Summer visit

At the begining of June, we had our yearly summer visit from Soder's side of the family. Luckily we had the best weather during the first half of their visit. So we did a little of this....
Walking along the beach in Alki
Catching a Mariner's game where we almost got pelted with a foul ball (thankfully it hit about 6 feet behind us.)
Woodland Park Zoo, where it is always fun to just wander.

And out favorite, Gas Works park. It was a great visit, but was over way quick. Thanks for visiting us Soder Clan. We hope you can make it up again before the end of the year.

Miss me???

I have just been taking a 'break' from blogging for a while since we had visitors and then the catch up game for the last few weeks. It has been a crazy month, and I will post some more about it soon.
All that has really changed is that my mother is half way through her treatments and is doing well. (yeah!) She will be finished with the first (and hopefully only) round of chemo and so far hasn't been vomit-trocious, but just achy and tired.
My inlaws visited and we had a great time, but now we have no visitors on the docket so it might be a REALLY lonely summer. (especially since my mother can't travel up here until Fall.) Pictures of all the festivities while the Soder's were up here to follow.....

Exploring the city I love

Last week, we had some very dear friends come and visit. Like I have said on a few other posts, it was a busy weekend. We saw almost EVERY touristy thing to see... Top Pots Donuts, The Space Needle, The bathrooms at Experience music projects (very clean), Kerry Park (one of the best views of Seattle by far!), Ballard Locks, Fat Burger, The movie: Thor (surprisingly very good... and Thor is HOT!), Starbucks, Pike's Market, the Gum Wall (strangely hypnotic, but makes you crave hand sanitizer just lookin' at it), the Aquarium, The Waterfront, Gasworks park (scene of some bum fight that made it seem a little ghetto), Alki Beach (and Cactus Restaurant, YUM!), The troll under the bridge in Fremont, The outside of the Asian art museum (great place to try to have a picnic of cold cut sandwiches (did I mention my new nickname is FT for Frozen Turkey, a name I proudly earned after I attempted to chisel frozen turkey apart using the handle of a baby spoon. They can't call me resourceful!), and then when the picnic doesn't work out, close enough to a Dick's Drive in to save the day), Bruce Lee and Jason Lee's graves, Chinatown, Uwajimaya, and of course a Mariners Game (which only proved that Seattle's baseball team is at least better than the MN Twins.). After that weekend, I can safely say that we have a great grasp of what makes up Seattle. It was such a great time that I hope they can come back and visit with their cute little one (Baby Beckham, perhaps??). Thanks again Mellors for pepping up the sometimes gloomy Seattle. Seriously, it was a hilarious time!

Exhale!

The last two weeks have been the busiest I have ever been. After my trip to Utah, I had two days to recoup, (ie stock my kitchen shelves again and clean the house) before my inlaws came to visit. It was a great visit and was just the break I needed. Even though we were busy while they were here it was nice to have two sets of eager hands to watch the baby for me. Like I said before, while I was in Utah it felt like I was a single parent, running the show by myself. During this weekend, I got to spend a lot of time meditating in my kitchen, where I think I do some of my best thinking while making some pretty delish dinners. On Friday, we went to the Seattle Aquarium and had a great time because the weather actually cooperated with us and made it into a sunny spring day. On Saturday, we went to Bellevue for a little shopping and Kirkland for a little down time at the Lake. Sunday was a quiet day that ended with us taking them to the airport. It was a great visit and it really was refreshing to have some visitors here to not only get my mind off of everything happening in Utah, but to really make me happy to be back home in Seattle. It is always great to revisit your city with a fresh set of eyes. It makes you appreciate being at home and feeling like things are going to be ok. And now I can just relax and exhale because the next few weeks are going to be boring compared to the last two.

Rainy Days

This last week has been so rainy. So that means no walks for us, which means by the end of the week we were going crazy. On Friday all the toys were pulled out. All the book on his little shelf were read and we were sitting there with cabin fever. I usually don't care, but this week was a tough one. Next week can be as cold as it wants, but please, for my sanity, please be dry!

