Thought I would start a blog instead of sending out emails all the time! I grew up in San Mateo, California; lived in Burlingame, Lake Tahoe, and Redwood City; then married a man who was born in Pasadena and grew up in Menlo Park and Atherton. We lived in Redwood City until the mid '90s when we bought his parents' house in Atherton and lived there until 2001. In 2001 we had the chance to relocate to the Seattle area with his company. We visited Whidbey Island, fell in love, and moved here in August of 2001. When we moved here, Jeff was entering 8th grade, Tim 6th grade, and Jesse 4th grade. Jesse hated moving (but has since gotten over it), Tim was 50/50 but took on the adventure eagerly, and Jeff couldn't wait to move and has never looked back. We brought our 6-month-old yellow lab, McKenzie with us. Three years ago we added Tag, a 5-year-old golden retriever, who sadly died of cancer in October 2007. In September of 2007 we added a 1-year-old yellow tabby mouser, Charlie, who more than earns his keep, and in June of 2008 Buddy, a hopelessly neurotic 5-month-old golden retriever came to live. There will be more on all these sons and daughter as time goes on...