Let the sunshine!

When the sunshines in the wintertime in the Northwest, you make sure you enjoy it. Everyone gets outside when the weather is nice especially since it has been so cloudy and rainy (I know, I know what do I expect when I live in wet Washington.) We took a long walk when we had some beautiful weather last weekend. (notice the baby sleeping bag and extra blanket on Baby... I said sunshine, I didn't say warm temperatures.) And then we all just hung out in the sunshine by our sliding glass door. I think everyone, especially Thing Two really enjoyed it. (Thing one was happy to have the couch all to herself while we were all on the floor)

It was just a great time and we all were in better spirits after we had a little vitamin D boost. Can't wait until the next sunny day, hopefully it will include some higher temperatures too. I am itching to break out my flip flops.

Father's Day Celebration, belated

This weekend our adventures took a busy turn. We started out at the XXX Burger joints Chevy only car show. (I am a Chevy girl through and through and told Travis that this cute little 1960 red corvette would be a great gift for his wife when we make our millions.) It was a beautiful day and just the right temperature to meander around the cars. My dad was in town (along with my mother, of course) and he loves car shows. He has been a mechanic for the last about 40 years or so, and he loves to look at his craft. I have been drug all over the western United States and have seen all sorts of car shows. I used to hate going to them but now I find that I actually enjoy walking around and seeing all the beautiful cars that the owners have taken such good care of.
After the car show, we took my dad to Dick's Burgers. (seriously the best burger joint around and the best value.) We then headed to the Center for Wooden Boats. It was fun, but I wouldn't classify it as an actual museum. It was kinda just about 8 boats in the water with plaques explaining what they were.
After that we took a short drive around Lake Union to my favorite, Gas Works Park. My dad loved it there because you could watch all the boats and water planes landing. I think he would have stayed there all afternoon. (I know I would have been happy to if only the wind was a little less and my baby was a little more tired.)
It was a great day to celebrate our "Father's day" with my dad. I think he had a great time and we got to see a bunch of stuff we haven't seen yet. Happy Father's day Dad! (even though there is no way he will ever even see this post... he only knows how to find Bejeweled on the internet.) :)

A day of Assumptions

Earlier this week, my mother and I (with the baby in tow) headed over to Alki beach for a cup of coffee and a pastry. My husband likes to call us Lucy and Ethel because we always seem to get ourselves into trouble. (there are many stories I could tell you about our adventures, but that will be for another day.) While we stayed out of trouble we did have some fun people watching along the beach. My mom said that we were sitting there assuming things about people. (I found this funny because it was so brutally honest) I have forgotten how crazy spending time with my mom can be. The girl in this picture was cracking us up. She was wearing a bikini top with some super tight black leggings and to finish off the outfit she had on a pair of high heels. I had to take this picture incognito that is why it is a little off. It was probably not the most karmically correct thing we could have done, but it was nice to just sit there and have a laugh. (We kept reminding each other that we are no lookers either, so it kept it real.)
Everybody had fun....Liam was completely happy looking at his newly discovered hands.
In this picture, aren't his eyes so big?!
This is the picture taken by me, as you can see for Liam picture taking falls somewhere below looking at his hands.

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.

A very merry un-birthday

Yesterday, we celebrated Travis' birthday. We weren't sure if we would get to 'celebrate' with a special day for Travis if the baby was late, so we planned ahead and decided to celebrate it a month early. We started off with a quick donut at Top Pots Donut, which gave us the sugar rush to start the day! There is a park on the north side of Seattle called Gas Works Park. They have some old natural gas machines in the park, but the view is what you go for. It is absolutely beautiful!While we were enjoying the view, we noticed a huge cathedral across Lake Union. After we were finished at Gas Works, aka it started to downpour, we decided to go and find that cathedral,which was an adventure in itself (turns out it is an Episcopalian Cathedral named St. Marks) because it was near Capital Hill in a residential area. While we were exploring we came across the Seattle Asian Art Museum. I was excited to see the gardens, but when Travis saw that there was a Wood Block Display he was anxious to go and see it. (we also found the sculptures in front which included a "donut" looking sculpture that we could get the Space Needle in the center, and another sculpture of a Camel, which in my current condition is my new "spirit" animal) Travis has always had a deep love for the Japanese culture, which is ironic since I am the Japanese one. He was so excited to explain how the process worked. When I left him for a few minutes, I came back and he had two cute little old ladies completely enthralled with the explanation of how wood block prints were created. I think they would have loved a handsome man to give them a personal tour of the museum, but we were headed to another room to look at other prints. After walking around and sitting on many benches throughout the museum, we decided it was lunch time. Dick's Drive-in was just the hamburger joint that we were both craving. With their freshly made hamburgers, fries that actually came from a potato and a chocolate shake that would bring tears to any sweet-tooth, this is definitely a place I would drive 30 minutes to eat at. (also the fact that they are an old-fashioned cash only operation and there were a TON of people willing to wait in the rain for it was a great indication of how delish the meal was going to be.) We ended the day with heading to Bellevue Square so that Travis could window shop for an Ipad at the Apple Store. He happily went in and played with one for about 15 minutes or so and then just as happily met me outside the store on a bench. (yes, towards the end of the day I was moving from bench to bench.) After one more quick shop, which I admit I stayed in the car and took a short nap, we were ready to head home. I hope Travis had a great Un-birthday and that his real birthday includes one more person at the party!

