My Crazy Husband

Can I elaborate on the title of this blog post? My husband isn't normal crazy.

He's "I think I'll run a 50 Mile Race" crazy.

WHAT? Even after seeing him accomplish this before my very eyes, I still don't feel like it's possible. It takes a really talented and determined person to work towards a life goal like that, and the discipline to not give up when it gets hard. I could go on and on, but we'll just leave it at he is incredible!

Okay and the benefit of Paul running a Crazy Amazing Race is that his family came up to support him. I love this. His parents, Stephan, Tenille & Kacie all were able to come up. We were thrilled for the excuse to see them AND for all the support they provided the day of the race. Couldn't have done it without them.

Oh and one more benefit. We were able to play "Tourist" and go show them our favorite parts of Seattle! It really is a great place to see in the summer. Come visit us, all!

Pike Place Market

Moss Men

and now the ladies

 One of our favorite parts was the famous Gum Wall...:)

cute octopus at Pike Place

view from Kerry Park

Space Needle at night

We also went on a hike and tasted some yummy berries.

And then it was Saturday, the day of the BIG RACE! It went from Mt. Rainier to Ruston (close to Tacoma), and most racers were doing it in the form of a relay. Only crazy awesome beasts did it all by themselves. 

We were able to meet up with Paul at various stops along the way (every 3-5 miles or so) with water and whatever else he needed. It started out in pretty thick forested areas.

He was such a good sport the whole time. No matter how in pain or exhausted he was, he was never grumpy or irritable. Insane. 

One of the stops was this really quaint town that I fell in love with a little bit.

We especially liked this swing...until we noticed the sign, that is. Oops. :)

It was really awesome to see everyone join Paul for small segments of the race to lend support.

The scenery towards the end of the race was really beautiful. It went through downtown Tacoma a little bit, and right by the waterfront. I want to take Paul back sometime, now that he has feelings in his legs again :)

And somehow, he did it. He finished! 

Showing his spike...symbolic of the railway I believe.

Amazing! This is a race that so many had to drop out of at various points (which is still 100% admirable in my opinion). 

Isn't this a great picture???

It was sad to say goodbye to family the next day. Excited to see everyone again, whenever that is!

I wouldn't be surprised if you all are throwing up at this point (if not from my bragging, from thinking about running that amount of miles)...but I really am so so proud of him. Glad to call this amazing man mine. And maybe even more glad that he is now fully recovered with zero injuries. :) Good job, Paul!!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

Sorry for the lack of updates...but May has been crazy town! We saw at least one family member every weekend except ONE! How lucky are we?

Well, here comes the purpose of this particular post...

A few weeks ago Paul & I got to drive down to Provo for Memorial Day weekend! We have so much family down there, and we miss them all lots. It was a whirlwind trip, but so worth it.

We headed out Friday afternoon for the long journey ahead...turns out there is quite the distance between the Puget Sound and the Rocky Mountains!

We were able to celebrate Grandma's 80th Birthday! Happy Birthday Grandma, we love you! We did a combo birthday celebration for my 23rd Birthday that coming Monday.

Miss them already!

Love my Lee cousins! Just missing Nate!

Momma made a delish sheet cake! Also, <3 Baby Brynne in background

We also got to see some cute chillens...

We got acquainted w/ adorable Ruby Walker

and got to play with the Avery kiddos

Melissa & fam made a delicious cake! :)

Aaron Paul loved it too!

Am I allowed to say that they're growing up so fast if I've only known them for about a year and a half? Jury's still out. Regardless, they are so sweet and we love them.

We loved the glorious family time with both sides- cousins, grandparents, siblings, everyone! It was a great bonus to see the White House girls for the first time together in YEARS (sans pregnant Laura. Boo.)

My fabulous roommate for...what...3.5 years?? <3

And a quick shout out to Baby Yosemite! So glad she's made it into this world! Congrats!

Unfortunately, we had to leave late Monday morning and start the trek back. The first real, LONG (over 6 hr) roadtrip with Paul was incredibly successful. Thanks for the great driving and the even better company!

#23 never felt so good! Thanks to all for making it such a great birthday and weekend in general!                                

Loving the Sunshine!

Springtime has arrived, and we could not be happier. The past few weeks have not only been sunny but warm! Hallelujah! Get ready for a photo overload.

First, though, I have to dedicate a section to the wonderful weekend spent in Utah! As a Christmas present to Lindsay and I, Paul booked me flights to and from Salt Lake City. I miss so many people in Utah now that we're up here. It was so great to visit with my sister, grandparents, aunts/uncles, sister-in-laws, niece/nephew-in-laws (is that a thing?), cousins, a few hometown friends, and even my momma who was in town. 

 It was about a 40 hr trip-- quick, but perfect. I so appreciate Paul coordinating and sending me off to visit my loved ones for a few days. Thanks, Pabs!

I loved the quality sister time...

I love my seester!

CPK: our classic "sister date restaurant"

Pepperoni & pineapple...YUM! :)

And it was so nice to see some of the Moss & Avery clan. Can't believe we were around when this cute boy was born-- he's already so grown up!

Aaron Paul

In fact, there were lots of cute kiddos to see in Utah...including Baby Brynne! We were lucky to get to be there for her baby blessing. What a doll! Congrats on your growing family, Melissa & Justin! :)

Lee girls reunited + new addition Brynne Lee Weight!

Baby B fan club

I even got to stop by and see my dear fellow Kansan Melanie & her hubs Andrew! Love ya- come visit!

Ignore our creepster glowing eyes?

There are so many more friends & relatives we need to see in Provo, and we are in the midst of planning another weekend trip if possible- this time together! It was sad to leave, but the gorgeous weather + husband awaiting in Seattle certainly lessened the blow.

