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.

no place like home

I love being home for Christmas, love spending time with the fam and everything. One of my favorite family traditions is our Christmas Eve program that, ever since we were little, my siblings and I have put together for my parents and grandparents to enjoy. Past programs have included piano, flute and violin performances, all sorts of singing, reading favorite Christmas books and of course my dad reading the story of the first Christmas from the Bible. There were even a few years that I choreographed dance routines to Mannheim Steamroller that I'd start practicing in October (those were the years my older siblings were too cool to participate in the program and I felt pressure to really deliver a show. On the flip side, there was another year much earlier that I was too shy to participate in the open so I accompanied my brother in little drummer boy by banging an upside-down pot from under the piano. I could go on with these stories, but I'll stop there).

Well now that we're all older and as our family grows bigger each year, it's been really fun to see the grandkids embrace this tradition and make it their own. Here's a peek at this year's program.

sisters, sisters...

And as per tradition, at the end of each program we hang our special stockings...

and open our Christmas PJs...

that match of course (at least for the kids).

Ok one more quick story: when I was two, I received my first nightgown on Christmas eve with my name embroidered across the front. Up until that point I had only worn the footie PJs like my brother so as soon as I put it on I ran around the room shouting "I'm a girl, I'm a girl!", or so the legend goes. Alright, enough childhood stories.

Hope you all had an equally delightful holiday!

"the deets"

I apologize for leaving you hanging with this whole Brazil thing. Bret and I have been in Utah this past week enjoying some much needed down time with family and friends (and in a house where everyone is sick). So for those two or three of you that follow this blog and have been sitting at the edge of your seat, here's the scoop:

It has always been Bret's dream to do business down in Brazil, having gone to Rio de Janeiro on his LDS mission and being a Latin American Studies and Business major. Well an opportunity has developed over the last couple months for him to start his own business there with a couple other American partners. I was wary at first, especially considering the fact that we had just moved to Seattle, but I've come to realize how great of an opportunity it is, both for Bret's career and for our family. It's also been truly amazing how everything has fallen into place to make it all happen.

If you'd like more specifics give us a call or shoot one of us an email and we'd be happy to explain things a little more. In an effort to alleviate any major concerns however, here are a few things you should know before you call us crazy:

- We aren't going alone. Bret's main partner in this venture is Drew Rigby. He happens to be one of my best friend's (Rachel Ridd Rigby) husband and he and Bret have become good friends and partners in this venture. I'm so glad we'll have each other to depend on and to experience this adventure with. His other partner is an American that already lives in Brazil.

- Drew and Bret are doing everything possible to ensure we live in a nice, safe neighborhood.

- Bret and I have always been an adventurous sort and I've really come to enjoy the thrill of stepping outside my comfort zone. It's never easy and is usually met with lots of trials, but we've always come out of it stronger and seem to learn and grow so much as a couple and as individuals.

- For those concerned about me leaving my job in Seattle, don't fret. Amazon hires most of its employees on a temporary basis for three months before extending a permanent job offer. I'll just be leaving at the end of my temp status.

-We'll be back in Salt Lake for a couple months to prepare before we head down to Brazil sometime this spring. I hope that means we'll be seeing many of you!

- We're not sure how long exactly we'll be living in Brazil but most likely a few years. We plan to visit as often as possible but thank goodness for Skype and G-chat!

As excited as we are to start this new chapter of our lives, it's true that we are heartbroken to leave Seattle. We've come to really love that city and its people and to think of it as home. I can't say enough how grateful I am for the time we've spent there, however short it was. Our hope is to return there sometime in the future but at this point, who knows where life will take us. I just hope that I'll continue to live by the motto my mother-in-law has taught me: Bloom where you're planted.

Thanks to everyone for all your support!

the adventures continue

I know that a fair amount of you are already aware of this but to those who are not, it's about time you hear our big news: Bret and I are moving again, to this place....

Not kidding here. Details to follow.