Chrissy is now 26!!! (updated)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

Thanks everyone for the birthday wishes over the last week. I am officially on my way to being 30! Ugh! Ben likes to remind me everyday that I'm 26 - officially ONE MONTH older than he is! I was treated like a queen on my birthday and each turn was full of surprises. Ben and my friends had the whole day planned out with out me knowing. It ended up being a full weekend of celebration. Friday night started out with Antoni, Andrea, Andy (I have lots of friends with A names), Chirag, Niki, Milo (my favorite dog ever), Ben and I on the roof top with beverages and card games. We later migrated to the apt and played some Wii (always a party pleaser).



The next morning I woke up to Ben making me breakfast (egg in a frame of course). Moments later my friends (Leslie & Kristin) showed up at the door ready to take me out for the day. I quickly got ready excited to see what the day would bring, and boy was I surprised! After a LONG, HOT, PAINFUL walk (just kidding Leslie) we ended up in Capitol Hill to get pedicures! I was so excited. I tell you what, if you are having a bad day, a pedicure will cheer you right up. Who doesn't like getting their feet rubbed and toes done. It was spectacular! Look at our pretty toes :)

After the pedicure we were off to the next secret location - the B&O, an infamous spot in Capitol Hill where you can get delicious delectables. Lemon Chiffon = DIVINE!


So this marked the end of the friend tour - of course after some strange man stared at us while eating at the B&O and just kept repeating "Girls, Girls, Girls"(I guess it is to be expected in big city, especially when you look as good as we do, jk ;). I headed home full of smiles and walked into a clean apt (which is something that makes me VERY HAPPY). There were flowers and presents stacked up on the counter. Ben got me a big sunflower bouquet, Cooking Mama for Wii, bibs (because I spill water at least once a day, no joke), a gift card to JoAnn Fabrics (for some knitting materials and other crafts), and the new Rob Thomas CD! I made out like a bandit!

Then it was time for me to get all dolled up for a dinner date. He took me to Serafina, an adorable corner restaurant with a secluded patio and amazing food. We felt like we were in Italy. The pork chop Ben ordered was larger than his head and the pasta I got was creamy and delicious. After our romantic date, I thought the night was over and we were going to head back to the apt to battle each other at Cooking Mama (it's OK Mama will help you). Ben opens the door and BAM everyone of our friends jumps out and yells SURPRISE!!!

'Hey Shorty, it's your birthday' was of course playing in the background and there was a Ms. Fields cookie cake with my name on it!

Next thing I know there is a pre made vodka soda w/a lime in my hand (my signature beverage)! Let the celebrations begin! Just when I thought the day couldn't get much better, the party made the day even that much more delightful :) We hung out on the roof top, got drinks at Southlake, and then danced the night away at Lo Fi. Thanks to Ben and all my friends for a great B-day (even though I am turning the ripe old age of 26;)



Who is this you might ask..? A chick I met at the bar - also her birthday (29 - I win) and we took a dreadful whiskey shot together.
Birthday shot with the bartender!


Da Boyz............................................................................ Ben dancing circles around me

Dancing up a storm....all night long!

So as I mentioned the festivities continued into the next day (Sunday) as this was an all weekend event! We did brunch at Buckley's. Buckley's has a comparable bloody mary (but never quiet as good) to the bloody mary's at Del's in LaCrosse. Brunch was great but it was getting hot outside so we were off to Madison park beach to rest and soak up some rays.

To top of the night we went and saw Bruno. All in all I couldn't ask for a better boyfriend or friends! Thank you all SO SO SO SO SO much!

Yay, Friends! [Part 2]

Ok, so after this blog I will be all caught up on everything that has been going on. It took awhile to get caught up, but I made it. Anywho, we were fortunate enough to have 2, count em, 2 friends visit in 2 weeks. My college room mate Brian Kocchi (aka KOTCHI) came out to visit the wonderful Pacific Northwest. The first day here we had to of course hit up Pike's Place Market to sample some tasty delicacies. We ended up grabbing some fresh teriyaki seasoned salmon and shrimp from flying fish market. We also grabbed some fresh veggies to grill up for dinner. Now keep in mind I am not fan of seafood... Although since the salmon and shrimp were fresh from the sea, seasoned to perfection and cooked perfectly, I ended up liking both! Apparently my seafood taste buds require only high quality food. While Kotchi was here we also had to visit the infamous Fremont Troll.

After mining troll nose gold, we stopped over to Discovery park to check out the Puget Sound.

Probably the biggest part of Kotchi's trip out here included a hike to Mt. Si. Now you may be saying "You went back so soon after last week's trip through hell?" and I reply "Yes, kinda." This time instead of climbing Big Mt. Si, we climbed Little Mt. Si. This was a 2.5 mile hike and only 2,300 ft instead of the 4 mile, 4,000 ft hike we did the previous week. This hike, although still physically demanding, was MUCH more enjoyable. It wasn't all completely STRAIGHT up and we got to walk through more of the forest. Also, the view from atop little Mt. Si was still a spectacular view! And the best part was, I didn't want to die at the end :)

Here is the view from little Mt. Si to Big Mt. Si.

Also, to make things a little more interesting we hopped up the trail, backwards. That's how we roll!

Thanks to both Pike and Kotchi for coming to visit us! It was a lot of fun and we look forward to see you guys again soon. Also, my parents and brother are coming here to visit in 8 days! YAY!

Yay, Friends! [Part 1b]

4th of July

Happy Birthday America! What a great day! Not only do we get to celebrate our independence, but we also get to eat delicious grilled food and light off colorful explosions. What could be better? Oh yeah... Friends!!!

We decided to stake out some seats on our rooftop since the fireworks were being shot off just north of us on Lake Union. The sun, once again, was out in full effect bringing a balmy 88 degrees. Hamburgers, hot dogs, brats and beers were also in traditional full effect. [Don't forget the Veggie Burgers! - Chrissy] Many of our friends had come to join us and to celebrate in the festivities.

Unfortunately with the setting of the sun, so too was Pike's journey setting. With the inconveniences of modern day air transit, Pike was forced to take a 10:00 pm flight back to the midwest. Atleast it seemed she enjoyed her bus ride to the airport (which was only $1.75 BTW). She then had time to take in and appreciate all the fun that was has in the previous days. She will be missed, but we know she will be back again soon.

As the sun set, the crowd began to get anxious with excitement for the fireworks. Red rockets glared in the sky signaling that the symphony was about to begin. With one sudden boom, the sky was quickly illuminated with color and fire. One after another, the bombs bursted in mid air, suspended over the serene Seattle skyline. Reflecting off the surface of the lake, the fireworks were a sight to be seen.

And thus concluded this festive holiday.

On a side note, earlier in the day we went back to the Ballard Lock [See previous post] in hopes of seeing the Salmon climbing the Salmon ladder. Although the Salmon levels have been extremely low these past 2 months, we were still able to catch a glimpse of a couple meandering through.

More interesting and exciting than the Salmon was the boat traffic making their way into Lake Union via the locks. The lock was packed jam full of boats ranging in small scooner size to personal party yachts. From the first boat to get latched up to the last took about an hour. Well worth the wait though on such a beautiful day.

Also while we were at the Locks I could have swear I saw my friend Matt (maybe at age 35). Better watch what you're eating Matt. Looks like you're getting a little pudgy ;)

By the way

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!!!!!!