The sunshine has allowed for a few really fun dates & outings over the past few weeks. Here are a few:

The Mariner's Game: 

Through work, Paul scored some tickets for a Seattle Mariner's baseball game. It had been awhile since  either of us had been to a baseball game, so we were stoked. We also got free t-shirts...score!

Snoqualmie Falls: 

Paul discovered this gem on one of his long runs. One weeknight we both got off work while the sun was still shining, and we decided to take advantage. We stopped by Snoqaulmie Falls then ate at Herfy's, a local diner. It was a fabulous night of sightseeing and burger-eating. Don't even get me started on the chocolate milkshake. I was in heaven. 

Why yes, that is a rainbow!

And just last night we were able to stop by Kylie and Fayoz's wedding reception! We are so excited for the happy couple. Since we were dressed up, we made a date out of it. We stumbled upon this beautiful public park/beach area up in Kirkland called Juanita Beach. We were there just in time for the sunset.

He is so good-looking! I am a lucky girl.

I guess that is all for now. We're excited to see what May has in store for us. We are looking forward to summer, and a few visits from family and friends pretty soon here. Hope everyone is having a relaxing Sunday! :)

April 23rd

1 year ago this week Paul and I graduated from Brigham Young University! We were lucky enough to both walk in April and have our awesome families there. Go Cougs! Thank goodness that means no more finals, but we sure do miss classes and learning. 

   

Paul was there too, I promise! I just can't for the life of me find a pic! (Embarrassing) 

2 years ago today Paul and I went on our very first official date. Even as I type this, I know that this date may not technically have been our first. Throughout much of April there had been phone calls, "can I pick you up at eight?"s, and witty text messages exchanged. It's completely up for debate...BUT the date of which I speak involved a concert, a trip to the park, and (if memory serves?) a couple of cookies from Subway. No picture exists of the evening, sadly... but just know that good times were had by all.

I'll instead include a picture of the other "first official date." Paul took me to Seussical the Musical, then we made green eggs & ham. :) Creative or what??

26 years ago today my parents were sealed in the Provo, Utah temple. Thank goodness! Where on earth would I be without them?? They are the best team...continually supportive and encouraging. Together they accomplish so much, and the years have only made them stronger. I can't believe Lindsay and I lucked out getting to be their children! Thanks, parents, for making the decision to get hitched! We are all so happy that you did :)

We Caved.

It's true, folks. As I hinted at in my last post, we have indeed gone hippie. Kind of. It was bound to happen if we lived here long enough, it just happened sooner than I thought. I guess it's been a combination of Paul's ambition and interest in all things organic and natural and my reluctant realization that going green means living healthy and happily.

In case the word Seattle doesn't paint a vivid enough picture for the community that we've been living in....maybe this picture will sum it all up.

I mean...look how HUGE the compost container is! And I could barely fit a toothbrush in that tiny garbage can.

I really did put off the transition as long as possible. I mean, I'm still using a $19 semi-waterproof hoodless jacket-wanna-be that I hoped would last me through the rainy season (cough all year long) here.

Although I'm still too stubborn to buy a nice rain jacket, I did get these fabulous hiking boots from my grandparents for Christmas. I have to admit, I adore them. They make me want to hike ALL the time (MIRACLE shoes I tell you).

Next thing you know, I attend a Relief Society Activity where they talk about homemade granola. And what do you know, it is so dang cheap and easy to make! Hooked.

Confession: got this lovely picture on the web...didn't snag a pic of the granola I made.

We're even buying local, organic produce. Well, some of the time. But still! If you knew how I ate in college, you'd just be proud that we're buying produce at all. And we have to admit that it makes us feel great.

We're even on board with the green smoothies that everyone else discovered years ago (Paul included).

Most of all, I think we're just really loving the outdoors. Something about living near such gorgeous evergreen trees just makes us want to go out and celebrate Earth Day! Granted, the rain still makes me grumpy some days. But when the clouds part, let me tell you that it looks heavenly up here.

I have to close this post by reassuring my loved ones that I haven't lost my integrity. We are not vegan, or even vegetarian. We definitely see the appeal, and have been trying to use less meat in general...but I mean come on. This Kansas City girl will always love a date that involves some steak. :)

6 Months Already??

I can't believe that it has already been six months since we got hitched! In a lot of ways, I feel like we just got married yesterday and I'm still figuring out how the heck to be a wife. But in lots more ways, I can't imagine/remember what life was like before. It sounds silly, I know. I just don't know how else to describe it.

My absolute favorite things about the past 6 months:

• working as a team to accomplish goals
• having oatmeal for breakfast together before we go to work
• never saying goodnight! Hallelujah!
• Paul being a sweetheart while I figure out how on earth to cook dinner (and all other meals for that matter)
• budgeting...I'm not kidding! 
• watching documentaries about vitamins and basketball and anything under the sun
• laughing so hard my face hurts
• the sweet greeting cards (Hallmark of course), post-its, stationary notes, and vis-a-vis mirror notes that I find around every corner
• exploring a new region of the country..what an adventure and fun way to start our life together 
• marrying someone that is so dang easy to live with. I've never met a cleaner or more organized man
• exercising together (If Paul reads this he will laugh, because he has to drag my lazy bum off the couch in order to do this)
• serving in the ward nursery together! I could party with my husband and the toddlers all day long.
• knowing neither of us will ever have to go through a break-up again! 
• receiving packages from both the Priday and Moss parents OFTEN! We both feel lucky to have married into such wonderful families and have their continued support
• knowing there are SO MANY MORE half-years to look forward to with this handsome man. I lucked out big time. 

Thanks for being way better than I deserve! Happy 6 Months!

Oh, and for everyone else, look forward to a post coming soon about how we have gone totally HIPPIE! I know...brace yourselves.