Anniversary Trip

The weekend after going to Omaha with Natalie, Phil and I went to Seattle to celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary.  We left on a Saturday afternoon and came home Monday evening.  It was a quick two-night getaway that I wish had been longer.  It is amazing how you can convince your body that you don't miss or need quality sleep until you get two nights of it and it really hits you!

We spent Saturday wandering around the city, going to Pike Place Market and wandering up and down side streets.  That night we went to a little Italian restaurant for dinner and planned on staying for the burlesque show they were famous for, but after eating dinner and dessert and realizing we still had an hour to the 11:00 start time we decided to make it an early night and went back to the hotel instead.  We decided it is because we are either old or sleep deprived.

Sunday we went to the space needle and wandered around the city a little more.  That night we went to a french restaurant that was amazing!  Phil got a steak and I got a cheese, meat and pate platter with a big chunk of great baguette.  Heaven on a plate!

Monday we slept in, checked out of the hotel and walked around stopping in little restaurants for food and drinks along the way.  We went to the airport for our 4:00 flight and were home by 7:00 to kiss the very-happy-to-see-us kids!  Six years and two kids later we are still so much in love and I for one, can't imagine my life without my wonderful husband Phil.

On the train coming into town

The Chihuly Glass Exhibit

Downtown Seattle

September Travel

Back in the middle of September, Natalie and I took a mother-daughter trip to visit my friend Ashley who lives in Omaha.  We had a blast and I for one would love to go back sooner rather than later; however, there winter isn't as friendly weather wise as the Fall, so we might need to wait for a bit.

We left on a Friday afternoon and after having a lot of time in the airport to grab a special drink and a happy meal for the plane we were the last to board - just before take off.  Amazing how exploring an airport I know so well can take as long as it did, I'm just happy we didn't miss the flight.  We got to Omaha around 5:00 and from the airport, Ashley took us to the kids school to pick them up, then to her house to drop our bags.  We went to dinner after that and to a local frozen yogurt/ice cream shop.  Once we got home everyone was beat and we went to bed.

Saturday we spent time running errands, having lunch at the park and exploring.  That night Ashley arranged to have a big dinner so I'd get to meet all her friends.  She is very good at making friends, so it was a full house and it was so much fun to put faces to all the names I'd heard so much about.  To top it all off, Ashley let me take a nap while she got everything ready for dinner!

The weather on Sunday wasn't the greatest.  We started the day off by joining some of her work friends at a party they were hosting after some had participated in a lung cancer walk/run.  After that we hit a local fair and art market then had lunch and enjoyed pizza dinner that night at home.

Monday the kids went to school and we joined them for lunch followed by us grabbing food for ourselves at a great neighborhood restaurant.  After lunch we got our toes painted and drove to the airport.  Quick weekend trip and we had so much fun!  We landed at 7:00 and were home by 7:45 in time to see my sweet boy before he reluctantly went to sleep.

On the plane in route

Lunch in the park

at the art festival

jump house

on the way to school for lunch

at lunch with Christian

Toe painting

On the plane to come home

Natalie took about 10 pictures of these people

Summer Photos

At the end of March we met the wonderful Kirstin Roper out at the Great Salt Lake to have some family photos taken.  It is amazing what this woman can do with a field, some dried weeds and a family - she is an exceptional photographer and we love being with her and love the results.  Here are a few of our favorites, at always it was so hard picking a few to share here.

Phil and I also had a few of just us taken.  We haven't had photos taken since our engagement photos and I have to say we like these even more.

Update...through photos

A lot has happened in the past few months, in addition to the other updates, here are a few photo updates:

Philip had his first ear infection.  Happened during the child care crisis

Amazing what some drugs and numbing ear drops do for an uncomfortable boy, within a few hours of taking his first dose he was about 83% better.  No wonder the doctor and pharmacist stressed the importance of him finishing all the medicine, and not stopping when he felt better. 

Phil bought Natalie a Play-Doh cake making station

She loves it and loves making cakes for everyone

I found this idea somewhere, not sure where.  I took big slices of watermelon and let 

Natalie cut it up with cookie cutters.  She went through at least 4 slices in this sitting. 

Natalie & Philip had a 4th of July parade at school - which basically meant that they walked down the hallway way too fast for me to get proper photos.  This is the only one that looked okay

Natalie had ballet photos taken at dance class - this side head pose comes out when she wears that tutu

A few days after her class photos they had their year-end recital 

(see the side head pose? She wouldn't take her photo any other way)

She loved being on the stage - this is after the show, she insisted on 

going back up on stage to dance again, this time solo

We took down the crib, no more babies here.  Philip is officially in a big boy bed and has been doing pretty good.  He is still not a great sleeper, but at least he is in his own room.

These are from our recent trip to St George, Natalie was very impressed because she caught her own lizard this time. Every night she let the new pet go, and every morning she would catch another one.  

They were all named Hoatio

Tea Party on the patio in George

Auntie let Natalie try another face mask - which she LOVES