Go Seahawks!

Posted by kara

For our summer vacation, we decided it would be fun to visit Seattle. In the midst of the decision to switch schools, airfare skyrocketed. So we decided to take advantage of the week-long fall break at Toshi’s new school by flying to Seattle at a much cheaper October rate. The only downside was that it meant Katie would be away at school. We were all bummed about that (especially Toshi, who misses Katie and Kristen so so so so much).

Anyway, the flights out were okay. Toshi felt a little sick and nervous on the flights, and the bumpy Frontier ride did not help. (Are Airbus 320s significantly bumpier than Boeing 737s?) We were happy to be greeted at SeaTac by my parents, food from my brother, familiar airport sights, and Seattle hipsters. Also, I noticed during this trip that there are so many more Seahawk fans wearing Seahawk gear out and about. It was a little weird for me. I’m used to all the Colt fans in Indy, but not used to the Seahawk fans. And it was also sadly “weird” to see all the beautiful mountains and water. I forgot how much I miss that.

Anyway, Sunday was the big day at The Farm! My favorite day of the year: apple cider donut day! The donuts were pretty good this year, and (mystery solved) definitely a hint of apple cider. I got to see most of the Seattle fam (baby Nora!) and meet Josh. It was a good day.

Monday: Paul went to work. The girls and I rode the bus to the zoo. The Zoomazium play area looked smaller and less menacing this time around. The girls enjoyed posing with the animal statues. We were getting close to Martha’s naptime and paid for it dearly with her first big tantrum in the gift shop. She cried all the way to the bus stop.

Later we met up with Josh and Paul for Japanese. I lost Paul M’s Orca card after he specifically told me not to lose it. Ugh.

Tuesday: Went to the library so Toshi could do her daily reading. Met up with Frank and his family for lunch at the market. Really nice time to see them. He gave the girls purple UW water bottles and he gave Paul and me super delicious macaroons. I ate 5 of them. Paul ate 1. I win!

The girls and I met Ava and her mom for a playdate on Queen Anne. It was great! Ava and Toshi ran to each other and hugged right away. It was so cute to see them pick up right where they left off. I talked to Michele and it was good to catch up.

Tuesday night Paul took the girls to dinner while I met up with Mandy at Via Tribunali. I love my dinners with her. It’s good for the soul and I hugely miss those talks.

Wednesday we did a repeat of library in the morning and Pike Place Market for lunch. I felt like all the walking took so long that we had to rush for the buses. We finally made it to Green Lake. Mandy and I tried to get the girls to play together, but it only worked for a few minutes. Aw well. It was nice to see cutie June.

Then Uncle Dave and Aunt Karen picked up the girls to watch them. Paul and I went out to our anniversary dinner at Tanakasan after a long day of work for Paul. It was delicious and fun to be out walking in downtown Seattle.

Thursday Moe drove up and we went to the Seattle Center. We hung out all day at the Science Center. The girls (and Moe) enjoyed Ripley’s Believe It or Not exhibit. The toddler play area looked teeny tiny to me. I thought it was so much bigger a few years ago! Afterwards, we all met up with Paul and Josh for Tutta Bella pizza. The egg pizza was The Best Ever. I’m glad Josh also liked the egg pizza. It redeems him from not liking mushrooms.

Friday we hung out with the Cunninghams. We took the girls to the Alderwood Mall to fulfill their dream of playing on the Orca playground once more….only to find that they replaced the orcas with a bunch of random colorful playthings. Oh well. The girls started their Christmas lists with visits to Build-A-Bear, the Lego store, and a quick walk through the American Girl Doll store.

We met up with Uncle Bill and Chris at their gym which had an Arena Sports bouncy house. The girls loved that. And onto a fun dinner at Pogachas. It was a great way to end our trip.

Our Saturday plane rides were slightly better. Still bumpy (not cool not cool!), but at least Toshi didn’t feel sick. It must be the magical combination of Dramamine (given before getting on the plane) and Paul reading nonstop Harry Potter the duration of the flights. Aunt Ann kindly picked us up and we caught up with her on the way home.

It’s good to be back in the [cold] house [I opened up windows to warm it up!]. Paul is killing the wasps and we have 2 skylights replaced so far. We are almost adjusted back to Eastern time. The girls played with 6 of their 8 cousins on Sunday.

We had a wonderful time in Seattle, and it’s good to be home. Toshi now has the dream that everyone (and our house/neighborhood) in Indy will move to Seattle. Kid, I’ve been saying that for years.