Coming home

It was a whirlwind weekend!  But, it had to end sometime... and bright and early it did.  We flew out of Seattle at 6:05... but our layovers weren't nearly has long.  In fact, in Denver we had just enough time to quickly scarf down lunch and then we were one of the last people to board!  The flight from Seattle to Denver was awesome... we had the entire row to ourselves and Norah slept the entire time.  Denver to Chicago was good but it was full.  I lucked out and had a couple next to me that adored Norah and was extra helpful and understanding as well... it was awesome.  I couldn't wait to see the fam!  I had heard about all this crazy weather and all the accidents from the cold that I was worried about them driving down to get me, but they made it safe and sound.

At SeaTac bright and early... 5 am

Sweet Norah... I could stare at that face all day

Watching the sun rise

Mountains!

Dude was really excited about being in Chicago because the last time he was there was with Gaetan and Grandpa on their boy's outing, and he was super stoked to show Lucy the trains (CTA) into the city... so despite the fact that I was exhausted beyond belief I knew that this was going to make their day.  So, after we dropped my baggage off at the car we headed to the train and rode it into the city.  I knew that it was going to be cold but this was a rude awakening!  Dude was right, Lucy LOVED the train ride.  Norah I think would've liked it if she wasn't so exhausted... and she was letting us know that she was tired!  Once we got into the city Dude requested that we get dinner at the same place that they did before, but unfortunately it was closed.  He was a good sport about it though and we ended up getting noodles and co. haha.  Riding the train into the city so that we can get something we can get all the time... but it was the experience.  Norah was so excited to see the crazies though.  They had a great time being silly together over dinner.

The train!

I missed those faces

being silly with the crazies

She thought the sound "glub glub glub" was hilarious!

We had to get going pretty quickly though because the tickets that we got where for two hours and that time was almost up from the train ride, to the walking around and finally eating.  So we got to the station and realized that we must've dropped our tickets somewhere so we had to buy more... oh well.  Good thing they aren't that expensive and the kids ride for free!  We finally made it back to the car but then had to drive home.  The roads were thankfully pretty clear and it wasn't excessively windy.  However, once we exited I could see the damage that mother nature had done and was thankful that we didn't slide into a ditch or something since we were so close and most of the kids were sleeping.

It was a beautiful and fantastic weekend and I am glad to be home.

JVG

Seattle Day 3

Race day!  I have to be honest... I wasn't very amped about doing this run.  I definitely felt prepared for it, but since I had already hit my target goal during training there wasn't a lot of pressure for this race... and honestly, I was exhausted.  Sweet Norah didn't sleep a whole lot during the night, and always at some point would end up in bed with me... which really meant, she was laying on my face or in some way that was awkward for me, but everybody knows you don't want to move in case that might wake them up. haha.  But, Norah actually slept in that day (5:30!) which was perfect timing for us to get up, eat a little something and get ready to go run!

The name of this race was called The Rain Run.  And, since this is Seattle's winter more often than not it is rainy... but not this weekend!  It was actually forecast to be sunny and quite nice.  Well, it was mid to upper 30's during the race and I was FREEZING!  The trails actually had iced over because it was so cold and dank... but we were there and ready to go.  I have to take this time to thank Amy's husband Brian.  He was such a trooper and the man for watching Norah while we ran.  Norah isn't the best when I'm away, so I was a little worried that she was going to be a stinker the entire time... which, I guess she did scream in his face for a good 30 min-45 or so... but he was a champ and wore her in the backpack and even wore her teething necklace.  His friend Sameer and his dog Happy accompanied them and they got to go to the dog park for a little bit.... so there was at least something for Brian to do. When we got back from the race she wasn't crying and was awake... so that was good!  I guess she did end up taking a nap for about half the race, which I'm sure all party's were pleased about.  And, I'm not gonna lie, if it was actually raining I don't think I would've gotten out of the car!  It was cold!

