mghe meets efg

Friday night we got to see our friends, Kris, Amy & Eloise from Ohio. G and E are only 3 months apart, but Eloise has been walking for many more months than g. Anyway, K, A & E flew in from Ohio yesterday, to do some site-seeing. We were lucky enough to be able to have dinner together and hang out for a while in their sweet downtown hotel.

We ate a quick dinner at the Palace Kitchen, where they were super kind to us. They even made us a plate of carrots for the kiddos (that's service)! Garrison loved that you could see in the kitchen and he kept fussing to go watch the chefs at work. One of the chefs waved and garrison pointed back, as if to say "hey, dude, you rocked the potato fritters!"

After dinner we went back to the hotel and let the kids have some play time. At first it was mostly just walking back and forth in front of one another. Then eventually it seemed like they were playing together. G was really tickled by E and did a lot of giggling. It was so fun to see G interacting with another little person. This was really my first time seeing him play for a long sustained period with someone. It was just fascinating to watch how they interacted and how they made toys of everything. As we were leaving they walked us down to the lobby so we could get a picture by the xmas tree. (taken on Kris' camera, so I'll have to get copies before I post.) We let the kids just walk around the HUGE lobby. They just had a ball walking around. E would walk up behind G like she was sneaking, it was soooo cute. It was way too short a visit for the grown ups, but I think the kids really could have played all night. G, however was ready for bed when we got home and didn't even want a bedtime story.

I took lots of cute pictures and several cute videos, which I'll try to post this weekend. So, here are some pictures of G playing with his first friend. Thanks for coming out to visit, I wish we could see you more often, and I know G wishes he could play with Eloise every day. Hopefully we'll see you all again soon!

you are an amazingly sweet, little boy.

Dear Garrison,
This week we've been visiting Grams and Papaw in Springfield. We've been having a good time, especially today, you seem to feel like your normal happy self. I think earlier this week your 16th tooth coming was causing you some discomfort. Not to mention the fact that you likely miss your dad and dog.

Anyway, I was having a talk with Grams and Papaw. Something to the effect of "I can't believe how lucky I am to have such great parents..." and I was a little emotional (yes, there were tears). You noticed my tears and you tried to make me feel comforted. You were on Grams' lap and you turned to me and reached up and smiled. I melted. I picked you up and you wrapped your arms around my neck and squeezed me tightly, like you do when I pick you up after a nap. Then after holding on tight for a long time you loosened your grasp long enough to lean back and look at my face. I had to smile at you and you, of course, smiled back with that wide toothy smile and those precious dimples you have.

How is it that you know, at the tender age of not quite 16 months old to be so sweet? How is it that I am so lucky to have such a loving child?

I will always remember that moment. It touched me so deeply, and, not to sound silly, but it reminded me so much of the sweet way that miles davis always tries to kiss away my tears and climb into my lap when I see a sad movie. (maybe you learned it from him, he did teach you one of your first words--ooof oof! HA!)

Anyway, thanks, my sweet boy. I love you to pieces.
mommy

the chi-town crew pay a visit

As I mentioned on Monday, Greg and Shelby came to visit for a long weekend. We had such a great time with them. It had been a while since they'd been out here, and Shelby didn't really get to see very much when she was here last time. So, we played tourists and ate at a lot of great places.

Sunday we ate at Ama Ama in West Seattle. We had great food. They have poutine!! YUM!

Monday we went to Oly, and that night Amos, Greg & Shelby went out to eat while I put G to bed (I put myself to bed shortly after!). They ate at a favorite of mine, Shadowlands.

On Tuesday A, G & S went to Alki and ate at Cactus for lunch, then we headed out Redhook Brewery for the tour. I've been on the tour 3 times, but this was the first I've been when they've been bottling. COOL! That night we got a bunch of food at the grocery and grilled. The Copper River salmon are in season, so we had some of that. My favorite were Greg's scallops and Shelby's potatoes--YUM!

Wednesday we took the water taxi to the city and walked to the market. We ate at a French place called le Pichet. Oh, it was soooo good. We had planned to go to the pink door, but it was too long of a wait for we hungry people. We hung out at Luna Park outside for happy hour. G napped in the stroller.

It was so much fun, and over too soon. Garrison really enjoyed hanging out with Greg and Shelby, and I think he had a bit of a crush on Shelby. Thanks for the visit. We miss you already.