SoCal is Where My Mind States

We found ourselves in gorgeous sunny San Diego last weekend!

We spent some fantastic quality time with one of my dear BFFs Susan, her husband, and their brand new foster to adopt placements! Got to meet the kiddos, eat pie for lunch, and generally just enjoy each others company. Even if it was only a short time.

Thankfully we had the opportunity to rent a convertible, drive the coast, and even window shop for real estate (one of my favorite hobbies). We spent a good amount of time in the Gaslamp Quarter. Had beers at the Tipsy Crow, a tasty dinner at Strauss Brewery, etc. The concierge at our hotel (we stayed at the W and really enjoyed it!) recommended an awesome place for lunch - Craft and Commerce. It was awesome! I highly recommend it.

Sunday was a gorgeous day. Almost 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky! This was the day we spent 7 hours walking around the San Diego Zoo. It was so fun! If you've ever been there, you know the place is HUGE. While we covered pretty much the whole zoo, I doubt very highly that you'd cover too much of it with little ones.While we were a little sad at times to think that I could be taking photos of my belly in front of the different exhibits, we know that we'll be back. I'm confident that we'll take our children there someday. That just means it will just be even more special next time.

We really enjoyed our little getaway. It was nice to spend some time, just the two of us. We're very fortunate to be able to travel quite a bit recently, but we don't often get the one-on-one time. We travel very well together. We like to wander in the same places, enjoy checking out local spots, and both appreciate some good down time. Jeremy hasn't always been as passionate about travel as I have, but I was thrilled when he admitted this weekend, "Sweetpea, I think I've got the travel bug." YES!

A great weekend getaway

As I mentioned on Sunday, we spent the weekend in Whistler, BC! If you've never been, I'd highly recommend it. It can be a bit spendy, as most tourist towns are, but it can be done on a budget and some of the splurges are worth it! It's the second time we've visited Whistler and we have had a blast both times.

(Clockwise from the top-left - J and I in The Brewhouse, brilliant fall colors on the Western Washington University campus, Whistler Village, the Peace Arch at the Washington/BC border, getting a little friendly with a local)

The weekend was gorgeous. We made quite a few stops on the trip north and really enjoyed the beautiful fall weather. Sunshine, gorgeous fall color, and the crisp air. I have to say, fall is quickly becoming my favorite season. There is just no place quite as beautiful as the NW in the fall.

HOME!

After what can only be described as a couple of amazing weeks, J and I are home from Europe. We've basked in the first night in our own bed. And I keep giving my camera a glance out of the corner of my eye, trying to avoid organizing and editing the almost 1000 pictures I took.

A couple things I learned in the last two weeks:

1. London is awesome.
2. We are in awe of how old things are there. I will never think anything in Seattle is old again.
3. Driving on the left is HARD.
4. Ireland is absolutely beautiful.
5. I have never met nicer people in my life.

Once I get my wits about me I will assemble a better recap!

My Someday...

Ever since I was a little girl, I've talked about how I've wanted to travel.

"I would love to go to Europe someday."

A common phrase from my mouth for as far back as I can remember. Well, folks, my 'someday' is tomorrow. TOMORROW. Tomorrow I get on a plane with my handsome husband.

Our first stop is London. Including a day trip to Stonehenge and Bath. Did you know that Bath was reborn in 1687 when Queen Mary bathed there. She was struggling with infertility and within 10 months gave birth to her son? The city then boomed as a spa town with countless accounts of cures for a number of different ailments. It's probably crazy talk, but it can't hurt, right!?

I'm relaxing for a bit this morning and then it is time to clean, finish packing, and try to sleep tonight (YEAH RIGHT). Wish me luck!

I promise that when I return we'll go back to more of a regularly scheduled program. I know I've been a slacker. There just isn't a lot to share at the moment. When we get back we'll shortly be returning to active TTC. Our appointment with Seattle Reproductive Medicine is only 10 days after we get home! Special things in the works!

I bet you can imagine what is occupying my mind..

T-Minus 10 days, and counting.

Travel Tips

Guess who's trip is only 31 days away?? If you guessed me, you're right! (and you're very good at reading the ticker I've so conveniently placed on my blog)

As the trip gets closer folks are offering up a lot of travel advice. Some of it is obvious stuff (pack light!) and other stuff will be really helpful. Today I am going to share some of these tips with you all.

