Vacation to Seattle

I had hope to post daily from our trip to Seattle, but the internet connection at our hotel was terrible. So, you're going to get it all at once as we wait for our plane to leave. We left Tuesday after work to stay the night with Marie in Wichita. She took us to the airport bright (not really) and early wednesday morning. We arrived in Seattle around 10:30am and waited for Hollie's plane to arrive a few minutes later. It was so great to see her and spend time talking and looking at ceramics with her. We rode the light rail into the city and got checked in to our hotels.
 
Our first mission was lunch. By 3 pm on the first day, we had crossed off seafood, beer, coffee and art off of our to-do list for the trip.
Some of the food and drink from the trip:

We registered for NCECA and walked around the convention center a bit. We went to the exhibit/performance hall where artist's we making work and doing performance art. Two girls asked if they could paint my nails (hot pink) while the other read to me out of a book of my choice from a stack they had. I chose "Centering."

Some of the ceramics we saw:

 As expected, it was cool and rainy for a good portion of the trip. But the city was green and in bloom. There are roof top gardens. We went to the University of Washington campus to see one of the exhibits and they had a beautiful area with cherry blossoms.

We made several trips to Pike Place Market. It was awesome. The fresh seafood and flowers were amazing.

 Emerald City Comicon was going on at the convention center starting friday at the same time as NCECA. It was fun to people watch and see the two demographics collide. Travis went to comicon on friday and got to meet several voice actors from Futurama and other comics.

Saturday we did the 'touristy' stuff, the EMP Musuem, Space Needle, and Museum of Flight. They were all great. We didn't have enough time to spend at the Museum of Flight, so we didn't get to see the retired Air Force One, Concorde, and other planes. Guess we'll have to make another trip!

It was a fun, tiring trip, but I am ready to be home. I think you know it was a good vacation when you are ready to go home. I am so happy and grateful for where we live. I do love my little house, in my little town, in my flat, dry Kansas.

I miss my kiddos! I hope they'll be as excited to see me and I am to see them.

Slacker

Man, I have really been bad about posting this week. When I first started this blog I wanted to try and post something everyday. I don't think that I have done that even once.

This last week was kind of the same ol stuff. Work, kids, the usual. It was rainy and cool, which seemed more like spring than 80 degrees. The yard grass/weeds took off and in the last few days our tulips have popped. Travis mowed and Ray weed eated tonight, the first time of the season. The grass doesnt look half bad when it is mowed. It's starting to fill in, but still have bare spots.

Clint and Ashley and the kids were at mom and dad's after church Sunday for lunch. Then they and Saige headed to UB's to stay the night and had doctor appointments in KC today. Mom and dad kept the other 3. We went back over last night and all walked to Big Well Park to play, then they came over tonight and played at Sunset Park and at our house. I love my house. My favorite thing is having the park right across the street.

 My two had their first exposure to the Wizard of Oz yesterday. Amelia was mesmerized by the munchkins and witch.

Kids in the tub...

 The duck was in time out for biting.

We are getting ready to leave for NCECA in Seattle. We will go to Wichita tomorrow night after work and fly out wednesday morning at 6:30. I am sooo excited to go, but not looking forward to 50 degrees and rain and I know I am going to miss my babies terribly. Five days is a long time! Travis bought both of our parents webcams to be able to skype while we are gone. It will be a great trip, and much needed get away for Travis and I and I am excited to spend some time with Hollie. Coffee, beer, ceramics, seafood...pictures to come!

Spring Has Sprung

It was a beautiful week, in the 80s. I love this time of year. Everything has really popped this week and started greening up with the warmer weather. We have played at the park several days in a row. Amelia figured out yesterday that she could take her shoes off and climb back up the spiral slide. Truman just wants to eat rocks.

Cousin Carol was here early in the week and the kids enjoyed spending time with her. Amelia crawled up in her lap and wanted to read books.

Yesterday Tanner and Levi came for the day and we had supper (fried chicken and masked potatoes!) at mom's house. MY MOM IS AN AMAZING LADY.PERIOD. Ashley and the kids came up late afternoon. Dad took the big kids out for a ride in the pickup and to play at Sunset Park. Ashley and I visited "the pharmacy" to get some refreshments and had the 2nd round kids at the house. When dad got back with the big kids, they were playing outside. Amelia and Judd discovered putting their feed into the pond. Mom and I were just talking about it the other day, that it's only a matter of time before their are kiddos in the pond. There were both soaked, it was pretty cute.

 

My back still hurts. I went to the chiropractor again on Friday. He took xrays and my hips are uneven and two spaces between vertabrae are pinched. I go back tomorrow afternoon and hopefully will start feeling some better. I hate not feeling like I can do the stuff I want to and hurt. I feel like I am being a wuss, so enough bitching.

 

One more down

Damn Ramsey would be proud, we paid off the Torrent today. Since taking the financial peace class a year ago, we have accomplished several things he recommends such as knocking out debt and we have term life insurance. Feels good to have one less payment each month.

I am down in the back. My lower back has been achy for the last week or so but nothing bad. Today I could hardly bend over so I paid Randy a visit. He cracked, pulled, prodded and twisted me and said I have a slipped disc. I'm hurting and in bed as I type this. Hopefully I'll be better tomorrow, its hard to pick up the kiddos.

Amelia's word for the day was snuggles. She got in bed with me before 6 this morning and wanted snuggles. So cute.

Welcome Back George

It all started with mom making some killer homemade pastrami. George Foreman, the grill not the boxer, has made its way onto our kitchen counter for the first time in years. Over the last few days we have had some AHMAZING sammies, first reubens for me with plenty of kraut and pastrami and blue cheese for Travis, then tonight Turkey, bacon and avocado. I got some ciabatta rolls the other day in Dodge and they are so good.

And now, something about the kiddos. We had a good weekend being home. Amelia has started calling dad Bob the last couple of days and she'll turn around and point and say 'you stop it' sometimes when I tell her to quit doing something. Oh, it's soooo sassy. Her vocabulary has really expanded the last weekend. It seems like she's talking in full sentences. Truman isn't saying anything, but I think he sort of shakes his head for yes, it's a whole body shake really.

Talking Politics (not really)

Senator Pat Roberts and his wife were in town today for a quick tour. We started at the Commons then got on the Maverick bus and did a quick lap around town. The only other stop we got out at was the well. There were quite a few locals there and as we drove by different buildings, the representatives went to the front to tell them about it. I love my dad, I don't see him as a politician, he's just good with people. He is such a good ambassador for our town. I am biased, but I think I would still feel this way even if I wasn't related to the guy.

 I was going through the pictures on my phone and found a few I had forgotten about from the last couple of weeks.