Our Chocoholic

After spending the evening at Shilshole Bay, we picked up cookies at The Metropolitan Market. Surrey devoured her whoppie pie cookie and then fell asleep happily in her carseat.

Twenties Girl

A couple of years ago, I was out visiting teaching when my companion and visit teachee both were talking about the "Shop-a-holic" series by Sophie Kinsella. I picked up Confessions of a Shopaholic and I was hooked. I have bought every book by Kinsella and loved every single one. I just finished Twenties Girl last night. It was extremely cute and really creative. I truly can see this book made into a movie, it was that good and entertaining. I admit, that I laughed so hard out loud on her first date with Ed in the pub that Jack asked me what was so funny numerous times. He just wouldn't get it...

Our Future Home...

This is the future site of our new home. Yep, we decided to build a home instead of buying an existing one. The existing homes we saw were lovely, absolutely lovely, but we felt strongly that we needed certain things in this home to really make it "home" for us. And since I don't plan on moving or building again for quite some time, I really want to make it ours. The one thing we love about this lot (besides the fantastic neighborhood and ward) is that it backs up to green space. So yes, those neighbors behind us are as close as they will ever get. Now we just need to get the permits to go through so that construction can start!!!

Our First Day of School in Seattle

The children finally start school in Seattle. Jack is enrolled in the local elementary school here in Seattle until our home is finished in Issaquah next year. He is in a Kindergarten/First Grade combined class. His teacher is named Ms. Doonan.

We have Megan in preschool (and this was her first day) just down the street. She is so excited to go. Now if she just had a little more patience to ride the bus next year...though we are told there are no buses in the new neighborhood. We live too close...

I look forward to the short, precious alone time I get to spend with Surrey just a couple days a week, as I know this time will quickly fly by.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Ballard Locks

The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks located in Ballard provide a link for boats between the saltwater of the Puget Sound and the fresh water of the Ship Canal connecting to Lake Union and Lake Washington. The Hiram M. Chittenden Locks, often called the Ballard Locks, link salty Puget Sound with the fresh waters of Salmon Bay, Lake Union, Portage Bay, and Lake Washington.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Darrin and the Kids as they watch a sailboat anchor itself to the wall so that it can enter the Puget Sound.

And Stuart Makes it!

Stuart finally makes it to Washington and the first place we take him is to Shilshole Beach-we just love it there. And the sunset that night-gorgeous!

Perfect evening to spend walking in the sand.

September 2010

Stuart's First trip to Washington

My dad made this robot wooden marionette doll for Jack right before we left. We decided on our drive up, that we would take a picture with him in ever state we passed through. Our first stop: Brigham City, Utah. Second, a rest stop in Idaho, and third, Mc Donald's in Oregon (the one with the moose). We still need to add a picture here in Washington-maybe today? Jack has officially named Stuart his only brother. Jack sleeps with him; eats with him; plays with him; watches tv with him. He even tried to put him in the bath with him, but was able to stop Jack before Stuart got ruined. Jack and Stuart are inseparable. What are we only to do on Monday when he starts school?

Our Little Family's "Utah"

Before we left, we had my dad take one last family shot sitting in front of their beautiful summer sunflowers. Needless to say, Megan wasn't thrilled about the photo,

but at least we got it.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Goodbye to the Grandparents

We, regretfully, had to say our goodbye's to each set of Grandparents. I admit this was a lot harder than I imagined. Since my parents moved out here 4 years ago, I have spent considerable amount of time with them. I have always been really close to both my parents, and since the recent events with my dad, leaving them was difficult for me. I know we will have plenty of visits both in Utah and in Washington with them, it will just not be the same as driving down the street for a nice afternoon.

Nanny and Papa Ford with Surrey, Megan, and Jack
Eagle Mountain, Utah

Grandpa and Grandma Allred with Surrey, Jack, and Megan
Brigham City, Utah

We Sold Our Home!

We never thought it was going to actually happen, but we sold our home. It was truly a miracle and an answer from many prayers (and fasts) on behalf of our home in Utah. Moving to Seattle never felt so right, so peaceful to Darrin and I, but we knew we had to sell our home to make the move work for us. And it happened! We will dearly miss many really close friends and neighbors that we have come to love and adore. We just hope to get many visitors...now our home in Washington just has to get built and finished by next summer...