Seattle 07 Photos

Just a few photos from Day #1 in Seattle, U.S.A.

Pigs & Needles: Seattle 2007

We're all here in Seattle; Papa to attend a TESOL conference & Mama & Miki to check out the sights, gastronomic delights & the children's museums. Crawled out of Nanaimo on a bus (never again!) to Victoria yesterday, then hopped the Clipper ferry to Seattle and spent the first rainy night with our good friend and her family. Beautiful 180 degree view from their lofty condo just south of the Space Needle. Miki's first molar teeth decided to come in this week - lastnight in fact! - so Papa & Mama were up until 4:30am trying to comfort the poor girl. What a way to start, eh? After registering for the conference and checking into our hotel, I went back to the condo to pick up my napping family. This evening we ventured out to get an idea of the city layout, some food at the Pike's Place Market and a much needed pint. The Market is awesome! How can one living in this city not be inspired to stop in on the way home for work for some fresh seafood, heirloom veggies & wild gourmet pasta? The array of fresh foods available is staggering. It's also a photographer's dream - and I hope to find time later this week to return. Getting late now, the conference starts early (7:30am) and I've got to get some sleep. Hey, wasn't there a movie titled Sleepless in Seattle...or something? Hmmm....

A Wee Helmet

As spring approaches we are beginning to look forward to family mountain bike excursions & the only way to do it safely is with a helmet. Papa feels better knowing that his little passenger won't get injured as he bumps & cruises thru the forest glades. We keep the helmet in the living room so Miki gets used to seeing it & wearing it. And, as you can tell, she's taken to it quite well. Ride on!

All Hail the Queen- We're in Victoria, the City of Gardens. Miki took great delight in Beacon Park, where the flowers blossomed in the green grass, the ducks paddled to and fro, and the Canadian geese were as friendly as the locals. At the playground for the first time, Miki mastered the slide, had a swing and clutched her pinecone treasure. A trip to the animal farm turned out to be "kid" friendly, as baby goats bleated and jumped around. There was even a trio of singers with a banjo to round out the experience. When not napping or eating, Miki enjoyed a stroll downtown with Papa. "Oh aren't the cherry blossoms just stunning at this time of year?" she cooed. Miki can't wait for tomorrow's adventures...

The Chariot Maiden photos

Maiden of the Chariot

It was the first warm & sunny Sunday in a long time so we took full advantage of it by taking the Chariot out on its maiden voyage yesterday on the local bike path. E packed a small picnic lunch & I put our 2 bikes on the roof & Miki's Chariot in the back. We got a 1pm start and headed north, bound for some groceries & a tea at Starbucks. It took us 30 minutes to get to the local bookstore where we sat out front to soak up some warmth. The Chariot was truly enjoyable to pull along - except for the hills! Let me just say that yes, gravity does work just fine. After a couple of teas we cruised over to the grocery store for a few items that we had room for. We got back to the car at 5pm - Miki slept the whole way -just as the sun was slipping behind the mountains...

Photos from Nana & Pop`s visit...

More photos from Nana & Pop`s visit...

Miki`s "tanjoubi" Birthday Photos...

1st Birthday Celebration

Miki celebrated her 1st birthday
with family & friends on the 12th of February, 2007. Nana & Pop Cote made the journey all the way from Philadelphia to be with young Miki and we can`t thank them enough. It would not have been the same birthday without them. Thank you so much for taking the time & making the effort, it means so much to all 3 of us.

Swans & Car Seats

Taking advantage of the surprise sunshine & blue sky this morning, Nana, Miki, Rope & I went for a 1 hour walk thru Hemer Park. We were lucky to see 5 trumpeter swans drying their feathers & warming up by the water`s edge. After a quick lunch of homemade soup we all decided to take a drive down the coast a bit to Yellow Point Lodge. It was really an excuse to check out Miki`s new car seat. The ocean was beautiful this afternoon; warm, calm and so tempting to slip the kayak in and paddle... We grabbed a video on the way home and set about preparing a mustard-rubbed roast pork & veggies for dinner. Miki fell asleep in front of the woodstove giving the 4 of us a peaceful opportunity to dine. Papa had to dash out briefly after dinner (someone else do the dishes!) due to a crawl-space fire reported at the fire hall - only very minor. Once back home we resumed the movie & cut into the apple pie. No big plans for tomorrow, maybe another walk...

Pop & Nana visit B.C.

Pop & Nana Cote sailed into Victoria Harbour safely on the 8th of February. Of course we were about 10 minutes late picking them up! We had a quick lunch and a pot of tea at Murchie`s before heading back to Nanaimo. Once home, Miki happily showed off her "dream cards", read a few books with Pop & then took a late-afternoon stroll with Nana, Rope & I in the Chariot. It`s been a bit foggy since they arrived & rain is in the forecast until early next week. Today Pop bought Miki a new car seat, since she outgrew the current one about a month ago. Now she can face forward! We took a short "intermission" at the bookstore, tea, hot cocoa & coffee for all - before continuing to the grocery store. This evening we opened the birthday box from Grammy & Gramps Hendrix. Wow! Beautiful dresses & a few wrapped goodies for Monday`s celebration. Pop & Nana have jet lag, so off to bed early they went. E & I are (quietly) sipping a cup of tea and soon to turn in as well...thank you for a wonderful day & goodnight.

See Spot Run.

Well, what can I say? She honestly likes thumbing thru the pages of Papa`s book. Just doing some "advanced" reading & getting a "head" start on what to expect for the toddler years.