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.

I heart Saturdays!

Snoqualmie Falls

Moving up to Seattle has been a completely different experience now that Travis is actually off work on the weekends. I can't believe how nice it is to actually go places with him. This weekend's adventure took us to Snoqualmie Falls, which is only like 20 minutes from our house. My parents were trying to talk us into going to Snoqualmie Casino instead, but I was able to explain that seeing a waterfall free is better than spending money in a casino. It was windy and a little cold, but worth the short trip to explore.

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.

Ok, the downlow....

The last month (yes, it has literally been a month since we moved.) has flown by. I got a position at an office/warehouse for a small craft supply company called Ellen Hutson, LLC. I know everyone says the people at their work are the greatest, but no for reals, mine are. Everyone is so nice and helpful. While we fill orders ,we talk and listen to stories. If you get a sec, you should check out her site, Ellen has an AMAZING creative eye. Her cards she creates are crazy-cute.
Travis just barely got a job at Fred Meyer's stocking shelves at night. He will be working from 12 midnight to nine in the morning. Talk about a change for him. I think there will be a little adjusting but he will rock it! The job is both good and bad, he will be on an opposite schedule as I will but will be able to let the dogs out during the day. We will at least get one meal together which will be his breakfast and my dinner.We also got an apartment in a smaller town on the outskirts of Seattle called Issaquah. It is such a cute little town. It is what Ogden should be. There are always tons of people walking around, going to restaurants or running errands. You definitely feel a sense of community. I can't wait to take a stroll down front street to get a closer look.
So there is the bigger update. I am rested and relaxed, although my house still consists of a boxes. My parents, who brought up my stuff from Utah are here for one more day, so unpacking will have to wait for one more day.

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!

Alki Beach

Today is the last day I will see Travis for a while. (while I stay here and find jobs, he is heading on a jet plane tomorrow for Utah.) This morning we decided to take a break from job hunting and have a quiet morning in Seattle, or more exact, Alki Beach. It was so pretty there. We walked along the beach for a bit and decided we needed to eat something for breakfast. We found a cute little place that was open for breakfast, Christos. It was a Greek-Pizza-Pasta restaurant that was run by a definetly very authentic Greek family. It was like being at home with Travis' Yia Yia (Grandma) The little old lady who everyone referred to as Mama, talked us in to coming in the door when we were looking at the posted menu. I think if Travis ever misses home we will definetly head there again. After our delicious breakfast we headed across the street to the beach. It was so pretty and peaceful. We relaxed for a few hour and headed back home. Tonight my sister is hosting the HOA annual barbaque. It should be another fun night submirged into suburbia!

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.

Ferndale Basketball Bonanza!

         Of course our Saturday started out with a quick game of Rock band before we were off to the games in Ferndale, (which is about 2 hours away from Seattle). We were lucky enough to watch "Peewee's Big Adventure" at the request of Eric, who does a great imitation of PeeWee. 

         Skyline (my Niece's team) had their first game at 2:00 on Saturday against Mt. Vernon.  They blew them out of the water which was a great way to start off the weekend.  It was also the first time I saw my niece fight for her first jump ball, which was the best thing ever. I have never seen Kaity be so aggressive with anything.   The second game, or as we call it, the shirt debacle was  against Lynden.  Skyline was suppose to be in white jerseys for the game, but they weren't told about it before so when the game started they were scrambling for shirts to wear, (notice the beautiful duct tape job on the sleeves)  They lost the game, and also the coach of the other team was a total beast. This game was very fun, because the girls were trying so hard. Kaity had 5 fouls according to Amy, who is the scorekeeper. (the "official" stats only had her at 4). They were all so passionate. The third game of the night was against Flash. Skyline won. It was so much fun because there were a bunch of cry babies on the Flash team, one of which was a flopper that my niece nicknamed, "the seal".  

      On Sunday, the games started at 10:00 am. The second day of games was a win or go home situation. Skyline won against Meridian.  The second game of the day was against Lynden again.  The coach was twice as beasty and also very mouthy at the refs (which was surprising but I think she was allowed to act that way because they thought she was cute.) The final game of the day was against Cashmere. It was a good game, but the team was a little off. Cashmere also was very speedy and quick with their plays.  Skyline lost so we were on the road back home by about 4.   We were able to have a nice dinner at home with my sister and her family. We played some card games and of course finished the night off with another few rounds of Rock Band.  :) 

Thanks so much for a wonderful trip. It was super fun.  I loved watching all the games and seeing Skyline go so far. :) Thanks to the Fitzie's for the great time. Can't wait to come again.  

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!   

What is she thinking?

You can not tell me that animals don't have emotions and feelings. This is the look that Kimi gave me as I was packing my bags. Talk about feeling guilty!