Welcome Visitors

Travis' cousin and her family came to visit us this weekend. We only had one day so we had to make it count. Of course, we had to go and see Pikes Market. And all the weirdos, including the guy that played guitar while hula hooping and balancing a guitar on his chin, while the Japanese tourists wearing their Mickey Mouse ears watched. There is no way I could make up something like that so I had my sluth of a husband snap a picture.


After the craziness of Pikes, we headed to our standby of Gasworks Park, where we enjoyed a blustery fall day. The sun was shining and it was an actual blue sky day, unfortunately, there was a bit of a cool breeze that was blowing around. Still it was great to let their little boy run around and he LOVED the big refinery stuff they have you can climb all over. He ran around there for a good half hour. Thanks guys for coming and seeing us! It was so wonderful to have visitors.

THE BEST YEAR EVER!

This year has been clearly the best of my life. It started out, on the 18th of June, with the best trip ever, where I have so many great memories and happy thoughts of the 18 days I spent with my two great sisters and one crazy mom (who I love lots and lots). It makes me happy just thinking about flying into Paris and all the beautiful art that the city holds. London was great because of all the history and big city feel. And Scotland was the break in the middle that had beautiful landscapes and a crazy car ride through the countryside. I can't wait to one day go back and visit all those wonderful places again, hopefully with both Travis and Liam.
This was also the year that we decided to move to Seattle because we knew our future wasn't along the Wasatch Front in Utah. We have always wanted to live up here and so we bit the bullet and did it. Crazy to start over from scratch, but I think that it will all pay off in the end.
And that would bring me to the greatest part of my year, no scratch that, my life. I know most women don't love being pregnant, but I thought it was great. I loved all the movement from him and all the milestones you reach when you are expecting. And of course, the cherry on the cake was when he was born on the 18th of last month.
Yeah, great year... I don't know how this year can be as wonderful, but I bet it will be filled with many exciting things.

Rays vs. Mariners

Last night, we went to Safeco Field to watch the Mariners take on the Rays. I am not a huge baseball fan, but something about being there always makes me happy. It might have been the chocolate covered fruit shiskabob, or the Garlic fries that the stadium is known for. It was especially great to see my favorite baseball player Ichiro, (he represents 'my people' very well!) Also on the team is Ken Griffey Jr. He was their designated hitter and while he unfortunately didn't hit anything out of the ballpark, he was still very impressive to watch. We also were able to find an awesome parking spot that cost us $15 but was only a short walk away, (to me that was the best $15 I have spent in a long time.) I was hoping to go into labor at the game, because I figure I would have gotten some great free stuff from the Team, but that didn't happen. And even though the Mariners lost the game 5-1 and had at least 4 errors, it was fun to root for our new home team. I hope we make it to another game, but next time I hope to have a babe in arms not in utero.

This week's adventure

This Saturday we headed out for our weekly exploration of the greater Puget Sound area. We started out going to Top Pot Doughnut. They have the best homemade donuts and I have wanted to take Trav there for a long time. It was as great as I remembered. We then headed out to University Village in the U-District for a little shopping. It was a beautiful day and we walked around the mall. We found some cute things at a few baby stores, but Travis got quickly burned out. We ended the day eating lunch at a drive-in called Burgermaster. It was very good and the just greasy food I was looking for. While we didn't really go all over and really see anything too exciting, it was nice to have a little bit of a down weekend.

FINALLY!

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Last weekend, aka the first weekend of Travis' freedom, we went to Pike's Market. I love Pike's Market. It is my favorite place to people watch. When I lived up here before, I used to go there by myself and just watch the people and drink my Starbucks. There are some very entertaining people that congregate there. Now our visits are more about the different food you can find there. I love to get my chai latte and some wonderful pastry from some bakery or some wonderfully fresh donuts from a vendor located around the corner from the flying fish booth. My husband has discovered a secret love of Piroshki (by secret I mean he never had one until he worked with an Eastern European at Fred Meyer who introduced him to it and now he is in love with them) I am happy that he is always happy to try new things. (so now the total toll of new things he has tried is up to two, Hummas and Piroshki... baby steps, baby steps.)
I am always amazed at how dirty it is there but how there is beauty there. I loved that all the daffodils were in bloom on the roof. They make me think of Travis' Grams who loves daffodils. I wish she could come here and see them. I can't wait until we can go and visit again, but for now it will be put far down on my list because there are so many other places to explore in the area. This is why moving to a new city is going to be so exciting.

