the day the red sox came to town

Thanks again to Layne's amazing connections, Christian got us tickets to see the Mariners play the Boston Red Sox a couple of weeks ago. Don't get me wrong, we're loyal Seattlites, but Christi chose this game to see the Olde Towne Team in action. He rotated in Boston in med school and had a memorable experience at Fenway. There were probably more BoSox fans there than Ms fans! It was so fun to take the boys. I'm not that interested in baseball, but this was such a blast! We had an extra ticket, so Dr. Daines and Cole joined us. Christian also ran into several ortho attendings, and we even found Randi and Gregg! Quite a night for the UW orthopaedics team.

We started the night with our own tailgate party in the McDonald's parking lot. (Christian and I got takeout--Miss Piggy BBQ sandwiches from a favorite local pub--yum!) The boys thought this was the coolest picnic ever.


The field was so amazing, and the weather was perfect. Our seats were only about 14 rows up behind the home plate.




James and Addy were flirting with some pretty girls behind us who thought they were adorable (they were flirting back!). How could you not love this face?


Addy didn't sit still the entire game. He didn't have his own seat (kids under 3 get in free), so he was constantly climbing from lap to lap, trying to jump off the seats, and reaching over me to grab the pretty girls behind us. Look at that mischievous grin.


James saw people dancing on the jumbotron during a break and asked, "How can I get on there?" We told him if he danced a camera man might come record him and put it up there. He immediately began busting a move. I wish I got it on video--it was hilarious! He couldn't figure out why he didn't get on the screen.

The Mariners lost, but it was a great game seeing some of the league's greats. And the company wasn't bad, either.

a little birdie told me. . .

I am so behind on posts right now. We have been doing so many fun things to enjoy the fabulous weather, and I've been taking tons of pictures, but I haven't had time to post anything! Maybe because I've been so busy with another little project I want to tell you about (here comes the shameless plug. . .).



Two of my best friends and I have started a new blog called littlebirdiesecrets.blogspot.com as a place to share all the crafty projects, recipes, and tips we've been working on since winter when we were stuck inside everyday. I've been making quilts, afghans, baby gifts, kid crafts and more, and I've learned a lot of cool tricks. So if you're crafty, check out our site for some cool ideas and tutorials. If you're not so crafty, check out our Etsy.com store soon to buy some of the "extras" we make. At the very least we hope you'll be inspired by something you see and share it with a friend!

Thank you to all of my family and friends for all your support! I'm so excited about this new time-sucking project, because I have way too much time on my hands! Ha!

tea time

"The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose." ~George Gissing

So it does. Afternoon tea at Queen Mary Tearoom was the most lovely of all our ortho girls outings, except that we were minus Carly (drat!). Surrounded by charming Victorian decor, assorted delicate morsels, and gorgeous English bone china, Randi and I imagined ourselves back in Cambridge. Our waitress called us "my dears" and "love" and had excellent taste in dessert. My ginger lime rooibos tea, a South African caffeine-free variety, was subtle and soothing. Randi donned a crown as the Queen of Our Table, on account of her birthday this month. But the most delightful part was the company--five of the most marvelous women I am privileged to know. The conversation even beat the incredible veggie quiche and giant soft ginger cookie. Maybe not the warm chocolate pudding cake, but close. I'm still laughing about "Lyin' in bed just like cryin' wolf someday," and Mary's adventures in karaoke. I'm glad that we all agreed we see no change from R2 to R3 like we were promised. And dreaming of our future ortho girls outings in Mexico and Rome makes this seemingly never-ending journey tolerable. There is something in commiseration that binds souls.


Randi, Bonnie, & Jean outside the Queen Mary Tearoom in Seattle


Queen Randi


Jean, Mary, & Randi


Mary pours a cup


We were so happy Queen Ella was able to join us for the girls day out!


Me, Bonnie, Jessica, Jean, Mary, & Randi (we saved a seat in your honor, Carly!)

There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour
dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.
~Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady

Thank you for a most agreeable hour, girls!

P.S. Bothell 3rd Ward girls--put this on our list!

tour de burke-gilman trail

Being an avid mountain biker and wannabe road biker, Christian is obsessed with the Tour de France, now in full force and dominating our TV viewing until the wee hours of the morning. Saturday we decided to take advantage of another beautiful Seattle summer day and do our own mini tour of the city. There is an amazing paved trail that stretches from Marymoor Park in Redmond around Lake Washington to Gas Works Park in Seattle right on Lake Union, a total of about 30 miles. We are located near the center of the two trails. We often use the trail on the Sammamish River Trail side, heading toward Redmond, for biking and running. It is well maintained, passes several great parks (with bathrooms!), and features gorgeous views. But we hadn't gone very far in the other direction where the trail turns into the Burke-Gilman trail, mainly because the stretch between Bothell and Kenmore is along a busy road and is so ugly. But we really wanted to make the trek to Gas Works, which is the end of the trail. Wow, we had no idea how beautiful that side of the trail is! I think I'll be doing some long runs over there for a change.

