Holiday Fun!

Maholla peeps,

It's been so long since I've blogged I hardly know where to start!!!! We are three short days away from Christmas, and I've got almost all of my presents bought and wrapped, ya me!
It has been snowing non stop for the last 5 days or so, and this morning Alex measured 10 inches on our back porch. All I can say is stop the insanity Susan Powter. I braved the icy, snowy roads today and made it into work, only to be sent home at noon when our building lost power. Oh the weather outside is frightful . . .

Two weekends ago Alex and I hosted the second annual Friend Extravaganza Feast at our house. It doubled as a housewarming, since we haven't really had anyone over since the remodel finished. Oh- THE REMODEL IS FINISHED!!! And we got a COUCH! Big news.

The party was a huge success, everyone brought their favorite holiday side dish, and I cooked a turkey. The night of the party was the first day it snowed in Seattle. We all went for a walk around midnight to enjoy the first snow.


The girls got together for our annual gift exchange, gingerbread house crafting gathering. Another fun event I look forward to every year. It is getting harder and harder for all of us to see each other at the same time, so it was especially nice to all be together.
Alex and I have been hitting up the local theater scene taking in many a Christmas Show. Andrew and Kathy joined us for the ACT's A Christmas Carol, which was fabulous. We went out after for some late night Palomino happy hour- best deal in town. The following weekend Alex and I went to the 5th Ave to see 7 Brides for 7 Brothers, which was AMAZING. The dancing in that show blew me away. SO SO SO good, right up there with Jersey Boys. And then, to top it all off, we went to the Nutcracker last Saturday night. If you are wondering if we won the lottery, the answer is no, we just went a little hog wild and bought each other tickets for Christmas and birthdays. Total worth it even if we're broke now =)

Char and Francie are both home for Christmas, Bobby is flying in on Chritmas Eve. Max left this morning to join Anne and Oggy in Texas for Christmas. Although we will miss them, I am sure they will be enjoying the warmer weather.

TTYL

25 Days 'til Christmas!!

Maholla peeps-

Last weekend I headed down to Vancouver, WA for the Padden Family Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving really is my favorite holiday. I love the giant gathering (45 people this year), the food (Laurie's stuffing and Abby's sweet potatoes), all the noise and excitement.

Due to the rain, and overall lack of organization, the flag football game was called off. The Padden women made up for it by taking a yoga class in the middle of my grandparent's living room, lead by our own Maria Dalbotten. It was fab, so great to stretch out the muscles before digging into dinner! My 89 year old Grandpa was a little surprised when, returning from the store, he found 25 women doing yoga in his front room. He took it in stride, only commenting that it felt like "Jones Town" . . .

My dad, Max, Margaret and I reunited the family band and preformed "Seminal Wind" prior to the meal. Margaret was lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Max played lead electric guitar, my dad took base and back up vocals, and I played the mandolin. Margaret picked Seminal Wind because of it's Native American feel . . . . we were a huge success as usual =) My grandpa followed up our performance by dancing and acting out "Brother can you spare a dime" - which my dad played on the guitar and sang. I always thought the Padden's love of the spot light came from my Grandma, but apparently my Grandpa has a bit of the acting bug as well.

I caught "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" on TV tonight. What a FANTASTIC cartoon. That Dr Seuss sure knew what he was doin'.

25 Day's 'Til Christmas!

Winter PIneapple Classic!

Maholla peeps,

Sunday morning, Alex, Jody, Anton and I formed team Maholla, and competed in the Winter Pineapple Classic 5K! This race isn't you're normal 5K . . . although you run the same distance, there are "obstacles" throughout the course that you must complete as a team. Oh, and you have to carry a pineapple the entire time! We had to crawl through tubes, go under and over hurdles, scale a few walls, rock climb up a wall, run through tires, finally monkey bar-ing across to the finish.After the race there was a luau. Free beer (George Town Brewing was a sponsor), free food, and hula dancers fronting a Hawaiian band. This was definitely the most fun I've ever had at a race!!