Happy Birthday to ME

Today is my birthday. As I have blogged about, many changes this year. I have moved up to Seattle (because this is where we want to be), started a new job, and am looking for an apartment. Good times. Looking back this year has been great. Last year at this time, I was just starting my receptionist job, starting school at a technical college, and just enjoying being on our own again (we lived with my in-laws for about 2 years while my hubby was in school.) Apparently I like to start new things around my birthday! This year I think we have started the mother of all things I think. Moving, while exciting and admirable, is definetly not for the faint at heart. I have been more stressed out about everything than I ever imagined. I am still so happy that the parts are falling into place, but why can't it be easier. I know the answer to that... it can't be easier because anything we, Sodermoto's, touch instantly becomes more complicated, more difficult, more stressful. It has been proven to us many times over, I do think that we have just come to expect the difficulties.
I guess I should actually look at the time frame that all the work has been accomplished in. On the first was my last day (18 days ago.) of my old job. On the 6th I moved up here (13 days ago). On the 9th I got my first job offer, which I accepted(10 days ago). On the 15th I started said job (4 days ago). And yesterday was my husbands last day at his job.
Ok when I break it down like it has been that bad. We have actually accomplished so much in two and a half weeks. But seriously I know we couldn't have done it without the help of our parents, who have taken turns watching our animals, and helping with the move. Especially my dad, who always always always is so great in helping us move. He is the King of logistics and this time has even built an enclosed trailer on his car trailer. Thanks, Dad You are the absolute best! Also thanks to Travis for wrapping up everything in Utah! I love ya! And I don't know when this turned into an acceptance speech, but thank you to the academy and God bless! ;) Here is to hoping that this year is even better than the last!

Home sweet home

Yesterday, after a long drive, we made it to Sammamish. The ride was fun here.... a couple of movies, a couple of podcasts, and a short 12 hours later we were here. Since today is a holiday, I feel like we are stagnant. Most corporate places would be closed so, I guess we have a day to relax before we have to hit the job hunting hard. We are staying at my sisters house (thanks Amy), but would really like to be on our own in our own place. (but again we are waiting to find a job so we can get the apartment, so we can move..... and it goes on.) :) Fun for us.
This morning I went on a walk with Amy and her friends. They were so nice, but I have never been a part of surban housewife's life. (I have always worked and don't have girlfriends to go walking with.) I was amazed at all the drama that goes on with all their kids, their other friends and their unemployed lives. I even got to borrow one of their dogs to walk with. It was very entertaining. Thanks for including me!
My interviews are tomorrow, so I will keep you posted. (one at a paper company, one at a cupcake bakery.) Hopefully, my unemployment will only last for a week and we will be on with our plans. :)

Goodbye....

On Tuesday, I quit my job at the law firm. I really have nothing, but nice things to say about the place... (there were only a few total jerks there and they aren't worth my time any more). I will miss everyone that I talked to on a daily basis. (Like Scott who I talked with about American Idol, Ross who I talked about troublemakers, Jim and all his travelling, Jenny and the crazy family we are in, Kathy and all the life-trials going on, Jonathan and his chocolate milk break around 3:00 pm everyday, Thomas and the latest gossip, Lisa and her hopes to move, Ashlee and her hillarious situations she gets in, Melissa and her cute kiddies, Cristina and her cat that she sometimes dresses up, Micq and her garbage day, Sid and his tolerable day, Michelle and her crazy travels and animals, Mary and her bowling nights, Matt and his nice clients, Randon and his travels, Melissa and her cute little Lucy, Lisa and her bus schedule, Preston and the MTI's, Marva and her crazy scheduled events, Sterling and his lunch, Kay and his lunch partners... and the list goes on.) Thanks for the lovely send off, and the great card and gift card.

