Our Night on the Town

For our Anniversary Steven took me to one of our favorite restaurants, El Gaucho, in downtown Seattle. We got all dressed up and had an absolutely delicious dinner - dungeness crab and prawn appetizer, Caeser salad made from scratch at your table, filet mignon, lobster, and their flambe dessert specialty, Bananas Foster. It was SO yummy! I wish I would have taken pictures inside the restaurant. Not only does El Gaucho have incredible food, but they have excellent presentation as well. They flambe'd our dessert right next to our table and the flames went at least 3 feet in the air! After dinner and all that eating, we drove down to the water front and took a romantic walk along the pier. The evening was beautiful and warm and the sky was clear... what a perfect night to celebrate our 3rd year of marriage!

On the way down to Seattle...


After Dinner down by the waterfront...
The Dress! Steven said the dress was (and I quote) "very Audrey Hepburnish"! How's that for a compliment??? He got a kiss for that one...

Smooch
Beautiful Night
I think Steven looks so handsome in this picture.
Some pics Mel took for us at her house after we got home.

Maui, Here We Come!

On Thursday, Steven and I are leaving for a much needed and much anticipated vacation in Maui!!! We are so excited! Neither of us have been to Maui yet. We are going to have 4 days in Maui by ourselves and then my Dad, Mom, Brother and Sis are meeting up with us for another 8 days... yes, that's right... 12 days in Paradise!!! I am excited to spend quality time with my family who we don't get to see nearly often enough. Vacation is one of my favorite things in the world - especially if it includes sun and sand! I'll have LOTS to blog about when we get back!

Uncle Steve and Auntie Alie

Steven and I are offically an Uncle and Aunt! Ben and Glade welcomed their daughter, Eowyn Joy into the world on July 25th at 3:34 in the morning. She weighed 8lbs 4oz. Glade did a wonderful job! She had a midwife and gave birth 100% natural, so she is AMAZING! She was so calm! I will definitely need some pointers from her when it's my turn! It was an incredibly memorable experience for me. We were all at the midwife's home from about 10:30 pm waiting for the arrival of baby Eowyn. Ben and Glade are such proud parents! It is also very fun to see my husband, Steven with his little niece. He's so gentle with her and she absolutely has a special place in his heart. We love you Ben, Glade and Eowyn! Check out their blog for more pics of Eowyn! They are under my Friends list.

Auntie Mel and Uncle Matt waiting for Eowyn to make her entrance into the world...


The Aunties and Grandma!


Me and Grandpa Tom (Yes, that's right GRANDPA Tom!)


Our wonderfully supportive friend, Cara, who had just gone through the same thing as Glade a few months earlier when she gave birth to her son, Daniel! Talk about empathy!


Cara's hubby, Justin and Uncle Steve


Here she is! Eowyn minutes after she was born...


Proud Parents


Uncle Dain gets a glimpse...


Isn't she precious?


Visting a few hours later... Yes! It was the same day! Eowyn was born at 3:34am and this was the same day in the evening after work... Auntie Alie gets to hold her!


In the arms of Uncle Steve


Steven is very sweet with her.


Pretty Little Princess


Isn't she beautiful? Look at her coloring!

Family Camp (Mav's 1st Time at the Beach!)

Every Summer our church has a Family Camp over at Ocean Shores, Washington. This year's camp was aweful and wonderful all at the same time! Aweful because the weather was TERRIBLE - it rained the whole time, so that meant no bon-fire on the beach, no mopedding, no miniature golf... none of the fun activities that have become tradition... However, it was a wonderful time of hearing from the heart of Pastor Dave Easterly, our previous Pastor who is now a missionary in Africa. His word was challenging, refreshing and absolutely from the heart of God. Our dear friends Cara and Justin also got ordained as official Pastors on staff at this year's Family Camp, so wonderful memories were made. This trip was Maverick's first time to the beach and he was absolutely adorable! He wasn't sure what to make of the waves coming in and out, but he loved running in the sand and exploring all the new sights and sounds. Enjoy the pics below!


Tom sharing memories of Justin growing up...


Praying for Cara and Justin...


Our good friends Art and Carrie with their beautiful daughter, Hannah and their nephew, Cara and Justin's son, Daniel...


I LOVE that chunky arm! Don't you just want to kiss him??


Okay, so Mav unexpectedly licked my face when we took this shot... I know... gross... but it was such a cute picture!


Not so sure about the waves...


Shaking off after a wave caught him...


Mav and "Dad" :)


Look how itty bitty he is! He's grown so much since then...