Free 8X10 at Walgreens

Today only, Walgreens is giving away a free 8X10 online.  Enter the code MOTHER at checkout for redemption :)

Dear Aunt Toasty .....

My heart just melted receiving this photo and letter!  Aren't his hands so sweet?!

Dear Aunt Toasty,

I'm all ready for bed in the jammies you gave me watching Dancing with the Stars with mom. 

They are so comfy! 

Night night. 

Love, Colt T bear :) 

Dinner and Dessert!

Here we are before heading to dinner at Azul, which is an hip upscale Mexican place that I wouldn't label as Mexican. I was so excited to take Abby here since it is our home away from home. I truly wished I owned this restaurant because they have the most amazing menu items, and it's as if you can't go wrong with anything except their grilled chicken sandwich. If you know me, grilled chicken is a pretty safe choice to order at most places. My thoughts are ... when in doubt, order chicken! At Azul, I rotate between ordering the salmon chop chop salad, coconut prawns with green beans, chicken fajitas, and every now and then order the nachos with the works. Gabe gets the Carne Asada skirt steak with green beans and has for the last three years. It's amazing how he has never gotten sick of it!!! 

Once we got home, we decided to get in our pajamas, make cookies, and enjoy them with a cold glass of milk. This reminds me of our sleepovers we had ALMOST 20 years ago! Wow, how fast time flies.

We are off watch Desperate Housewives and enjoy our last evening together. We are headed to the gym in the morning to work off our cookies, and then take Abbdae to the airport. Maybe, I will find a way to kidnap her so she can stay all week. As I recall, Abby did ask me earlier today if she could move in with me. She said she would offer her house cleaning services for living rent free. Hey, I accept any way to spend more time with my sweet friend that I have missed so much!!

Crazy Dog Ladies and Pike's Market

So apparently, we are the crazy dog ladies, and it isn't common for 7 friends to get together with their 9 dogs ..... because throughout the day we had a lot of stares/laughs/smiles and one guy even took a picture of us with his phone.  hah!  We met at Greenlake to walk 3 miles around the lake and show Abby one of the prettiest places in Seattle.  It is such a neat place where people walk, run, bike, and even roller skate around the lake, and the environment is so encouraging because people are enjoying outdoorsy things with their kiddos and dogs.

Meeting all the girls and their pups at Starbucks - From left to right:  Marissa & Tilly (Yorkie), Becca & Lulu (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel), Abby took care of sweet Willis (Lhasa Apso mix), me & Harley (Yorkie), Emi & Buster (Puggle), Carmen & Em's other dog Mia (Puggle puppy), and Mollie & Sammy (Daschund). 

The 3 miles took a little longer than we expected because each dog had to "do it's business" multiple times :)

Loving the sunny weather with my first friend!

All of the girls and our children!

After our walk, Abby and I went downtown to the Pier to see all of the Seattle sites.  The weather could not have been more perfect, and you might think from what I am wearing that it was summer .... and from what Abby is wearing that it is winter.  It was definitely a warm day and the sun was out, so I was trying to work on my tan.

These flower bouquets were $10 or $15 and absolutely gorgeous!  

Here we are at the famous fish market where they throw the fish back and forth and yell random things to each other.  It is always a fun sight!

The Seattle Pig -- maybe this is where the swine flu started!  jk

Abby LOVED all the fish and wanted to mail some home to Blake and Colt!

Lastly, Abby suggested eating Subway for lunch, and I refused to take her to a chain restaurant when she is only in Seattle for a couple days.  So, we ate a late lunch right outside the market at a Gyros stand.  We were indecisive about ordering the lamb one or chicken, but the guy encouraged us to get the lamb since it's so lean and slow cooked so it would be really tender.  They were delicious pitas filled with meat, lettuce, tomato, onions, and a yummy cucumber sauce.  So, the moral of the story is .... leave it to me (who is one of the pickiest eater ever) to teach Abby about new foods when she visits.  Anyone else want to come visit so I can help you venture out?!?!

Gabe, Abby, and I are off to Azul for dinner to eat at my favorite restaurant!  Will update more later.

Abby's first kielbasa!

Last night we cooked out with some friends, and Gabe made his famous kielbasa sausages, grilled chicken, and charred corn on the cob.  This is a definite sign that summer is just around the corner ..... and baseball season is here.  Gabe eats a kielbasa at every Mariners game, and he decided one day that he can grill one even better than at the ballpark.  It is a like a hotdog (but sausage), and with a little touch of cream cheese spread on the bun.  Carmelized onions add a nice touch, too!

Anyways, here is Abb loving her first bite!  You can read more about what she thought on Abby's blog ..... 

Day filled at the wineries

I picked Abby up from the airport this morning and it was so wonderful to see her! Harley and I 

took Abb the touristy route home so she could see our wonderful downtown, the Space Needle,

and drive across on the floating bridge. We had enough time to get acquainted at the house, and 

then head to Purple for lunch with Mollie and Katie. It is one of my favorite lunch spots with 

great sandwiches and salads. Then, I didn't have to convince the girls too hard to walk to the 

winery which was a little over .75 miles! I warned Abby to wear flats, but she did look pretty 

darn cute in her wedges :) Here are a few pictures on the way ... 

Too many wine tastes :)

We finally made it to JM Cellars Winery and went on a wine tour.  We got to taste wine directly from the barrel, which was a first for me!

Then we wine hopped to Janiuk Winery and they had bocce ball right outside, so it was really fun to play with the girls!  I had never played before, and it was a pretty basic and entertaining game.

Thanks girls for a fun day together! This evenings cookout was just as fun, and I look forward 

to more fun tomorrow. Abby, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for taking the time to visit

me in my part of God's country. It means the WORLD to me!

LOVE!

12 hours ....

I have been waiting three years for this day ..... Abbdae is officially coming to Seattle!

12 hours and counting!