1) Pack Light! - I know I said this one was obvious, and it really is. We hear it all the time. But as a woman, HOW do I pack light? No one ever taught me. My mom has just as much trouble as me picking which shoes to bring. Because, well, you just never know! Here are some hints that I have been given. Pick a color scheme. Earth tones, like brown or tan, or a cool palate like a black/gray base? Personally I'm going for the cool colors. Simply because I have more of those that I want to bring. Majority/flexibility rules!

2) Pack Light! 2.0 - Bring closes that are multi-purpose. I can wear this cute new charcoal gray cardigan I got from DKNY with both my jeans, a white tank, and flats AND the one dress I'm bringing along. Oh and the flats. I can wear them with my jeans or my dress as well. Find items you might be able to get a couple of uses out of before they need washing (like the cardigan!)

3) Bring along a reusable shopping bag. Like one of these. My boss happened to get me one for Christmas and it will come in very handy! It's small when tucked into its little pouch, so it is easy to pack and will fit in my pocket or purse when we're out on the town. But, if we want to stop by the market, or pick up a souvenir, I don't have to worry about bags. Plus, and this is its most important feature, it is WAY cuter than a grocery or department store bag. Priorities, people!

4) Wipes/Kleenex pouches - I hear that TP in public restrooms isn't always easy to come by. I think this one explains itself.

5) Ziploc Baggies - An old employee of mine told me this one, and I like it! Very clever. She takes a bunch of Ziploc bags along (whatever size you want) to keep her treasures in. Business cards, coasters, post cards, etc can all be stored in these bags and then labeled with the name of the city you were in. I love collecting those kind of 'souvenirs' because #1, they're usually free or dirt cheap and #2, they're great for the scrapbook when you get home.

There you have it, my 5 travel tips for the day. What tips do you have for other worldly travelers out there? Something you have, or do, that I must know about? Please share!

Eurotrip 2011

This fall, J and I decided that we were done waiting for our lives to start. What did we decide we were going to do about it?

EUROPE!

This May, we are traveling to London and Ireland. It will be our first trip to Europe. I cannot begin to express how excited we both are. See that counter to the right? Yes, at any given moment I can tell you, without looking at said ticker, how long we have until our trip. Hurry the hell up and get here, will you May!?

This weekend we booked our final hotels. Now that we've got a roof over our head each night, I've decided I would share my itinerary with you!

Day 1 - Leave Seattle
Day 2 - Arrive in London
Day 3 - Explore London
Day 4 - Tour Bath and Stonehenge
Day 5 - Fly to Dublin, tour Guinness, Trinity College, St. Patrick's, etc
Day 6 - Staying in Waterford -fricken- Castle (hellllooo, inner princess, is that you tingling??)
Day 7 - Cork, Kinsale
Day 8 - Kenmare, Killarney, Ring of Kerry
Day 9 - Limerick, Shannon
Day 10 - Cliff's of Moher, Burren National Park, Galway
Day 11 - Fly back to London, Explore
Day 12 - Continue Exploration of London
Day 13 - Fly Home

That is the quick and dirty version. I have a larger itinerary packed with different sights and options. We know that we won't be able to see them all, but short of scheduling every single second of every day, I wanted to make sure that we had plenty to chose from. I've been watching documentaries about Ireland and I've even gotten restaurant and pub ideas from watching shows on the Food Netw.ork! I cannot stop because there is so much we want to do and see! Mostly, I want to take pictures, drink beer, and stay in castles!! Don't worry, I fully intend on sharing the details of our hotels when we return. Filled with my feedback and recommendation. Just try and stop me. You're welcome.

I am serious about my research. To prove it, here is a picture of one of our guide maps. It's how I got started - circle and label all of the stuff we're interested in seeing! This led to reservations, lists, itineraries...

Don't judge my high quality cell phone photo. Mkay?

And yes, it is color coded. My inner Virgo wouldn't have it any other way.

Have I mentioned that I'm excited? Oh, I did? Okay, good. I'm glad we have that covered.

Less than 100 days!

Folks, there is LESS THAN ONE HUNDRED DAYS until our European extravaganza!

Down to the double digits folks.

Unfortunately with our busy schedules I haven't made much more official progress on our trip. We've discussed a never ending stream of hotels, discussed itineraries, and giggled excitedly at the thought of it being here before we know it. But, have we booked anything? Nope! I'm too busy trying to shape up to actually prepare for our lodging!

