:: Congratulations ::

To my friends - Lauren and Rich on the arrival of their baby boy, Brayden on August 18 - he's perfect! This past week I got a chance to meet him and take a few photos. As most of you know, older brother Tristan has always been absolutely darling and now baby boy #2 is just as cute. Just like his mamma, Brayden has the most perfect lips. Is it bad to be jealous of a 2 week old baby boys lips?

Flashback...12 Years Ago

So, last weekend while we were driving Steve goes "do you realize that the freshman class starting at WSU this week was starting kindergarten when you started college?" After a brief lapse of hyperventilation and doing the math five times over in my head, I realized he was right.

Next thought...

Damn I'm Old

Therefore, in memory of this TWELVE year reunion and my first few months in Pullman, I dug DEEP into the photo archives. Nope, not through the Snapfish or Kodak Gallery archives, instead through the Bartells, Rite-Aid and ShopKo photo sleeves.

Bid Day...the day I joined Pi Phi's and the day I met girls that I will be friends with forever



The Pi Phi house



My girlfriends from the dorm before I moved into the sorority 2nd semester/freshman year.



Gangster Night - duh





Grout, me and Max - I'm guessing this was for the Studio 54 party





Skiing at Schweitzer with Grout, Lo, Max and a few of the ATO boys





And to reminisce just a bit more, here are a few things that were different about our lives TWELVE years ago...
- Internet/email was rare.
- Burning cd's was brand new and one of the coolest things to hit Greek row.
- Cell phones/texting were non-existent. I thank God that we didn't have texting or phones as I know for a fact I'd probably be locked up in a loony bin. BUT I was just a bit cooler (or nerdier - depending on how you want to look at it) than the rest with my pager.
- Blue eye-shadow and white eye-liner were very popular.
- Hmmmmm were fat faces in??? Or was that just the way a handful of us started off in college?

Friends of Fitch 13

Was held (for the 2nd year) in a giant field, this past weekend, in Port Gamble. For the past 13 years, my cousins, Matt and Mike, have hosted this camping trip for their college friends, highschool friends and family. Despite the fact I've only attended the last four camp-outs I think I'm still the favorite cousin...actually, I take that back, Steve definitely surpassed me this year as the favorite. Megs is not the favorite since she missed FOF for the Lady Gaga concert...not sure if they'll ever let her live that down.

The weekend was a blast, but thank goodness for the trusty RinaCamper keeping us sheltered from the pouring rain Saturday night. One of the reasons Steve is such a good man is that he knows as long as I'm comfortable, the happier I'll be. All I need is a hot shower (propane Coleman shower - check), comfy bed (memory foam and down comforter - check) and warmth on a 45 degree night (propane heater - check). We drove out on Friday night and returned mid-Sunday...stopping on the way home at our favorite antique shop in town and Matt and Lisa's new house in Indianola. The weekend consisted of the meeting our newest relative baby Olivia (Matt and Lisa's daughter), playing with baby Paul, the annual game of sloshball, campfires, mid-morning bloody marys, flip cup tournaments, and catching up with friends we hadn't seen since FOF '09. And since we didn't have quite enough time with Mike and Shannon - they brought over fresh dungeness crab (which my uncle caught on Saturday) and spent the night at our house on Sunday.

The highlight of the weekend for Steve - the ultimate gift from our friend Brenda...a REAL Seafair Pirate hat - no joke, I thought he was going to shed a tear when Brenda told him the story behind it and told him he could keep it. Throughout the weekend, the hat only came off when he went to bed...errrr passed out.

Current Favorite Snack..

popchips

have you tried them yet??

if not, pick up a bag or 3 like I did

Popchips are an all-natural chip like you've never experienced before. They're not fried (unhealthy) or baked (killer stomach ache). The creators of popchips take the whole potatoe, apply heat, pressure, and pop - it's a chip. Chips have always been a downfall for me...ever since I started snacking (eating a bag of this or that) after school in jr. high while watching the Rosie show...but I've digressed. Popchips uses a blend of natural seasonings (I'm a huge fan of just about anything seasoned) for a snack so tasty, crispy and dip-able, you won't even notice it's healthier. And we're always looking for healthier snacks, right?

And I can't do a snack post without going back to a previous post regarding the ridiculously noisy SunChips bag...check out this video done by the Wall Street Journal today {thanks for the tip Al!}. So, apparently, I'm not the only crazy one with sensitive ears that could probably sue for hearing loss.

A Weekend of Seattle Firsts

Friday night I went boating on Lake Washington for the FIRST time this summer with Steve and his college friends. When Steve had his boat moored on Lake Union we'd head out a couple of times a week, but now that the boat is out of the water and we live a bit further south I don't get out nearly enough. After boating I met up with Jamie for my FIRST experience of Franks near U-Village. For Christmas this year, Megs and I bought P and J a gift certificate to Franks (per Jamie's advice) and they loved it, so it was only fitting that I test out a restaurant that I had purchased a gift certificate for. We had a great evening sitting outside enjoying Processco, great conversation and a delicious meal.

