kids, and I went swimming in the afternoon, while Kji and Cameron golfed, then we finished off the day with a BBQ at their house, aka "Nice View".
When they first moved in, Jack thought the name of the house was"nice view" because whenever anyone came to visit, their first comment was always..."Nice View!"

I would say it is a pretty good description!

Becca and Cameron

Me and my sweet girl, Katie.

Jack and Davis cooling off in the pool.

Three Down - One To Go!

2008-06-28T18:23:00.001-07:00

Cameron finished his 3rd year of Medical School! He has a very busy 4th year, but we are both looking forward to finding out where we will end up for residency...I am keeping my fingers crossed for the West Coast - but we both realize that we could be sent to beautiful Toledo, Birmingham, or Oklahoma City - HA! March 19, 2009 is the infamous "match day" - we will keep you posted ~ Enjoying a celebratory picnic!

GRADUATION!

2008-06-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

It is official - I have taken my last test, written my last paper, and attended my last lecture and am now the proud "owner" of a Master's Degree in Public Administration! I was so honored to have many family and friends come to Seattle to help me celebrate. We had a wonderful weekend which included a lovely dinner on the deck at the Pink Door, Cameron's grandparent's 60th wedding celebration, the Evans School Commencement and Convocation, a BBQ at our house, and Father's Day brunch on the waterfront.

Don't be fooled by Cameron's hand placement - we are NOT expecting!

My Mom, Grandma Lillian, and Uncle Paul

John and Priscilla

The Boys

The Evans School Ball

2008-06-01T11:25:00.000-07:00

My graduate program hosts an annual "ball" at the end of the school year...it was kind of like prom with free wine! Cameron has been really sick, so I "flew solo" for the event. Good times!

Golf!

2008-05-26T13:31:00.001-07:00

We were lucky enough to have beautiful weather over the Memorial day weekend - so we took advantage of the sunshine by playing golf with our friends, Casey and Danielle. For my birthday, Cameron outfitted me with new clubs, shoes, a glove, and a golf outfit...I looked like a real golfer...my unbelievably bad golf skills indicated I am more of an impostor...but at least I was lookin' good~

Washington Wine Country

2008-05-26T13:22:00.001-07:00

For the first time in several months Cameron had an entire weekend off, so we decided to take a road trip to wine country. We visited Sagelands, Piety Flats, Silver Lake, and Two Mountain...following an afternoon of wine tasting, we finished off the day with a delicious Italian meal...

Just Another Hoop...

2008-05-23T17:52:00.000-07:00

There have been many proverbial hoops to jump through during Cameron's quest to become a doctor...but I think this one might be the most hilarious! A quick story...Cameron is in the process of applying for several away rotations during his 4th year, one of which is an Orthopaedic Surgery rotation in Colorado. Now, if it weren't for the fact that all of my family lives in Colorado, I don't that he would have gone to such great lengths to meet the eligibility requirements. One of the requirements is to be fitted for a tuberculosis mask, he was fitted for a mask during his first year (3 years ago) but the paper work is now missing in action, which might be a clue to the frivolousness of the requirement. So, today, he went to be fitted for the mask only to find out that his beard would impede the fitting process. So they shaved the impeding area...here are the results:

Is your last name "Jeremy" by any chance??

A Ranier Beer to celebrate the new look... We think it's a keeper!

A Beautiful Place to Live...

2008-05-23T00:57:00.001-07:00

The Olympic mountains, the beach, a bonfire and a sunset...sublime.

I LOVE my job!

2008-05-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

As a way to help fund our educational pursuits, I recently took a part-time nanny job. I use the term "job" loosely...I went to work on Friday, and someone actually paid me to spend the day at the beach with my new 6 year old friend, Lanie. I have been offered the job full-time over the summer, and I have to be honest, despite the fact that I will have a new shiny degree that I should probably take out for a spin on the job market, I am actually considering putting off the office for a couple more months in favor of a summer spent at the beach. Can you blame me??

Our House

2008-05-11T19:00:00.001-07:00

Here are a few pictures of our house...we have added new shutters to the front, our apple trees have blossomed, and I planted a couple of flower pots to brighten up the patio.

He's so cute!

A visit from Dr. James

2008-05-11T18:52:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Carolyn came to visit for the weekend. Of course, Cameron and Carolyn had tons to talk about and we all enjoyed great food, company, and the rare Seattle sunshine. As you can see from the blinding white legs we are both in desperate need of a tan...at least I live in Seattle....Carolyn currently resides in Southern California...I guess residency doesn't allow for much time to tan. Cocktails in the sunshine complete with coconut cups!

California!

2008-05-11T16:19:00.001-07:00

During the last Spring Break of my life, I went down to California to visit Jaimie, Matt & Rosie. They have a beautiful home, and we had a great time relaxing in the sun, chatting, and of course drinking a bit of wine!

The Inevitable

2008-05-11T15:50:00.000-07:00

While creating this blog, it became increasingly clear that we only take pictures of our dogs. In an attempt to "get it over with" here are a few of our favorites. The first two are of Riley and the next two are of Atley. I am sure that this is not the last time you will see our beloved canine companions, but perhaps this will limit the number of dog posts!

Joining the cool kids

2008-05-10T14:12:00.000-07:00

I love perusing all of the blogs, so I thought that I should start one...to the chagrin of my "anti-blog" husband, Cameron. Luckily he is on call today, so he is unavailable for consultation. I thought this would be a good way to keep family and friends up to date on the crazy journey of Cameron's 4th year of med school, the residency match, my job search, and our incredibly exciting life (insert sarcasm here). A random photo...to get things started...