This week has just flown by, I have had a ton to do. I had my first full day of packing today. I packed all day (with the exception of about 45 minutes that I went to lunch with my mom). I am glad that I got to spend a bit more time with my mom... she seriously is just so great to be around. I now feel like when I leave, Travis will be able to get things organized and moved. Another great thing, I had a phone interview this week. It went well enough to warrant an actual face to face interview next week. (I am trying not to put the cart before the horse and get too excited for the interview, but it is hard because I really want this job.... there I go, cart before the horse again) Wow... things are going great for us. All we have to do is get up there now, and work hard.

A whole new begining....

Yesterday I did it! I gave my two weeks notice. In a few short weeks I will be surrounded by other Seattle-ites. I can't wait. All I need now is a job, an apartment and a moving truck. :) (I actually won't need a moving truck because my fix-it-all dad is gracious enough to offer to tote all our crap on his trailer he has. Thanks, Dad! And my sister is nice enough to put me up in her house, so really all I need is a job)

The biggest hurdle we have actually had has been our parents. (God bless 'em, we love em, but we don't need the guilt trips.) So let me say this to all the "mothers" and "fathers" out there who think we are crazy: We know it is going to be hard. We firmly believe in sacrificing in order to get into a better situation. We know we are crazy to leave the life we have here in the 'Tah to move away with no jobs. We know that if this is a total disaster we will be once again living in the basement of our parents house. But we also know that we have to try. We have wanted to live there for ages and have really nothing keeping us here. (no house payment, no car payments, no kids, no huge bills.) We are only a phone call away or a $99 flight. :) So thanks for all the worry but we will be fine, really. :) That is a load off my chest, now back to the boxes....

Impromtu Weekend

This weekend, we went on a very speedy, tiring, road trip. We decided we would go up to Seattle for a few days. (we left on Thursday morning and 12 hours later were pulling into our Red Lion Hotel in Bellevue) We went up there to get away, but also to see what was up in the area. I lived up there for nine months about 7 years ago, and am desparate to go and live there again. Since our last vacation in January up there, we both decided we are ready to make the move. Um... just one small problem, we need jobs. (well in this economy it might be a tad harder to get) We are trying and then as soon as we get them we will say good bye 'Tah, hello Seattle. (I can't even think of a nickname for that city, it is too wonderful) Our plan is to get jobs and move. Any jobs... I might be your local barista, or bookseller. Anything to get us up there. I would be fine with that. Travis is even fine with having to take a job that isn't his job title of Graphic Designer. Yesterday, he was saying he would even be happy being a fish thrower at Pike's Market. I told him that he wouldn't need to go that far, and besides he wouldn't get that job because it is highly sought after and he would need to know someone in that field. I try to be supportive when I can be.

Seattle: Day One!

Seattle Day One

This morning we played Rock Band, before we went to University Village to do a little shopping at my favorite store, Crate and Barrel.  A few comic book stores for Travis was next and then we headed into down town for lunch.  We ate at a really delish place called Serious Pie.  After lunch we walked to Pike's Market.  It is always the best there. It is so diverse. It is my all time favorite place to go in Seattle. After the long day we headed back to my sister's house in Sammamish.  We relaxed for a few hours and played their Rock Band for the Wii. It is so much fun.  Tonight we are going to dinner with some friends. Tomorrow, we are off to Ferndale for my Niece's Basketball Tournament.  I hear Ferndale is the hip-happening place to be! ;) We will see.  

Seattle here we come!!!!!

We are going up to visit my Sis and her family (as well as visiting our favorite couple!)  I will post pictures when I get some time.  Have a great weekend!   

Seattle, here we come!!!!!!

I just booked Travis and me a vacation to visit my sister and her family in Seattle. Can't wait. It has been too long since I have visited the Fitzgerald clan! It has been at least 3 years. I wish I could see Kaity more too. She is 14 already. I can still remember the day she was born. Eric has gotten huge too. I can't believe how fast they all grow up. Wow, times flies. I am so happy to be going up there. I don't know if you have ever found a place where you feel like you are completely at home, but that is my place. I have my best friend living up there and one of my sisters up there too. I love it there. I love everything about it. When Travis graduated I was secretly praying that he would get a job there. Unfortunately, there was a different path for us than that. :) Anyways, I now am counting down the days until we go. I can't wait! It is going to be a long three months!!!!!