So, since we didn't have any pace cars with cameras documenting our trip, I'll give you the highlights of what we saw and heard. Really, it will be just like you were there.

We start here--Bothell Landing Park-Mile 1

Miles 1-5: A hefty lady in a denim jumpsuit and her friend attempt to get in front of us while waiting for the crosswalk signal. It took us all of 30 seconds to pass them again, although I swear they were spreading out across the trail to try and block us. Sorry ladies, no yellow jersey for you today.

Miles 6-10: We are passed by a biker with a cryptic message. As we neared one another, she turned her head toward us and said, "Walla Walla onions." Huh? Are you trying to mess with our heads, or just giving your onion-farming family in Walla Walla some free advertising? A stop sign had the word "war" spray painted beneath "stop." Thank you for the political commentary while I take a joy ride. We also passed miles of gorgeous houses on the lake with their own docks and ski boats, grand decks, and amazing views. Another good reason to stay here after residency. . .a house on the lake. I could deal with 9 months of cloudiness the rest of my life for one of those.

Miles 11-15: We pass UW and the Huskies Stadium and the scene becomes more urban. A rather large man on a child's banana-seat bike from the 60s, two shirtless men basted with body oil resembling Kramer in the suntanning episode of Seinfeld, and various unnatural hairdos are just a few examples. "Are we there yet? I'm hungry. Addy, I'm never going to play with you again!" The kids are getting a little antsy in that 3'x3' bike trailer. But we finally arrive at Gas Works and the incredible view of the city. James is quick to point out the Space Needle, and Adam is quick to spit off the terrace into Lake Union. On the hill there are people flying kites, and by the water groups of picnickers. A couple canoodles on a bench while sharing a cigarette. On the way out of the park we witness what I can only describe as a nudist revival meeting. Yes, I mean naked people. Lots of them. Oh Seattle, I love your diversity.

Gas Works Park in Seattle, halfway through our trip

Miles 16-20: We stop at University Village for a lunch of Jamba Juice and muffins. It was too hot for anything else. I'm still feeling pretty good at this point, telling Christian that biking is SO much easier than running! I just went 20 miles and it was cake!

Miles 21-32: Can't. Go. Any. Further. My legs have suddenly decided to forsake me. Cramps are rampant through my quads and my behind is so bruised I can hardly sit. The only thing keeping me going is the sound of James and Adam laughing hysterically at each other in the trailer in front of me. I can't help but laugh and try to catch up. But at about mile 28 I'm done. Christian keeps pressing forward, but I'm getting passed by a 120-year-old woman in long sleeves and dress pants. Seriously. "So what was that about biking being easier than running?" he says. "Hey," I say, "I just biked 32 miles. My legs would've felt like this after 15 miles (or less) of running. That's sounds twice as easy to me! When can we go again?" What a fabulous day! And I'm not even sore today. Yes, I'll take biking over running any day. Too bad I have that dang marathon coming up. . .

what's your IQ?

Free-IQTest.net - IQ Test

Well folks, we all knew it was true, but now we have proof. Real scientific, documented proof. Christian is a genius.That's the category an IQ score of 145 puts you in. Makes you sick, doesn't it? But don't worry, he's humble about it. When I called him a know-it-all, he pointed out that he wasn't "an 'extraordinary genius', just a plain old, regular genius." (Insert my rolling eyes here.)

So who decides what makes you smart, anyway? I'm happy to say that I ended up in the "gifted" category, but I have no idea how. It took me twenty minutes to complete the test (it took Christian five), and I guessed on several questions. How reliable can this test be? What really makes someone a genius?

I was interested to see what Wikipedia had to say about the term: "A genius is a person of great intelligence, who shows an exceptional natural capacity of intellect, especially as shown in creative and original work. Geniuses always show strong individuality and imagination, and are not only intelligent, but unique and innovative."

I am so proud to have an exceptionally intelligent husband--he is definitely all those things and more--but I also want to point out some of my friends and family members who are geniuses in so many other ways and subjects. Courtnie, you are a friendship genius. Stacy, you are a craft and sewing genius. Mom, you are a shopping genius. Dad, you are an adventure genius. Jody, you are a party-planning genius. Layne, you are a thoughtfulness genius. Jessica, you're a culinary genius. Carly, you're a Craigslist genius. Lind, you're a fashion genius. Cody, you're a hair-styling genius. Sari, you're a triathalon genius. Peen, you're a motherhood genius. Reed, you're a faith genius. Jord, you're a quick-comeback genius. Dan, you're a Simpson's genius. Boy, you're a nephew genius. T, you're a late-night-phone-call genius. James, you're a silliness genius. Addy, you're a flying superhero genius. And I am a genius for keeping all these wonderful people close to me!

