**A special congratulations to Wesley and Carolyn (Josiah's parents) as we just learned of baby number two due in July!** That makes grandbaby #12 for Mama Judy! Can't wait for more family time!
Tuesday, December 30
One Down, One More To Go...
We're back from the city, just in time to wash clothes, say hello to our sweet dogs, and pack up again! Tomorrow we leave for Orange County to celebrate Christmas Swenson style...meaning lots of people, crazy kids, and yummy food in a packed house! Yippie! We're so excited! It's been forever since we've been down there. And we are so fortunate to be able to take the dogs with us too. I've also SO missed seeing baby Josiah (my youngest nephew) grow up into a toddler!
Monday, December 29
A Restful Christmas
I know. This is old, past due, etc. I've been avoiding the fact that I haven't blogged in so long, but William kindly uploaded some pictures so it makes posting easier. We had a wonderful Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We spend both days with my parents since we leave on Wednesday for Orange County and the Swenson's Christmas celebration. We started a new Arterburn tradition of Cioppino seafood soup for Christmas Eve Dinner. We even got to wear fancy bibs that my mom and I found when we went shopping in the city! So fashionable!
William and I hosted Christmas morning with coffee and Æbleskiver (Danish pancakes). We opened gifts then headed to the movies to see Benjamin Button. Dad was so disappointed that he couldn't start an another new Arterburn tradition: hiking the ridge-- it was cold, rainy, and not outdoor weather. Next came a much needed nap (Jess) and a trip to the dog park (William), then back to my parents for Christmas dinner. We had both been super exhuasted with the ending of school that it was so wonderful to have both days be so low key. This Christmas season just flew by both of us. My dad was again let down this year: we didn't decorate or get a tree. Maybe next year?!
William and I hosted Christmas morning with coffee and Æbleskiver (Danish pancakes). We opened gifts then headed to the movies to see Benjamin Button. Dad was so disappointed that he couldn't start an another new Arterburn tradition: hiking the ridge-- it was cold, rainy, and not outdoor weather. Next came a much needed nap (Jess) and a trip to the dog park (William), then back to my parents for Christmas dinner. We had both been super exhuasted with the ending of school that it was so wonderful to have both days be so low key. This Christmas season just flew by both of us. My dad was again let down this year: we didn't decorate or get a tree. Maybe next year?!
The City
Hooray for a wonderful 1st year anniversary celebrated in San Francisco!! Our hotel was great, we would recommend it to anyone. Hotel Rex is a super quaint boutique hotel with lots of personality. We enjoyed Friday night live jazz the first night and every night we received a complementary glass of wine. And it was close to everything-- we walked everywhere.
During our trip, we did the classic tourist spots: Alcatraz, the Wharf, Pier 39, Coit Tower, Phantom of the Opera Performance, Chinatown, Union & Fillmore St. Shops, Union Square, Embarcadaro/Ferry Building-- Sat. morning for the farmer's market. They were all great! We did hit a snag Sunday morning, when I went to print out our theater tickets. I realized that I bought them for the night before--Saturday! It was such an ordeal thereafter with lots of stress and worry (on my part). William was fabulous & even when the phone customer service was no help at all, he was totally calm. We were SO THANKFUL that we were given seats after we walked down to the theater and talked to someone in person. It all turned out great, but had such potential to be a disaster! Phew! :) Here we are, relieved to be given some grace by the box office.
We also tried to do some non-tourists things which now as I list them, may seem a bit random: post office, public library/Chinatown branch, goodwill, local leather/shoe service shop, Safeway, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. The places we went to eat were all fabulous and definitely full of city people. :) I'm not sure how much we blended in-- especially with William's cowboy hat & boots.
It was also such a blessing to have so much free time together. And we both can't believe how fast the year has passed. It's so awesome to experience what just one year can do to our intimacy, connection, and understanding of one another. We can't wait to see what the future years will bring as we grow together! One mutual revelation: we're both still working on mastering the whole mind-reading thing. We figure a lot of our miscomunications would be solved by this simple skill. ;) Ha!!
During our trip, we did the classic tourist spots: Alcatraz, the Wharf, Pier 39, Coit Tower, Phantom of the Opera Performance, Chinatown, Union & Fillmore St. Shops, Union Square, Embarcadaro/Ferry Building-- Sat. morning for the farmer's market. They were all great! We did hit a snag Sunday morning, when I went to print out our theater tickets. I realized that I bought them for the night before--Saturday! It was such an ordeal thereafter with lots of stress and worry (on my part). William was fabulous & even when the phone customer service was no help at all, he was totally calm. We were SO THANKFUL that we were given seats after we walked down to the theater and talked to someone in person. It all turned out great, but had such potential to be a disaster! Phew! :) Here we are, relieved to be given some grace by the box office.
We also tried to do some non-tourists things which now as I list them, may seem a bit random: post office, public library/Chinatown branch, goodwill, local leather/shoe service shop, Safeway, and hole-in-the-wall restaurants. The places we went to eat were all fabulous and definitely full of city people. :) I'm not sure how much we blended in-- especially with William's cowboy hat & boots.It was also such a blessing to have so much free time together. And we both can't believe how fast the year has passed. It's so awesome to experience what just one year can do to our intimacy, connection, and understanding of one another. We can't wait to see what the future years will bring as we grow together! One mutual revelation: we're both still working on mastering the whole mind-reading thing. We figure a lot of our miscomunications would be solved by this simple skill. ;) Ha!!
Tuesday, December 16
Dear Santa
I had to write a memo for my computer class. This was the only thing that came to me. Enjoy.
Dear Santa,
I know you don't really exist but I needed something that I could write about, and this seemed far less personal than a real blog entry. I think that for this year I would like more time with my wife. That's my number one wish. Additionally I wish that people would stop killing other people, and that governments would get out of the way of people who wish to live free. If government could be more like my in-laws that would be great. They are very willing to be involved if and when we need them, and they are amicable to spending time together, but they are not willing to impose themselves upon my wife and I. My mom is much like that, and that is both helpful and beneficial to all involved. And if you could do something about the peace on earth issue, you know, the part about it lacking severely, that would be wonderful.
Dear Santa,
I know you don't really exist but I needed something that I could write about, and this seemed far less personal than a real blog entry. I think that for this year I would like more time with my wife. That's my number one wish. Additionally I wish that people would stop killing other people, and that governments would get out of the way of people who wish to live free. If government could be more like my in-laws that would be great. They are very willing to be involved if and when we need them, and they are amicable to spending time together, but they are not willing to impose themselves upon my wife and I. My mom is much like that, and that is both helpful and beneficial to all involved. And if you could do something about the peace on earth issue, you know, the part about it lacking severely, that would be wonderful.
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