Mom & Dad Visit Seattle

I had to take my parents to the airport today after they have spent a week with me in Seattle. We had a lot of fun and it was wonderful having them out here. I think they might have been ready to go home after a week on the air mattress. I know from experience it's not comfortable! The weather ended up being beautiful for them as well. They thought I was lying about all the rain we usually get! The first day they were here we explored Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle and then ate at a Pub in the Market. We got in a lot of shopping and found my wedding dress! My Dad was a good sport for that one. I also got to spend Valentine's Day with them. We went to a nice restaurant and then saw a horrible play that I bought us tickets too. I now have a track record of 0 for 2 in purchasing decent play tickets. I think I'm going to give up. We also got to visit Chateau St. Michelle. My Dad knew someone so we got set up with a free wine tasting. It was pretty nice. We were going to visit the brewery across the street, but we decided to eat there instead of drinking more on top of the wine. Probably a good idea. They also were here to ease my nerves when I had to take my kitten to get spayed. It was pretty good timing. Even though they overdosed her on pain meds, Bella loved both my parents. I think she's sad to see them go. In the end, we had a great time and it was nice having home here in Seattle. Here's some pictures from their trip.

JUST THE TWO OF US

So, Michael has gotten a little busy with work, so Bella and I have had a lot more bonding time. So far, we are managing pretty well. Right now we spend our evenings napping and watching TV, but I plan to join the gym and get my wedding work-out in gear. I figure I might as well start now because it might take me a little while to get motivated. I think 10 months in advance will do it....or not. I've met a wife of one of Michael's guys and she wants to join the gym with me. Hopefully that works out because I might do better with a work out friend (Teresa I really miss your classes!).

My parent's are coming out next week too, so that's exciting! I don't know if Seattle in February is a great vacation spot, but we will have fun. I think my Dad already has a list of the wineries he wants to visit. Chateau Saint Michelle is one of them for all my Riesling lovers out there. My mom wants to go wedding dress shopping while they are here too, so my Dad is really going to need the wine. I got us tickets to a play and we are going to do touristy stuff, so I think it will be a good time.

So, that's all that I have going on. I was told I needed to update my blog, but my life is kind of boring right now, ha. I have found that this is a great time for me to catch up on stuff I want to do. One being more gym time, but my sister and I are also doing our own bible study. We just read passages and talk about it each night (or every other). It's been pretty good so far. That's been one of Michael's goals as well, so it's been great for all of us. I know this period of just Bella and I is going to be a positive one.

Ohh, and I would like to add (thank you Rach for your reminder) that I've gotten in plenty of web cam time with my lovely prego friend Rachel Revilla, my awesome sisters, and my wonderful parents. ;)

Meet Bella

So, I did something bad. Michael went out of town and I went to the Lacey Animal Shelter. Bad combination. I ended up with, Bella. Isn't she adorable?! I never had a cat before, but our apartment complex does not allow dogs, so I thought I would give it a try. I already love her. It's nice coming home to her running around and she is definitely entertaining. Michael gets back tomorrow, so he will get to meet our new addition. I think he will like her....or get use to her, ha. She already knows how to use the litter box, so that's a plus. Here are some more pictures.The first one she was being a little bashful.

HE WENT TO JAREDS!! (Okay, he did, but I'm joking!)

So, this has been a pretty good Christmas! After finally getting back to Seattle despite the snow and my subsequent emotional breakdowns (sorry Linds), I finally made it back in one piece. Michael and I spent a nice Christmas Eve together and then had a great Christmas. We went for a walk in the snow which was fun and opened presents. It was a perfect first Christmas together even though we were far from home. However, the next day got even better when Michael proposed. I think the ring was burning a hole in his pocket. He said he thought about it for 24 hours straight and even debated waking me up in the middle of the night to do it. However, he decided that was not a great idea because 1) I don't deal well with being woken up and 2) I might not remember.

Anyways, he instead decided to do it the morning after Christmas. I looked lovely in my robe and towel let me tell you (that's why we don't have pictures). I went to get coffee that morning and Michael told me I had something else in my stocking. The next thing I knew I was holding a ring and Michael was proposing. It was definitely something I will always remember. Then of course I had to go to work, haha. That night we went to a restaurant in Lacey to celebrate. Below is a picture of my fiance at dinner ...please tell me if I should be worried! I told him ....it wasn't the end of the world, just the end of his, haha.

