What did you do last weekend?

Well here in the booming metropolis of Williamsburg there was a lot of activity...or at least one big activity in town for us. We went to a MBA dance aka prom.

This event was a huge hit last year and this year was no different. We had a mix of first and second year students doing the coordination and my hats off to them, because it was a blast. However, before you start reminiscing back to your high school days you have to think about how you would have done prom differently if you could do it all over again. That said this was a lot different than what I remember prom being back in high school and a step up from last years party. Part of the reason it was so different is because HS prom consisted of tuxedos, fancy dresses, hair being done, and it being pretty expensive...it was a racket back then for pictures! Yes, we did dress up and take pictures as you can see, but most importantly we all had a lot of fun!

We went to dinner at a place called Long Horn with some friends. After dinner we were off to the dance for music, dancing, drinks, and more great company like we had at dinner!

Holiday Travel - Minnesota

From Seattle, it was off to Minnesota eh. My (Sarah's) family lives in the country, and since we know no one else, it's all about family. We arrived the day after Chirstmas and had to catch up quick. We visited with my sister Beth, sister Laura and brother-in-law Ryan (yes, Brian and Ryan..not so easy on the grandparents, but we work with it), Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa.

Once again, we spent hours watching the birds and squirrels in the yard. We can identify all four types of woodpeckers and when the pheasants show up, everyone looks out the window.

We spend hours playing cards, and this year there was enough snow that we could use the snowmobiles. And when Brian and I got REALLY crazy, we walk across the lake to Grandma and Grandpa. They think we're amazing, and then we play cards.

Such a great trip! Four days is not enough, or just right. It's alway nice to leave wanting more.

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines day from us to you! Hope you enjoyed a day to celebrate how much you love the people in your life as much as we did.

Holiday Travel - Seattle

We know, we know - it's the beginning of February and we haven't posted any fun stuff from Christmas.

We started our holiday travel in Seattle. I (Sarah) wish I could deny it, but we were totally nerdy and had a schedule...in excel. But come on?! You guys love it! It gave us the chance to see so many people. So here's our recap:

Sydney is such a cutie! You can tell how everyone looks at this precious little thing...It was great to see Kori and Colby (mom and dad). They have been our friends for years, and I'm sure we're just getting started.
Brian and I got to meet Catherine (Mike & Angela's new baby). It was great to catch up with them - Angela was glowing with happiness and Mike and Brian could have kept talking and talking and talking...the way best friends can.We had another baby to meet, Benton, but this time we met up and the Seattle Aquarium. I think that we might have had more fun than Benton did.

Brian had lunch with his old co-workers from ArenaNet and I hung out with Beth. It was fun to eat at Chanantese (one of my favorite Thai places).

The Civitts clan was a sight for sore eyes! Linda and Tony (Jen's parents) were in town from NYC to see the new baby. James was born in December and you can tell he's already lucky with an older brother like Jack around. The Civitts hosted a fabulous dinner - chicken parm. YUM!AND we got to meet Riain (pronounced Ryan). I loved holding her. She was 2 months old and had plenty of baby fat to make her cuddly. Erin (her Mom) was all smiles, as usual. Erin & Mike were there, too - representing the "yes, we're married, no kids yet" group like us. What's crazy, is that a year and a half ago these ladies and I were meeting for "Wedding Wednesday." Erin, Erin and I were all engaged, so we would get together and chat (Jen was there for support). Nothing productive - all fun. But I'd bet it kept the stress of the whole wedding thing down. What a great group!

The Harris house was hopping with kids and a great gift exchange while we were in town. A gift exchange is always fun, but going over to the Harris's is always a treat because of the great company, wonderful new wines we are exposed to, and Sara makes some of the best appetizers!

Brian and I like Williamsburg, we really do. But eating out is a challenge, unless you're willing to eat at a chain restaurant. So while in Seattle we made sure we visited a few of our favorites... we did Thai Tom in the U District for lunch...

Redhook Brewery with Cory and Shelby. They got a chance to come and visit us near the end of 2007, but we always have a good time with them. Even if we are searching for Cory's chicks!
Northlake Pizza Tavern with Mikelle and Jon. They were married last fall and they're such a great couple!JaK's (a local steakhouse) with Ki, Seon and Fred. They're our scuba diving friends (some of them) and it was a lot of fun to see them.Cactus (fun Mexican) with Brian's family. Conversation was entertaining, as always!

Breakfast/brunch with David and Paul at the Barking Frog! We spent the morning of our wedding day at their house

And we were spoiled again with dinner at the Suarez's, home of Kaptain Kenmore. Little Eliana is such a sweetheart. And once again, Erin and Mike were there. We all had such a good time, we finally had to call it quits at midnight. Brian and I were on vacation, but the rest of the kids had to get up for work.Christmas itself was fabulous. The Porters have some great family traditions - dinner on Christmas Eve, cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning. (By now you all understand why the eating right/exercising New Year's resolution is a must this year!) We were all blessed with time spent together and such fun gifts!

Overall, Seattle was all smiles, lots of love and counting our blessings, which are so many, I think it graduates to a miracle. Brian and I truly feel blessed with the wonderful family and friends that make Seattle still feel like home.

Loving winter (or I guess that is what it's called when it's January and cold...)

As we watch the weather, we see how our West coast fans (um, friends) are getting snowed on.

Here was out winter...

Snowed one day.
Cold and sunny for two days.
Rain.
50s and 60s today.
The groundhog says 6 more weeks of winter.
We can handle that.

Life is good.


and, if you notice the day and time...yes, I'm watching the SuperBowl and working to catch up the blog! Go Giants!