Mothers Day 2009

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! : 

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! To our Moms and Grandmothers, Since we can’t be in Ohio to celebrate Mother’s Day with you, we made this slide show to share with you!Hope you’ll enjoy your virtual visit in Seattle with us! WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU! Brad, Anne, & Beans

Brad walking through the Rhododendron Garden at the Seattle Arboretum on Friday! : 

Brad walking through the Rhododendron Garden at the Seattle Arboretum on Friday!

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Brad and I at the Seattle Center on Friday. The Space Needle is to our right, although you can’t see it. Oops!

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B Brad and I rode bikes around the city on Friday. Our first stop was the Seattle Arboretum, which is ideal in the spring when the Rhododendrons are in bloom!

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The Arboretum is entirely free to enter, and very well maintained! It is situated in a beautiful neighborhood of Seattle, amongst multimillion dollar homes. It was an absolutely scenic bike ride! The visitor’s center had lost of activity too, but it was very serene on the trail. We saw an artist painting the scene that we were walking through!

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Until we realized we’d forgotten lunch… Indeed, our day was going great…

QUIZ! Examine the prior pictures. In our moment of desperation, did we eat: : 

QUIZ! Examine the prior pictures. In our moment of desperation, did we eat: Squirrel Raw deer meat (hey, we eat raw fish in sushi!) Raw cicada bugs Oranges

Blood Oranges! A month ago we began getting deliveries of produce from a local farm, called Full Circle Farms. For thirty dollars every other week, they bring us wonderful organic produce with interesting things like blood oranges! If you chose cicada bugs, good guess, but you got the wrong Garrett! I’ll stick to fruit. Yummo! : 

Blood Oranges! A month ago we began getting deliveries of produce from a local farm, called Full Circle Farms. For thirty dollars every other week, they bring us wonderful organic produce with interesting things like blood oranges! If you chose cicada bugs, good guess, but you got the wrong Garrett! I’ll stick to fruit. Yummo!

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Seattle is a very dog-friendly city. There are dog parks all over the city. On Friday evening we took Beans, my adopted dog child, to the Golden Gardens dog park. Beans is the white one who looks like a wolf and is being chased by the huskie. She gets a lot of attention for being a very unique doggie. The dog parks get a good crowd whenever it’s nice out.

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Brad always gives Beans a treat at the end of our dog park play time. This time a little Beagle tried to butt in! We were happily amused because Brad also adopted a Beagle, who he gave to his Mom (Grandma!) in Dayton.

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At the entrance and exit of the Dog Park, they posted this sign to remind us to clean up after our dogs!

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Speaking of Seattle being dog friendly, one of our favorite new discoveries is Norm’s Eatery and Ale House, which encourages you to bring your dog! We couldn’t believe how clean it was and how delicious the food was! We’ve been back a few times. Many places in Seattle allow dogs to enter and even keep heart shaped doggie treats at the door for the 4 legged friends.

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Our bike route began at our house at 9 and included Brunch, the Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is), Capitol Hill (the hippest neighborhood in Seattle), ride through the beautiful old money neighborhoods, and the picnic at the Arboretum. After lunch, we followed a trail through the University of Washington, which has an exceptionally scenic campus. We stopped of the trail for Gas Works park (pictures above), a scenic overlook. We saw a sea plane land on the lake, people kayaking, and sailboats. We ended the day with free samples at local Chocolatier and made it home by 5pm.

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Later in the evening, we met some friends at a neighborhood art walk. We saw some incredible paintings and sculptures and heard live music. Over 70 retailers participated and most offered complimentary wine and hors d’ oeuvres. The part I enjoyed most was an aerial performance, which is where an aerial dancer suspends herself high up in the air by a “sash” and does twirls, flips, and ballet to musical accompaniment. All movements are choreographed. It’s similar to a trapeze artist. Anyone can study it in Seattle! Brad and I loved Cirque de Soleil and were very excited to find this on the Art Walk. We hadn’t expected it!

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Last weekend, Brad, Beans and I spent the weekend at a lake house an hour outside of Seattle where our friends hosted a Kentucky Derby party. Lots of food, mint juleps, cornhhole, friends, and fun!

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Brad and I can’t gamble to save our lives, but when it comes to crafting, watch out! Guess who took FIRST PRIZE in the Derby Hat Contest!!??

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Yours truly, and George Washington was riding on my “hat-tails”! Every George Washington bust on the dollar bills had a unique hat of its own, which I decorated with dried flowers. Notice Brad’s eyebrows…he took George’s hats that feel off and adorned his eyebrows, making it a TEAM VICTORY FOR BRANNE!

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Brad and “twin” Jeff pictured on the left (They SWEAR they didn’t plan the matching outfits!), and pictured above with Marcus, our favorite Kentuckyian and the Grand Master of Ceremonies!

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The Prize Cup! Lists all 135 winners of the Kentucky Derby, along with a signature stirrer, both imported from Kentucky by our the host’s Dad. Although my hat was CLEARLY the most brilliant Derby Hat EVER, it didn’t hurt that I’m in good with two of the four judges…

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Believe it or not, those native to Seattle have no idea what Cornhole is! So it was no challenge taking Second Place in the Cornhole Tourney! I’d like to thank my West Chester Kin for their many years of training and experience for the great honor!

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Pictured hear are friends Angie and Allison providing party favors to Branne’s Mascot, Jody Gilmore. Jody came into our “Family” when I found her at a Thrifty Store and then hid her in Brad’s bed and told him there was some kind of hair animal in it, pretending to be scared! Since then I have paid the price, finding Jodi in my laptop bag, my closet, the hamper, etc etc.

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And last but not least, have your heard our big news?

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More from out Big Day!

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The ring is nice, but don’t forget to admire the nails!

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At the reception with bridesmaids Lilly and Sam! Colors were baby blue and black, and we dined upon hot doglettesd’ jour and Bud Light bubbly.

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FYI ladies, hair spray is the secret to success on the bid day, and always!

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Archbishop Anthony Ortenzi (Anne’s cousin), presided over the cermony!

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Oh, and did I mention, it was a Big Day with VERY BIG news?!?!

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I know that as Grandmas and Great Grandmas to be, you are worrying about the baby and I. But worry not, because I’m nourishing the baby with plenty of Vitamin B!

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Getting plenty of exercise! And top knotch medical care!

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Since we were not wed at the time of conception, it was an immaculate conception! Pictured here is Baby Branne in the Manger on Bran-Mas Day, the Birth of the Great Baby Branne!

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THE END…FOR NOW… HAPPPY MOTHERS DAY 2009 OUR HEARTS ARE WITH YOU IN OHIO! LOVE, ANNE, BRAD, BEANS