New Stuff

We've had a lot going on for the past several weeks. Work has been really busy but, as a consolation, it seems like I'm getting a bunch of new stuff all at once by coincidence.

Example 1 - My new phone. I've been waiting for a new android phone to be released that met my wish list of requirements and it came out this month. The Motorola Droid. It's awesome.



Example 2 - I have a new cube at work. It's still a cube but it's much nicer than the previous digs. There's a dam nearby that could overflow this winter so they moved us up to the 5th floor so we don't get flooded out. Classmates.com used to be there but moved out a few months ago. I'm supposedly getting a new laptop too...in case of the flood. Here's a bad cell phone pic (from the old phone).



Example 3 - We are scheduled to close on our new townhouse next week. It's very different from places we've lived before but I think it will be a good fit for us. It's convenient to downtown and low maintenance. There are more pics and info here and the pictures are actually of our unit. The mechanical systems are really cool and efficient so I included a pic.



Example 4 - I have to point out the new nephew. Even though he's not "stuff", he's the important stuff. Megan got to see Landon in October but I still haven't. I'm looking forward to seeing him and everyone else at Christmas.

San Francisco and Napa Valley

Megan surprised me two weekends ago with a trip she planned to San Francisco and Napa Valley. It was very thoughtful and a great break from work which had been hectic for several weeks. She found cheap flights ($98 roundtrip!) on Virgin America which had had some interesting cabin lighting and cool gadgets in the seats. We had three full days and we spent time in San Fransisco on the way in and out, with Napa in the middle.

In San Francisco we ate at some good restaurants, visited Muir Woods National Monument and walked the Golden Gate Bridge. We tried to do an Alcatraz tour since neither of us had been there yet but it was booked. In Napa we basically indulged in a lot of great food and wine. We did a tour and tasting at Mondavi and also visited Castello di Amorosa, a recreated Italian castle and operating winery.

Overall it was a relaxing, romantic trip. I think we'll be back.

The pictures are: Sunrise at the airport, Virgin America cabin lighting, San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz, Golden Gate Bridge, building below the bridge, looking over the side of the bridge, Megan's hand on one of the cables, city hall (I think), an Asian neighborhood where we ate, Castello di Amorosa x5, Sunset on the bay.

Nieces and Nephews

It's my last night in Michigan. Although I've been fighting a slight cold since I got here (can't blame Kate's kids this time), it's been a successful visit. Kate and I hung out together on Thursday. We visited her new school building, did some shopping and eating and then played with the kids. Friday we got massages and then headed to Holland with the three kids where we did more shopping, visited Stella in the nursing home where she's recovering from back surgery and I got to hold Landon, the newest nephew, for the first time.

Photos: Dad and Thomas at the farmer's market, Leah at the farmer's market, me and Landon, Allison in a box.

American Heart Walk

Judd volunteered us for the Heart Walk again this year. I didn't think there was a less exciting post than last year when we had to stand next to a band for 3 hours, but this year we were at the First Aid table which had a box of bandaids and a handful of packets of salve. In a true medical situation we were to call the EMT's or go to the ambulance parked outside. I'm not sure why were there exactly, but we did give out a few bandaids and someone needed an ice pack so Judd walked outside to the EMT and got one. I also gave away a Tylenol from my own supply which is probably illegal. The walk is at Quest field where the Seahawks play.

Nephews

Judd and I have a new nephew born last weekend to Anna and Steve. His name is Landon and he's an exceptionally cute infant. I get to meet him in a few weeks when I go to MI. Judd has to wait until Christmas. That's four nephews and two nieces, so far...

The other picture is the only nephew (plus the two nieces) on my side of the family. He is in charge of getting gum for me at Sam's Club. I asked him to sneak it into the cart. He wasn't too subtle, but it's okay because I got this really cute picture. Thanks for the gum, Thomas. I'll pick it up in a few weeks when I come to see you (and Landon).

Random Stuff

Not to name names, but Kate (Judd's sister) has been complaining about the lack of blog posts and even after posting a stranger's kid she still wants more, so even though Judd and I are not in these pictures, my pets are. You even get a rare picture of the cats together.

The other pictures are jello shots in syringes at The Rock pizza place during happy hour and the bottles of wine we tasted at a friends wine tasting get together. Six of us managed to finish those off that night. Impressive.

Really we haven't been anywhere new lately. Judd has been consumed with work the last couple weeks. We've also been doing home tours as we start our house hunting in Seattle. That's been fun and time consuming. We're seeing new parts of the city. As I was driving home today across Lake Washington on I-90 it was sunny and the lake was blue with people on their boats. You could see the Cascades and Mt. Rainier. I'm glad to be settling down here.

Blue C

In our last post from a month ago (shame on us) you saw a picture of Judd's mom at Blue C Sushi with a bunch of plates in front of her. We thought about submitting it for a photo contest the restaurant was having. I went on the website just now and saw the winning entries. I thought this one was particularly cute (though I don't know who the cute kid is), and maybe better than the one we took. You be the judge (scroll down for Mom's picture).