The Finale

Monday morning, we woke to grey skies that threatened rain.  Interestingly, as we were told by one Seattle native after another, it doesn't actually get around to raining very often.  And it never did rain on Monday.
Chris had to work till mid afternoon so I had the first part of the day to myself.  I went for a run along the  water and unexpectedly stumbled upon one of my favorite parts of the trip.  About a half mile to the right of our hotel was the most beautiful park with paths for biking and running.  I watched the boats, enjoyed the views and listened to good music, a sample of The Head and the Heart, the band opening for Dave and Tim that night at the opera house and a song called "Just the Way You Are" by Bruno Mars.  Chris and I had heard it on the radio and he dedicated it to me.  Cheesy but I love it.  I expect all of my future sons-in-law to be able to sing it, or something like it, to our girls.
After my run, which was longer than planned because I got so caught up in the scenery, I cleaned up and headed to Pike Place Market again in search of a cheese sandwich.  The last time we were in Seattle, Chris and I ate lunch at a place called Beecher's and I had such good memories of the sandwich I got that I had to go back.  If you are ever in Seattle, I highly recommend a visit to Beecher's.  If you are a mac and cheese lover, theirs is reputedly the best.
I wandered around a bit and ended up spending a good bit of my time in a bead shop.  That's kind of a long story but I had to walk fast to get back to the hotel in time to meet Chris at 2:00 PM.  We walked over to the science museum to see the Harry Potter Exhibit, the props and costumes from the film.  We decided to go sort of last minute but were so glad we did.  It was very well done.  The exhibit was a simulation of Hogwarts and the fun began with a demonstration of the Sorting Hat.  I tried to get Chris to volunteer but I think he was afraid he'd be sorted into Slitherin' :)  For the most part, I am not a big fan of the HP movies because I like the books so much.  I think JK Rowlings has an incredible imagination and it would be impossible for anyone to bring to life what she created to my satisfaction.  Even so, I found the exhibit fascinating and could hardly believe the care that was given to details the audience barely notices if at all.  For example, one stop on the audio tour had a prop designer talking about the search for just the right material for the curtains around one of the beds.  Every character's wand is also different with designs appropriate for its owner.  Again, the attention to detail really amazed me.
From the museum, we walked to McCaw Hall where the concert would be.  We asked about restaurants and couldn't find anyone who knew anything about the area so I decided we should walk left and see what we could find.  We found a lot--amazing because I am usually the last person who should decide which way to go.  We chose an incredibly good Thai restaurant and had a fun and relaxing dinner.  Then, we made our way back down to the Hall and eventually into our seats and enjoyed a concert that was off the charts amazing.
If I had to sum up our trip, I'd say it was the trip of the continual highlight.  Everything about it was great.  Especially the company.  Chris and I had a chance to renew our relationship and I had the opportunity to get away and feel more like myself than I have in awhile.

 Awesome.  Try it.

 Johnny, the artist who made the traditional Christmas ornament we bought.

Chris and I have a ritual of buying a Christmas ornament to commemorate all of our trips.  I think we may have gotten it from Jes and Dave (thanks!).  

This one is especially beautiful and not too breakable (I hope)

 When we walked by this puppy, her owner was saying "Potty outside.  Potty outside."

I knew Ella would love to see a picture of her.  So cute.

 Outside the HP Exhibit

 Receiving my invite to Hogwarts.

I may have to defer until the kiddos are older.

 Near McCaw Hall

 Eager fans

 Dave introduces The Head and the Heart

 The Head and the Heart

They remind me of a group you might see in an Irish pub.

Excellent music.  Check them out.

 As you can see from the photos, we had very good seats.

I took all these pics with my tiny point and shoot.

As it turns out, I could have brought my big camera in.  Everyone was taking pictures.

 Dave and Tim.

They walked in wearing blue hard hats.  Not sure why.

