The hubster has this huge nerd gaming convention he looks forward to all year long labor day weekend every year. This year, the first day happened to fall on my birthday. I could have been stingy and made him spend my birthday with me, but I know how excited he gets about this convention, so we celebrated a day early. He told me we were going to Seattle, but didn't reveal what that entailed. There was a 25% chance of rain at the beginning of the day, so we decided to drive across just in case we needed the car. The ferry was running 30+ minutes late, and once on the ferry we new exactly why.

This fog was intense. You could barely see past the front of the ferry! Once we got to Seattle, we parked down by the space needle and this happened...... it is still August right?

The rain didn't bother me one bit, it was actually kind of fun. I can't wait for fall, so I was excited for the little preview. I've always wanted to do the tourist thing in Seattle, and so Ricky surprised me with a trip on the Duck. If you don't know what that is, it's a big amphibian vehicle that you ride in around Seattle. It's a 90 minute tour both by land and water. 

It was totally silly and a ton of fun. We even got some "quackers" to make a ton of noises and quack at strangers on the road.

Quackers!

Seattle from Lake Union.

Sleepless in Seattle house on Lake Union.

Gasworks Park.

After the Duck, before we headed we took the monorail and walked dow to Pike's Place. We basically ate our way through the whole area.

Best hot chocolate in Seattle!

Classic Seattle. Delish.

And no trip to Pike's Place is complete without a giant bouquet of fresh flowers bigger than you head!

                                                                                      

8 Stages of Gym Motivation

This is not made by me - it's from The Stir but it is SO true, I had to repost this! Here are the 8 stages of workout motivation:

1. You first think about going to the gym, but you'd rather do this:

2. Then you think about your workout mantra. Note: Your workout mantra is completely unrealistic.

3. But regardless, you get your butt up and get going toward the fantastic domain of physical fitness:

4. Suddenly, you start to feel motivated. And you think maybe I should just run there!

5. You've made it to the gym. Great job! The only catch? While you think you look like this:

6. What you really look like:

7. But regardless, you feel accomplished because YOU DID IT!

8. Since you've sweated a whole bunch, it's obviously time to think about your next meal:

     

Manning Love

My sister in law Alex loves Payton Manning. Hands down. He was in town with the Broncos last night for the home (preseason) opener for my beloved hawks. The game has been sold out for a while, but I kept checking for re-sale tickets just in case they dropped into my price range and Ricky and I could take her as a surprise to see him in person. 

Luckily around noon, on my way back from a shopping trip with my sister and mom,  I saw a post on craigslist for 2 tickets to the game, for pick-up in my town and BELOW FACE VALUE!!! I jumped on those like white on rice. Turns out it was a season ticket holder who couldn't make the game. Thanks dude!

When we got to the stadium, because I love Alex, and it was a preseason game, we high tailed it to the visitor's tunnel so she could get an up close view of her man.

  

If you didn't catch what she said, it was along the lines of her life being complete. A highlight for me was seeing John Elway was at the game. Pretty darn cool if you ask me!

Apparently the newest bachelorette and her man were also at the game though I didn't see them (bummer) but my parents and sister saw them!

This was off Desiree's twitter. Yes, I follow her, sue me.

The game, if any one reading this watching it, it goes without saying that the Hawks wiped the field with the Broncos and I loved every second. There is nothing like the feeling of being in the Clink, watching your team with the rest of the sold out crowd, and screaming your head off. Nothing like that game atmosphere! They don't call us the 12th Man for nothing!

A little food porn for you all, Alex had this new fangled food called Potachos. They were exactly what they sound like, nachos with bbq potato chips, carne asada, grilled onions, and some yummy liquid cheese..... 

I had the regular tortilla chip version, which was not the best choice heath wise, but when you are at the stadium, you might has well participate in all things football including the faire. 

I am so excited for this season! 

    

Birthday Boy

I've been neglecting this lovely slice of blogland lately. Life is so busy and full, I miss what it feels like to just be, without rushing off to do something else. 

On the top of the recent events list, the hubster's birthday was this past weekend. This picture. Could you just die from cuteness overload?

 He turned 28. What an old man, at least for 19 days until I join him, being all close to 30 and stuff. <----(30?! Seriously - not cool man. Not cool.) I'm in denial about age, so.....

 

Kills me dead. Every. Time. Gosh we are gonna have cute kids!

Anyways, Hubster didn't want a big celebration, just a couple friends and family for a low key BBQ, which is what we did. I decided to indulge him and make (among tons of other dishes) no less than 5 million jalapeño poppers stuffed with cheddar and wrapped with bacon. I don't eat poppers, but I hear they were delish. 

It was also a strictly no make-up casual day. Don't judge.