Matt loves his bike!

Matt joined bike team Cucina Fresca.

Sarah and Libby visit from Virginia

Joe got a tent and a sleeping bag for his birthday, and it's summer. That being said, we headed over to Lou's AMAZING house and gave the outside overnight thing a whirl. If everyone survives (aka, if I can handle the dark) then we will upgrade to the actual wilderness real life thing in August. We had veggie dogs and beef dogs and of course, s'mores. We put up the tent, and we also put up the canvas awning we got from my parents ( thanks again, mom, we LOVE it).

new old house, new landscaping, new things!

i bought hanging baskets. the first things i have added to the house...hooks and all. Second, Matt bought an American Flag. We love how it looks with the house! Then we weeded FOREVER and pulled out the old and dying plants and replaced them (thank you Doe and Ned) I think all that is missing is some bark. That helps with weeds, right? I am learning to garden, and the hanging baskets are my first attempt. Matt mows and waters and edges and does more to that lawn I ever knew you could do. I am keeping with the baskets and think herbs in a pot or square planter might be my next attempt.

Open House!

Food, Friends, Family, Fun! Friday night at the Hubbard's new house there were self-guided tours, finger food on the dining table and drinks keeping cool in tubs of ice. Andrea's parents and grandpa were in town - a perfect time for a party! People visited and mingled around. Andrea and Matt were great hosts - greeting newcomers, offering food, introducing friends and family, giving tours and setting up Rockband in the basement! The weather was beautiful and the company enjoyable! An all around great night!

Birthday Time for Andrea!

Yesterday, for Andrea's birthday, Matt had planned the evening to the last detail (secretly and with a little help from super secret friends). He told Andrea that he had made dinner plans. Andrea changed her clothes, put her stuff in her 'date purse' and even put on some jewelry - she was ready for a nice sit down dinner with 2 of her favorite guys! They picked up Joe and headed south on I-5 toward Seattle ... "where could he be taking us??" Andrea wondered. He turned on to 520 and crossed the water toward Bellevue ... traffic was not pleasant ... but they were together and it was her birthday! Then he pulled into Burgermaster ... what?!

Matt hopped out and took Joe to 'wash his hands'. Andrea thought for sure that they weren't actually eating here ...

When they returned Matt turned on his headlights (to indicate they needed service) and they ordered. Andrea was talking all about her 2 hour conversation with Jennalee, her good friend that moved to Texas 5+ years ago. She talked about how they would come to Burgermaster and Jennalee would order a Turkeymaster and they would sit and talk and eat. She was talking and talking ... Matt was listening intently and smiling to himself - he knew he had outdone himself and Andrea was playing right into his hand!

When dinner arrived on a metal tray hooked on her window, Andrea brought in the food with an envelope ... Matt told her to open it.

It was an itinerary for a round-trip ticket to Texas!! Andrea smiled and bounced in her seat and hollered and hugged Matt! Upon looking at the dates she noticed that she'd be in Texas over Jennalee's birthday and that made the trip even more exciting!!

Matt mentioned that he had been directed to put pantyhose on his head ... and that he wasn't sure what that was all about.

"Have you ever done it? Cuz it's pretty d@*# funny!" Matt admitted that he hadn't tried it - he's missing out!! Andrea got a good laugh out of that - ahh memories!!

What a great husband! What a great birthday! What a GREAT surprise!! Matt's the BEST!!

We were Forked!

Matt and Andrea were properly welcomed to the neighborhood ... this is what they found in their yard when they returned from their weekend away to Leavenworth! Too funny - notice the 'picket fence' around the edges ... the culprits lined the entire front yard!! They thought they knew who did it ... but upon making their accusation they found out they didn't know who had welcomed them - but they feel 'loved'!

Tours now available - call for scheduling!

The Hubbard's are proud owners of their first house! Built in 1931 it's a charming custom craftsman. It really is a darling house!

Here's what the agent had to say: "Classic Big Historic Home on Rucker Hill. This is the one you've been waiting for! Bring your dreams, this special 2034 ASF home with an additional 1190 ASF basement needs your creative cosmetic touches and then it will shine. You can see the Cascades and the city skyline too! 4 big bedrooms, an office, classic first level with nice oak floors, huge living/dining rooms, fireplace, builtins and HUGE kitchen with eating nook. Wow! Big master, gas heat, new windows. I'm happy all over! Welcome home!"

The neighbors are nice, Joseph is out-numbered by girls now though!

They moved in on Saturday Feb. 16th, it was party central they had many friends helping with the move and pizza and music and tours going into the night! Sunday Matt and Andrea were unloading boxes and Joe was outside. They heard him holler "Dad, they're asking me my name." Andrea looked out the window and the girls were in their window talking to Joe. The girls have a bounce house and before he knew it they were all playing together and bossing Joe around. Joe's great at making friends!!

They are looking forward to fixing up the house ... but for now they're just trying to get moved in! You will notice from the pictures that Matt has a 'man-cave' in the basement - he has tested it for sound proof-ness and blocked the window so that it can be nice and dark. He has a couch aimed at the big screen TV and guitar and drums in place for 'Rock Band' parties!

Andrea is now a certified Hubbard, she recently updated her driver's license and informed the IRS! It's official the Hubbard's are here to stay!

(click on the slide show and then as you move your curser over the pictures they will stop moving and the titles will appear.)

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

December was a GREAT month for Matt and Andrea! All month they were looking forward to Christmas morning with Joe!
On the 14th they had Marylou and Robert over for the Tree Decorating Party! Joe had picked out the Tree topper and Matt helped him place it just right!

Christmas Eve was at Matt and Andrea's house, Ned, Doe (Matt's parents), Marylou and Robert all came over.
Joe told Marylou, "Marylou - I want a 6 person kazoo party!" and so they did ... Ned, Doe, Marylou, Robert, Joe and Matt ... six people ... perfect!

Christmas Morning was MAGICAL! Joe woke Matt and Andrea at 6:30, they all came out to see that Santa had been there, he ate the cookies and had some milk and the reindeer had nibbled the celery! He left some pretty great stuff in their stockings, too!

Joe opened presents and then had fun shaped pancakes! They were 'cookie-cutter-d' from round pancakes and Joe LOVED them!

The favorite gifts this Christmas included:

Andrea - Anniversary ring that Matt was working on for 4-ish months and a matching set of jewelry - earrings, bracelet and necklace.


Matt - Bike helmet, he just joined the Cucina Fresca Flying Tomatoes bicycle team!


Joe - LEGOS a vehicle, dinosaur, city police station, helicopter pad with helicopter - they had GREAT fun putting it all together! He is now a Candy Land cheater extrordinaire (thanks uncle johner) and he loves his harmonica!

All in all it was a FANTASTIC Christmas!