escape to Seattle

Hooray for Spring! January and February end up being pretty hard months for Matt and I. (maybe the rest of the world too?) Between finances, the Holidays being over, the weather, oi! It gets a lil Dark Farm over here. So at the jump of Spring Break, Matt and I dropped off the boys at their grandparents and tried not to speed away too fast.

Seattle was the obvious choice for a weekend away. We left half our hearts in this city and were aching to visit. Two days downtown, eating our way through the city and two days at our dear friends guest house. It was the perfect trip.

The sunshine came out for us as it usually does. Not sure if the years we spent in the city were out of character, but we have no problem with Seattle weather. (having a WAY harder time with Idaho weather)

Salted Caramel and Thai Tea ice cream at Molly Moon's

Brunching with friends Ty and Rhiannon after date night with Hillary and Alfred. These friends really rolled out the red carpet for us. Rhiannon and Hillary also cooked up the most delicious spring supper for Matt and I's visit. All the while catching up and pouring drinks and welcoming a meercat into their home ;) I have missed these girls! (and Matt his fight nights in the Warbox)

As this girl!! Matt met up with a friend for a few hours while Linds and I toured her hip neighborhood and thrifted through Fremont.

She took basically the most amazing photos of me ever. (you know how you never like a photo of yourself? this was the complete opposite, brought out my narcisism in a big way ;) also, this one)

 Dan and Ellen treated us to dinner out at Brookyn's Oyster Bar. Amazing food, especially the Northwest Bouillabaisse. And this girl even tried a couple of those raw oysters! When in Rome...

 We grabbed breakfast at Homegrown before lunch at Buddha Ruksa. (some beach power walks in between) No pictures at Homegrown but it was delightful and the pictures of the Crispy Garlic Chicken may not seem like much but there is a reason it is called "Crack Chicken."

 Hard to drive home, but in the best way. And... we came home to Idaho rain.

2013

We have a teenager!

Crossed a trip with my mom off my bucket list. My cousin Michelle's wedding, exploring Memphis, and devouring fried chicken.

Thrifting for the win.

Grandma Ellen comes to visit.

She finished Aden's basement bedroom with a Seattle skyline.

Still shaking my head at this pack of soon to be men that I hang with on the daily.

Sledding adventure with the Rose's.

Andrea brought Miles to Seattle. We brought Miles to the beach.

I resolved to embrace the camera. So there are a lot of pictures with me in them. It's awkward but rewarding in the end.

Lacrosse dominated our spring and summer. Parker and Kaleb were able to continue on the same team, Parker at goalie and Kaleb gravitating toward defense.

Neither thrilled at having their picture taken.

Super fan!

I got to meet up with my long time friend Krissy downtown. Great connection even after years gone by.

We attended church downtown. The trek through the urban landscape to get to service was church in itself.

You can always count on our family to keep it weird.

We have always bred giant children but this year Parker outgrew me and fit into his dad's high school cleats. (The cleats are now too small. Size 13 feet at age 13!)

Morning walks to the bus stop. 3 kids at the same elementary school for the last year.

Mother's day with my loves.

New friends.

New pursuits.

New responsibilities.

The biggest show of patriotism.

The best in provoking spontaneous outbursts of joy.

Finally experiencing nature's low-tide treasures.

And Justin introduced us to skimboarding.

Matt and I did a week long vegan cleanse. I tried to get over sugar and had a good run.

This guy said good-bye to his elementary school days.

And this guy graduated Kindergarten.

I discovered CSA glory. This will happen again in 2014. It's l  ike Christmas morning, opening those weekly boxes.

Dinner at the top of the Space Needle.

Strawberry pickin' on a family fun day. ( You will have fun, dammit!)

4th of July shirts from Grandpa Ken and Granny Annie. Snail mail love from them is the best.

Wednesday nights with Auntie.

Full bellies at the Dragon Fest in the International District.

Sent these two off to church camp. They're hooked, already asking about next year.

Delighted by this freckle faced boy with my introvert tendencies.

 Celebrated the return of the Twinkie.

 And took the boys to appreciate some real good food at Toulouse.

Felt like we had been placed in the coolest neighborhood in Seattle. No doubt.

Reveled in the beautiful city we got to call "home."




 Celebrated my lil' sister's 30th birthday, say what?

And then we said good-bye. As the doors closed in Seattle and opportunities arose back in Idaho, we were going to move again.2 1/2 years felt like 10. I really think we got the best the city had to offer.

Teaching looks good on Matt, eh? 
Our Seattle home sold the first week on the market.

 Good friends opened their home to ease our Idaho transition. (And provide hours of therapy.)

 The cousins got together.

 Our family get togethers with my parents are one of the best parts of being back in Idaho. Love all the time I've spent with Great Grandma Beryl, she is the sassiest thing.

 Autumn blew my mind. The weather was perfect and we really got out to enjoy it.

 New space to shape into our home.

 I embarked on a homeschool adventure with all four kiddos.

 Shared a high school favorite hangout with the boys.

 Ruth brought donuts and encouragement. I swear all my best friends I met at North Junior High!

 Caught up with some of my dad's family and relived the beauty of the Botanical Garden.

 Still love a reason to dress up silly.

 Selfies.

 And forced smiles.

 Real good cooks.

 Most likely to rough house.

 Friendsgiving!

 Most understated.

 Best in show for facial hair. Matt's, not mine ;)

 Hello Durango and move over Swagger Wagon

 Da Vinci still inspiring greatness.

 Auntie Claus came to town!

 And another visit with the cousins!

 Capped off the year with a family vacation for the record books.

Welcome 2014! Looking forward to more connection with our Idaho loved ones and a trip to see our Seattle friends. Thank you for reading, your comments make this memory keeper a more complete picture of the beautiful, wild life I've been given.