all taken on an iPhone so apologies for the grainy-ness
Before Reese and I left Sunday morning to meet Papa for coffee, I carefully laid out a little diner appropriate outfit for Ryan on her bed (certainly not a 30+ year old, precious, white, dressy dress). Grant told her to go get dressed and when they were ready to leave, he found her waiting for him decked out in her own version of diner-wear.
A close up (I love that dress)
The original circa late 1970's with Grandpa Britt
Anywho, after paired with a hoodie (of course) it was spared any mess from the pancakes and eggs she enjoyed.
Moving along....we also threw a little Mexican fiesta for my cousin Ann's (we'll just say 25th birthday for the sake of keeping her happy) Saturday night. Family photo in the rain: (Ryan was INSISTENT on wearing her ballet outfit)
Reese. Plus Cake. Equals Intense Determination.
Back to our getaway to Seattle last week, the ladies were left in pajama and bakery heaven:
Quite a few people (ourselves included) have said "Reese is the son we never had" - love it. Love her.
Pajama party with Papa
When my folks told Ryan we would be coming home that evening, she said very matter-of-factly, "I can't go home yet, I still have more pajamas".
Instagram pics:
Or more aptly named "When my husband took me to see my boyfriend"....I suppose I should fill some of you in on 'Surprise Trip #1' - September 2005 my fun loving boyfriend at the time (yes it was Grant) woke me up on a Tuesday morning at 3:45 to tell me I had two hours to grab my passport, shower and pack for a week because we were off on our first 'surprise trip' (as if more were in store, lucky girl). He had taken care of it with my boss, my family, etc....It wasn't until we were in the cab that he handed me a travel guide to Peru. It wasn't until we were atop Machu Picchu that he handed me a ring. Awwww.
Fast forward 6.5 years to Wednesday morning....Grant has been traveling quite a bit for work and Wednesday was suppose to be yet another one day work trip up to Chicago. When he started trying to wake me at 5:45am I was (maybe slightly perturbed) so out of it when he said "I'm not going to Chicago, we're going on Surprise Trip #2, pack an overnight bag and we need to have the girls to your parents by 9:30am". The curiosity set in and I drilled him with questions but the man is made of stone and wouldn't give. All I knew was to pack casual and expect temps in the 60's with a chance of rain.
When we got to the airport, he still wouldn't give...wouldn't let me hold my boarding pass. The super stalker sleuth in me thought I had it nailed when he told me our flight departed at 11:40am. 'Sucker' I thought. The only three Southwest flights departing were two to Florida (not exactly 60's temps) and then Denver. Duh. We love Colorado. We have friends and family there. An easy 24 hour getaway. Nailed it. So we sat back and had a beer in the bar (never mind it was just shy of 11am - it was 5 o'clock somewhere, right?).
Of course I grilled him throughout the flight as to what we'd be doing and where we were staying while out there...he was very vague and wouldn't give any answers. When we landed at DIA he told me he needed to make a phone call so I needed to stand out of ear shot. With that, I soon heard a text message come through on my phone. The hubbie has sent me a cryptic message that I need to meet him at gate 43. Jigga what? The mystery continues. As I approached gate 43 and saw "SEATTLE" starting at me, I got giddy excited. Then another text. 'From' my BFF Gywneth Paltrow telling me I had a date with her husband that evening. Wha Wha What????? Mother freakin' Coldplay in Seattle! For a night! A-Mazing.
A. So insanely shocked and excited
B. Love, love, love Chris Martin (not sure who I have a bigger crush on....he or his wife)
C. I had only been to Seattle once before for a 24 hour work trip to an airport hotel and I'd been dying to go back and at least see the city
D. My husband rocks
E. Back to Surprise Trip #1.....in order to keep our calendar somewhat clear, the week we went back in 2005 Coldplay was in town and I loved them oh so....I thought we had tickets. But we had Peru. Fair trade (Chris would love that one). So this was full circle. I finally got to see my boyfriend. All made possible by my loving husband. Not sure many people can say that their husbands love them enough to set up surprise dates with their boyfriends.