The Holidays in Washington

Mrs. Revilla demanded that I update my blog, so this is for her. Even though I told her my life is not that interesting and I didn't really have anything to blog about. For all of you that don't know Rachel is having a baby girl!! I saw that you had it out on your blog, so I thought it would be okay to say it on mine. Haha , love you Rach! I'm soo excited for you. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. It was hard being away from family and friends on the holiday, but Michael and I made the best of it. He ended up finding out that he had to do a 24 hour shift Thanksgiving day which was no fun. However, he did manage to sneak away for dinner, so I was happy. We ended up going to his boss's house and it was nice. Everyone in the Army has been very welcoming and it was good to spend the holiday with other people. On Friday Michael and I had our own Thanksgiving feast...I cooked (scary thought). He ended up being very impressed by the meal. I made my mom's sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, and the smallest turkey known to man. It wasn't as good as my mom's cooking, but I must admit I shocked even myself. Other than working, not much has been going on. Michael and I decorated our apartment for Christmas (sorry Laura, I did it the Sunday before Thanksgiving...I have no will power!!). I went out and bought a tree for $35 at Walmart. From the picture you can why it's worth $35. We also got personalized stockings to hang on our mantle. I know...we are just cute like that(you can vomit now). Well, that's my update. I know it's thrilling! Miss you guys and I will see you soon!

Thank You Mom for the Snow Man Night Light

I haven't updated my blog for awhile, so thought it was about time I did. This past week has been like a mini test for me. Michael had to go out of town for a week, so I've been on my own. I realized that I've never really been on my own...in the sense that I literally know no one in this city and have nowhere to go. Personally I didn't think that I would do so well, but I've kinda surprised myself. I know it's only a week, but I'm taking baby steps here. I realized that I'm okay by myself. I've done some things that I've never done before. For example, on Sunday I saw a movie by myself. I always looked at people strangely when they were by themselves in a movie theater, but it was pretty nice. For one, I didn't have to share my sour patch kids with anyone. I mean it's just like watching a movie by yourself at home, but in a social situation. I also got to do things that Michael wouldn't enjoy. Like watching the Hills and going to the tanning bed (he yells at me for that one). I hope to make friends soon, but for now I'm taking each day at a time and I'm doing well. Also, I would like to thank my mom for the above night light. I hoped to take an actual picture of it, but my camera wouldn't cooperate. Had I been able to you would see that it lights up my bathroom like the north star. So, for those scary moments when I hear Erica's exorcist voice in my head I have the snow man night light to make me feel better! (Yes, when we were children Erica would torment us and re-enact the exorcist while we were trying to sleep. I know, she's not right and obviously I'm still scarred.) Haha, but I am coming home in December from the 13th-21st, so I can't wait to see everyone. Thank you for following along with my not so exciting blog. I will write soon!

Seattle Adventure

Well it's been a little while since my last blog, but today we finally visited downtown Seattle! It was definitely a cool city and fun to explore. We started off at the Pike Street Market, which is basically an open air market close to the waterfront. They had three floors of different shops and all kinds of fresh produce. We even got to see them throwing fish! It took us a couple of hours to explore everything, but we had a lot of fun. After going there we continued our tourist activities and went to the Space Needle! Even though it was overcast it was cool to see the city from such a height. It was a little expensive to ride to the top, but it's something that we had to do at least once. After the Space Needle, Michael suggested we go walk around the shops. Of course, I wasn't going to shoot down that idea. I even found an H&M!!! After that the plan was to eat at a seafood place, but we ended up eating at PF Changs, ha. We were tired of walking and it was the closest thing to us. Yeah, way for us to experience native Seattle food. All in all it was a great day. It took us less than an hour to get to Seattle, so for anyone that wants to come visit we can easily make a day trip.......not hinting at anything at all. I will write soon and I miss everyone!







Lauren

-- Ohh yeah, my coat makes me look like a snow beast.....