Seattle

Well...I am finally blogging my trip to Seattle. I had a wonderful time from the moment Kim picked me up from the Seattle airport to the time my mom pulled the van to the Omaha airport curb and I could hear "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!" being chanted from a cars length away. (If you've never had that pleasure...you don't know what you're missing, let me tell you! It will be one of the highlights of my life.)

This was my third trip to Seattle. The first time, Matt and I went and took Lainey when she was 5 months old just for fun. We had always wanted to go. We stayed in Seattle not far from Pikes Place Market and would walk everywhere we wanted to go. The second time we went was over the 4th of July 2007 when I was pregnant with Sawyer. We left Sophie at home because we thought it would be too much for her but took Lainey. We're hoping to go again sometime with the whole family; it's a great place to visit! And, we have fabulous hosts! :-)


Kim on the way to Silverdale, WA, where a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving dinner awaited us...prepared by Brian. Thanks, Brian! We shared dinner with his friend, Jake, who works with Brian and has no family in town and a fiance' who has not moved out to Washington yet. We had a great evening and poured over the sale ads when we were finished dinner. Yes...we were crazy enough to get up at 3:45AM to head out to brave the crowds. We got some good deals (but not as good as I remember in the past), and I had a great time shopping with my sister! Friday afternoon Kim treated me to an incredible spa afternoon at a resort. Am I spoiled or what?

Kim and Brian just moved into a new house. I was their first guest. A big reason I was out there was to help decorate...which I love to do, although you can't really tell looking at my house. We had fun shopping for accessories and getting things hung and arranged that they already had. We did some furniture shopping too. By the time I left, I think they were feeling a big more settled.


This is a view from the side of their house looking into part of their backyard. The people who lived there before them did a wonderful job landscaping.

Ahhh...one of the highlights of my trip! IKEA! We drove to Seattle on Saturday and shopped at IKEA for several hours. That's how long it takes to go through the store...literally. What Kim and Brian don't know is that I could have spent several hours more there. :-)

Thankfully, I do not live in Seattle because I fear this is what I would look like leaving IKEA. Fortunately, what I bought had to fit in my suitcases, so my purchases were quite small. But, I could do some serious damage at that store...and I could have oh so much fun decorating my house!

This is all that amounted from my shopping there...a small cry from my dream purchases. :-)

Sunday Kim and I ferried across to Seattle and Pike Place Market. (Brian met us later in the afternoon for some furniture shopping.) This is one of my favorite places. It is filled with so many fresh market finds.

No matter what time of year you can always find street performers at Pike Place Market.

Even on November 30, there was fresh produce galore. You can't tell but the green stuff in the front basket was a cross between cauliflower and broccoli. It was quite unique. They just have a bit of everything there...fruits and veggies...and often have samples of different types of produce.

There was also a fresh pasta stand that had every sort of fresh made pasta imaginable. They even had chocolate pasta and a recipe to go with it. The recipe was for a type of dessert with berries and cream. There were stands with fresh cheeses, jerkies, jams, dipping sauces and oils, etc. They also have stands that sell goods people make: lotions, soaps, crafts, paintings, etc.

Of course, you can't walk through without seeing the famous fish throwing. If you buy one of the fresh fish the guys hurl it through the air and wrap it up for you. I've never seen them drop one. Although they do have a "dummy" fish that they throw and drop...or throw into the crowd...to catch people off-guard. It gets me every time.

I bought two fresh crab for Kim and I to eat that night. YUM! (Poor Brian is allergic.)

They invited me behind the counter to get better pictures. I asked for them to be cracked...so Kim and I didn't have to work quite as hard. :-) So, they cleaned and cracked the crab for us. Then, the wrapped it and put it on ice.

Here we are enjoying the crab that evening. They were simply delicious. They just crack them a little but leave them in the shell. So, it's still fun. You have to work some to get to the meat.


Thankfully, I brought empty suitcases when I flew out there because they were packed when I came home. I managed to get all the gifts into these two suitcases and my clothes shoved into my carry-on. It was easier to leave my sister knowing she'll be home for Christmas in just a couple weeks, but having that time out there with her reminded me just how much I do miss her. Thanks, Kim and Brian, for a wonderful time!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving will be a little different for us this year. I am flying to Seattle tomorrow morning to spend it with my sister, Kim, and her husband, Brian. Matt and the kiddos will head to Kearney to my brother's house for lunch then on to his Grandma's or Grandpa's house later in the day. They'll then head to his parent's in Wallace tomorrow night and spend some time with Grammy and Grandpa Monte until heading home on Sunday. Matt took Monday off work to be with the kids but unfortunately had to fly out on Tuesday. So, my mom will head up Monday night to watch them Tuesday until I get home Tuesday evening. So, that's it in a nutshell. We'll all be with family...and that's what's most important.