Gloomy Guts

Work has sucked lately. Not seeing eye to eye with people . . . I think eveyone is tense after the layoffs. Boo Urns. Hopefully it turns around soon.
On a happier note, I took the train down to Vancouver last weekend with my mom. Mo picked us up from the train (great way to travel), and we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa's house. Despite her recent fall/black eye, Grandma was in fine form. She gave me an awesome white wool hat and promised to leave me two paintings in her will when she dies.

We headed over to Mo and Wayne's for dinner, pizza-yum. Grandma put Mona's hairpiece on and danced around. Wayne said she looks like she belongs in a coffin. Just another day in the compound.

Wish I was back there now . . . .

Tonight's the night!

I wore my Obama shirt and button to work today for good luck.
VOTE PEOPLE!

Halloween Highlights!

Maholla Peeps!

Here are some picture highlights from Halloween. Alex and I were a 70's jump rope team- groovy! We went to a party at the Fremont studios, put on by Philly's company, and at one point Alex and I had a crowd waiting in jump! Jody and Carla were cute nerds, Andy was a punk British guy, and Anton was a ninja. Another fab Halloween!

Halloween Eve

BOO!

Tomorrow is Halloween!! I am getting excited. We are all going over to Carla's to get dressed up, and have a pre-party, before hitting the town decked out in costume.

I will be bringing over some delicious "mummy dogs" for the occasion (Jody's great suggestion). Any excuse to eat a hot dog in a croissant! Aren't they cute?In other exciting news, I won the pumpkin carving contest at work!!! Best in show! I am the amazing.

Happy all Hallows Eve! Hope everyone has there costume ready for tomorrow.

Pumpkin Time!

Maholla peeps,

Sorry for the hiatus, I have been uber busy at work. Anyway . . . to get in the spirit of the Halloween season, Philly and the Fremont gang hosted a pumpkin carving party last weekend. Everyone brought an appetizer and a pumpkin, and we carved away.


I used a stencil for the first time ever this year. I was always an advocate for just carving the old triangle eyes, circle mouth, etc. This time though, I tried something new, and I think it turned out swimmingly! My design is called "wink and a smile". Alex went traditional and did the classic jack o' lantern.

"wink and a smile" and "jack"

The group's finished products!

I am looking for a Halloween costume, any suggestions? Holla at me!

GO GRIZ!

Maholla peeps,

Last weekend Alex and I traveled east across the cascades to visit our family/friends at Gonzaga. We arrived at Margaret, Clare and Barbie's house Friday night around 10. Liz, Margaret and Barbie (and my)'s friend from Cyprus (Baltimore) was in town on a surprise visit, so it was an added bonus to our already stellar trip. After we arrived, Margaret, Alex and I went on a walk to Yokes for some bulk treats. Let me tell you, it was C O L D! Fall has officially arrived in Spokane, burrrr.

Saturday morning we awoke from our tent in the living room, and headed out to a cute cute cute little bakery in the South Hills. We shared some muffins, drank some coffee, and took a walk through the pretty South Hill neighborhoods to admire the nice (and cheap!) houses.

Margaret and Barbie needed to put an hour in at the bagel shop, so Alex, Liz and I packed up Barbie's mini-van with some tailgating necessities because we were off to WATCH THE MONTANA GRIZZLY FOOTBALL TEAM!!! That's right, they were playing Eastern Washington University just down the road. I bought Alex and I tickets a while back as a surprise, and once I told Margaret we were coming she and Barbie (and Barbie for Liz) got tickets as well!!! It was pretty cool because even though Montana was the away team, they had more fans there then Eastern. It almost felt like a home game. With Missoula only 3 hours away, it was easy for the die hard Montana fans to make the trip west.

It was a great game, Montana won as usual, GO GRIZ! The sun was out but it was chili willie. After the game we all took power naps before heading out to Picabu, Margaret's favorite restaurant, for dinner. We enjoyed a very tasty dinner, I had curry chicken, and enjoyed the cute atmosphere. It felt so good to be inside, warm, and full after our cold day at the football stadium.

What a great weekend!!!

Yea or Nay?

A stroll through Carkeek Park

In an attempt to get to know my new neighborhood of Greenwood, I have been trying to do local activities. So, on Sunday afternoon, Alex and I walked down to Carkeek Park. We had done this once before in the snow, but I forgot how beautiful it is. We are lucky enough to live so close that we can walk to the park entrance.


