nice and easy

Since B has been in Brazil for the past couple weeks, I decided to spend some of the time he's away visiting my sister and her family in southern California (I also spent some of the time having the stomach flu, but I'm guessing you'd rather not hear that story).

The trip went by too fast, but it was just what I needed. Quality sister time, beautiful and warm weather (and so green after all that rain they got), major r&r and a great distraction from missing Bret. I also got to have lots of fun with the little one, miss Norah.
Afternoon in Santa Monica

Picking out cupcakes at Crumbs (red velvet for me!)
Point Dume Beach in Malibu...

They're a family.

I love this one.

(whitest person on the beach with the cutest person)
Please appreciate the amount of activity on this cliff: photo shoot above, swimsuit photo shoot below and rock climbers in between.
Thank you Bowens for a fabulous time and for getting all those Yo Gabba Gabba songs stuck in my head.

simply tragic

I rarely get caught up in entertainment news* but, despite still having some of my favorite shows on television, NBC has gone too far with this whole Conan business and I'm seriously considering writing them a strongly-worded letter.

Conan, you're a gentleman and a comedic delight. Please don't leave us for good.

*I think we all know that statement is a lie.

so long, seattle.

So short, is more like it. We may have been in Seattle for only 6 months, but it was certainly great while it lasted. Sure, we had our share of bumps in the road (literally and figuratively) while we were there but that's life. I'm sad it went by so fast but I'm proud of the way we spent our time there: lots of exploring the area, making great new friends and getting reacquainted with old ones, eating an assortment of delicious foods, fun visits from family and friends and of course, plenty of picture-taking. And what do you know, I'm going to take this opportunity to reflect back on some of our favorite moments in Seattle with pictures, some of which I have put up before and others I meant to but never got around to. Like these at the Fremont Troll under the bridge. Slightly creepy, yes, but I appreciate that the city would support such a creative piece of public art. It's huge too, that's a real VW bug in it's grip.

We took these at the boat Locks in early fall.

watching the fish ladder

Trips to the beach and other water adventures.

The beloved Queen Anne Farmer's Market

Fresh produce= delicious meals (this was during our phase of making omelets after watching a special by Julia Child). *Somewhat relevant side fact: I later cut my finger open with that big knife.

A few favorites:
Gas Works Park

The little Duckies

Ferry Ride in the San JuansBeaches

ArboretumHudson River Hero
Sculpture GardenThe San Juans
Pike's place at Christmas
Space Needle Goodbye Seattle... for now at least.

bowl time

January 2nd.
Olympus Hills Bowling.
Salt Lake City, Utah.
A night of friendship and frivolity.
These are the guys...

and these are your girls (my Cat Deeley impression).STRIKE.... a pose.
Candice is a champion bowler.
The Scotts
The Kramers

Bret and the Wheelers.
The picture above is incredible. The light that goes across Jordan's face makes the perfect arch of a mustache (feel free to zoom).

*note: apparently Bret and I didn't get the memo that you have to wear stripes to bowl.

pike's place with friends

Right before we went to Utah for Christmas, our friends the Wilsons came to stay with us here in Seattle for a few days. Brig had a cousin getting married here but we like to think that was just an excuse to come see us. We're so glad they did because with them living in Dubai and us heading to Brazil, its uncertain when we'll see each other again.

It was a quick trip and they were busy with wedding stuff but we tried to squeeze in some sightseeing while they were here, including Pike's Place Market, which was decked for the season.

(note: this is not their child, just some random kid in uni-orange getting scared by the grossest looking fish ever)

Brig's parents and brother were also in town so they joined us at the market.

(I enjoy it when Bret walks with his hands behind his back, like a wise old man does.)

And perhaps the best part was getting to finally hang out with their little Olivia, one of the happiest, sweetest girls I've ever met.

Thanks for coming Cait and Brig, it was a great pleasure.