It's funny because although I am with my kids every day, I will miss them like crazy these days that am I gone. To some, that just sounds ridiculous, I'm sure. Don't get me wrong, I am most definitely looking forward to spending some time with my sister and brother-in-law, seeing their new house and just relaxing....and...I would probably be scratching at the door ready for a break had I not just been in New Orleans for several days. But, Sawyer is taking about a dozen plus steps on his own now finally, and I am quite certain he will be walking completely by the time I get home. And, I just love my kids...what can I say? :-)

Now...with that all said...YES...I am very excited to head to Seattle...who wouldn't be? My sister and her husband just bought a house. I am their first guest! Although I am traveling all day Thanksgiving, there is certain to be a feast waiting when I arrive. I did remind them I am only one extra person. :-) We are braving the crowds Friday to shop then watching the Huskers on Friday! Fun! I am actually going to get to WATCH the game!!!!! :-) We are sleeping in...maybe taking naps...gabbing...catching up...I get to help her decorate!!!! I am super excited to do this. I love decorating; although you wouldn't know it to look at my house. I love helping other people though...when they ask my opinion. So, YES...it's going to be a blast!

Yesterday, we made turkey handprints to send to some of the relatives the kids will see this weekend. Tonight we made Oreo turkeys. The girls loved this project. Really, they love any craft project we do together. "This is the funnest day, Mom!" (What more could you ask for?)









Well...I'm off to finish packing me and the kids...


To finish...I couldn't be more thankful as I sit here for:

• a God that loves us


• beautiful healthy children


• loving families


• a husband that loves and supports me


• a warm place to call Home


• wonderful friends


• employment


• health


• friendly neighbors


• living in a world as I know it where I truly don't know fear


• freedom


• bountiful food


• and so, so, so much more!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

You better watch out...

Oh! I forgot one of my other favorite things about the Christmas season.

"Santa is watching!"

With a 4 1/2 year old and 3 year old, I think it's really going to work well this year. Yesterday when fighting over a toy, I suddenly remembered that although it's still a couple days from Thanksgiving, it's really not too early for Santa and his elves to start keeping their eyes on little girls and boys...two little girls in particular. As soon as I took the toy and explained that if Santa or his elves had happened to see the girls fighting they were probably on the naughty list...the questions started flying and looks of concern flooded their faces.

"Mom, how does Santa see us?"

"How do the elves do their peeking?"

"Mom, what do elves sound like?"

"I think Santa is going to just come and ring our doorbell one of these days to give us a checking up on."

"I just don't know how Santa does it. He lives up there, and it's so cold. And, he has to take care of those reindeer too." (Lainey) "He better get Crack-a-lackin' " (Sophie)

"I think I can get back on the good list." (Lainey) "Yeah, me too!" (Sophie)

ALLELUIA!! (ME...silently in my head)....let's make this last

(Oh...and I had the most fun answering their questions too.) :-)

As I was getting ready to send this, I remembered that last night while eating dinner the phone rang. It was UPS, just a computer call, scheduling a pick-up. So, I didn't say a word. When I hung up, Lainey wanted to know who it was. I said it was Mrs. Claus calling to say that Santa saw the girls picking up their toy room and they were now on the good list. He was very proud of the great job they did. You should have seen those smiles from ear to ear!

What a FUN Christmas season this is going to be!!!

Say "Cheese!"

Since these pictures were taken 2 months ago...I thought I would FINALLY post them! We went to have Sawyer's 1 year photos taken and Sophie's 3 year pictures taken. (I had to get a shot of Lainey too.) I tried desperately to get one of the three of them together, but that was just NOT going to happen. They were so bad that none of them even made it onto the disk I purchased. I even tried to get one with me and the kids to give to Matt, but you will see our best attempt at that...and I did say BEST attempt, so you can imagine what the others looked like. :-) I was seriously sweating in this picture too, just trying to make it all work...pathetic. The things we do, I tell you. My usually so happy-smiley boy was a little fuss-bucket that morning...isn't that how it goes though? But somehow our photographer captures some good pictures.

Anyway...enjoy...and as I upload these pictures and look at them again....remember your miracles today too. :-)

Quotes...

Here are a couple quotes from the girls:

• In getting the stew set on the table one night for dinner and putting a buttered roll beside her bowl, Lainey looked up at me and said, "Thanks, Mom! You know me, I'm a roll girl!"

• Sophie is really into naming her babies lately. I recently brought some old dolls of mine back here and washed them up for the girls to play with. She had one of them the other day and asked what her name was. I told her, "Karen." Sophie thought for a few minutes, then VERY seriously looked up at me and said..."I think I'm going to name her 'Jesus Who Died On the Cross' ". Talk about a hard time keeping a straight face!

• Sophie: Out of the blue in the van the other day..."Mom, you know me, right? I love all candy!"

• Lainey last night. "I'm going to make a great mom someday." (She most certainly will too!) :-) It just melted my heart.

