snow day!

Tastes good.

 

 No sled? This will work.

 

 No, Dad. It's a Frisbee.

See.

Happy snowy day.

Pacific Northwest: Seattle

My sister and I just returned from a trip to Seattle and Tacoma, WA. It was a relaxing weekend, mostly spent roaming about and exploring the city for the first time. I hope to go back again and see more of the countryside, but I'm glad I at least got a taste of it. Here are a few photos from Seattle.

Our first morning there was beautiful. We took a long walk along the water, which turned out to be one of my favorite parts of the trip.

I really enjoyed the Pike Place Market, much more than I expected to. 

We had to see the first Starbucks, of course.

I thought the Space Needle would be bigger, but it was still neat to see.

Do you know the story of the pigs?

Our nights out were nothing crazy, but I did try a drink with an egg in it.

Overall, I liked Seattle. It's a very walkable city, and the people were quite nice. Twice I had people stop on the street to ask if I needed directions. I guess it's obvious you're not a local when you get your handheld map out and look around with a quizzical look on your face. One guy even commented that the reason he stopped was because he doesn't see people with real maps these days. He asked where I got it, as if it were a special artifact.

More on Tacoma later. 

For now, I'll leave you with this friend, spotted at the market.

BFF is Engaged

My best friend since kindergarten is 

getting married!

Her fiance is wonderful. 

The ring is beautiful. 

And I'm the maid of honor.

I could not be happier for us them!!

2013 Thirty Day Challenges

Instead of one big resolution this year, we've decided to do a series of 30-day challenges. For January, we've decided to have no alcoholic beverages at home. I don't think it will be too hard, but some days you just want a glass of wine after work. None of that for January. Possible future challenges include flossing every day, giving up coffee, daily blogging, and waking up earlier. 

Are you a fan of resolutions? Did you make one for 2013?

*happy new year*

2012 was a pretty fantastic year. Nothing drastically changed, and that may be exactly why it was so pleasant. Although I didn't reach certain goals or accomplish as much as I hoped to, I gained a new understanding of what's most important to me in life and how fortunate I am to be surrounded by such special people.

Cheers to a very happy 2013 and beyond.

A Song.

'Let Her Go' by Passenger

a quote.

"There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love.

When we are afraid, we pull back from life.

When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with

passion, excitement, and acceptance.

We need to learn to love ourselves first,

in all our glory and our imperfections.

If we cannot love ourselves,

we cannot fully open to our ability to love others

or our potential to create.

Evolution and all hopes for a better world

rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision

of people who embrace life."

{ John Lennon }