on an arrival...

Hi. Howdy. Hey. Yo. 

I'm here in Seattle! And happy as can be. A little giddy. Actually a lot giddy. Hehe. The trip here was as good as can get. Long but that was to be expected. Flying has never been so stressful and long like it has been ever since I had Sebastian. Traveling with a two and a half year old is tough, no doubt. But it went great none the less.

We picked up the shuttle at the hotel we stayed at and it took us right to the airport which was great. Aunt Cheryl drove us up to the hotel and we kept our car at her house for safe keeping. (Thanks Aunt Cheryl!). We got dropped right off at Southwest and were very uneasy at the line that we saw of people standing outside! Yes, outside. Both Bobby and I were very confused because we had no idea why we had to be outside for baggage. We brought all our luggage up into line and was helped right away by a man who just took our information and came back with our boarding passes. Then took our luggage and we were set to go. I don't think I've never been through a line that quick in forever. I was amazing. Security was a breeze. Family lane is a beautiful thing. We already had a great amount of things to carry; my backpack, Bobby's backpack, Sebastian's Buzz backpack (filled with toys), garment bag with suit & wedding dress and the stroller. But the guys there helped load and unload stroller. Not to mention that we had about every electronic thing possible with us for this trip which you have to take out on put in bins. Hooray. We got through it.

The wait for the flight was a little longer that we would of liked just because check out at the hotel was 12pm and the flight didn't leave until 4pm. We managed though, Sebastian enjoyed watching all the planes go by and we even found a fun little fighter jet plane toy that he never let go the whole trip :) We walked around the airport and passed time.

 Boarding for Southwest is very different from anything we've ever done. You don't have assigned seats and it's first come first serve, which makes me nervous! We found seats in the very back row and it turned out the foot space is considerably bigger than the rest of the seats. Go figure. So, we were very comfortable. Of course Sebastian fell asleep for about 45 minutes before our first flight and ended up not sleeping a wink on the plane. Every parents dream when traveling is for their child to just sleep through it all. Every other trip we've taken the take off and landing has been problem with Sebastian. However this trip we heard more of WEEEEEE & WOOOOOWW or OOOH COOOOLLLL!!!! He was beyond thrilled of seeing us fly up like the planes we were watching at the airport. It was such a great feeling that he wasn't uncomfortable and was just having fun! The flight was fine, we watched movies and played and snacked. The one thing that drove me completely bonkers was Sebastian didn't grasp the fact that you can't kick the seat in front of you. Poor women. I swear he kicked her seat at least a couple dozen times. 

We landed in a very deserted Denver, Colorado airport. Bobby was very interested in this airport because of all the conspiracy theories floating around. Have you heard of them? I have, boy have I!! Bobby likes to talk up a storm on them. We weren't able to do as much exploring as we wanted because our layover was only one hour. The flight from Denver to Seattle was a piece of cake. The plane was packed and all three of us didn't get the chance to sit together. Sebastian and I found seat on the end of the right side and Bobby was right on the isle seat next to us. It wasn't all that bad. This flight Sebastian slept right through. All of it. From take off to landing to boarding of the plane and was still asleep right up until we met up with my dad :) 

It was a sweet reunion. Sebastian was very sleepy but was excited to see them. We got home pretty late and Sebastian laid right down for bed. 

We're here! And only 6 days until the big day :) 

♥A.

on a departure...

(via pinterest)

We're going to SEATTLE! It's finally here :)

After a very long week of packing every night and me getting work all set up for my departure, we are finally at the count down until we board the plane! 

We leave Philly around 4pm and then arrive in Seattle 9:45pm. I can't wait to arrive and embrace my dad. After not seeing him for about a year and a half it's going to be a little emotional especially now that Sebastian is a lot older and hasn't seen him as well. I just can't wait. 

This week before the wedding is going to be jam packed. Stay tuned for lots of updates and pictures of our little adventures before our big day :D

Until next time-- were I'll be on Washington soil!

♥A.

on a quick update...

Sorry that my posts have been a little scarce. Last week was a little stressful on my part. I won't get into too much detail right now however I had scare with my wedding dress! I know. What. The. Hell. All I'll say is that I have received it, it fits and is gorgeous. Yet, I am very unsatisfied with the gal who made it. Extremely unprofessional and added a butt load of anxiety on to my already anxious self. Not cool. Enough said on that! Put that behind me and focus on the what's ahead. 

We have spent Saturday at the Philadelphia Outlets were we shopped, literally, tell we dropped. Because I was one tired puppy afterwards. We caught up on some much needed clothing shopping. Mostly for Sebastian, who is now in size 4t! Can you believe it? It's really unbelievable how much he is growing. I mean, when the lady at Oshkosh B'gosh asked me how old he is...and I say little over two and a half. Then she goes and replies with holy cow he is huge! That's when I know I'm not the only one around amazed by his growth. He is one big boy :)

My Mother's Day was wonderful. It started out a little overwhelming because we just had to get some more shopping done for the trip and Sebastian seemed annoyed with more shopping. I don't blame him much because I was annoyed myself. Any who, we spent the rest of the day with family. Ate food, relaxed and watched the kiddies play. I like days like that. I don't need gifts or a day out somewhere. Just outside in the sun with the my family. I enjoyed it very much. Here are some of my favorite photos from the day.

 Sebastian was a doll and posed for me.

