The Great Escape

Looks like a nice day outside...

We are living with my inlaws. I love them, and I love their cat. Angel is an inside cat, but her dream is to live in the wild, or at least the front yard. She is always perched and ready for an unsuspecting human to leave the front door open so she can have an adventure. This is how it usually goes:




Maybe if I jump down, someone will open the glass door.



I'm waiting....

Come on! There's a squirrel out there with my name on it.

Oooh, someone opened it...here's my chance.

I'm out!! Let's see if the front yard still smells the same as I remember....

The sweet aroma of freedom...I am a lion and the world is my jungle.



It was nice while it lasted, but that inlaw got me again. Inside I go to plan my next breakout..



I Miss Asians

My husband and I have an ongoing debate about the demographic make-up of our home states. He says there is an Asian population in Florida. Compared to Washington, I disagree. Florida cannot hold a candle to our Vietnamese noodle shops, our sushi, or the Chinatown districts in all our major cities. I went to a grocery store while I was visiting home, and just had to take a picture of the aisle sign to support my case.

Rebecca from the Map



Where do I live, Honey?



Two of my best childhood friends are sisters that lived down the street, Kasia and Andrea. We are all grown up now, and Kasia has kids of her own. I was so surprised that Isaiah knew my name so well since I don't get to see him very often. Turns out Kasia is teaching him the U.S. states by associating people who live in each one. So, I was a bit of a celebrity when I came to visit: Rebecca from the Map. 

  

Forever friends :)



Work it Zay!

Hi baby!!





Seattle



Typical Seattle day



Every time I go home to Washington, my Dad and I spend a day in Seattle. First stop: Owajimaya in Chinatown, the biggest Asian market I have ever seen. Second stop: Pike Place Market, including the fish tossin' at Pike Place Fish Company, fresh flowers, endless produce, local artists, and street performers. Third stop: cross the street to get coffee at the original Starbucks and grab lunch at an ethnic restaurant of choice. Perfect day.

  

Owajimaya has an entire aisle dedicated to ramen. Love it!



Pike Place Fish Company

Home of the flying fish!

Check out that salmon!

Now these are some real crab legs

Close your eyes and smell the fresh!

Five bucks per bouquet. Amazing.

Did he just roll his piano downtown? Don't worry, I tipped him after I took his picture.

The original Starbucks girl was a little scandalous, huh?

Prime time spot for a street band.

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Look at this bass!

A little cajun flair

Yummy Piroshky from the Russian bakery, filled with Spinach and cheese. Buttery pastry goodness!

Northwest-grown Dahlias bigger than your face!

Lulu's 99th Birthday

 

 

Awesome cake from the Cake Studio!

Last week while my husband and friends were packing our moving truck in Mississippi, I got on a plane and went home to Washington to celebrate by great grandma's 99th birthday. Her name is Doris Lulu. We call her Lulu :) It was so good to be there. We had a big party, enjoyed a family cookout, ate lots of dinners together, and mom and I played Lulu's favorite hymns on our guitars. Good times were had by all. Happy Birthday, Lulu! 





This is the famous "Four Generation" picture pose we've been doing since I was 2.

Now where do we put our hand again?

Me, Annette, and Uncle Jeff :)

Me and my cousin Zoe



Uncle Farrell and Lulu



Mimi and Pop Pop. Love them!





Pop Pop looks good for 81, huh? And he can still cook up a storm!



He made a belated birthday dinner for me, too!



Filet mignon, prawns, ceasar salad, green beens, potatoes, and bread. Pop Pop is awesome!





The grandmas and the grandkids

Making targets...

Shooting at targets...

Watching for ashes from the fire pit. Cute!

Guitars, guitars everywhere!





Lulu's birthday slippers :)



Another Final Taco Tuesday

It's hard to believe, but our time in Mississippi has come to an end. People told us two years would go by fast. Turns out they were right. What a great two years! We made the best friends we could have asked for and Jason is done (almost) with seminary! Before we left, our friends took us out for another final Taco Tuesday.  Our teacher friends planned the night, so instead of homemade tacos, we went to one of our favorite little Mexican places, Margaritas. We were 8 minus 2 since the Walkers are in Canada, but we saved them seats at the table and pretended they were with us anyway. We love these people!!

Happy Birthday

For my birthday this year, we went to the Clinton-Madison Central football game complete with a tail gate party, got subs from our favorite sandwich shop, and had a girls slumber party! Great day with great friends :)

What a happy way to start the day! Love you Ash!

You will never see me in orange and blue again.

Clinton fans!

Tail gate party

Mmmmmm!

BWaits and LoLo....so cute!!

Cheese!

Go Jags!!

Thanks for the cookie cake Ash!!

Slumber party!