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 + ! 

Simple Things: A Birthday, Attle's House and Easter

What a beautiful sunny weekend we've had!  Today the high was somewhere in the upper 60s! Yes!  I am not going to jinx myself by saying spring is in full swing just yet, but I have the feeling it might be close!  I survived my first Washington winter, and I'm not even depressed!  I'd call that a success!  :) That is a wonderfully simple thing in and of itself.  You just can't buy sunny weather and how happy it makes me.

Another thing that makes me very happy, even more than the sunshine, is this little lady.
Clare's official first birthday was this past week.  It's almost unbelievable to me!  We really didn't do much to celebrate - but the weather was nice and we spent the day as a family.  What could be better?!

Clare's smile is infectious.  She loves to laugh and such a happy baby.  I am actually going to really miss the infant stage, but am so excited to see her continue to grow and learn.  She is just so much fun.

Clare's Favorite Things: 
Eating (Yogurt, fruit, snacks, eggs, toast, peas -you name it)!
Dancing
Following Noah around the house
Growling
Playing with her toys
Playing with Mommy's cell phone
Sleeping
Being chased by Mom or Dad (or even Noah for that matter).
Kisses
Being Tickled! (Not really sure about this one, but I love to tickle her! ha)

She has her 1 year baby well appointment this week and I am anxious to see how she's grown (because I know she has).  Clare really is so light hearted and lovable.  She is so much fun to play with and I know Noah enjoys it as much as we do.  I couldn't imagine our family without her!  Happy Birthday Clare Sophia.  xoxo

This weekend we also took a trip up to Seattle to spend a day with some friends that will also be moving out to Boston to attend HBS.  We are excited to already know people there, and I think it will make the transition much easier!

Before we went up to the city, we had been telling Noah that we were going up to Seattle to spend the day with friends.  When he woke up on Saturday morning he said, "Mommy, wanna go to Attle's house?"  I had him repeat it several times because I really wasn't sure what he had said - until Andy figured it out.  Noah wanted to go to 'see' Attle - thinking that Attle was our friend!  We had a good crack up over that!

We decided to spend the day at the Pacific Science Center.  The kids had a blast and so did the parents - although I am pretty sure we were all ready for bed early last night!

This last picture totally grosses me out, but Noah loved the bugs!  He is at a funny stage when it comes to creepy crawlers!  He has a picture book with animals and bugs in it.  Every once in a while he will pretend to grab a bug out of the book, throw it up in the air and catch it in his mouth!  "Mommy!  Mmm, belicious!" He will say.  I always tell him that it's yucky - but as long as he doesn't ever do it in real life, then he can pretend all he wants!  Noah loved everything.  In fact he is still talking about it (especially the train)!

Lastly, a few pictures of Easter.  It has been the perfect Easter Sunday.  Beautiful spring weather, quality time with some friends and some Easter egg hunts.  Call me a scrooge, but I'm not really big into the whole Easter Bunny thing - but we did surprise Noah with a few things and he was excited.  And Clare?  Well she got a new pair of shoes, lucky girl!  haha Lame I know.  Here's to planning ahead next year. 

  

Searching for the Eggs!

I realize as I do these weekly posts, just how much I have to be grateful for.  Without sounding cliche or cheesy, today I am especially grateful for the real reason we celebrate Easter.  The resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ.  

“The empty tomb that first Easter morning was the answer to Job’s question, ‘If a man die, shall he live again?’ To all within the sound of my voice, I declare, If a man die, he shall live again. We know, for we have the light of revealed truth. …

“My beloved brothers and sisters, in our hour of deepest sorrow, we can receive profound peace from the words of the angel that first Easter morning: ‘He is not here: for he is risen.’”⁴

President Thomas S. Monson

Happy Easter!

Little Helper...

I have neglected these pictures for no good reason.  I feel like lately that I have nothing to blog about (give me some inspiration)!  Anyway, just to back track a little bit, I thought I would share a few pictures and some of what we have been up to lately!

Like I mentioned before, Andy's sisters Natalie and MacKenzie came up to visit.  We really enjoyed having them, and used them as an excuse to visit Pike Market again.  We love it there (especially the food). If you visit Seattle, it is a must.

I know this picture probably looks familiar, but the view is beautiful!

Here's the clan, minus yours truly... they are a handsome bunch

Some of our favorite places to eat?  Well Tiny's Organic of course (they make the yummiest organic smoothies), Shy Giant Yogurt had the creamiest yogurt I think I've ever had... and then there's the forgotten Gyro place that had incredible gyros (I can't remember their name).  We will definitely be going again (as if I even need to say it).

These next pictures are just in case you were wondering.... yes, that little white boy is Noah.  I have always had a fair complexion but I honestly have no idea where his comes from...

I did attempt to get him to look at the camera, but he obviously refused.

I also tried to get him to sit down in the pool, but he refused me on that one too.  Then I thought I would wade in the water with him for a little bit, I quickly realized why he wouldn't sit down...the water was frigid!

Noah has definitely become my little helper.  He will get me tissues, the wipes, help me put laundry away, help me make dinner and even help me put the dishes away...but the most valuable chore he does.... well, this speaks for itself.



Lastly, I snapped some pictures of Noah and Clare last Sunday before Church.  I can't help myself, but I just think they are the two cutest kids around.  I am such a lucky lady.
(like I mentioned in the post about Clare, she loves the song skinamarinki dinky dink...and as I took these pictures I was singing that song.  Needless to say, Noah was singing along...which explains the goofy look on his face in some of these...)

Downtown Seattle Center

This past weekend we took a little family trip up to the Pacific Science Center.  We were only able to see a fraction of the exhibits, but we had a great time.  Dinosaurs, insects, reptiles and even a little area just for tots (which Noah loved).

Waiting for the Monorail..

We love taking the train...not only is it fun to ride - but it's a great place to people watch (am I right or am I right).  

The Seattle Center is full of all sorts of goodies...the Pacific Science center and the Space Needle just to name a few.  We didn't go up in the Space Needle, but we had a good view of it! 

The science center was great.  This was the first time I had actually even been to a science center (that I can recall).  We really enjoyed it, and hope to go back to see more of the exhibits!  

Noah LOVED the dinosaur exhibit....the pictures aren't that great, because of how dark the room was (but you get the idea). 

Next up was the just for tots exhibit.  Noah loved this one the most (because he is considered a tot and all). 

 Notice the devoted Dodger's fan in the background of this picture.... Go DODGERS! 

Anyone who knows our little Noah knows how in heaven he is in these last pictures...he got to sit and play in this car for a while...and he was so happy. 

In case you are wondering about baby Clare, she spent most of the time in the stroller sleeping (oh how I love my stroller).  Anyway, aside from the one HUGE blowout she had, I think she really enjoyed the trip! :) 

This week Andy's sisters are here visiting and we have lots in store...hope you are all having as much fun as we are!