Project Nursery | Day 3

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Wow am I excited, mostly because the major back breaking work is done!

With all the painting completed, we started on the chair railing and slats. The White slats really made the colors stand out... we love it.

Late Saturday night I installed a little chandelier; it rains down some pretty light with nice shadows all over the room.

Here's a couple more pics, now all that remains is some caulking and then putting everything back in place!

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family

Project Nursery | Day 1 & 2

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Work on our daughters nursery is under way :-)

Some time back Jenna and I picked colors and mapped out a design... I mocked it up in Photoshop and printed it out (yes I know I'm a geek). We blocked out this weekend for all the work and got started Friday evening to get a head start.

Lots of colors required lots of taping, but I did get to use this sweet rotating laser level.

Next comes the paint, then more paint, then more paint... you get the idea.

Next we start on Chair Railing and other goodies... more pics to come. The dog says bye :-)

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family

Mina | Irish Step Dancing

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Last weekend Jenna and I had a chance to shuttle my youngest daughter Mina around to several performances. This is her second year Irish Step Dancing and its soo much fun watching her dance, while dancing she's all smiles from ear to ear!

If I remember correctly they had 14 performances scheduled in the couple days leading up to Saint Patricks Day.. whew, I'm tired just thinking about it.

Here are a couple shots from Saturday.

Labels: Family

1/2 way there never felt so good!

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This week marks the half way point for my pregnancy! Only 20 more weeks to go. :) Not only does this week mark the 1/2 way milestone, but it's also very special for another reason. This past Tuesday John and I had an ultrasound and found out that we are expecting a baby... GIRL! :) Mommy's little princess, Daddy's girl you name it this little one already holds the title! Here is her 20 week ultrasound.

We've begun going over the decor for her nursery (thinking lime green & pink) and can't wait to get started! So far we've purchase her crib, stroller and my favorite item so far... her designer diaper bag! YUP, I said designer. :) My Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bag in the CAKE design should be arriving very soon. I am sooo excited!

To mark the 1/2 way point of my pregnancy, I decided that I wanted to have some portraits done. Of course my first choice photog was my hubby, so here are a few of the shots we took today. We'll be doing another maternity session during my last trimester, but I just wanted to capture my baby belly while I still felt good. And let me tell ya, the 2nd trimester really does something to a woman. I feel great!

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family

Visions of Turkey Dance in My head

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We'll its no secret that Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. Visiting with family and celebrating all we have to be thankful for.. this year especially!

One of the Karwoski holiday rituals is the Brined/Smoked Turkey, I celebrate this turkey in all its splendor :-) I'll include the recipe so you can try it... but with warning: Once you have this, your done.. there is no living without it!

It's here... Turkey time!

My proud father with this years birds.

Brother Joe eying the birds.

The girls made these cute little ornaments, everyone got one.. even "Baby K".

And of course there we lots of great times with family...

Jenna and I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving as well, we wish you and your family the very best this season!

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family

Stanley F Karwoski | A Great Man

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As much as I'd like to take full responsibility for who I am today, I really can't. Much of that molding of "John" comes from the Karwoski men, my father John and my grandfather Stan.

I spent most of last week in Florida after the passing of my grandfather. As sad as this was, it was a chance to celebrate and reflect on how great of a man my grandfather was and his huge impact on my life.

Stan was a Naval Aviator... flying bombers in World War II, then went on to work for the 3M Corporation for 35 years. He worked with the Scotch team at 3M that developed products such as Scotch Tape. From what I understand he didn't fly after the war but had a huge passion for flying that translated into model aircraft building and flying.

At 87 years old he had a long happy life, married to my grandmother Roz for 62 years... it was jam packed full of fun, love and golf. I’m proud we share the same middle name "Francis" as that's just one of the many ways he lives on!!!

1945 Torpedo Bomber, TBF Squadron VT23

February 2006, 60th Wedding Anniversary

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family

Family Time | Downtown Renton

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I just love it in downtown Renton. There is just so much history here and the personality and character that these buildings have is just amazing. While walking around we came across some pictures dating back to the early 1920's and some of the buildings in the pictures were still present and occupied! To learn more about the history of Renton and to see some of the earliest pictures Renton has, click here.

What a treat it was to go and enjoy the sun (it stopped snowing yay!) with two of the most beautiful girls we know! Amy who is 16 and Mina just day's from her 11th birthday were kind enough to spend the afternoon with their dad and step-mommy (that's me lol). We parked near the old Spirit of Washington Dinner Train and began walking around finding new places every few seconds to snap some shots of the girls. We walked around for a few hours, stopping for a break at the Common Ground Cupcake and Coffee shop.

Here are some of our favorite shots of the day. Notice the old brick on some of these buildings... just awesome!