 I liked Crush, Grace is Gone and Sister best

Probably Crush best of the best.  I was hoping for Bartender but I have absolutely no complaints.

They gave us more than our money's worth in both songs and stories.

Dave on piano

Tuesday morning, we said goodbye to this...

...to come home to this.

Thanks for joining in on our fun!  Next up:  The Other Side of the Story

Day Two of the Seattle Diaries

Dear MAMSE,

Welcome to Day Two of the Seattle Diaries.  When I left off yesterday, Daddy and I were headed to Mass at St. James Cathedral.  I was sorry not to have brought my good camera because it was really beautiful, more so because we were there at night.  We lit candles in a side chapel where the slim tapered candles hung covering the wall around Mary and Jesus.  You would have loved it.  If we have time, I'll go back tomorrow and take a picture so you can see it.  After Mass, Daddy drove us twenty minutes outside the city to a hole-in-the-wall Italian restaurant that had received rave reviews.  We sat in a booth with a red and white checked table cloth and talked about you, among other things.  Our waitress gave us quite a few tips on things to do and see around Seattle and, after dinner, we checked out one of those--a blues club within walking distance of our hotel.  The band was good.  The bass player was incredibly enthusiastic.  We thought she was going to jump right off the stage--actually she did at one point--to join fans on the dance floor.  Speaking of which, we danced.  I'm sure we would have embarrassed you but I thought we weren't too bad and it was tons of fun.

Dancin' Fools (HA!)

This morning, we got a late start and headed an hour outside of town to do some hiking.  Our plans were foiled because there were several feet of snow on the ground and we had no boots, pants, snow shoes etc.  We did manage to build a small snow man, throw a few snow balls and get pretty cold before getting back in the car.

 Love ya' (wink wink)

 A Mia moment

 Teeny tiny snowman alone in the forest

 I'm sure you recognize this pose!

So, it gets dark early here, before 5:00 PM, which was about the time we left for dinner tonight.  We ate at a very nice Irish pub, a favorite of ours in any city we visit.  This one got an A+ rating for both food and atmosphere.

City lights

 The Space Needle at night.

We'll be over there tomorrow night for the concert.

 We found our restaurant down Diagon Alley

 Cheers

Like a good (part)Irish lass, I ordered a Guiness

 On our way back to the hotel, we stopped for a dessert drink at the very first Starbucks.

Yesterday, we couldn't get anywhere near the door.  

 We saw this en route.  It reminded us of you.

Our last stop of the night was the light show down by the water.  The theme is "Toyland".  It was fun to see and as we walked around, we picked one display for each of you:

 For Madeleine, dancer extraordinaire

Obviously, I am not :)

 For Mia

For Maggie G, our drummer girl-to-be

Definitely Sophie

And Ella

 Finally, one for Daddy

Bye bye till tomorrow!  Don't forget to put out your shoes for St. Nick!  

Love you all,

Mommy and Daddy

Sweethearts in Seattle

Hello to our five Doyle dames from sunny Seattle!  We miss you and love you but are having a great time and have decided to stay an extra week.  Ha!  Did Grandma's head hit the floor when she read that?
So, the last time we were in Seattle, we stayed downtown.  This time we're on the water.  Our hotel room has two walls of windows and a wrap around balcony that we haven't used much because it's cold.  The hotel pool is half inside and half outside the building.  The hot tub is hot.  We do have pay-per-view so, you guys would love it here.
The Texas Tech mens' basketball team is staying at our hotel as well and we ran into a couple of the guys in the elevator this morning.  Of course, your Dad chatted them up about their game and their team.  They were excited to hear that we were from Houston and would be cheering for them--or maybe they were excited that they had reached their floor and could stop making small talk with Daddy--we're not sure.
Last night, after Daddy picked me up at the airport and dropped my bag off at the hotel, we grabbed a quick dinner of fish and chips and typically Seattlian microbrews and then took in some culture at the Seattle Art Museum's Picasso exhibit.  I'll tell you more about that when we get home and I show you the book of art cards we bought.  You can give me your opinion on the master.
This morning, Daddy surprised me with the news that we were signed up for a 5K.  I scowled at him but put on my running gear and we drove to Seward Park where an organization called "Girls on the Run" was holding their end-of-the-year 5K.  The whole park was full of girls and their dads, girls and their moms and girls and their coaches.  Everyone wore the number one.  There were no clocks or recorded times.  It was truly a fun participation event.  And, despite the fact that I have not been running regularly lately, your dear mama ran the whole way and finished the last quarter mile with a kick.  Poor Daddy.  No one cheered for him.  It was "go, girls, go" all the way.  When we crossed the finish line and saw all of the happy girls, so proud of themselves, I teared up a little thinking of you five.  I am so incredibly proud of you.  How did I get lucky enough to be your Mommy?

