SBUX drive thru

A few weeks ago, two days in a row, as I was driving to the morning walk I stopped at Starbucks for a breakfast smoothie (and blueberry muffin for the little kid in the backseat). I chose the Lake City one as it was on my way, and the right side of the street. Both days I drove through the same girl was working the window. That first day she was super nice and chatty and I left feeling pleasantly uplifted. The second day she remembered me and was even more chatty, telling me that it was her birthday and how excited she was to celebrate with a night of karaoke. Something about that conversation and how genuinely happy of a person she was left me feeling like she had completely made my day. She put me in such a great mood with her upbeat attitude and the rest of my day was actually better because of my brief morning encounter with a friendly barista. Do you ever have those moments, when one short meeting or even a smile from a stranger just makes you feel happy?

Our Summer In Photos, part four

REI Photo Shoot

In July, Emma was chosen to be part of the winter REI catalog. We went down to the REI headquarters in South Seattle where they shoot all of their products and Emma got to be a diva for the day! And diva she was! She asked for water and wouldn't drink it until she had a straw! Uh-oh!! These photos can also be seen on the REI website.

Our Summer In Photos, part three

Emma's new 'Big Girl Bed'

In July we were lucky enough to get an awesome deal on a super cute twin bed for Emma. We hadn't originally planned on getting her a twin bed, she was doing great in her convertible crib, but we (ok, me) decided that laying with her at night to read stories was getting a little cramped and a bigger bed would be nice.

Our Summer In Photos, part two

Girl's Night Out

Jessica invited me along to help celebrate her friend Taylor's 21st Birthday. We met up at the Red Door in Fremont and had a blast! Although I didn't take many pictures, I did get a few of Jessica and the birthday girl taking shots...lovely!

Jessica and the birthday girl, Taylor

Washington Apple shots

Jessica and I

Our Summer In Photos, part one

Norm's Trivia Night

July 2009

Eric and I have been going to Norm's since December 2nd 2005, the night of our rehearsal dinner. That's right, we are so awesome that we hosted our rehearsal dinner at a bar, more importantly, a bar that allows dogs. A dog bar. For the first year of being married we would go to Norm's every month on the 3rd, our anniversary. Once Emma came along though our monthly outings became sporadic and then non-existent. But we still love Norm's and go there whenever we can (afford it!). Norm's does a trivia night every Thursday so we decided to meet up with some friends and bring Emma long. She had so much fun and didn't want to leave- as you can see by the last photo!

Jessica and Emma

Jessica and I

Two Teams

(Left, Jeff and Clint, Jessica, Me, my mom and Bill)

Emma was not a happy kid when she had to go home!

emma's birthday

On June 9th, Emma turned 3!!

We celebrated with a very busy day!  First we headed off to the Animal Farm & water park in Everett.  Emma absolutely loved petting the animals- the goats and pony in particular.  And after that we hit the water park where she wore herself out!  She had a blast playing in the water and thankfully it was a gorgeous day and about 80 degrees.

After a good nap we went for a visit to the zoo and hit up our favorite exhibits- the carousel (of course), the penguins and the bears.  Then we headed home for dinner, presents and cake.  Nana and Papa gave her a very cute little outfit and a t-ball set, which was of course, the best of all the gifts!  She couldn't care less about the clothes that Eric and I got her...but at least she'll be well dressed this summer!

                New T-Ball set!

  She still managed to hit me with the ball on the first swing.

   Checking out the new penguin exhibit at the zoo.

 Waiting to ride the carousel.

                                                         Shaking with excitement on the carousel!

Eric and 30

For the past few months Eric and his "30th" have been at odds.  He was NOT happy about turning the big 3-0.  But, alas, June 3rd came and he survived!!  Well....barely!  With the exception of a rowdy night out to celebrate his 30th with co-workers, he did survive.  We celebrated on the day of his birthday with dinner at Tutta Bella.  Then that following weekend we celebrated with all his friends and family with a party at our house.  It was originally supposed to be a surprise but he caught on when I needed things done around the house in preperation for the party!  Oh well, it was a success nonetheless!  We set up a taco bar, a bucket of beer and had Rock Band going into the wee hours of the night....ok, into the wee hours of 11pm!

oh ellen

I had a moment at the gym today. Watching Ellen, of course. At one point I didn't think I was going to be able to stop laughing. This is what I was watching: