Snow in Seattle and Pasta Making!

For those of you who have grown up with snow in the winter might not understand the craziness that ensued the week of Thanksgiving. So the monday before Thanksgiving, snow began to fall...the beautiful huge flakes rapidly fell from the sky while everyone was at school and work. It was beautiful! I was excited to see the snow while others the sight of snow started the panic, craziness and confusion. Poor Brandon had a three hour car ride home! Here are some pictures he took on his snow day from work.

A truck flipped over!

the middle of a side street
an abandoned crash
Brandon making pasta :)
Finished product = Yummy!

Three Years...

Wow! It is hard to believe that three years and a few weeks ago Brandon and I started on our journey in the Pacific Northwest. Three years later we are in our third apartment continuing this amazing journey of life! We have been so blessed with new friends, "family", church, jobs, the list goes on. I can't wait to see what is in store for the next three years! Enjoy the pictures of the new apartments!

living room

dining/kitchen
bedroomsecond bedroom....chaos!

15k's and B-day Surprises

Brandon ran his first 15k a few weekends ago and did awesome! He ran the 9.3 miles in one hour and 25 minutes! I was so proud :) He was a bit sore afterward but nothing a bowl of soup, a couple of beers and a Michigan win couldn't fix! It was a fun weekend up in Bellingham...great weather, great food, beautiful area, me living vaciously through Brandon running...pure bliss. I think the running bus may have even bit him (a very small, tiny bug) since after the run he remarked, "I could do another run...maybe a 10k." I love it!This past weekend, I went home to surprise my mom for her 50th birthday. Allysha, Andy and I arrived around 1am to waken and surprise her. We then took her downtown for some lunch and sight seeing and just being goofy. The real surprise was when we arrived back home to a house full of family and friends! It was great! The trip home, as always, was too short but full of fun :) Oh and I got to spend time with Grandma...dinner out is always a pleasure!
One last thing...if you are in Chicago check out the eye! It's awesome! It is only there until end of OCtober...it is worth the trip! (Van Buren and State)

Weekends spent in God's Creation!

The past two weekends have been amazing! Last weekend we went camping in the Mt Baker national park with the junior youth group and this weekend we hiked Rattlesnake Ledge.

Camping this year was amazing, beautiful weather, beautiful kids and beautiful memories were the result! It was so refreshing to watch the junior high kids interact together. They all explored, made food, slept, hiked, and played together. It was amazing to see all this happen without any problems, we all shared in the experience together and embraced every moment. We were able to cook hotdogs and sausage over the fire Friday night. Saturday started with hot cocoa and a prayer walk. Free time was spent playing the river. We toasted sandwiches and burned them off with a difficult hike. We made chicken and veggie packets for dinner...followed by an awesome bonfire. Marshmallows and chocolate were abundant! Sunday morning we awoke to rain which everyone handled really well! We packed up and ate breakfast at a dinner. Then we showed up to church extremely stinky and dirty but ready to worship :) One thing I brought away from the weekend is to never underestimate God's power. A lot can go wrong while camping with a group of JH kids but he always has a plan. The plan that weekend was to bond the group together through a tough hike and a lot of fun.

Roasting hotdogs!


A huge log on our hike...that the kids rocked!

So tired! ;)

This past Saturday, Brandon and I hiked Rattlesnake Ledge. One word: Beautiful!
Oh the view!


The top over looked a beautiful lake and we could see for miles! Mountains, trees and amazing views surrounded us! I even made a little friend :)

Run, Run, Run

Saturday evening was a new experience for Brandon and I. We participated in the Seafair Torchlight 5 and 8k run. Brandon ran the 8k while I ran the 5k. It was crazy! There were over 5000 people running the two races!!! It was a combine start so we ran together until the course looped back for the 5k and the 8k continued. I was able to get back in time to get the camera and have a good spot to take pictures of Brandon finishing. It was a lot of fun :)

Brandon crossing the finish line!!! Wahoo! Time: 46 minutes!!

Post race happiness!

I was more excited about my fake tattoo!!