Brian... the baby wearing super husband... they were feeding my baby frosting... 

We finished!  And look how sunny it is!

Modeling off our medal

Modeling off our rain run umbrella

Sweet Norah enjoying our outdoor lunch

Race swag!

Amy and I did a great job pacing each other at a time that was going to keep us under 2 hours!  She is still a much better/faster runner than I am, but she was nice enough to stay with me :)  I have to say that we were very consistent throughout the entire race... except the end... where we got faster!  Booyah!  Our final time was 1:56:58... which was about a minute and a half faster than my previous PR.  I was pleased.  And I didn't feel like an old lady afterwards... usually my hips hurt pretty badly after long runs.  In fact, after that I attended a capo roda!

Maybe 5K in... it doesn't look like we're freezing at all!  I couldn't feel my toes until probably mile 7

The turn around

Coming in for the finish!

We quickly grabbed some lunch after the race outdoors, which was beautiful.  I was a little skeptical at first because it had been so cold but it turned out to be a great idea... the sun was shining and it was perfect.  Then Amy and I high tailed it downtown to try and find this capo class, which we did.  I got there just in time for the roda which was fun!  I got to play different people which is always a good experience... their axe was energizing!  At the end of class though their instructor seemed pretty frustrated so he wasn't that pleasant, but I know everybody has good and bad days.. so I'll try not to take it personally.

We then headed back to the Husteds where we hung out with the Kumars and went out for dinner for Brian's birthday at this great pizza place!  I was a little worried that Norah was going to be cranky since it was WAAAY past her bed time but she was great!  We had a great time all hanging out, eating pizza and laughing.  It was a perfect ending to a wonderful weekend.  After dinner we made a few last minute stops for my preparation home and went back home to relax before the end of the night.  I would say that everything was perfect.  It was just the right amount of time to be away, to be relaxing and not missing the crazies to much, got to hang out with Amy (which is the best part!), see Seattle and run our race.  Until next time Seattle... it will probably be the entire family... prepare yourself! haha

JVG

Seattle Day 2

Friday morning sweet Norah woke up at 4 am... 7 Michigan time but we weren't in Michigan... oof.  So, we tried to keep it down so that Amy and Brian could get their rest so Norah got in the tub.  We hung out until Amy and Brian got up and she had to take him to work.  I got Norah down for a little nap while I took a shower (get that traveling grime off) and by the time Amy got back Norah was up and ready to go!



We had quite the morning adventure.  We went to west Seattle, to Alki beach, and went for a walk.  It was cold!  Not as cold as the weather is here, but there was something about the dank wetness there... it was bone chilling!  We walked along the beach for awhile and got to see the city over the ocean.  It was beautiful!  It was fun to get out and just talk and enjoy nature.

I like this picture because it has the sun all hiding in the clouds

Norah under the same tree in the above picture

We decided to head into the city to see where Amy works, grab some lunch and take in a few touristy sites.  Amy's office is right downtown and has a beautiful view!  I got to meet her coworkers... finally put some names to faces... haha.  And then we grabbed some pho.  It was delicious... and warm... and big!  We then walked along the coast a bit and took some more pictures of the mountains, which are breath taking.  The sun was coming out and the weather was starting to get really nice!  (like high 40's low 50's!  heat wave!  haha)  We decided to go to Fremont and see the troll under the bridge, but by the time we got there Norah had fallen asleep, and we were going to let her so we just did a quick drive by so I could take a picture ;)  We were then off to pick up our race packets and then went home for an afternoon snack.

Fire station for Dude

This allowed Norah to get some crawling around time in... this entire time she had either been strapped into her carseat (which we borrowed from a friend and she did not love), stroller or the backpack.  And this allowed us to dine on popcorn, wine and chocolate.  We are on VACATION!  haha.  We then had to pick Brian up from work and then we went home and hung out some more.  A nice relaxing way to end the night after a lot of adventuring and before our race the next morning.  Whew... what a day!