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family, Portraits

Rowe Family Portraits

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I first met Tasha and her husband Nate back in 2003 through my wonderful sister-in-law, Misty. Now Tasha and Nate are expecting their 3rd child. Little Colten is due to arrive this weekend. Besides Mommy and Daddy, anxiously awaiting his arrival are his two big sisters Hailee (3) and Cameron (9). Before his arrival Tasha wanted to get some family pictures as well as some pictures of her belly which we did in their home last week. Here are some of my favorite images from that day.

Stay tuned... because I plan on capturing Colten's first few weeks here and you know where those pictures will be posted... here! :)

If you would like to view more and order prints from the Rowe family portrait sessions, please click here.

Labels: Family, Portraits

Our not-so Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

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Typically the weekend after Thanksgiving is when we get and set up our tree... however with Thanksgiving falling so early this year, I just had to wait just a little longer. Since the first weekend of December is about as long as I could wait... John and I headed up to Covington this morning to the Berrydale Tree farm where we cut down our fabulous just tree. It stands just over 7 feet. It's a very respectable tree and I LOVE it! ;-) It was a bit wet and muddy at the tree farm so we had to let the tree dry out a little bit on our garage before we decorated it. The excitement of trimming the tree was just about all I could bare. Finally after the tree had a chance to dry out we were able to get it set up in our foyer and began the fun process of trimming it.

With snow on the ground I had to run to our brand new Target for some lights... seems no matter how many strands of lights we have they die after a year. John took out the camera to capture some of the decorating :-)

We wish everyone a safe, peaceful and wonderful holiday!

John & Jenna

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family

So Much To Be Thankful For

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This is the second holiday season that John and I have spent together as husband and wife. For so many couples, the Holidays can be stressful and full of decision makings. We're both so blessed to have such awesome families! My family has been more than great when it comes to sharing me with my husband and new family, and John's family has been more than gracious to share him with me and my family.

This year for Thanksgiving it worked out that we could blend our families for Thanksgiving... and blend we did! After our Halloween party we knew that we could accommodate a decent number of people in our home. After the final head count was in... it was 29 members of the Karwoski, Gregorio, Covey, Saitta, Maes, Smith and Schaefer family who shared many laughs and smiles, not to mention 2 very large brined and BBQ'd birds this Thanksgiving.

John began 2 day's prior to Thanksgiving, preparing his famous brined birds. One was just over 21 pounds and the other 22 pounds! And me... well I spent days and days getting ready to host this lovely feast for our one of a kind, awesome family. John's parents, John and Maralee and brother Joe traveled all the way from Spokane to be with us and my cousin Kimberly, new hubby Chad and Aunt Shelly drove out from the Tri-Cities. The rest of our families amazingly live relatively close by and no matter how small or long their trips to get here... we are so thankful for everyone who could make it!

Now John was insistent on making sure that we had a "sit-down-dinner". Remember... there were 29 of us! Just a few days before "T" Day, we decided to rent a few extra tables and lots of chairs to accommodate this sit down dinner for so many. The day and evening could not have been better! I'm still not entirely sure how we pulled it off (yes I do, I worked really hard, my husband is amazing and our families... ROCK!) but it sure turned out to be my personal favorite Thanksgiving ever!!!

Thank you to all of our family for giving us such a memorable Thanksgiving! Our lives are truly rich because of you! All our love through the Holidays and always!

Jenna and John

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family

Andrew & Shara's wedding

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Longtime friend Shara Orton wedded close family friend Andrew Hovde on Saturday July 21st 2007 at Pioneer Park in Steilacoom, Wa.

God was watching down on Andrew and Shara as their wedding day approached. Planning an outdoor wedding seems to have it's way of making even the most confident brides and grooms bite their nails. They carefully chose July 21st because it was shown by the Farmers Almanac not to have rained on that day in many, many, many years! One of the other reasons they opted for a July 21st and not a July 7th (7/7/07) wedding.

At the rehearsal, it had been gloomy and rainy on and off all day. The rain clouds parted just long enough for us to run through the ceremony. It was PERFECT! Once we had the rehearsal down, it was off to dinner at Pomodoro's in Tacoma.

The entire day and into the evening had gone off with out a hitch. Even as a bridesmaid and friends of the couple we were able to capture some great pictures from the day.

Saturday morning, the wedding day was here! Andrew had been sent to stay at a friends house the night before, so Shara, her beautiful daughter Makaila and great friend Brandi Otnes all bunked together.
Tara Seabaugh along with myself arrived at Shara's bright and early to get things going! And going they got! Enjoying Mimosa's and each other's company, Shara's wedding day was under way!

The entire day was absolutely amazing and went perfectly. Shara, one of the most stunningly beautiful brides I have ever seen was calm, cool and collected. The groom (I heard from my husband John who spent the morning with him and his groomsmen) reported that he wasn't to bad himself! Andrew of course had his long time friends Chris, Tim and Dan at his side as well. In fact, Andrews good friend Bill Washburn (AKA "the good reverend") married the two!

