Our latest (and most likely last) road trip

This past weekend, we headed down to Portland, OR to shop for Baby Wille, tax-free, and to spend some quality time away before we lose that privilege for a while. We really liked the feel of Portland. Much like our old stomping ground of Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.



When we got home we organized and put some finishing touches on the the baby's corner of the den. We're ready...sorta!

One shot from my Texas baby shower...

It was wonderful to see everyone and thanks to my sister and dear friends (Trish, Amanda, and Jess) for throwing me the shower. I can hardly believe we only have 9 weeks left. (how much bigger can I possible get?)

Slightly over budget this weekend...

We traded in my precious, 12 year-old honda civic for the more family size 2010 Honda CRV. Rainier was out tonight so we had a reason to go for a drive.

Dave Matthews at Columbia Gorge-Labor Day Weekend

There was a brief rain shower just as we got our tents up, so we could retreat to the car and watch it pass along with others peoples' tents and belongings.

The show was amazing from our 38th row seats. And baby Wille kicked throughout to show his/her enthusiasm.

Recent Seattle Skyline and Claudia's first day of school...big belly and all

Baby Wille update

We had our 20 week sonogram and all looked good. The baby was very active (my mom always said I'd have a child just like me...hyper).

Just another Seattle Day-A hike in the foothills of Mt. Baker and a beautiful sunset from our roof deck

(20 weeks pregnant...a bit slower but still movin')

A visit from our New York City friends, Irv and Erin

As a nice cap-off to their Hawaiian vacation, our old friends from NY stopped in Seattle for a long weekend.  We saw the usual sights, Pike's Market and the Underground.  Plus we went kayaking in on Lake Washington, hiking near Mt. Rainier, and drinking at a Mariner's game.  Of course we only have pictures of the hike, but maybe more to come if Erin forwards me some of the others.  The view of Rainier was spectacular, as was the size of my stomach (I don't think I'm supposed to look like this. :))   

A Seattle Summer-lots to do

In June we drove out west to Port Angeles and the Olympic Peninsula.  The mountains were beautiful.  We went with Michaela and Kevin, 2 of Patrick's co-workers and our new friends.

We also hiked along the coast where Kevin got his first sight of the Pacific Ocean.

The point of our travels was for Michaela and Patrick to run a 1/2 marathon and for Kevin and I to run a 5K.  We all did pretty well, Kevin winning his age group.

To celebrate the arrival of summer, we went to the Fremont neighborhood for the Solstice Parade and street fair.  It was quite interesting with naked bicyclers and more male genitalia then I care to remember.  But so much fun all the same.  


My dad and stepmom, Pat, visited for a week at the beginning of July.  We saw as much beautiful scenery as we could manage and had a great time.  We went east a bit to Snoqualmie Falls.  We saw Rattlesnake Lake (below) along the way.  (I have since hiked the peak/ledge in the picture below).

We were able to see the 4th of July fireworks from our roof with a great view of the space needle, too.

We took a walk around the Seattle Arboritum...

and took the Victoria Clipper to tour the quaint town of Victoria, B.C. and the Butchart Gardens.  They were literally breathtaking.

The weather was perfect and there were several opportunities to marvel at Mt. Rainier and the amazing Seattle scenery.  It was a great trip.  

Still more summer fun and visitors to come.