JVG

Seattle Day 1

I know I have about a month's worth of blogging to catch up on, but I just got home from a most excellent trip out to the west coast and am amped to blog about it... so it's jumping ahead in the blogging line and going now :)

Bright Thursday morning we packed the fam up and drove to Chicago so that I could fly to Seattle.  We left around 4:30 to make it to my 7:30 flight.  Let me tell you... the driving conditions and roads were HORRENDOUS.  In case you've been living under a rock for the past month or so it's been a polar vortex (so they've been saying).  It was really cold but on top of that it was WINDY.  You'd be cruising along just fine and without any notice white out.  Like, you couldn't see two feet in front of you white out and then all of the sudden there would be the back of a semi!  I have to admit that there was a pretty scary moment where I thought that we were all going die, and no, I'm not being dramatic.  You know how trucks kick up a lot of snow and if you can get past them your visibility will improve exponentially?  Well, we were trying to get past this truck, and he decided that he didn't really care about lanes.  As we got closer he just kept drifting over into our lane and then I'm not even kidding I saw the corner of this truck and it was coming at my side of the van.  We did some fancy maneuvering that required us sliding back and forth within our lane, where a few times I thought that we were going to be paint on the side of said truck, but eventually made it through ahead and safely.  It was a pretty tense moment and something I hope never to have to experience again!  Beyond that things went pretty smoothly getting to the airport and Norah and I made it through security without a hitch and then we were on our way to Denver!

Finding our gate and letting Norah have the last of her 'freedom' before our flights began!

Happy baby girl even for being away hella early

Getting a grasp on our situation

I took this picture for Dude... our wing and a plane taking off 

This was also for Dude... to see all the planes at their gates

Clouds and mountains

Happiest travel buddy ever!

She ate a lot of snacks...

I did get her to take a mini nap on the first flight

Hanging out at Denver International

She was pretty pleased that she was able to move about in more than the size of a seat

There was this other family there that she was captivated with.  

I think she missed Dude and Goose because they had a boy and a girl their age that she loved

Beginning of our flight... sweet girly!

Heading into Seattle

Denver to Seattle

Love the mountains!

She did a fantastic job on the flight.  I had a window seat and there wasn't anybody in the middle so that helped because she could stretch out a little and I wasn't worried about her grabbing our neighbors stuff.  And the gentleman that was sitting in the aisle seat was very friendly so that helped too!  We had a three hour lay over in Denver which allowed us to grab some lunch and stretch our legs.  They have this upper level that doesn't have anything but bathrooms, a few seats and outlets for charging... so its great to let children burn some energy without worrying about them getting lost in the crowds.  I took a mini walk with Norah before we boarded in which she fell asleep, so for the first little bit of the flight she slept!  I was lucky to have two college aged girls in my row who absolutely adored babies so they were a big help and really understanding about Norah's curiosities in all their stuff.  I also have to give a HUGE SHOUTOUT to the flight attendants from Denver to Seattle.  They were amazing!  Best ones on the entire trip by a long shot.  Also, Norah decided that I was going to be in the mile high club... not the exciting kind, but the she had to poop on every flight kind so I got to experience changing diapers in the smallest space ever.

We landed in Seattle with no problems, grabbed our bag and got to see AMY!  Whoo!  We had an adventure getting out of SeaTac but made our way to a grocery store where we picked up some food for Norah and then went and picked up Brian from work.  We got to their new home, which is adorbs BTW and got settled in for our little vacation.  It was a nice relaxing night and Norah went to bed before dinner was ready which meant that I actually got to eat hot food and talk with friends undisturbed for the night.  It was awesome.  I will say that her going to bed so early (since she was probably still on Michigan time and we woke up so stinking early that day) wasn't my friend the next morning, but eh, you go with it.  :)

First day of traveling was a huge success and it was amazing to finally be hanging out with the Husteds.

JVG