Where Have We Been?

Well, when I first started this blog I promised to not be one of those bloggers that told you about every single un-exciting thing that I ever did. And that is still my mission. But I guess I don't want all (two) of my faithful (haha) readers to abandon me because I haven't posted in a month. So here is a brief update on some of the things we have been up to. Mainly just the things where I took pictures of because...well

who wants to read a blog without pictures anyway? Not me!

Mt Si:

Lance, Val and I (poor Matt was studying) tried to go on a snowshoeing trip, but alas, Seattles beautiful winter also means that we have had virtually no snow. We opted for hiking instead and chose Mt Si because it was a) close and b) low enough we thought it wouldn't have any snow. Turns out the last mile and a half was on snow that was not deep enough for snowshoes or crampons but just deep enough to be insanely slippery. I have a bruise on my backside to prove it. It was nice to get out and work those muscles though!

started out nice and green...

and ended up quite white!

We had a nice dinner with L&V and Bret & Jaci and drank some Kestrel wine.

Our friend Cory is a great chef, wonderful host, and our sushi making buddy. He taught us his ways for the first time last summer and we decided to have another go at it. The results were fantastic. I have never been so full on sushi. Except last time we did this.

Chef Cory

Matt enjoying Cory's Saki-tini - yum yum

The spread

Our lovely friend Val had a BIRTHDAY

I made her some yummy citrus cupcakes

(I'm trying to add baking to my kitchen skillz)

We played at Golden Gardens b/c is was a becautiful day

We went to The Garage for some pool and bowling

(pics by Val)

...and another lovely night at my parents place in Olalla with L&V

Lots of other nice get-togethers but thats all the photos I have so there's your update!

Its Official!

Peru & Bolivia, here we come!

*****Update:
Matt thinks I shouldn't share our actual itenerary with you, the world. Just in case one of you wants to blow up our plane. Or pretend to be me so I can't go on the trip? I'm not sure. But anyways, suffice it to say we are going to Peru & Bolivia May 22-July 6. So excited!!



Thanks Alaska Frequent Flyer Miles!!

Olympics, Vancouver BC

I had an epiphany last weekend while watching the Olympics on TV: I will probably never be living within 2.5 hours driving distance of the Olympics again. And I will probably never be rich enough to pay $400/night to fly and stay somewhere where the Olympics are.

Action required by said epiphany: GO!!!

Like I said...not rich enough to afford staying, so I had to cajole Matt and some wonderful friends into driving up there for the day. Not that 2.5 hours is tooooo far, but saying 'I'm driving to Canada for the day' is a little bit daunting. Especially with the border patrols dismal history for speed and efficiency.

Saturday morning, bright and early (no wait, way before it was bright!), armed with some fresh Krispy Kreme doughnuts we headed north to the land of hockey and maple syrup.

We had a great time! There were tons of free festivities everywhere, everyone was so happy and spirited, Canada actually plays the events on TV live, and there was lots of yummy food and drink. The weather left a bit to be desired (clouds with occasional rain), and there were lines everywhere, but really, what can you expect?

There was free ice skating

There was a 4D ride. We had to do a little research into the '4D' part, but apparently that's when the 'ride' also sprays water at you, your seat shakes, there are smells to go with the scenes, they blow air at you, and of course, the movie is in 3D. It was neat.

I had a gigantic delicious Nutella & strawberry crepe.

There was a free zip line across a big square in the downtown

All the countries had their own 'houses' set up. You could go inside and watch events on TV, buy beer or food, hang out with people from other countries, sometimes athletes from that country would come in, etc.

We saw the Olympic Village (where all the athletes stay).

Got to see the Olympic torch/cauldron

Drank some yummy beer at a cool pub while watching Canada dominate at the terribly confusing and somewhat boring sport of curling

Drank more beer while watching Finland (who the US had beaten the day before) dominate in the bronze medal hockey game.

....and generally did a lot of walking and seeing neat stuff. While the crowds were certainly annoying at points it was really fun to be a part of something so big, see people from so many countries, and see how everyone was so happy and full of national pride and friendly.

Canadians playing a pickup game of street hockey.

(The gold medal game was CRAZY by the way. I am sad we lost but happy for the poor Canadians who would have been so devastated)

Vancouver has lots of cool urban living.

I want to go back when the Olympics aren't happening

It's hard to tell in the picture but there was a whole shoreline covered with cool cairns.

I liked it a lot.

Happy to be at the Olympics!

And some BIG kudos to both US and Canadian border patrol. Heading into Canada in the morning took a total of about 3 minutes which included about 10 questions like 'are you carrying any firearms?', 'have you ever been arrested?' On the way home we were about the 4th car in line but when we pulled up the US customs guy said 'where are you from?' -seattle 'how long were you here?' -one day.  He scanned our passports but handed them back and waved us on before his computer could have even pulled up the fact that I was a missing felon had that been the case. Luckily, it wasn't. Great border crossing experience. If only they would stamp my passport. ;)