Saturday morning I had a shoot at Parsons Garden on Queen Anne and this trip to the park was another FIRST for me. If you've never been to Parsons Garden, I highly recommend it. Beautiful grounds and a spectacular view of Puget Sound and Downtown. Later that afternoon, I had another shoot in Bellevue and then was off to Jamie's house to get ready for dinner and Brooke's birthday party. Cheryl met up with us and the three of us enjoyed an amazing dinner at Ravish (another FIRST) on Eastlake. LOVED the ambiance, decor, food (salmon sliders, pigs in a blanket, flank steak satay skewers), cocktails, waitstaff and location. If you're on Eastlake and feel like you've enjoyed one-too-many okay meals at Eastlake Bar and Grill and are in search of an excellent restaurant, be sure to check out Ravish, I promise you will not be disappointed

After dinner we went to Black Bottle for Brooke's 30th and you guessed it...this was my FIRST TIME to Black Bottle {Lesson learned, I need to get out more and experience new places in Seattle}. Brooke's boyfriend Andy, hosted the perfect party. Despite the no A/C in the private room, we had a great time celebrating with Brooke.

Months and months ago I bought the last two banana cards I could find and stashed them away for Brooke and Jackie's birthdays so we could relive Avery's laugh.until.we.cried.peed birthday card experience...this card will never get old.

While I was out enjoying a night on the town with the girls, Steve was at his 10 year highschool reunion at Pyramid...sometimes he makes me feel so old...but no matter what I still adore.

PS...currently on repeat...Ryan Adams 'Two' and Alice In Chains 'Nutshell'

There's a secret in Bellevue...

And I'm not sure if I want to share, but I'd feel a bit selfish if I didn't.

A brand new hot yoga studio { Hot Yoga, Inc. } has arrived in downtown Bellevue

If you grew tired of the horrible smell and cramped quarters at 'the other' hot yoga studio in Bellevue (like I did...errrrrr 2 years ago), then you're in luck! I did the power hot yoga class with Cheryl last night and LOVED it. I'm not gonna lie, it kicked my ass, but felt oh-so-good once we were finished. Cheryl and I considered indulging in frozen mojitos, as we did last Thursday (the nice weather screams happy hour), but quickly decided a work-out was a better idea. Unfortunately, I had left my gym bag at home, which meant racing after work to TJ Maxx and Target to buy a towel, mat, yoga pants, shirt and sports bra. Perfect - an entirely new wardrobe for my first day back! The instructor and studio were awesome. I purchased the 10 sessions for $10 so I'll definitely be back...maybe tomorrow with the master yogi, Marge.

past weekend and some catch up

This past weekend was great and the gray weather actually helped with my productivity. Perfect time spent with friends and with our group of friends, there is always something fun to celebrate.

Friday night - we had a great time celebrating these two lovebirds at Clever Bottle. Cutest little wine bar in Belltown - highly recommend it - charming atmosphere with excellent cocktails.  My favorites were the Candied Ginger Ale and the Lavender Current Cocktail.

Saturday - I had a maternity shoot with this awesome couple. Thankfully, they were willing to brave the nasty rain for some fun Georgetown photos.

Saturday night - edited lots of photos and went out to dinner with my man (who had spent most of the day drinking on a boat) to one of his very favorite meals - mongolian grill. Since they don't allow to-go plates, he likes to imagine that one day I'll "be so kind" and bring tupperware in my purse so he can take his leftovers...not gonna happen.

Sunday - met up with girlfriends at Swedish Hospital to celebrate Rothie and Mike's twins girls. Delane and Court did such an awesome job preparing for this party - fun party favors, great decorations, delicious food and excellent company.

mamma-to-be with her mamma

Monday night - dinner at Machiavelli on Capitol Hill for Michelle's {belated} 30th birthday dinner. The hour and a half wait for six of us, was 100% worth it. I had the birthday girls recommendation of Veal Saltimbocca and I can say with complete honesty that it was one of the best meals I've ever had in Seattle. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera...otherwise I would have taken a photo of my meal and a few of my friends oooo'ing and ah'ing over their meals.

A couple of weeks ago, we celebrated my adorable Grandpa's 94th Birthday - how cute is he?!? Father of 5, grandfather of 7 and great-grandfather of 3...still living on his own and loving life.

For all of you Seafair'ers...I'm sorry (for your sake) that this upcoming weekend forecast didn't happen last weekend. The weather is going to be spectacular! Lotsoftimewillbespentoutdoors. BTW - I have found that checking AccuWeather.com rather than Weather.com is much more precise.

Happy Seafair { gray.rainy.cold } Friday!

If you're out celebrating Seafair on the lake the weekend, you may run into my dear husband as he thinks/wishes he were a Seafair Pirate, but you won't see me. I love a good party, love the lake...however, I don't love the lake when it's raining and 65 degrees. I feel sorry this year, for the Seafair lovers out there and that the weather is predicted to be similar to an early fall Seattle day. BUT I'm sure ya'll will get out on the water and quickly (with a few beers) get over the weather factor.

My weekend will be spent celebrating the engagement and one-year countdown of Kevin and Kris' wedding



Showering the mama-to-be - Rothie and her twin girls



Couple of photoshoots and editing, editing and more editing

I started my weekend a bit early last night and met up with my girl Cheryl for dinner and drinks at Earls in Bellevue. Per usual, we had a wonderful time catching up, but I'm pretty sure we'd both agree that the highlight of the evening was enjoying {two} of the most refreshing cocktails we've ever had - the Blended Mojito - ah.ma.gawd.best.summertime.afterwork.drink.ever. Refreshing and no mint leaves stuck in your teeth afterwords - worth every bit of the $4 each.

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