Check out the balloon arch on the left.  We ran through it to start.  

Pink and green--so girly! 

 Five fingers for my five girls!

(Yes, Madeleine those are your Power Puff Girl gloves. Thank you for leaving them in my coat pocket!)

The scenery was absolutely beautiful.

This afternoon, we walked around Pike Place Market, a famous Seattle attraction.  It's a fish market, farmers' market, flower market and more.  There are all kinds of interesting things to buy.  Again, something all of you would love--except maybe Ella who would be stuck in the stroller so we wouldn't lose her in the huge crowds.  Ella--don't worry, we would let you out to sit on the famous pig.  Very fun!

Here--a few of the things we saw: 

 The very first Starbucks

 Lots of flower stands.  The flowers were dried and were arranged beautifully.

 Something you might not want to buy

 Something you definitely wouldn't want to buy

 Daddy with a giant Christmas tree with lights but no ornaments

  A crab feast to be

 The famous Pike Place Fish Market

We saw them throw around the crabs and fish.

Me and the famous Pike Place Pig--very friendly

And something rarely seen by anyone at Casa Doyle...

Yes, girls, your dad did drink a Coke.

I know...what next?  A dog? :)

OK, MAMSE--that's all for now.  The adventure continues.  Be good to G and G Doyle--foot rubs and breakfast in bed maybe?  Besos from both of us.  More tomorrow!!

A Little Light Reading for the Plane

I'm not obsessed.  Really.

Gracias, Jes!

So Neighborly

So--lest I got any animal rights activists among you riled up with my last post, I should mention that I have never actually been cow-tipping.  And I don't know anyone who has been cow-tipping.  I do find the idea of it funny.  I mean really, who was ever bored enough to come up with that pastime?
Come to think of it, the idea that anyone even has time to be bored is rather novel to me.  The last time I experienced that particular feeling was probably the early 80s.  I think I may center my New Year's resolution around taking enough time to do nothing to actually feel bored.  At this time of year of course, that is impossible.  Busy busy busy.  We've already gotten a Christmas card.  Someone is definitely on the ball. I am just happy to have the Advent wreath up and going.
We received our first gift from our Advent Angels on Sunday.  It had several parts but my favorite was the CD of traditional carols by the Daughters of St. Paul.  This is the second year we are doing this with the families in our TEAMS group.  It's a lot of fun and gets the girls involved and interested in something that is primarily an activity for couples.
The photos below are from tonight's celebration of our neighbor's twelfth birthday.  We went over for cake and fun.  As you can tell from the pictures, our families are fast friends.  We couldn't ask for better neighbors.

 Birthday boy Bobby holds up 12 :)

We are Family 

We are neighborly

I thought this was cute.  It's a countdown to Christmas and each glove has a paper with a Christmas-related activity on it to do that day.  So fun.

My next post will be from the chilly north as I travel to Seattle to meet Chris for a much-anticipated long weekend away.  Please pray for safe travels and a good set list for the Dave Matthews/ Tim Reynolds show we'll be attending on Monday!

Take good care till next time!!