Visitors, Sun and Portland

This past weekend was another good one. Granger and Bethany arrived in Seattle Friday night at 6 for a layover. Brandon picked them up at the airport and whisked them up to our apartment. It was so great to see them both and catch up. We haven't seen them in over three years! Crazy! It was so amazing to hear about their life up in Alaska and the adventures they have gone on. I thought we were risky coming to Seattle...boy was I wrong! Friday night went too quickly and Saturday morning we drove them back to the airport for their next flight. Hopefully, another long layover will happen soon :)

We then continued from the airport down to Portland for the Oregon Brewers festival! This was our 3rd year attending! We sat in the shade (it was in the 90's!), tasted beers and did some serious people watching....awesome!

We ended Saturday with a visit to Cha Cha Cha...the best Mexican food in Portland. Shrimp tacos, beef tacos...they were so good! Sunday, we awoke to a beeping...the fire detector decided to run out of battery at 5:15 in the morning! Lucky after disassembling and putting in the hallway we were able to fall back asleep. Before we left Portland we had breakfast at our favorite spot Mother's Bistro! It was a good weekend!

Two Great Weekends

OH summer weekends....they are so wonderful. This past weekend was great. Beautiful weather, good food, new places...yep it was good! On Friday, we tried a new restaurant (for us) called Bastille. Very good food for happy hour....fries (frites as the french call them), lamb burger, mussels, and a falafel! Everything was enjoyed while sitting out on their patio. The only downside but slightly funny aspect was our waiter who thought he was French but wasn't! Worst French accent ever! On Saturday, we walk all the way around Lake Union! It was long but beautiful. That afternoon we visited the Fisherman's pier for the first time! We bought fresh mussels to make for dinner! I really wanted to get the shrimp...huge!

The weekend previous to last was also great. We went to the Mobile Chowdown IV, which is where they bring together all the street food carts in one location. We ate at Skillet and El Camion. Brandon had a slider and fries (I may have helped with the fries!) and I had fish tacos. So tasty!

So, I realize we write about food a lot! But really it has a lot to due with the atmosphere and culture out in the area. People are so passionate about the food they make and it makes you want to be apart of it all! Brandon is soaking it all in and reading cookbooks everyday, every night...its been so neat to see him take ideas from restaurants and books and make the recipe his own. I am always amazed. So if you are bored with eating...a trip to Seattle might due you good (either eating out or eating Brandon's creations :) )


The weather has been amazing the last few weeks here...makes me love Seattle even more....also makes me wish this weather was year round!

Happy Birthday America!

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Wow, its hard to believe its July already! Before we get to the festivities of the Fourth...Happy Birthday Grandma Schuster!!! My grandma turned 80 this past week :) and doesn't look a day over thirty! She is an amazing woman who truly has embraced all that life has to offer. She has showered her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and strangers with her love, generosity, and enthusiasm. We love you! (She also is the only one who can take normal pictures!)


The fourth was a crazy experience for us this year. Living in the Eastlake neighborhood is definitely proving to be exciting and fun during the summer. Starting on Saturday we watched the barge get pulled into place right in front of our apartment...this is where they would be setting off the fireworks on Sunday night! On Sunday as we got ready for friends to come over the boats were pouring into the area to get a good spot for the show. We had a few friends over for the festivities...Brandon made shrimp tacos complete with cabbage slaw, guacamole, and salsa! Everyone brought food and drinks so we were set for the evening!
The neighborhood came to life around 1pm with fireworks, yelling, people walking around. It was so fun to watch for our balcony. Then around 10:30 the fireworks started and were amazing. We had an amazing view!! Our neighbors continued the show well into the early morning hours...come Monday we were tired!



As we walked through the area Monday morning it looked like the outside of a frat house! There were remains of beer cans, bottles, fireworks, garbage....it was crazy! Thankfully, Starbucks sponsers a clean up Lake Union the day after. So hundreds of volunteers come through the area and pick up trash and recycle. Overall, it was a wonderful Fourth spent with friends, food, and fireworks :)

