November, 2011

Highlights included (in chronological order):

1. Every day happenings
2. Moving
3. Grandma, Grandpa & Auntie Amy visit Seattle
4. Birch Bay Thanksgiving
5. Vancouver, B.C.
6. Seattle Half-Marathon
7. 33 years old!

Every day happenings

Moving
This is a historical documentation for Elle Belle, as she spent her first 20 months at 2331-B W. Crockett St.  More pictures here: We've Moved!

Grandma, Grandpa & Auntie Amy visit Seattle
We were lucky to have my Dad in town during the move to our new house.  During that time, we also found out that we were expecting!  So, we told my parents by putting this shirt on Eliana. They were surprised and delighted. And we were so glad to tell them in person.

 Playing in Grandma & Grandpa's bed (yay for no pull-out sofa!!)

Birch Bay Thanksgiving
Before we were going to move to our bigger house, my parents had booked a condo at Birch Bay for us to spend Thanksgiving.  We spent Tuesday-Saturday there, enjoying time together, swimming and quick walks outside (there were huge storms that week and the wind was terrible).  Due to the move and all the other things going on, we opted out of cooking Thanksgiving dinner and treated ourselves to a great buffet at Semiahmoo Resort.  Thanks for such a great week, Mom, Dad and Amy!!

 Walking with Auntie Amy in the rain

 Puddles!!

 Great picture of my Mom & Dad

 Picture with Grandma & Grandma sometimes sounds more simple than it actually is...

 Thanksgiving dinner at Semiahmoo

 Swimming time with Daddy & Auntie Amy

Vancouver, B.C. 
Birch Bay is only about a 10-minute drive to the Canadian border, so we ventured into Vancouver for the day after Thanksgiving. We had a great lunch on the waterfront and then hit up Granville Island for the market.  

 Grandma, Mom, Eliana, Auntie Amy and Grandpa

 We also found this great park right when we parked - perfect timing as Eliana was ready to get out and stretch her legs. 

Granville Island duck feeding

Seattle Half Marathon Walk

Amy, my Mom and I walked the Seattle Half the Sunday after Thanksgiving.  I am so proud of you, Mom!  You beat your goal by over 30 minutes and did amazing!  It was the worst weather possible - raining, windy and cold, but you couldn't care less.  You look amazing, Mom and we are so proud of what you've done in the last year.  

 At the starting line

 Finisher!!

Nate and Eliana surprised us by being at the finish line, equipped with Top Pot donuts!  Thank you, honey!

33 years old!

I had a mellow, but perfect birthday.  Since Nate and I were both working downtown at the time, he surprised me by taking me to lunch at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in the Georgian Room.  It was the perfect treat.  And then we got to celebrate with Eliana that night.  Thanks to you both.  

The dessert they brought at lunch

October, 2011

October, 2011 highlights included (chronologically):

1. Every day happenings

2. Grandma and Grandpa visit Seattle to watch Eliana

3. Nate & Erin's trip to Paris

4. Portland Halloween

5. Happy Halloween!

Every day Happenings

 Eliana loves her stuffed animals and more than anything, she likes to put them in piles; whether it be on me, on the floor, or in her toy box.

 In our old townhouse, Eliana had a drawer that was just for her. And one of her favorite things inside were the popsicle molds.  

 I found a bat!

 Wild hair

 Golden Gardens with Katherine

 Wrestle mania with Mr. Bear, Sally and Otter

Grandma and Grandpa's Trip to Seattle
My mom came to watch Eliana for a week while Nate and I went on a week-long trip to Paris.  My dad was able to come up mid-week to help my mom.  We can't tell you thank you enough, Mom and Dad.  Our trip was amazing and we never once were worried about Eliana being cared for.  We are so thankful for our time there - thank you, thank you, thank you!!

 The weekend before we left for Paris, we ran the Magnolia Bluff 12K run.  This was my mom's first race and she did amazing!  Elle Belle lasted the whole race, entertained by all the runners out.  

 Go, Grandma, Go!!

 We're so proud of you, Grandma!! 

 The morning after we arrived back from Paris.  So happy to see each other!!

 Aquarium with Grandma & Grandpa

Thank you, Grandma!  I love you!!

Our trip to Paris

In mid-October, Nate and I spent a week in Paris.  We rented an apartment in the Montorgueil neighborhood and were tremendously lucky with the weather.  It was in the 60's every day but the last, which allowed us to ride the city, Velib bikes, around for a couple hours/day.  Having been there before, we felt no pressure to sigh-see, so instead, we ate, drank and rode bikes through the city.  It was a great week and feel so lucky to have gone knowing my parents were taking great care of Eliana.  I am still tasting the pain au chocolat, but knowing we will return sooner than later.  

Our apartment 

 One of our favorite restaurants of the trip, Chez Janou

 We packed picnics almost every day, so grateful for the nice weather