Chrithmuth!

Josh and I had a Christmas full to the gills with dogs. (I forgot to mention that I went back to my dog walking roots and started my own business again around October. See below for full story.) We stuck around Seattle since Josh only got Christmas Eve and Day off...or maybe just day... I can't remember. Too long ago. Since we were hanging around I tried to rake in a little extra money with the pups and spent my nights away sitting at a client's house while Josh stayed at home with the others. To be honest it was slightly boring Christmas since it was just us and the mutts, but we were headed to Utah in January and knew we'd have a lot of fun with family then.



It had taken me several months in Spokane before I found a job, so I was really nervous about not being able to find a job quickly here in Seattle. With Seattle being far more expensive and needing to save more for infertility stuff (Oh yes, I haven't talked about that either.... Later.) I had started my hunt early and I was super excited when I got an interview at a women's health clinic just a week after we moved. The same day of the interview I got an offer. I felt a little off for some reason about accepting the offer so quickly, but it was exactly what I was looking for and I couldn't think of a reason to say no. Unfortunately the first week of training I continued to feel off. I couldn't figure out what was making me so hesitant, but after praying and praying about it and talking with Josh I finally realized I had to quit. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. (I'm sure that sounds silly to some. But it was okay?!) Josh and I really needed the money and I couldn't imagine telling them I would have to quit after just one week of work. The worst part was that I had no idea why I felt the need to quit; And the second worst part was I had no idea what I was supposed to do instead. So I did it. I quit. And then I thought and thought and thought and thought. Which direction was I supposed to go in now? Well, you guessed it. Dog walking...and sitting. It took a while, but I managed to start my own business and slowly build my clients. At the time I had no idea why it was the path for me, but it became clear a few months later.

Maughan Visit

Alright. This is happening! It's only been a year and a half since our last blog post. Oops. Hopefully I can remember all the fun, crazy, exciting, boring, and whatever else things that have happened since then.

Since Josh had to work around Thanksgiving Rachel and the kids decided to grace us with a visit and we celebrated early Thanksgiving a little Swedish style. Josh and I made them the traditional meal of meatballs, mashed potatoes, gravy, and lingon sylt (which is jam). Nothing too crazy, but the dessert was interesting. We tried our first chocolate noodles. Not the most delicious dessert I'd ever had, but fun to try.

We spent time showing off Pike Place Market and the many wonders it holds.

And also some time exploring the local parks. The parks here are great and have some interesting toys. Some not meant to fit adults.

It was a lot of fun and so great to have some visitors, even if we had to squeeze them into our little two bedroom apartment.

The Hamilton's Come to Seattle!

So, while we were down in Utah, Sydney stayed a few extra weeks to go to the Shakespeare festival with the girls of my family and then convinced her parents to drive her and Fiz back up to Seattle and visit for a week.  It was a lot of fun, and the weather was beautiful.  A member of our ward's bishopric (who has lived in Seattle for 20 years) says it's the nicest summer he's ever seen.

 We took the ferry out from Anacortes to Friday Harbor and went on a whale watching adventure!  It was so much fun.  We rode up in front of the boat pretty much the whole trip.  The captain (who totally looked like an old sea captain, beard and everything) told us he was glad to have some people aboard who enjoyed the ocean wind in their face as much as he does.  

 Whale!

 They actually got really close, which was awesome.  

 Went walking with the Fiz down at Discovery Park.

 I like random pictures like this.  

It was a lot of fun to have the Hamilton's come visit us.  

 We went to the Salmon Ladder and the Locks.

 Saw awesome sailboats.

 Ate good food. 

 We went hiking too, that was after they left though.  

We're pretty happy to be close enough to family that they actually come visit.  It's really been awesome.  We like where we live...but that's because it's beautiful and summer.  But Fall is coming.  

Timp 2014 - Aw....yeah!

We started around 1:30am, trying to get there before sunrise.  Right as we pulled into the parking lot we saw a gigantic moose just bopping around the trailhead.  

Also, Katelyn got hit right in the chest with a flying bat on our way up.  She has a way with the animals.  We cruised on our way up and made record time.

Cuddling up on the top near the saddle at 5am.  It was freezing, and we were waiting to head to the summit before sunrise so we didn't freeze our fannies off at the top.  

 We were all alone at the top, and it was glorious.  

 Scott and Tyson didn't come all the way to the top with us, which I imagine they regretted after looking at these amazing pictures.  

 It was also our 6 year anniversary.  Hooray!

 Just on a mountain.  

 These boots up there looked like a puppy.  

 It was so pretty.

 We hiked all the way to the top!  Above the clouds.  

 The whole gang.  Apparently Tyson played like 2 hours of soccer and worked out his legs before getting started on this hike.  What a silly boy.  Needless to say, he was hurting.  

 The beautiful field of flowers.  

 Eh - oh!

It is pretty great to get to come back to Utah for vacations to spend time with family and go cool places.  Feeling pretty lucky and happy right now!  Yep!  We love it.