Novocain and Summer Solstice

Ahh...so we survived another crazy week! To explain the title of today's entry we will start with last Wednesday. I unfortunately had to get a cavity filled...my first one in eight years! So, I took off from work around 1 on Wednesday to go to the dentist. When I got there I explain my sensitivity to medicine and informed the dentist I probably didn't need a lot of Novocain. I explained how taking other medicine like Tylenol or Advil will sometimes knock me out for the night or day...So he nodded and filled the cavity. He finished up, I was filling good...no pain. I sat up and realized I couldn't feel my eye lid! I was blinking but all I could feel was my contact! My entire left side of my face was numb! I took the dentist and he told me it should wear off in an hour. I was having trouble talking so I decided to go home instead of heading back to work. On my way as I tried to smile at the bus driver I was a bit more numb than I realized. I got home took some photos of trying to smile and waiting for Brandon. Within minutes of him walking in the door we were rolling on the floor with laughter due to my inability to smile :) Saturday, the 19th, was the summer solstice celebration in Fremont. So as in years past, we joined friends at Paul and Jeannie's for early morning cocktails, food and then the parade. It was slightly rainy but nothing beats the craziness of people celebrating the start of summer...on their bicycles...and painted ;) Brandon and Ryan enjoying the beer garden.

Weekend with the Deurs

This past weekend summer finally came to Seattle...currently it has gone on vacation but this weekend it was here! The weekend also brought visitors! Garth and Mary came out for a weekend of adventure, fun, food, wine, and sun (surprisingly we were able to provide all!) On Friday, we hiked Mt. Si. According to Brandon, it was a moderate hike. Little did we know that this 8 mile round trip hike would go up about 3000 feet in elevation! We were all tired yet very proud when we reached the top! Little did we realize the pain of going back down! It was a beautiful hike! Brandon and I can't wait to hike it again on a clear day :) Of course, we still need a few weeks to recover! Friday night, Brandon blessed us with a wonderful dinner of Copper River salmon, a potato risotto, and zucchini. The main course was terrific but seeing his parents try the bone marrow appetizer was even more exciting! I think we may have a few more bone marrow fans. I captured their firsts bites so they can remember it forever! :) Saturday morning was spent slowly moving around Lake Union admiring huge boats followed by a lovely drive through Discovery Park. We were all a bit sore from the hike so a lot of walking was not appealing at all. The afternoon was spent wine tasting with the Kosters. The Michigan family finally got to meet the Washington family! It was nice for everyone to meet and share wonderful glasses of wine :) Sunday morning was spent at church with a quick lunch and then it was off to the airport. It was a great weekend! We were so glad to spend time with Garth and Mary while enjoying beautiful weather! :)

Weddings and Family

Hello All! I cannot believe is June already! So many things have happen...May was a fun month but very busy. Allysha got married to Andy :) Which means Brandon and I travelled to the Chicago area to partake in all the wedding happenings. I flew in on Tuesday, the 18th, allowing me to spend some extra time with the bride and some friends. Wednesday afternoon was spent with a few of the coolest people on earth! I had lunch with Emma, Mollie, Maddie and Nelly! The amazing thing is the I have know these three girls since the day they were born...I was Emma's age (13) when she was born...crazy! Wednesday evening was all about the bride! We had a shower to deck her out with beautiful outfits?!? You can figure that out....It was a lot of fun seeing all the bridesmaids and friends together for laughing, food, gift opening and even a game :) After the shower, all the girls took Allysha out for a few drinks with more laughing and catching up. It was a fun time! On Thursday, Brandon arrived and cooked a wonderful dinner for all the girls, Mom, Dad and a few groomsmen...who happened to sneak in...it was a fun and wild night! Brandon made steak fajitas and red rice while I made guacamole, a veggie salad and sangia. Dad added to the feast with some delicious (with a bit of kick) margaritas! As you can tell by the pictures everyone was having a good time! Friday was the rehearsal dinner and the food was super yummy! It was neat to see the whole wedding party together along with the Schuster and McGilliard families. I included a couple favorites of mine from the evening :) The wedding was on Saturday...a beautiful weather, beautiful bride and a beautiful new family! It was so great to celebrate Allysha and Andy's new life together. We can't wait to go visit them in St. Louis...we have some food places already picked out! Sunday after the wedding, we got together with Garth and Mary. It was great to spend a bit of time with them walking in downtown Naperville. They are coming to visit soon and we are so excited!
WOW...this was a bit long but I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into our past couple weeks :)