Anyway, now for some pics:
The cute little boutique we stayed at 'The Inn at the Market'
Steps out the door was this guy:
We landed at 5pm (PST) and the concert was technically at 7pm but with opening acts we figured we had until about 8:30pm to run around Seattle. We cruised the market, window shopped and then had a delicious dinner at the Pink Door.
Of course the Mothership (the very first Starbucks) is right there off the market. Pictures were mandatory.
Then off to the arena.....just next to this guy:
To see this guy:
Great show. Fantastic seats. Great company.
A little audio for your viewing pleasure. Of course we didn't record the best part of 'Fix You' - when it really gets going....but love it nonetheless.
So, in short:
My husband kicks serious ass.
and
It is no wonder Chris Martin is so skinny, he did not stop moving the entire time.
Seattle was amazing and because I love the little stink pots below so much, 24 hours was perfect. By the time we woke up yesterday morning, walked back to the market, had breakfast, got our coffee, we were ready to make the trek back. Love you Grant!
PS - the girls pictured above were not fazed, nor did they miss, that their parents were missing for a little over 24 hours. They were at Grandma and Papas and that is like seeing Coldplay in person to them. A special thank you to my folks for making this possible!
Dad returned last night after having been out of town for 5 days. Thankfully we split up the week by checking into Grandma and Grandpa's over the weekend (they offer a fantastic reduced rate with a Saturday night stay) but prior to and post, we girls can get all crazy over here by doing things we rarely do.......long (and I mean loooonnnnngggg) walk to the park to help pass the witching 4pm - 6pm crazy hour. Eating breakfast for dinner. You get the idea... I'd load up the girls around 4:30pm, we'd walk up to a park, they'd play their little hearts out and then we'd head home around 6/6:30pm.
Late afternoon snack
The fresh air works wonders on their attitudes (and mine)
Rain boots with attitude
I mean....holy cuteness
Her 'polar bear' was a constant fixture this day....and since you can't hear what she is saying I will gladly relay: Mom, I'm not ready to go home. Polar Bear is not ready to go home. Just go back and sit down and I will tell you when I'm ready.
*ps - I'm well aware the boots are on the wrong feet
Chalk! Fun when she's not trying to lick it.
This girl kills me...she LOVES dogs. Whenver we see them in parks, she makes a beeline wanting to play. This picture was two seconds after the dog she was eyeing wagged his tail in her face for the 50th time (such a fun game)...her reaction:
The best part of late afternoon walks? Stumbling upon my lovely Aunt and Uncle's house only to be invited back....one glass of wine....and a delicious dinner on the patio....and dessert later we returned to our house at 8:30pm.
So Grant, while I don't love the long business trips, as long you leave me with decent weather we're cool....lest I forget all the design and decorating projects I like to take on when he is not home to object. Love you....
So last Thursday's playdate at the History Museum was quite the success.....gorgeous weather, new exhibit and most importantly an empty trolley out on the lawn for the kids to abuse.
Playing fireman
She was intrigued by the statues
Can you just see the culture oozing out of these three?
Early love
We had to nix the pole dancing on the trolley....this was suppose to be an educational journey
I want to devour those cheeks
And those thighs
She was in pure heaven....so was I. A contained space.
I think a trolley would look lovely in our backyard....not to outshine the tire swing of course.
I should enroll Ryan....she has really taken to this 'cooking' thing and I now find her peppering her speech with "teaspoon", "pinch of salt", "herbs". All that Giada is starting to pay off.
When I cook, I give her my scraps and she whips up her own creations....tasting along the way.
Side note...but is it just me or has Kraft Mac and Cheese not tasted the same for about the last year or so? I think it tastes disgusting and hello? We're talking Mac and Cheese here - how is that possible? Anyway, I now prefer to make my own but I had a few boxes leftover in the pantry so I let the girls keep their own stash of noodles to 'play' with. They love it. Cleanup is relatively easy on those occasions when Reese spills her bowl ALL over the floor.
She uses her knife and the cutting (upside down of course) melts my heart - such thought and precision in that head of hers.
