Spreadin the Love

What a night in Seattle! Tim, Sabrina, Andy and I painted the town red, thanks to a love-packed agenda provided by the Hetlands. The eve began with dinner at Barrio, a candle-lit sexy Spanish restaurant that features Seattle's best gourmet tacos. These tastey treats paired perfectly with specialty made fresh rose-bud and strawberry Sangria. I completely understand if a little drool just found it's way to your keyboard.

Next, we walked to a cute cafe that brewed their own fresh roasted coffee. It hit the spot and got us jived up for our next event: a romantic stroll at Kerry Park-where Seattle lit up the sky at one of the best views of city. Now that I know where this really cool spot is, I look forward to taking you there-all Washingtonians should take a gander at this locale. Incredible.

Last (and a little fuzzier in my mind...) we kicked back at Ozzie's on Queen Anne. We Karaoked (sp?) to our little hearts content. Andy, of course, stole the stage with his smooth voice and ca-razy moves. Sabrina also won the hearts of many-a-bar folk when she got down and dirty performing "Shoop".

I don't know if it's the gourmet food, the city lights, or the cheap beer--but nights like that make me think that me and my someone special got some kinda thang. I sure lucked out with this one. Whatta man whatta man whatta man whatta mighty good man.

dance fusion

Meg and I've always enjoyed dancing. Last weekend we met a girl named Jane (friend of a friend, great name too, isn't it?). Jane's a nursing student at UW, a doula on the side, and someone who enjoys salsa dancing. She invited us to the come dancing with her at a club called the Century Ballroom in the heart of Capitol Hill, here in Seattle.

We met up around 8, prefunked for a spell, then drove to the Ballroom, which is situated on 11th St, I think, on the second story of an old building with high ceilings, antiquated staircases, and crown molding. We paid a cover then entered the dim, sweaty ballroom, which was lit by red lights. Every Saturday night at the CB includes a brief introductory lesson on the rudiments of salsa, lasting about 15 - 20 minutes. During the lesson, you learn a handful of basic steps, a few twists, and a few turns. Then the music starts blarring and the floor fills up with all sorts of people, young and old.

The scene, dim, red, sweaty, sensual, loud, and pulsating with the rhythms of Buena Vista Social Club, was also non-threatening. It was easy to meet people and to dance with strangers - young and old, talented and not so talented - because everyone was there, or seemed to be there, primarily to enjoy the dance itself, the experience of salsa.

All in all, Meg and I learned that Salsa is a highly sensual, graceful thing, a real picante art form, one that represents a sort of fusion between two bodies. That's what the best dancers seemed to do, achieve a sprezzetura of rhythmic oneness.

We blundered our way through the first hour but became more and more comfortable with some of the steps and turns as the night worn on. We also watched other people and tried to remember the things we learned dancing with others. We stayed for about three hours and towards the end started getting the hang of things. Meg really brought the sauce; I was proud of her and loved being with her in such a chaotic, exciting place as the Century Ballroom.

Anyways, we plan on heading back to Capitol Hill. Might even become a ritual. It sounds cheasy but we netflixed an intro to salsa disc and are thinking about doing a little practicing at home in the evenings. Our recommendation - find a place to salsa!

"a-giddy-up" -Cosmo Kramer (Sienfeld)

It didn't take long for Andy and me to sink back into our regimented routine of life after all of the Christmas hubbub (that's right. hubbub) was over. I was kind of sad that the long mornings and late nights came to an end. I even complained about how dull things seem after all the traveling and fun things we got to do during the winter break.

Yesterday, Andy and I woke up, ate a huge breakfast and ran 8 miles together. We met our good friends, Tim and Sabrina, in Seattle for a great night of church, authentic Neopolitan pizza (with only the freshest ingredients shipped straight from Italy-wink, wink, T and S), and great conversation over coffee and dessert.

The whole day was a fun and exciting gift--just like Christmas. What a selfish, forgetful, lame-o idea to think that life is dull or that I don't have enough. If I can wake up with my great hubby and get out of a warm bed, it's Christmas. If me, my family or friends aren't sick, poor, or dying today, it's Christmas. I guess it really is a spirit that doesn't end January 1st. Everyday is Christmas.

To CA and Back Again

Andy and I flew back to Washington yesterday afternoon after a freakishly fast winter break. We crammed in so much fun stuff, that explaining everything would be similar to retelling someone a dream...which we all know is only interesting to the person that experienced it. So, I will instead explain some conclusions that Andy and I have arrived at:

First, we have taken a lot of ownership in our role as the aunt and uncle. With our fams combined, we are proud to be the visitors of 20 nieces and nephews. It is so fun to get the giggles, games, and bear hugs from all of our sweeties-and none of the responsibility :)

Second, we have some pretty fun big sisters and brothers that know how to welcome their guests and spoil their family.

Third, San Francisco is the prettiest city in the world. Andy and I spent a couple of days there walking the hills and climbing the steps, and we even got to see a showing of the famous "Beach Blanket Babylon" (Thanks Dean and Bonnie!). And to boot, Bonnie showed me some insane-o thrift stores in some of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods. Lucky jeans for 27 bucks!!

Fourth, a New Years Eve with family, friends, expensive vodka, 4different kinds of popcorn, and hula hooping is just as fun as clubbing till the break of dawn.

Fifth, it is possible to use a trailor closet door and a knee board as sleds. Belfair style.

Sixth, airborn doesn't necessarily prevent colds. But a good run outside can clear your head right up!

Last, we realized how simple Andy and I's life is together and just how much we enjoy that. We have more that we could ask for with our family and friends and all the love that surrounds us.

Kids dig my mom

Mom came to my class yesterday and gave the kids a very simple "card making" lesson. It was so fun! She brought all kinds of fun stamps and paper, and did a great little organized lesson. She even brought little gifts for each of them. By the time she left, the kids really felt like were card- making experts, and that mom was their new best friend.

I'm pretty sure none of them have had such a fun teacher as my mom. They were so excited to have her there, and so sad after she left. I was really proud to be the daughter of such a neat, fun person.

Right after crossing the finish line...

....a really nice photographer took this pic of Andy n me. (Which explains why Andy's face looks a little grey and mine looks a little purple). It was literally seconds after we crossed the finish line. Whew!

FUN!

What a great weekend! Here are some highlights from our "week of thanks"!:

-cutting and packing venison meat with Heath and Grant

-pheasant hunting with my dad on Thanksgiving morning

-Thanksgiving omelets at Uncle Jim's....and gigantic cinnamon rolls

-WAY too competitive monopoloy and texas hold em

-seeing Gramma Stella, who looks fabulous

-holding my new nephew, Sawyer

-pie at Gramma Pearl's. She made 9 pies!

My mom prepared a delish Thanksgiving meal and, as usual, made it look effortless. We sat around our dining room table, just my parents, gramma, and Heath and Grant, and I was so thankful to have all of them. What a loving family we have been blessed with.

And finally-the grand finale of the really fun weekend-we ran the SEATTLE HALF MARATHON THIS MORNING! It was so fun! Andy and I both chalk this run up to our favorite run of all time. We started and ended at the space needle. The weather was perfect. A nice, cool drizzle. We ran through skyscrapers, through parks, on a major interstate, through a tunnel, along the bay, with about 13,000 other runners. We felt strong and fast. Both of us really enjoyed it ....almost as much as we enjoyed our huge plate of Thanksgiving leftovers when we got home.