Thursday, July 25, 2013

A Week of Gratitude

This past week was one of emotions and laughs and tears... I am so grateful for my pal Steph's Link Up this week for "Gratitude" as it reminds me to post about my week but also get my thoughts written down about the amazingly good and tough things that crop up in life.
 
 

1. I love how Brady has now made Griffin a cuddle bug. It was Brady's goal and here at 6 months, I think it worked. I am so grateful for my husband and being a good "dog dad" as I know that will translate to an amazing dad in the future!
 
2. NKOTB! I was lucky enough to attend the "Package Tour" concert with some girlfriends and had my mind - blown! I have never been to a "boy band" show before... When my ears stopped bleeding from the deafening sound of middle-aged drunk women screaming, I was able to really enjoy myself with an AWESOME open by Boyz To Men, a boring "intermission" by 98 Degrees and a ROCK STAR - sex pot - dance fest from NKOTB. Great memories!
 
3. We took at Sunday day trip to WI to see Brady's parents, and I just love this capture of Griffy and "Granpa" - so sweet.
 
4. Hanging out with one of my best's Louise and she showed me her bouquet - which is mine that she caught at our wedding and my garter which her then boyfriend Matt caught too... now they are engaged! :) I guess maybe our wedding was good luck for these two love birds!!
 
 
5. This is a daily gratitude every week, but my Sis-in-Law got some amazing pro photos taken of my gorgeous nephews (source: Heather Hanson Photography) THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL! I love all of these boys so much and am so grateful to have them in my life.
 
 
 
 
 6. On Monday, it was an absolute perfect night and we took our pups to Minihaha Falls Dog Park, which is off-leash and many acres of FUN for the dogs. Griffin and Dash got to meet their cousin/new bestie Olivia, a little bulldog/cattle dog mix that my best friend Kinzie recently adopted. She got Olivia from the same rescue we got Griffy :) Second Hand Hounds is SO amazing! Check them out here: www.secondhandhounds.org
 
7. This is hard to write, but my god dad and uncle Mike is sadly not winning his battle with a rare form of Lukemia. A couple months ago, you may remember my post about the unbeliveable bag's set he hand made Brady and I for our wedding. (here). Well, over the 4th of July, we received some hard news that all of the options are not going to save his life.
When life give you lemons stomps on your heart, you have to think of the gratefulness in the fact in my case, I was lucky enough to have the chance to say goodbye. Many people in life do not get that opportunity.
On Saturday, my family went to my aunt and uncle's house and had a "Tree Party" - We planted a 20ft Maple in their front yard for my Uncle Mikey, played bags on all of the sets he made us cousins, had his favorite food, and got to see him one last time and hug him, kiss him and tell him everything we always or never said. I am blessed with an amazing God Dad and Uncle - and I have to be grateful always and forever for that.
 
8. Last night, I got to hang out with my little man, Jack. My nephew is literally one of my best friends. He is smart, and funny and sweet and beautiful and caring. He also happens to own a pretty rad scooter helmet and probably has better musical taste and knowledge than me... and he's 7.
 
9. Finally, this is me, trying to impress my husband with my mad practice with my camping skills. We are venturing out this weekend on a hike-to, no bathrooms, tent camping experience. This is his happy place... and I will attempt to not be a baby :) I am more of a "glamping" gal myself, but here goes nothin... I will report back after this weekend!
 
Speaking of family, mine is amazing. Here's a cool one of us Wilson cousins 20+ years later! Taken last Xmas.
 
 

Insert Classy Here - Gratitude

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Gratitude - Seattle and the PNW!!

I am so excited to share some amazing photos from what was an AMAZING trip out to Seattle last week. My husband calls this his "happy place" as two of his best friends, one of our ushers and our best man, live out there. We had perfect sunny 70's weather and quite the adventure!
Brady has been out there at least 5 times already but always in the winter to go snowboarding/avalanche training/splitboarding, etc in the mountains.
So, this was such a great time for us to enjoy the PNW ("Pacific Northwest") for the first time in the summer together!!
 
The trip started on a great note when the awesome Delta flight attendant gave us 4 vodkas and 2 cans of Bloody mix for free on our flight out.
Then we spend our first night downtown Seattle at the gorgeous Sheraton in a king suite!
Thursday we got our Seattle coffee and ventured through the incredible Pike Place Market finding treasures and seeing right away some great fish tossing... Seen here:
 
 

 
From the top left:
1. Us excited to get a vacation together on the plane!
2. Our amazing view flying through the Cascades - looking at Glacier Peak
3. Excited for the free booze!!!
4. In Pike Place Market - some stunning pottery from the nicest lady!
5. Amazing Seattle coffee to start the day
6. Brady stopping to smell the fresh lavender at the Market
7. fresh produce for miles there!
8. Just one of THOUSANDS of amazing flowers
9. Our gift to Kristina and Colin for letting us crash for 3 nights! Fresh market flowers! AND my bute hubby volunteering to carry the bouquet. :)
 
Time for a little bit on my two favories furry friends - Cody and Ella. Our friends, Colin and Kristina's dogs.
Cody is a loveable, silly German Shorthaired Pointer - he likes to crawl all over you, play with his toys and cuddle.
Ella is the adorable Weimeriner. She has a funniest attitude and literally sucks on her blankies.
 
1. Brady's Pike Place purchase - a custom belt and handmade buckle!
2. I loved the guys singing and throwing the fish!!!
3. So cool and busy in the market
4. the amazing Space Needle
5. drinks at Copacabano next to the Market on the patio
6. A cool and iconic shot of the PPM
7. view of Seattle from the Sky City Restaurant at the Space Needle where we ate lunch
8. Brady and I on the Observatory Deck of the Needle
9. Lunch at the spinning Sky City restaurant - WHAT A VIEW!
1. Our sweet boat, Black Fish One, for our Anacortes Whale Watching expedition!
2. Some of the orchas we saw!! So amazing
3. Hubz and I on the boat
4. At the Aiki Pier looking over the Sound at Seattle
5. MY FIRST ferry ride to Vashon Island!
6. Our AMAZING group!
7. Brady and Cody playing
8. Frey and his totum pole...
9. First glimpse of Mt Rainier from the Ferry! I was excited (obviously!)
 
1. The amazing difference between a steel city "tree" sculpture and the wilderness tree of the Olympic Mts!
2. Brady and I on the rooftop of Colin's building - Rainier in the back
3. Cody tuckered out on the couch.
4. Brade and I hiking to Marmot Pass in the Olympic National Forest
5-9. Hiking, hiking, hiking! AMAZING views! We did 10.6 miles and climbed 3,500 ft!



These photos don't even do this trip justice! It was an amazing experience and my love affair with the PNW will be present forever. My "wanderlust" was so prevelant on this trip.
So grateful for travel, friends, the beauty in the world, nature, sunshine and happiness!

 
 
 SO EXCITED TO PARTICIPATE IN STEPH'S AMAZING LINK UP!!!!

Insert Classy Here - Gratitude