Adventures in Washington

I haven't ever taken a week-long trip alone, but I recently took an 8-day trip to the Seattle/Tacoma area to attend the Northwest Pacific Regional Championships with one of my skaters. I really wanted to be able to travel with my husband, but I really had to go alone and be a big girl. It ended up being a huge blessing, because aside from coaching my skater, I had a lot of free time where I could focus on taking time for myself. The competition was a success, and I learned a lot. I also enjoyed staying with my friend who I met in Fairbanks and exploring the cities around me. Enjoy the pictures!

Day 1:
The Seattle Washington Temple
So grateful to have friends who go to the temple with me!
Maybe I am not so good at taking self pictures!

Day 2: Renton, WA
I took advantage of the sunny & warm weather and got out every day
for a long walk. How beautiful it was!

More awesome glass art!

Day 3: Tacoma, WA
I loved the blown glass near the Museum of Glass

Mt. Rainier! I got so excited when I saw it on day 3, as it had been covered
up by clouds on the first couple of days. It is gorgeous, and reminds me of
Denali.

Day 4: Puyallup, WA
After General Conference was over, I took a 2 hour walk around this lovely
park.

And I even tried to take a picture of my shadow!
This is the one downside of traveling alone...no one
can take pictures of you!

Day 6: Pike's Place, Seattle, WA
It's a good thing I don't live in Seattle or else I would have bought fresh fish!
(I didn't want to pay for shipping)

Day 6: Pike's Place, Seattle, WA
I went sight seeing in Seattle and stumbled upon Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt.
The lovely lady working there offered me a sample, of which I gladly accepted.
It was beyond anything I had ever tasted. It didn't taste a thing like yogurt, yet
it was yogurt sweetened by berries and honey, and nothing else. I had
to purchase a small for myself. It was THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER EATEN!

Loved the copious amounts of fresh fruits and veggies!!! Another reason to
be glad I was just visiting. My wallet would have been empty haha

Lunch date with Whitney Dean!! My sister's classmate from CA took the time to see me.
What a classy lady she is!

Plum Bistro on Capitol Hill made some tasty food!

Yes, I am a nerd and took pictures of our cute
mason jar glasses!

On top of the Space Needle! This was the one "Tourist Trap" that I was willing to pay $20 for. I am glad I did!
The view was amazing and a sweet lady took my picture for me :)

Just another pretty view of the Seattle Skyline

The time when you're coerced to use the freebie Seattle Space Needle photo
booth. Hehe love the cheesiness of the background!

Day 7: Pumpkin Patch in Puyallup, WA
My first time at a pumpkin patch!

Tasha makes such a good dwarf face!

Fall fun!

I had to get a picture of me and a pumpkin, even if I wasn't going to buy one

I am a shorty and proud of it!

Hoping for a Rainbow

I'm really not sure if I ever thought this day would come. The day that I made it past 13 weeks pregnant without losing the baby. #miracle. I know I am not out of the woods yet, and honestly, when are we really? I am just trying to live every day with gratitude for the life inside of me, living with hope for the future. Part of me wanted to wait until next week, when I was past 14 weeks and officially in the 2nd trimester, but I couldn't wait any longer. I've been getting a little thick in the middle, which is getting more difficult to hide, and I feel like I haven't been able to be completely honest with friends when they would ask, "how are you doing?" All I wanted to talk about was how nauseous I was or how nervous I felt. So now, the news is out, whether or not you already suspected something was up. Seriously though, the 1st trimester is not for the faint of heart! There were many instances when I thought I would lose the baby, but dee...

Grandpa is Always Right | Gender Reveal |

I was hanging out in our rental apartment in Salzburg, Austria with my sister when my dad walked out of his bedroom and announced that I was having a girl. I was only 11 weeks along at that point and while I was wishfully hoping for a girl, I was preparing myself for a boy. His strong conviction of the gender of our child without any hints from an ultrasound surprised me. My dad seems to always be right about things, so I secretly hoped he was right this time too. Today during my scan, my favorite sonographer announced that we were having a girl. Grandpa is always right. I never imagined our family starting with a baby boy. I don't know why, but a baby girl seems to fit just perfectly. Now I just have to keep calm and stay healthy for 19 more weeks.

7 Course French Dinner: Small Town Missouri Style

My husband and I LOVE food. Anyone who doesn't know that about us just doesn't know us very well yet. We celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary on November 25th. This past year has been the most difficult one for me, but the most rewarding. A baby's first year is not for the faint-hearted. My man has sure seen the worst of me as I have traversed these fatigue filled days, as well as the best of me as I have cherished every squishy giggle from our beloved girl. BUT O HOW AMAZING TO GO ON A DATE FOR 5 HOURS ALONE WITH HIM! (Thank you to the mother-in-law for tending the baby!) We have been planning to go to La Galette Berrichonne ever since we were told of their 7 course French dinners on Saturday nights by reservation only back in July. Yes, we are planners too. Eating French food on our anniversary is an unofficial tradition for us. We went out for French food on our wedding night and fell in love with it, so we treat ourselves to a decadent meal once a y...

Tender Mercies

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