So, what's your IQ? I say, WHO CARES?! Be creative, be original, be strong and imaginative, be unique and innovative in any area of life you want. Be a genius of being yourself.

That's all I have to say about that.

happy birthday, america! a.k.a let's blow stuff up!

This post is a few days late, but we had a great Fourth of July holiday! Our Dad started the day off rounding at the hospital, which turned into half a day after he waited for a patient to come in from Alaska. No taking care of idiots who blew their hands off with fireworks like last year! Thanks to the VA rotation, he was able to join us for most of the fun.

The boys and I found our friends at the Bothell City parade--thanks for making room for us! Gary is always great to put his chairs out early, and we appreciate him letting us take advantage of his forethought. The kids had so much more fun with their friends than they would've with just Mom. They ate way too much candy, climbed trees, and acted silly in general. It was fun to let them play while I chatted with the girls, several who were also husband-less for the parade.


We went home for lunch and Daddy arrived just in time to watch Spiderwick with the boys. They have been obsessed with this movie ever since they featured the action figures in the McDonald's Happy Meal and the mini versions of the books in the Cheerios cereal boxes. Mind you, they had no idea what the flick was about--they just liked the creepy creatures and the "spider" in the name. But it turns out they were right to love it. Finally viewing the film was tantamount to Christmas morning for them both.


From there we went to a BBQ at the Hincy's, some friends from our ward. They have an amazing home and huge yard, and are so generous to host us often! The Clarks and Myrups joined us. Of course I didn't get any pictures of the food, but trust me, it was good. Burgers, dogs, and pesto chicken sandwiches, plus my homemade french fries, watermelon, jello salad, pasta salad, tons of cookies, and star-shaped cupcakes. Sheesh! I ate way too much. The kids played hard and went on a "tractor" ride. The girls cleaned the kitchen and talked. And the guys had fun blowing up our leftovers with firecrackers. What a bunch of pyros. No, a bunch of 13-year-old pyros.

Blowing up a hot dog. . .also blown up: corn on the cob, watermelon, a bucket full of water

The pyromania continued later at the Clarks for fireworks in the street. It reminded me so much of growing up and watching my dad's fireworks show, except without illegals. Next year Ryan says the guys are going to the reservation to get some "real fireworks." Not if Stacy has anything to do with it! James was very hesitant to hold a sparkler--in fact we had to bribe him to try it. He's still telling people he got burned by a tiny piece of fire and it hurt, but just a little bit. Addy loved the sparklers, but wasn't so fond of the loud stuff. Although every time I asked him if he was having fun he said yes. His face didn't look this terrified the whole time, but he did keep his hands over his ears the entire night.


a small example of the pyrotechnics displayed, courtesy of Ryan

James thanked Heavenly Father "for making such a great day" that night in his prayers. And we had the most fabulous time with all our wonderful friends!

Happy birthday, America! Love, James & Addy

r2 is through

As of tonight, Christian's second year of residency is officially over. This has been the craziest year of the five we will spend here. For the last twelve months as R2s, he and his 7 colleagues have arguably been the busiest people at Harborview Medical Center. Or so they say. And of course his last weekend as an R2 was more insane that we could've predicted. (Imagine waking up to your husband sticking a double cheeseburger in your face at 3:30am, his first meal of the day, then an hour and a half later kissing you goodbye as he heads back to the hospital--that was me this morning, and it is the perfect description of the life of an R2.) For the boys and I, the end of year 2 means no more Q3 call schedules for Daddy, more weekends off to play with him, and even a little raise in pay. The scene isn't going to change much, but it is definitely an accomplishment to survive year two as an orthopaedic resident at the UW. Three cheers for Our Dad!

We haven't had much time to celebrate, but we did enjoy a beach bonfire party with the other residents and a fancy dinner with honoring the graduating residents at the top of the Columbia Center, Seattle's tallest building. It was amazing! (Thanks to Uncle Boy for babysitting!) I realized while listening to all the R5s talk about their incredible experiences here that we only have 3 years left! Usually I think we still have 3 years left. But I'm already starting to mourn the end of this great adventure. It is going to be so hard to leave friends and our resident "family" that we've gotten so close to. And I'm already missing all the great things about Seattle that we love! Here are some shots of our celebrations. . .



So, thank you to all of you who have made the first two years more-than-bearable, and for all the support from "back home" in Utah. And congrats to Brian, Derek, Aaron, Brett, Pete, Ed, Cory, & Christian! You made it!