Oh right. It was all about planes, trains and automobiles.
MARCH:
I was in Kansas with Olivienne visiting Lola and Lolo, and the whole family for my grandmother's surprise 80th birthday.
It was great to see so much of the family and introduce the baby to all of them. She managed to only spit up on Auntie Bea's jacket, but hey, no one worry, the jacket is doing fine.
We also got to visit with Robin, my childhood bestest friend, and her wonderful family. I plan to get Olivienne on lock with one of her two boys, Alex and Noah, when she can start dating in, oh, about 30 years. Those boys are insanely adorable. (Of course, I lamely didn't bring a camera to our dinner, so these pics are courtesy of Robin's FB page)
While I was gallivanting around the Midwest, Mick interviewed and got a fab new job -- IN SEATTLE. I came home to San Francisco mid-month and sadly had to quit my job at LucasArts -- just when I was looking forward to getting back to participating in adult-speak. We packed all of our belongings (including Olivienne) in 2 weeks flat. We trekked it up the 5 to Seattle, and 14 hours of driving later, arrived in Kirkland, WA.
APRIL:
I unpacked all the umbrellas first, but turns out we have rarely needed them. (I hope I didn't just jinx that.) We settled into a new apartment and I happily got to find new little nooks for all our things. Mick started his new job at Bungie Studios pretty much immediately after we got there, and quickly got inundated with Halo Everything. I was inundated with reading the benefits and perks packages. I joined 2 moms groups in Kirkland, although have found myself still not making it to any of the activities. I actually have no idea why....
My mom and dad came out to visit us in our new Seattle digs mid-April. It was great to see Tay again! He's a great Lolo to Olivienne and she laughs so much when she sees him. I always look forward to the times when we can all hang out and spend time together.
We took a little outing to the Seattle Aquarium with Veronica in tow. She was loving the seals as they swam past and blew bubbles.
This looks so realistic, doesn't it??
Outside the seal tank, which to me is too small and of course, instantly made me really sad. I totally wanted to free them all, but resisted the urge because I had my favorite shoes on.
MAY:
My friends Amethyst and Jaymee sensed my self-induced loneliness and came to visit back to back. What FANTASTIC girls times those were and a much welcomed break for me. (Yay, familiar faces!) Amethyst and I drove up to the Tulip Festival (even though it was the last weekend for them, there was still a humongous field just filled with the swaying flowers) and we climbed (okay, drove) up to the middle Mt. Rainier (but yet, could barely see the mountain itself with all the clouds -- weird) and played in the snow (also weird to be knee deep in snow in May). I'll have to download the pics from my phone (I'll post those soon!), but Amethyst, if you're reading this -- send me the ones you took!
Jaymee and I hung out at the top of the Space Needle to view a picture perfect sunset (awesome) and we experienced the Ride the Ducks tour -- cause really, no visit is complete without waving and quacking at strangers from a huge duck-painted vehicle (it was actually pretty enjoyable).
Once Jaymee sends me those pics she took, I'll post them too... I'm kicking myself in not taking more pictures of our girls' times!
Jaym right before we head to the airport to get her back to sunny San Diego
Meanwhile during my baby-free weekend with Amethyst, Mick offered some Daddy-time, and took the baby down to see his mom and lots of family in OC.
Grammy Wendy gives the baby a cuddle
Uncle Marlon, chilling by the coolest lamp ever at Grandma's house
Uncle Robert, with his wild, unruly hair
Uncle Vu
Auntie Angie, bestowing kisses
Uncle Jake
And Uncle Dave & Auntie Patty also stop by to share their happy hugs
Mick had a great time with the family, and came home to a very happy, rested wife.
Mother's Day found us in Vancouver, BC. The drive was stunning, made even more amazing because Olivienne slept the whole 3 hours both driving up and down. She really enjoyed the clean, fresh air of the bustling city. We stayed at The Sutton Place, a really elegant, European style hotel in the heart of the city. It got us ready for our long-postponed trip overseas....
So cute!
She's ready to crawl
Sleeping in
Garden park in downtown Vancouver
My mom and Randolf came up to visit Veronica the week before Memorial Day. Three energetic kids were all in our apartment some of those times (Ajay, Veronica, and Randolf... I mean, Olivienne). It was really nice to see the cousins interacting. Veronica will be 3 in October and is getting so big! And funny! And modest! Here's a sample conversation I had with her:
VERONICA: "I'm so cute! I'm so cute!"
ME: "It's good to be cute; it's good to be smart too."
VERONICA: "...You're smart and I'm cute?"
ME: "You're..."
VERONICA: "NO, I'M smart and I'M cute!"
I must admit, she is pretty darn cute
Olivienne, teething up a storm
Sitting in her Bumbo, which really is bumborific
Lola with "gigil", cause she just can't help it
Memorial Day weekend brought Randolf back home to Kansas City, and brought Mick and I across the pond to the city of lights, the city of love, the city of incredibly expensive croissants -- Paris. It would be the start of our epic (okay, 2 week) trek around Europe....
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