Adventure 2012 Part 2

The McGiven Family adventure 2012 continues....













After an amazingly beautiful, fun, relaxed and perfectly perfect wedding, we left Vancouver Island headed for Seattle.





When my friend Sheila announced the date for her wedding, we planned our entire vacation for the year around it. I had to miss one of my best friend's in the entire worlds wedding last year and I was bound to not let it happen again.






 
Sheila pulled off a wedding that was, in a word, flawless. Seriously, a picturesque farm, historic buildings, a bridesmaid singing as Sheila and her dad walked down the isle, well-said speeches and a party to be envied. She, a radiant and happy bride, him a proud groom. Thank you for having us Sheila and Jeff, we are lucky to have friends like you in our life and wish you a life time of happiness.


(photo courtesy of Sheilas facebook - thanks Sheila!) 


Well, would you look at that? Hes got the legs down, just needs to get the arms coordinated and he'll be off!

Seattle delivered, like it has every other time. Okay, I've only been one other time but it was awesome then and it is awesome still.





Besides the rain *which, duh, it's Seattle* I could not stop smiling. I love that city.



The Space Needle out the window of our hotel, Pike Place Market breakfast over looking the ocean, fresh flowers and a little fish throwing,







 Starbucks, Nordstrom Rack and super expensive jeans for super cheap (ok, maybe not super cheap, the word would be reasonable.), micro-brew beer with lunch *obviously*,







hilly streets and buskers... the city is endless.









 I could have stayed for days, but alas, we had even greater plans.

We are now holed up in what can only be described as indoor heaven for kids. The Great Wolf Lodge.
Not too shabby.
 After a week of late nights, this one will be early... a giant indoor water park sure wears a kid (and adults) out.
Next stop; Target - lofty, I know. I need to see what the fuss is all about.

Adventures 2012

I have three half written posts sitting in here, waiting for me to find the time to finish them, but when I go to finish them they seem so old news and boring, therefore, half finished and patiently waiting in eternal blog land is where they will sit.
We are off on an adventure for the next week.
Right now we are in Nanaimo visiting Brians brother and his girlfriend and their ten month old daughter (actually, at this exact moment, I am sitting in the truck while Jace sleeps in his seat and Brian and Maizey wander the aisles of Chapters looking for anything fun and amusing for a two year old). Maizey is desperate for Arwyn to want to play with her. Since we all know each other but not all that well, I'm sure they think she is an overbearing beast - but I swear, she just really really wants to play!! That being said, it's always fun when we get to spend time with family, especially those we almost never get to see. Plus, hotels with breakfast included? Awesome.
The "giant car boat" was as crowd pleasing as expected, although someone was a little annoyed to find there was no slide into the ocean. I mean, wtf bc ferries??
One of my most favorite people in the whole world is getting married tomorrow and I could not be more excited to rock out to the best of the '80s with her!
Wish us luck on the next leg of our trip - crossing the border with a loud two year old and a husband that panics in front of people in a booth wearing a uniform asking questions. 

Mothers Day 2012

Being a mother....
... for me it means a great many things.

Little sleep and long days.
A rare shower by myself.
Cold meals and coffee but warm beer.
Thousands of pictures.
Endless messes and dishes coming out my ass.
Laundry. Freaking laundry. If it doesn't need to be washed, it needs to be folded. If not folded, then certainly put away.
Sticky finger prints.
Stained clothes.
Gut laughs and alligator tears.
Hand holding.
Castle buildig and blocks under feet.
Endless supply of goldfish (the crackers).

 

A "bambaid" needed for every little thing.
Slow walking.
Bedtime stories.
Waking up to a little face in mine saying "are you in there?"
Teething.
Dandelion bouquets.
Sharing everything from my ice cream and bed to the bathroom. Always.
Appreciating my mother more than I could ever have before I knew what this journey was all about.
Painting tiny little finger nails.
Repeating myself over and over and over.
One more story.
'Kids say the darndest things' moments.


(this picture totally cracks me up! He looks drunk, right? hahaha)

Smiles that turn me into mush.
Fights and compromises.
A two year old that doesn't care what compromise means.
Hearing 'I love you Mom'. Seriously, who doesn't well up when they hear that?
 Finding the magic in pretend phone calls, the fake meals and the imaginary marigolds.
Watching two little pieces of my heart live and breathe.



Thank you to the little girl that made me a Mama and to the little boy that filled my heart with even more love than I knew possible. I love you both to the moon and back. Thank you for a wonderful, meaningful Mothers Day. I will rest easily tonight knowing just how much you love me and I, you. xo