Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Simple Things


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This week I am grateful to be a mom!  I am grateful for other women who inspire me in my work to be a better mom.   I am especially grateful for children who are a patient and a Heavenly Father who guides me in my commitment!

My friend Emily started an honest and uplifting blog about life as a mother and she asked me to be her first guest post!  I am so flattered and grateful that she gave me the opportunity to share some of my thoughts on being a woman and a mother.

You can see the post by clicking HERE .  You should also stick around and read all the other great posts she has!!

Thanks Em.


Pictures of the Week...


Shopping at H&M is always fun for everyone! :) 

 "Ohhhh, Mommy!  Look at that boooooooger!"

 Now that's a funny face Clare!!

 Seattle Anniversary Weekend!

 Getting ready for our 'fancy' dinner....

 Headed out to enjoy the day together!

Noah had a hard time even making it though lunch.....


Anniversary Weekend

This past weekend Andy and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary.  Generally we keep the festivities pretty low key.  Going out to dinner as a family, renting a movie etc.  This year, though, we decided to really celebrate!

Andy booked a hotel in Seattle right in Pike Place and we were fortunate enough to have his Mom (Nana Stac) come up to watch the kids for a night.  She will receive many blessings for that I know.  Not only were we grateful to her for allowing us to go away for a night, but Clare was a beast all night (teething/sick).  So thanks for taking one for the team Stacie!  We really appreciate that!

After Nana arrived Andy and I took off.  We first went and grabbed a bite to eat and then drove up to our hotel.  Our dinner reservations were at 8pm so we had a little time to kill.  We even stopped at the mall and walked around a bit, checked into our hotel (which was very nice) and decided to stroll around the city to kill time.  After a while we went back to the hotel to get all ready for the evening.

This is a view from the front of our hotel.  This is how close is was to the market!


View from the Hotel rooftop. Loved it! 

Our dinner reservations were at the Brooklyn Oyster. Steak and Seafood House and we did not leave disappointed...




I had the salmon and Andy had a steak.  Our waiter was the best waiter I've ever had!  I told Andy you realize you've been to the chain restaurants so much when you come to a place like this and see what an eating out experience could really be like!  haha Although the food was amazing, it wasn't something we could do on a regular basis.  The cost was pretty pricy, but worth every penny!



The next day we decided to walk around the market/city a bit.  First stop was breakfast at a little bistro close to the hotel.  Andy got a Crab, Swiss and Avocado omelet.  It was delicious!  I got French Toast.  YUM!  The best part was the freshly squeezed OJ.  I mean, that's how oj's supposed to taste! :)

After that we walked around the market and got one of my favorite things...a Tiny's organic smoothie...




We didn't really buy much at the market besides food, haha.  But if you've ever been to Pike Place that is a huge part of the environment...all the delicious food that you can't find anywhere else!  Ahhh I love farmer's markets!

We saw the infamous gum wall.  It was interesting, but actually pretty disgusting!




Pretty amazing if you think about how long some of that gum has been there!  Read about it more here.

For lunch we got a little Pike Place Chowder (another one of the market's famous places to eat).  It's always packed and there are always musicians sitting outside trying to make a little cash money...this guy was actually pretty good...


The Chowder was awesome!


After lunch we walked around a little more in the city and then headed for home.  On our way home we stopped at the mall and got a few things for the kids to bring back.  We had a great time!! 

When we got home the kids were playing outside with Nana...and the reunion was sweet.  We have pics, but I will have to add them another time.  

I am so grateful that I was able to spend the weekend with Andy.  It's just what I needed and I loved every minute of it.  I am so grateful to have a husband who is my best friend.  Here's to another 55 years + !