At our favorite diner, Michael's. Bobby and I lived right next door to Michael's a few years ago. We have very fond memories :) Like my pregnant self waking him up at 1am to say that I want to walk to Michael's and get breakfast. Poor Bobby.

My first Mother's Day gift I ever got from my boys :)

Very near soon to be in laws. Aren't they cute?!

Sebastian carrying a huge bouquet to hand to me!

My love.

 The whole family. Minus a few. But most.

Best Buds. 

All in all, I'm blessed beyond belief. I say it all the time and will keep saying it because I have a lot of beautiful people in my life. 

Now, time for tons of packing and getting ready. We've already hauled out the suit cases from our storage. Tonight I will start and throughout the week little by little. Friday night we will be staying at a hotel close by the airport. We have a very early flight and the hotel has 24 hour shuttles to the airport! This way we will be able take our time and not have to wake up at the crack of dawn. Should be easy-peasy. Now if you are wondering, I plan on blogging the whole two weeks that we are out in Seattle for the millions of you that follow. I'm sure you were very worried about this. I want all my friends and family out there to be able feel like their right there with us on our big day. I plan on showing you little snippets of the day as it happens. So make sure you are stay tuned in!

♥A.

on a play date...

I took off work yesterday. I usually do if concerts fall on weekdays. However, we had plans to go on a picnic to Kid's Castle but the rain ruined those plans. Also Bobby had to spend most of the day fixing my car because it was time to be a pain in the butt and break. So, there we are at the in laws house, just Sebastian and I on a rainy day with only one option...play date! Kate and I packed the kids up and headed to the local Moon Bounce place called Party Magic. Sebastian and I had never been but Kate has and said it the place to go on rainy days. Here are some fun pictures of the day...

♥A.

on a concert...

Last night Bobby and I went to see Rise Against. 

Show started at 7pm. However, we usually skip the first band because most the time they suck. Instead we had dinner. We headed to the Electric Factory and got there right in time to see Bad Religion who has been touring with Rise Against. I love Bad Religion. They've been around for a long time and so they are really just a bunch of old dudes. They stood there making fun of their "oldness" the whole night. And even though back in the 80's they were on the top, like Rise Against now, in the punk rock nation they don't care because they are in it for their adoration of their music and the love of their fans. You have to respect that. 

If you ask me what my favorite punk rock band is, well it's Rise Against. Their lyrics are something they are very passionate about. They aren't after fame and fortune, they want to make a difference every time you hear them preform. They really played a great set last night and both Bobby and I really enjoyed their performance. We left with our ears ringing, bodies aching and well, me a little buzzed because yes, I had a few drinks :) 

Here are some of my favorite songs that they played last night...

♥A

on things I am loving...

I am loving...

This hilarious map. I laughed out loud when I saw this gem. I wish I could show case it on one of my walls! Rainy hippers- Seattle & Cheese steak- Philadelphia. Best ever.

Tuesday's episode of Glee. Loved it. It was 90 minutes long and I was in heaven. What would your shirt say?

(via threadless.com)

This amazing shirt. Can you find the little owls?

This nursery is glorious. Wall paper, vintage frame & little sparrows on the ceiling! Favorite. 

(via dogatar)

This picture is so funny yet so typical. Growing up I had a Dachshund & a German Short-Hair Pointer and I witnessed this exact same thing happen countless times! What a hoot. 

(via pinterest)

I would kill to have a night like this under the stars. How magical. 

Finally saw Deathly Hallows and loved it! The ending was so abrupt that I was almost in tear with anticipation. Oh well, only a few months until part two.

(via here)

Oh my, Strawberry Margarita Jello Shots. Must make these this summer!

Lastly I am loving that today is the first of May! 

♥A.

on an adventure...

It really proves that yesterday was a very fun day! Last night I decided to cuddle with Sebastian in bed until he fell asleep and then get right out and stay up. Watch some movies, eat popcorn & blog. But hey, noooooo. I fell asleep :) Sebastian can be such a cuddle bug that I must of passed out. I'm not surprised because we spend most the day outside on an adventure...

If this isn't love, I don't know what is. I love how much his eyes smile!

Curtis Arboretum.

 Looking into the pond we could see large Koi fish, turtles of all sizes, tadpoles & huge toads!

I can't wait for the summer to have fun catching froggies.

 We had to blow on every dandelion in sight!

 We climbed every tree that we could. 

Look how tiny Sebastian looks compared to those big trees!

 We climbed some more...

 Mom even climbed up.

In the end we Sebastian made some college friends who attend the college down the street and that were having some fun in the sun. The girls thought he was adorable were as the guy that he was fearless as they watched him run around and climb trees. They gave him a squirt gun and I thanked them (sarcastically). They gave him silly string, I thanked them again (but really didn't mean it this time). And they gave him a juice box even though he had water. It never ceases to amaze me how Sebastian makes friends EVERYWHERE. He see's a group and he just charms them and soon we are on our way home with him in the back seat squirting me with water...Sigh. Curtis Arboretum is probably my favorite place to visit on nice days. There's no playground, just grass and trees. Just nature. And in the end we have a better time there than at any playground around. He is such a boy and I love it so much. Just seeing his face light up every time he throws a rock in the water makes my heart swell. It's the simple things most of the time that can get you the most pleasure. 

Well, I'm off to make a yummy omelet for my soon to be hubby who is just getting home from work after working all night. Then a nice stroll down the street to our Farmer's Market that opens back up today! Hooray for Sunday family fun day :) 

♥A.