The Sights of Seattle in a Day. (More pictures to come)

We saw most of the "must-see's" in Seattle in one day. Gianna was being very cooperative, and everything was relatively close together so we just saw as much as we could the first day.

We started with Pikes Place market. I could have spent all day here (or even the whole trip). I reccomend going when the market first opens on a weekday,then it is not as crowded--we visited again on Sunday and it was very busy.


The space needle and the Seattle Center.
Practicing the new trick uncle Johnny taught her (although he swears he didn't) while waiting in line for the Space needle.
Inside the Space Needle.
With Mommy.
With Uncle Johnny.That is a long way down!
The next 3 photos are at the Experience Music Project (EMP). This is an interactive music/rock museum in the Seattle center where we spent most of our first afternoon in Seattle. We really loved it and Gianna was so good.
Guitars on display. This actually plays music too!
Scratching her first record. Gianna actually liked the DJ mixing demo the best of everything we saw at the EMP.
Playing piano and Singing with Mommy.
Talking to Mommy on the Bus. Looks like a very interesting conversation. ...We used the Seattle Metro system to get around while we were there and I liked it a lot. It was very clean, and Gianna liked not having to get into her carseat everywhere we went. Uncle Johnny was a big help with the stroller too.
At dinner. For some reason (maybe because she's her mommy's girl!), Gianna decided that she just wanted to eat Pico de Gallo for dinner. She loves her salsa!
Ooh, that bite was spicy.
The old part of Seattle: Pioneer Square. They were having an art festival so it was awesome to walk around and listen to all of the live music and to look at the street vendor's art. There were also over 20 galleries open--it was a very cool coincidence that we ended up in Pioneer park during their monthly art festival.

They give you free what?!

We stayed at a Doubletree in Seattle and I think that Gianna was as excited about the big bed with all of the pillows as she was about the free cookie at check in.

Leavin' on a Jet Plane

Here are some photos from our plane trip up to Seattle (to sight-see for a few days with Uncle Johnny before our cruise). These are from Uncle Johnny's camera, which explains how many there are--although this is just a select few from the 100+ he took while we were at the airport and on the plane. Before the trip we got Gianna her own suitcase so she could be just like all of the grown-ups (thanks Smith Family for the idea). Gianna loved rolling her suitcase through the airport and down the Jetway. I took video of this, but I have to get it off of my video camera, then I will post it on here.

Walking to our Terminal...I think Gianna loved all of the attention she was getting from strangers.
I think that this is Uncle Johnny's favorite picture. Gianna wore the shirt her brought her from Minneapolis for the trip, and this photo shows it off. Plus she looks like she is looking at the flight info board or something. She is so grown up!Okay, the next 2 pictures may look like nothing, but they are Gianna waiting in the elevator and I couldn't stop cracking up because she walked in, turned around to face the door and put her suitcase in a way that she could lean on it like this. Then she helped Mommy push the button and patiently watched the numbers change on the elevator and walked straight out of the door with no problems when we arrived at our terminal. She is such an old pro!
Gianna loved making airplane noises and watching our plane get loaded (and other planes taking off) while we waited for our flight.
Looking out the window at the planes.
They called our seating group, time to head down the Jetway.
We found our seats (and there is an empty one in our row)! Gianna got her own seat for the whole flight.
Playing with Uncle Johnny.
"Uncle Johnny, you crack me up!"Looking out the window with Uncle Johnny.

Opening one of the presents mommy brought on the plane.
Gianna loved getting this animal book (and making the noises) during our flight.
Beverage service. Gianna asked for apple juice :)
Back from our walk (and enjoying a snack).
We flew on Virgin America and we loved it! It could be because the flight wasn't full so Gianna got her own seat, or it could have been the individual TV screens and very warm flight crew (or even the good snacks and presents). We had our best flight ever, by far. I joked with Justin afterwards that I only want to go on trips to places that Virgin America flies...that is just how much better it was than any other flight we have attempted with Gianna. Here is a special moment that we shared towards the end of the flight (when Gianna is usually getting restless) to prove how relaxed and happy we all are.

Sharing a moment with mommy.

"My Mommy is Crazy!"

"Smile for the Camera"

My Awesome Family

I haven't done a blog in awhile and feel I should. I don't have any pictures, but we should very soon of our great cruise along Alaska.

Anyway, I have decided with the support of my wonderful wife that I will go back to school, while I work at my current job, and get my masters in Mechanical Engineering and Design. I am actually getting ready for the GRE right now, which I will take tomorrow morning.

I just want the world to know how supportive Jess has been and excited for me to get this opportunity. She knows that this will be a hard couple of years for her especially with Gianna and a new baby soon to come. I know she is up for it, but I don't know where she finds the energy. I can only do my best to make this adventure worth while and do all of this without us all losing our minds. I guess I just want people to know how much of a wonderful wife Jess is. I love her so much and I feel like she tries to make me happy at all costs. It's true she is much better at this than me! :) I could be a better husband , but I could never ever ask for a better wife. I love you Jess.

And we're off...

Gianna and Mommy (and uncle Johnny) leave today for Seattle. Justin will join us on Saturday and then we are headed to Alaska and Canada on a Cruise with even more family. We are totally excited, all packed and ready to go! I'll post pictures when we get back.

Pigtails and other random moments from this week.

I tried to give Gianna pigtails. They didn't last that long, but here is a picture. They were really cute while they lasted.

Oh yeah and here is Gianna's 'camera smile'. If I ask her to smile for the camera she makes this face. It's funny because Gianna's uncle Johnny did the same thing and every picture of him around he ages of 3 and 4 has a very similar face.

Here she is trying out Mommy's fuzzy coat.

Here is Gianna helping pack for our vacation this week. She still loves to get into suitcases.

Visit to Santa Rosa

While we were in Santa Rosa we decided to finally bring Gianna to Howarth Park. Actually, I think we took her once before but it was winter and I think she was abotu 3 months old so this was much better.

We packed a picnic and brought Rita Dog (Gianna's new best friend) and headed over there. It was pretty crowded but still fun. Gianna liked playing with Rita and the ducks the best.Gianna decided that she was really interested in Rita and loved playing with her, feeding her-one piece of dog food at a time, hugging her, calling her (by saying "hey", clapping, or slapping her thigh like everyone else does) and even climbed into her bed. Rita is such a good dog and so patient and I think she has fun playing with Gianna too.And here's bathtime in Ooda and Poppy's sink.