The rest of the day was beautiful. From the food (Thank you Gallucci's) to the music (thank you John Karwoski) it truly was a great day!
Thank you Andrew & Shara for allowing us to share in your special day!

I have to say a little extra... being that these two are such great friends, John and I couldn't be happier for Shara and Andrew. You're truly blessed with the love that you have for one another and we wish you the best! We'll always be here for you! Love you guys lots!

John & Jenna

Labels: Family

Busy with a capital B!

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It's been a really busy month! I can hardly believe it's already the end of June! Well if you are wondering what John and I have been up to the past month...read on, but I warn you there's alot! :)

Lets start at the beginning shall we? John and I started packing to move to our new home the first part of May which if you've ever moved before, you know all about the packing and cleaning that goes along with it. Needless to say that consumed much of my time.

Friday May 18th, I was off to Las Vegas with one of my best friends to celebrate her bachelorette party! Oh what a blast we all had! Let me tell you, there's something to be said about going to Vegas in your late 20's vs. your early 20's! The first night there we were all back in our hotel rooms by 12:30 ordering room service instead of out all night, which would have been the case just a few years ago! :) Even though we were more of a laid back bunch, we had SO much fun and I think Shara, the bride to be, had a blast! That was our goal!

The following weekend (Memorial Day weekend) I had the pleasure of spending even more time with my gal pal Shara and her family! In fact Me, John his youngest daughter Mina met friends Shara, Andrew & Makaila and Chris & Karen (Andrew's sister and sister n' law) down in Oregon where we camped in tents...good'ol fashioned camping! Well we did have nice hot showers, clean bathrooms...okay well we didn't exactly "rough it" but we did sleep in tents...on the ground...well we slept on an air mattress but you get the picture! ;-)

We had yet another fabulous weekend and for the most part the thought of how much we had to do back at home...only entered my mind once or twice.

Once back home we continued to pack and clean because the upcoming weekend was our BIG move! We got the keys to our beautiful home on Thursday May 31st and the next day we began to do some needed touch up painting. Well we may have not needed to "touch up" the paint however the night before, after we go the keys...John decided to touch up a few places on various walls with the paint that was left over in the garage. It LOOKED like it was a perfect match to what was on the walls. It wasn't until the next day we came to start unloading some boxes that we noticed that all of the area's on walls that John had "touched up" were a different shade than what was originally there! SO, off to the hardware store we were to get 5 gallons of paint to re-do entire walls! ;-) I'm getting exhausted just thinking about it!

Once we were all done painting we were able to begin moving the rest of our stuff in.
I spent the first few weeks trying to unpack and get stuff situated.

Now to bring you up to this past week...Sunday June 10th, while at a friends wedding, I received a call from my Mom that my Great-Grandpa Jim had a stroke and was rushed to the hospital.
He was in stable condition but was given just day's...maybe weeks.
So all last week I spent running back and forth to Federal Way to try and spend what time I have with my Grandpa Jim. We have a really great family. My Grandpa Jim has been living with his daughter (NanaVal) and her husband (Grandpa Joe) for the past 6 years or so, since his wife (my Great Nana Della) passed away. He's suffered for many years, dementia and Alzheimer's. My Nana Val and Grandpa Joe have taken great care of Grandpa Jim and he's just as lucky to have them as we have all been to have him, in our lives.

While Grandpa Jim is still hanging on, he's been unconscious for the past few days and doctors say he can go anytime now. Grandpa Jim has 2 late wives and and of course Jesus waiting for him on the other side. That's precisely what comforts family during this time. We WILL see him and all of our loved ones who have gone before us, again one day.
The following (3) pictures taken by photographer Paul Sanders

Thank you to all who have kept us in your thoughts and prayers. Each one is felt and is very much appreciated. John and I fell extremely blessed to have friends & family such as you in our lives!

Blessings to you all!

Labels: About John and Jenna, Family

CONGRATULATIONS Alicia on your graduation!

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My beautiful, smart & talented cousin Alicia Noel Covey graduated Cum Laude this past Saturday from Northwest University, with her Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Literature & Greek!
Myself along with all of her family and friends are so very proud of her!

Alicia, 4 years of hard work, determination and much grace from God, have gotten you to where you are today! Even though you may be my little cousin, I have always look up to you! Your strength, passion and wisdom go well beyond your years. You are truly an old soul with a young heart!
I am very proud to call you my cousin and I feel blessed to be able to call you one of my best friends! I love you so much and you will always have my love and support!
May God bless you as you begin this new chapter of your life!

CONGRATULATIONS ALICIA!!!

Labels: Family

Happy 10th B-day Mina!

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Today my youngest daughter is officially a "tweenager", welcome to the double digits Mina!

Dressed in her b-day dress (and face stickers sent by grandma) we found our way to Ice Cream and a movie... Meet the Robinsons. What a great day, Happy Birthday Mina, we love you!!!