I think it's time to get on it. I hope to have some time this weekend to put in some time on the trip. Here are some things I want to accomplish before month end.

*Hotels - at least the big ones
- our arrival in London
- castles in Ireland

*Tours - there are two tours we're considering
- Stonehenge and Bath (from London)
- Ring of Kerry (Ireland)

*Price and book flights for London -> Dublin, and back from Galway -> London.

I would also like to pick up another memory card for my camera and maybe pick up a better bag for my gear. Also, which camera gear should I take?? Any tips?

Hurry up, May!

It is official...

Mr. and Mrs. S are GOING TO EUROPE. Yes, I know I told you we were planning it, but this evening we bought our plane tickets. It is officially official.

May 17th we will be headed to London. We will be spending a couple of in London doing all of the usual stuff (Big Ben, Buckingham, Trafalgar, Tower Bridge, London Eye, etc, etc), visiting the city of Bath, and Stonehenge. We will then be flying to Dublin and spending a handful of days in Ireland. Visiting castles, Blarney Stone, Cliffs of Moher, and of course the Guiness brewery before we return to London for a day and fly home. That's our itinerary in a nutshell. Holy Frick.

I.
Can.
Not.
ContainMYSELF!

Living our lives.

J and I have been talking recently about how to pick back up with our TTC journey. As 2010 is coming to an end, how do we see 2011 playing out? One thing we both agree on 110%, is that no matter what, we are no longer putting our lives on hold. We're young (and damn fun if I do say so myself) and have bright futures. There are adventures to be had, people to meet, conquering to be done!

Where are we starting?

Europe!

My childhood dreams are finally being realized as I plan our first trip to Europe. We'll be visiting England and Ireland this spring/summer.

I. Can. Not. WAIT.

Do you have any idea how many castles are in Ireland? Me either. But I know there are tons. Nothing makes my inner princess tingle more than the idea of actually staying in a castle. Seriously I am giddy just thinking about it. A Castle. WITH my prince charming. I might die. Or never come home. Either way, I'll be happy.

Sure, it is going to take some major saving and a dent in our account, but it is time to LIVE people. If we get pregnant between now and then - great. (I'll just make J take me back later so that I too can take full advantage of the pubs. lol) If we're not pregnant, we'll be sad, but we go through that each month anyway. At least now I will have immediate access to European wine and Irish beer to help me cope.

Now I start my research. I really love my research. When is it most affordable to fly? Where should we go? Which sights should we see? I've gathered so much information already and I'm barely getting started.

I think I missed my career as a travel agent.

Have you ever been to England or Ireland? Do you have any recommendations? I would love some input from you all.

With everything we need to schedule in our coming months (I'm really dreading the appointment schedule), I finally have something magnificent to look forward to.

Dream

This weekend was SO much fun. We spent the entire weekend at a cabin in the woods with some great friends of ours. I'm talking log furniture, stone fireplace, snowy mountains kind of trip. It was awesome. J and I got the master suite upstairs. It had a giant log bed... and a crib in the corner. Oh yes, our friends found this hilarious "It's a sign you two should have babies!" they kept saying. Ha. Ha.

Sunday night I had a dream, probably induced by the couple of blueberry vodka 7's I had and the crib I mentioned. I had just found out I was pregnant. However, somehow I knew it was a girl. (This is the third dream I've had where our child is a girl by the way...) Jeremy's face when I told him was part of the dream I will never forget. It was a grin I have never seen him make. I was chatting with an old girlfriend of mine who was taking me to look at little girl dresses. Our conversation was around how I was going to tell The Mama. Oh how I dream (literally now) of that conversation.

The other parts of the dream have faded, but that warm happy feeling is thankfully sticking around. Let's just hope that dreams do come true, shall we?

Be Jealous.

We've made our 2010 vacation plans. We've been considered all kinds of tropical locals - Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, a cruise, etc. Where did we land you ask? Whistler.

I know, I know, Whistler in April is worlds away from Cancun. Before you go and think I'm any crazier than I'm sure you already do, check this out:

WARNING: AWESOMENESS OVERLOAD

We are going to travel with two other couples for a full week and that, my dear friends, is where we will be staying. How fricken cool is that!? The place is gorgeous. Our own hot tub, barbeque, great views, and the best part - it is ski-in/ski-out.

The only downside to the whole trip is having to wait 5 months before we go. Giddy doesn't quite capture my current level of excitement.