goodbye 2013!

2013 was a year of change. I changed jobs...twice, I started a new workout, which completely changed my schedule (I now get up at 5am every work day), and we survived a remodel as we expanded our kitchen. It has been a bit nuts. However, we also had a great time too! We hiked to Machu Picchu, celebrated the launch of the Pike Place Fish cookbook and took a Southern road trip, so really it was a great year and I'm thankful that my family is starting 2014 healthy and happy.

Happy  New Year!

nfc champs

Not only did the Seahawks become the NFC champs yesterday (meaning they have the best record in the NFC, and we get home field advantage for the playoffs), but I also managed to snag sidelines passes. Best day ever? Quite possibly.

Here we come playoffs!

christmas for maggie

We took Maggie on a little walk on the holiday. We trekked up to a new park in our neighborhood and ended up running into the doggie oasis, which was celebrating the holiday and giving out tennis balls. Maggie's favorite! She has been sleeping with it ever since.

(I did not plant that ball there. She really did sleep with it.)

merry christmas!

Hope you all are having a relaxing and happy day. 

Here are some slightly blurry pictures (!?!) from our Christmas morning.

(Maggie is thrilled) 

christmas skull

I was a little unsure on whether or not I should post a picture of this year's Christmas ornament since it's sort of nuts. We found this stuffed skull in a small shop in Nashville when we were on our southern road trip (which was around Halloween). We thought he was cool. Maybe not Christmas-y exactly, but all well. We sort of love him.

Last year's ornament and 2011's ornament. 

google glass

Anders got to try out the new Google Glass...those crazy glasses that take pictures and videos by talking or winking or tilting your head or some such nonsense. I don't really know. 

Check out what it's like to be Anders!

and so it begins

Today marks the start of Anders' crazy Christmas schedule. He will be working 12 hour days (sometimes longer, mostly longer) for 15 days straight until Christmas Day. Then, he'll go back to work the next day until New Years. It's nuts. However, if he has to work that kind of schedule, I'm glad it's at that crazy fun place because they have all kinds of good times down there. Wish him luck!

(and go Seahawks)

tree shopping

Well, we could have gotten ourselves a Christmas tree from the market mighty easily or from the lot that is just down the street, but we decided driving three hours to the top of a mountain to cut our own was a great idea. And it probably would have been a great idea had it not been pouring down sideways rain the ENTIRE time. We lasted 10 minutes...maybe 5...and then we stopped at a lot and got one anyway. The end.

market tree lighting

To kick of the holiday season, I went with my friends, Dina and Jake (Jake works at the fish market with Anders!) and their super sweet baby to see Santa and the tree lighting at the market. Anders and Jake's crazy holiday work schedule starts on the 10th, so I was really happy we got to squeeze in this festive night before things get nuts.Thanks for the invite, Jake and Dina!

 Nothing cuter than this kid. Nothing.

 Waiting for the boys to finish their end of work huddle.

Ryan got himself a tree

happy thanksgiving!

Anders and I had our friends, Ryan and Ilona, over for Thanksgiving this year, and it was the first time that we have ever been in charge of the entire dinner. Anders and I tackled 7 dishes plus the turkey, and I have to admit...due to my crazy organization skills, everything went off smoothly. This year, I'm so thankful for my husband, who can deep fry a turkey without breaking a sweat, and for our new kitchen where we can actually host a meal! Best holiday ever. 

The only way to have a foul-proof Thanksgiving is to have a schedule. It speaks to my organized, slightly OCD, heart. 

The only kind of injection I stand for.

Before and After

Bourbon Bacon Stuffing. Amazing.

merry (early) christmas

It's football season, which means Anders and I spend every weekend in front of the TV watching our beloved team. It doesn't make for very interesting pictures and stories. However, this week was bye week (meaning the Seahawks rested and didn't play), so we ventured out of the house to visit our good friends and their cute kids. Sure, all we did was watch more football, but I did take a break to help the kids decorate their windows for Christmas. They are so stinkin' cute! I seriously can barely handle them. I'm totally ready for the Christmas season now.