The Big Easy

I have not been neglecting my blog...have just been preoccupied with much more important things...like being in New Orleans with Matt! I flew out last Thursday, November 5, and just returned yesterday, November 10. It was a long time to be gone from my kiddos...but what a nice break too. Matt's been working on a project for Ursuline Academy, the oldest operating school in the country, down in New Orleans since July. They had a fundraising event and homecoming weekend, so it was a good time for Matt to stay and meet alum and me to come down and visit. (Thanks, Mom, for watching the kids!!!) I should have had my camera with me more often, but here are a few pictures from our vacation.


Going to La Fete Friday night...Ursuline's big fundraiser. Fete means party in French. The event was really nice, and once again, the food was amazing. It was catered by several different restaurants. I tried turtle soup (not bad but probably won't eat that again), all sorts of yummy shrimp dishes, carrot souffle (would LOVE to eat this again), spinach and artichoke pasta, etc. They had oysters on the half shell which Matt loves, and I just can't do. So, he enjoyed those.


After La Fete at midnight we went to Cafe Du Monde. It's the original French Market coffee stand. They have coffee with steamed milk and beignets. They are hot square doughnuts fried and piled with powdered sugar (as you can see). We were SO not hungry when we went here...but they were good! And...to top it off...we were served by Wednesday from The Addams Family! :-)

Saturday we walked and walked all over the French Quarter. We saw the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active cathedral in the U.S. and walked the Riverwalk to see the Mississippi River and the River Boats and barges. We ate at the Napoleon House but unfortunately as you can see we were tucked into a corner instead of seated in the beautiful courtyard they had. The wall was covered with graffiti...we should have added our name. :-)

They do have city fountains and park areas throughout the city...Here is a fountain area that was dedicated by a past Mayor of New Orleans who we met at La Fete Friday night.

There are cable cars that run along the streets. They don't run on a set schedule but have several stops that people just wait at. It costs $1.25 to ride as far as you want.

These are the views from our hotel room of the Mississippi River. It was fun to watch the different kinds of boats.



Saturday night we had reservations at The Bistro at Maison de Ville. The President at Ursuline Academy is personal friends with the chef so called in a favor to get us a reservation. It was probably one of the best if not the best meal I've ever eaten. And..the chef gave us free desserts...scrumptious!

Here we are with Chef Greg...what a nice man.

After dinner we walked around. I took this picture because there are these lanterns hanging everywhere. Matt and I love them...they even had a standing one on the auction at La Fete. They have a gas flame that continuously flickers...cool.


Here is the famous Bourbon Street. The party-goers LOVE this place. There is no open container law there, so you can walk around the street any time of day with a beer or any type of alcoholic drink in your hand...that was a little weird at first to see. I personally found it very dirty. People watching was quite interesting though!

On Sunday we did the very touristy thing and took a swamp tour. We didn't see any gators, but we did learn some very interesting facts. I had a very stereotypical idea of the swamp...mossy, stinky, gross. I was very wrong. It really was very clean and beautiful...and not stinky at all. :-) The white bird is an egret. The blue one...a blue heron. The birds in the trees are killed and their meat sold on the black market for $13/lb. I can't remember what they're called. The mossy stuff hanging from the trees (you can just see a little in the tree with the birds) used to be harvested by our tour guide's grandfather who contracted with Henry Ford and put it in the seats of the cars. The cotton that they used to use would not dry out, and this would dry out and spring right back into shape.





Being in the swamp was very serene. It was beautiful. And, it was a place I probably won't be again, so even though we didn't see a gator, I'm glad we went.

The nicest part was completing conversations with my husband, going to bed early and sleeping in, having complete (HOT) meals (and LOTS of them...I think all we did was eat!), reading a book on the plane and at the airport, and just generally enjoying Matt's company.

Trick-or-Treat!

Here are the Halloween pictures of the kiddos. I must not have had a setting right on my camera when taking their pictures :-( so they didn't turn out the best (except the one of Sawyer when I brought him in for the night). It was absolutely gorgeous weather! ...so much so that Sawyer loved riding in the wagon watching the other kids and we were out much longer than anticipated. So, when he and I got home (Matt stayed out longer with the girls)...we didn't have any trick-or-treaters at our door. Had I known we were going to be gone so long, I would have left the bowl on the front porch. I guess Matt's co-workers will be getting a load of candy tomorrow. :-)

Anyway...the girls LOVED trick-or-treating and were so, so, so excited to go this year!

Lainey was a pink poodle and practiced all week...

Me: "Ding-Dong" Lainey: (high voice) "Arf-Arf, Trick-or-Treat, Please....Thank You!"

Sophie was a pirate princess (SO fitting for her...a gift from her Uncle Scott and Maggie for her birthday) and practiced all week...

Me: "Ding-Dong" Sophie: (low voice) "Arrrr, Matey! Trick-or-Treat, Please...Thank You!"

Sawyer was a very soft and cuddly Tigger. He kept the head on just fine and didn't seem to mind wearing the mittens either. He was just perfectly content to be in the wagon watching all of the dressed up kids!