one

I can't believe my baby is one already. It hasn't been the easiest year, but it's sure been the best. Ethan has brought so much joy to our lives and being his mom has been my greatest pleasure. We love you little E!

lazy sunday.

more seattle

As promised, here are a few more photos of our trip to Seattle. We spent a lovely week and a half there, stopping by our old ward, catching up with friends, walking around our old neighborhood and hitting up some (ie: many) of our favorite restaurants. We also checked out a few new sites we'd never been to before. Unfortunately, I only brought out my camera on a couple occasions (I've become way too lazy lately, preferring thr convenience of my phone instead), but you get the idea. 

Pike Place Market. Yes, it's the most tourist-y spot in Seattle, but you gotta drop by at least once if you can - if only to get a crepe or Beecher's sandwich. In all the times I have gone in the past, I've never taken a picture with the gold pig. Ethan loves "this little piggy went to market" so I thought it fitting.


Back to Kerry Park, only this time the weather was perfection. Love those clear days when you can see all the way to Mt. Rainier.

Checking out our old turf at the Queen Anne Farmer's Market. Felt like we never left, like we could just go right upstairs to our apartment (wa waaa).

It was our first time back to Seattle since we moved from there a year and half ago, so there were definitely some bittersweet emotions going on. I think we'd love to end up there again someday but for now, we just enjoyed spending time in a city we love. 

seattle meet-up

After spending a week in Spokane with Bret's family, we decided on a bit of a whim to bop over to Seattle. We were hoping to see many friends in the area, including the Christensens who live just north of the city on Whitbey Island. When we talked to them we were excited to hear that our friends the Montierths would also be in town for a couple days, so we booked it cross-state to meet up with them.

Although the weather wasn't amazing that first day (the rest of the week was perfection), we had a delightful time together as we made the rounds to some of the more scenic spots. Ashley Clark and her son Bennett also met up with us for some lunch at the 5 Spot and a stop at Kerry Park. The Clarks were our rocks when we first moved to Seattle so it was great to see them! 

Next we hit up Gas Works Park.We loved meeting little Fara Montierth, such a doll!

The huddle. The boys spent a bulk of their time looking up anything and everything we encountered or talked about on their iPhones and researching it. I think here they are trying to identify which house on Lake Union was the Sleepless in Seattle house. They were successful.

The Fremont Troll under the bridge.

Reading to the children. About poop.

That night we took the Ferry over to Whitbey Island and stayed at the Christensen's scenic home and had a group sleepover. P.S. Bret is growing out his hair if you haven't noticed yet.

The  next day the Christensens took us to a quaint little town on the island called Langley. There we encountered a rather friendly, very musical gentleman. Things got patriotic.

It was a shining moment in our lives. And yes, I'm aware that I CANNOT carry a tune but I sound particularly bad here. Bret on the other hand has great vocal skills that he rarely exhibits outside of church. It gives me some hope for our children.

We're so glad we got to spend time with such good friends. Thanks to the Christensens for accommodating all of us, including our very light-sleeping child. We had a blast! More pictures of our time in Seattle to come.