Sisters in Seattle

This post is a little over due, but a week ago Lindsay and Erica came out and visited me! Bella and I were so excited. Erica with the help of dramamine survived the flight and Lindsay (with the help of a beer) did as well. I picked them up around 2 on April 5th and they stayed with me until Easter. We had a lot fun exploring Seattle. The weather ended up being gorgeous for the first part of their trip as well. We went to the Pike Place Market in downtown Seattle and also found a wildlife refuge only minutes from my house! Erica and Linds went and walked a 5 mile loop where they encountered a very irate goose. I don't think I will be walking that path on my own. While they were here we also visited the Seattle Zoo. Lindsay was very excited about that. It was a nice zoo, but we felt that the Cincinnati zoo was much better. After the zoo I dragged them to the shop where I got my wedding dress, so they could see it. It was nice having my sister's input....even though the dress is already purchased and there really is no going back, ha.

I was sad to see them go, but I'm soo excited about coming home in June. I know it's just around the corner! Bella got use to having more people around as well. I think she's bored now that it's back to me and her. My sister's thought she was evil at first, but they all bonded by the end of the trip. Everything is going good here though. It's suppose to be nice the next couple of days despite all the rain we have been getting. I'm so ready for some sunshine and warm weather! I miss everyone and can't wait to see you soon. Here are some pictures from Lindsay and Erica's visit.....

Visitors and Spring in Seattle

It's hard to believe it's spring when it's suppose to snow tomorrow, but I'm hopeful the weather will warm up. I hear the weather has been really nice back in Kentucky. If you want to call me and let me know it's 65 sunny please don't, haha. I'm stuck with rain and 40 degree weather. Laura got to experience the fun Seattle weather when she came out to visit last week. It was soo nice having her out here!

While she was here we explored downtown Seattle and got lost in the rain. We started out at Pike Place Market and then decided to wonder around. We wondered into a Nordstrom's Rack store, which I didn't know existed...probably a good thing. Finally we went to find some seafood. Miss Garmin told us the seafood restaurant was only .3 miles away, but trying to find it in the rain proved a little difficult. After help from a nice woman we managed to find it and Laura got her crab legs and I got my crab cakes...it was worth it. The taxi we took back to the car was also worth it, ha. Great idea Laura!!

We also got to explore two wineries and a brewery. We managed to fit it three wine tastings and felt very sophisticated. We've come a long way from boxed Franzi. I actually caught us saying that we could taste the oak. Who would have thought? We didn't manage to tour the brewery, but we ended up eating there and Laura and I tested out their sampler. It was a fun day. I was very happy that she visited. It was nice to spend time with a friend from home. I'm meeting people out here, but it's just not the same. Thanks for coming out Laura!!

Other than Laura's visit not much is going on. I've been doing some spring cleaning and trying to motivate myself to stick to my work outs. Michael has been a work out machine and I need to get my butt in gear. If he gets homesick he works out while when I miss him I eat. It's just not fair! Haha. I am looking foward to my sisters coming out to visit in two weeks!! This is a big step for Erica because she is terrifed of flying. Well it's a big step for Lindsay too because she will have to deal with Erica. Just kidding Erica! I really can't wait for them to get out here. It will be nice to have the sisters all together for a change. I hope everyone is doing well!! I will be home Jun 14th-25th. We will have to organize a Ladies Who Lunch! Love you!

I've Become A Crazy Cat Lady

So I realized last night that Bella is not looking like a kitten anymore. It was quite sad. I thought I could always remedy the situation and get her a friend, but then I figured I still wanted a fiance. Tough decision, haha. Just kidding. Anyways, lately she has been getting more and more adventurous. The other night I was putting stuff in my drawers and she managed to some how get in my drawer and climb behind it. It took me a good 30 minutes to get her out. She has also learned to jump from the floor to my dresser and loves pushing everything off of it. It's a very annoying habit...especially at 6am. Here are a few pictures of her latest escapades. The first demonstrates the importance of checking the dryer while doing laundry. The second shows how she takes after me with her Diet Coke obsession, and finally when she gets tired she has made her own sleeping arrangements. And yes, I've become that crazy person that blogs about their cat. I'm sorry, my life is not that thrilling at the moment, haha.

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.