Seattle. The new Vegas.

When it comes to turning 24 that is. My sister Katie has celebrated many- a- birthday in Vegas but this year wanted to do something a little different. So a trip to Seattle was planned. Oh, and Morgan came too :)

They arrived on Friday the 18th and stayed until Tuesday the 22nd. It was a short trip but we sure packed a lot of fun in!

We began in Kirkland at Purple for a delicious bowl of soup, salad and sandwiches. Later that evening it was prime rib at The Keg Steakhouse in Lynnwood.

We got an early start on Saturday (Katie's birthday) and we decided to spend the day in Seattle. Our dad even booked us a hotel room for the evening. We decided on lunch at Blue Moon Burgers in Fremont near the troll. We couldn't find parking to take pics at the troll but Katie and Morgan were happy to see it for their first time. After we checked into the hotel, we rode the monorail from the Space Needle into downtown where we shopped and stopped for a minute to watch a protest for Libya. We hailed a cab back to our hotel for our ghost tour.

The Haunted Happenings Seattle ghost tour (operated by Private Eye Tours) was definitely the highlight of the trip. Our private tour began at 6pm and lasted three hours. Whether you are a believer in ghosts or are a skeptic, this tour is a must do for visitors and locals alike. It was packed full of Seattle history and spooky stories. We visited various locations of at least 15 ghost stories. All of which scared the crap out of us. But between myself and my sisters, we all agreed the story about the Wah Mee massacre in Seattle's Chinatown district was the scariest. We sensed something spooky and unexplainable while standing in the cold dark Maynard alley.
Here is a pic I found online at the site of the massacre. (it was too dark for us to take our own pics)

These doors have been chained up since the massacre happened in February 1983. No one has been inside since.

After the tour, we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner, then back to our hotel for drinks and a movie.

The last few days of my sisters visit were spent mostly at our house spending much needed time together. Savannah and Madelyn were so excited to see their aunties and were very sad when it was time for them to leave.

Happy Birthday Katie!

A day of love....

"I can hit two birds with one stone" as Jason would say about Valentine's day since it's our wedding anniversary as well. Today marks two years as husband and wife (even though I still accidentally call him my boyfriend sometimes) we have actually been together more than 8 years. Still madly in love, I look forward to many more anniversaries for years to come.

Sometimes the hardest part is getting started

When I was younger I wanted to be a nurse when I grew up. As I got older I became more undecided and never actually decided on anything. I got a job soon after high school and stayed there for 8 years until I was forced into unemployment. Thus making me wonder" "what the hell do I want to do for the rest of my life?". I still want to become a nurse and now is the time to get it started.

After being "promoted to custy" from Sprint, I have had plenty of time to think over these last few months. I made a goal and I put together a plan: School. Well that was the easy part. I missed winter quarter and am not sure I'm going to make spring quarter. I applied to and got accepted to the local community college. I submitted my FAFSA, and financial aid apps to the financial aide office. Before I can register, the final step is to take the placement exam. This I haven't been able to do. A huge reason why I haven't been able to is lack of a babysitter while I take the test. I can pay for on- campus daycare with my student loan while I'm in school (once I'm registered) but I can't find anyone babysit while I take a stupid test? After talking to my sister, she said to me that there will be many more bumps in the road while going to school and I can't let this be the reason I don't go. Brutal, but empowering. I suppose I can't quit if I haven't even started.

 

Ode to Abby....

Everyone remembers their first car. I remember my first 3 cars. (Maybe cause I've only had 3 cars??) Each were better than the last but all were loved just the same. So I wanted to share a pic of my Japanese princess...

2005 Acura TL W/ Navigation-- (I affectionately  call her Abby)

As much as I love my car, I want a new one, I need something bigger. I want to stay in the Acura family and I love the MDX. So this is on the top of my to- do list of when I start working again!

Luxury at its finest. Doesn't get any better than this...