From there we strolled though the woods and wound our way down to the beach. Often times you can see salmon swimming up the creek, but our timing must have been off because none were found =(

The beach is actually quite nice, we should have taken advantage of it on a hot day!! Oh well, next summer.



As we were hiking out, I got a phone call from my mom inviting us out to pizza with her, Max, Anne and my dad. They were trying out a new restaurant in GREENWOOD, one that I had never been to. We joined them and I got to check another local activity off my list. I am starting to love the Greenwood . . . .

Pirozhki for me!

Sunday Alex and I went to the annual Russian Bazaar in South Lake Union. Last year was my first time, but Alex has attended every year since he was a young lad.

We ate pirozhkis (Alex had 3), potatoe dumplings, and sour kraut with sausage- yum yum. Alex also bought 4 bags of frozen pelmeni (a kinda Russian tortellini). I love how relaxed this festival is, you just walk up, pay a couple dollars and some Russian women will give you some tasty food to eat. Then you go in the church basement where there is an amazing array of baked good, more old Russians, and you just chill and eat. Perfect Sunday activity.

Baltic room with Blaine

Maholla peeps-

Last night we celebrated Jody's 26 birthday. Carla hosted everyone for dinner, she made 2 delicious chickens, and everyone else brought a side dish. As a group we have grown in numbers so this was really the perfect way to celebrate.

Philly spent hours in the kitchen baking a gluten free chocolate cake, and it was DELICIOUS. It really was one of the best birthday cakes I've ever had. She baked mini-cupcakes as well, totally outdid herself. Vanessa and Nick brought a veg, I made a salad and Michelle brought an appetizer. Kostas, being the only boy that knows his way around the kitchen, made delicious rosemary potatoes.






After dinner we headed to the Baltic room for some dancing . . . . and BLAINE from PROJECT RUNWAY was there! Jody and him became friends and danced together for a while- it was great. He was really nice, and let us all take pictures with him . . . . that being said he looks very orange , a little too much fake tanning I guess. Oh well, we still love you Blaine!

Happy early birthday Jody!

illin'

Maholla peeps-

I woke up this morning with a killer headache, sore throat, and whole body ache. Sick sick sick. I emailed work and told them I wasn't going to make it in, and promptly went back to bed. Alex has been sick for a few days, and I think I finally caught the bug. I guess when you live with an elementary school teacher, you are bound to have your fair share of illnesses. Oh well, Alex was still sick so we got to stay home together and watch West Wing reruns.


We ventured out for a walk around 2, feeling falsely energetic from our DayQuil, but had to turn back after a little while because poor Alex's head began to spin. We did have the energy to sit on the couch and watch Sarah Palin NOT answer any of the VP debate questions. GO BARACK!

Tomorrow night we have tickets for the Jamie Lidell concert, so hopefully we will be rested and ready to boogy!

It's . . . GREAT!

Alex and I finally made it to Ballard's new restaurant Tigertail last week. FAB! Check it out if you're in the area. It's a bar setting, but with tables, and benches covered in pillows, so cozy. The food is Asian influenced, mostly small plates, and delicious! Alex and I split the buffalo meatballs, red curry clams, and house-made lamb pot stickers. They were all devine, and not too pricey which was nice! The bartender was great, he doubled as our waiter. About a halfhour into our meal, a giant group celebrating a birthday came in, and he handled everything superbly and never forgot about us.
I will be back soon . . . . yummmmmmmmmm lamb pot stickers!

What a drag

Despite having an eventful morning, this afternoon is DRAGGING on and on and on. Maybe its the rain? The cloudy weather? Whatever it is, I can't WAIT for the work day to end.

Luckily, I am meeting up with Carly after work. Our plan: if the rain stops, we walk Greenlake. If the rain continues, we go out for a glass of wine. I'm not sure which way I'm leaning . . . . either sounds great right now. On one hand, I feel like I should walk because I sit at my desk all day. On the other, I know a glass of wine will make me forget that I should be exercising!

I am rambling, I really have nothing to report. Boring day. Boo.

Happy Birthday Madge!

May 'Diet Coke' add life to you on your special day!