Our Wanderlust Has Led Us Here

More Griffin

2010-10-11T19:01:00.000-07:00

Pretty much the cutest kid ever...

Baby Griffin has arrived!

2010-04-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

Blogging obviously isn't my strong point but I will try to at least keep everyone posted on the big events in our life. Ten days ago was by far the biggest and best event of our lives. Our son, Griffin Michael Hildebrand, arrived on April 20th, ten long days past his due date.
About 5 days past my due date we had and ultrasound to check fluid levels and the overall health of the baby and they found that the fluid levels were low. They gave me the option of being induced that day or waiting through the weekend to see if I would finally go into labor on my own. I really wanted to have a natural birth so I waited it out but labor sadly didn't come. When they checked the fluid levels on Monday they found they were dangerously low and they calmly told us that we would be having our baby that day and to head over to the hospital to be induced. After two long days and a c-section we finally met our little boy. I will never forget seeing him for the first time. He was so perfect and we are so in love. He is a fantastic baby and we so blessed to have such a healthy, happy boy. He weighed in at 7lbs 5 ounces and was amazingly alert from the moment he arrived.

Our Next Big Adventure

2009-10-28T16:50:00.000-07:00

We headed to Hawaii for our fourth Anniversary on the day of our first doctor's appointment. This is how we broke the news to our family.

The Past Few Months

2009-03-29T09:31:00.000-07:00

Long time, no post. I have been crazy busy at work and have forgotten all about this little blog. Does anyone even check this thing anymore? Here are a few updates from the past few months.
Michael's mom Nancy spent most of December with us. Michael couldn't drive after his surgery so she woke up early, took him to work, and grabbed him things around the house while I was at work. We were so grateful that she was able to come help out. We spent Christmas with our friends John and Sarah at a cozy little cabin by White Pass ski resort. I skied and Michael sat patiently at the lodge.

Michael's leg is healing really well and the Doctor says that he is ahead of the curve. He is hoping to be back to 100% by June when we are planning to climb Rainier with one of my co-workers.

We travelled down to Mexico in February and had a great time basking in the 80 degree weather. We also had a one night layover in SLC so we got to see our brand new nephew Max and man is he cute! My sister from Baltimore was in town too so my sisters came and picked me up and we stayed up all night talking. Michael traded training for a week at the resort we stayed at for the first week. It was fantastic but we aren't used to traveling that way so after a few days at our resort mecca, we had to get out and explore the smaller villages and hang out with the locals. One day we rented a car and drove 500K and hit a bunch of awesome ruins. We spent the last few days on Isla Mujeres in a little hostel. It happened to be Carnival so all of the locals put on a huge parade, performed Reaggaeton music in the street, and had a huge food and dance festival in the town square that night. It was pretty awesome. Here are a few pics the trip.

We returned to snow and rain, and more rain. I can't wait for spring. I have big plans for a garden this year.

Achilles

2008-11-18T20:50:00.000-08:00

In the Greek Myth he is the most handsome, quickest, strongest man in the land and was invulnerable in his body everywhere except his heel. There are lots of similarities to Achilles and my man. A few weeks ago during one of the final in a series of Volleyball games, Michael experienced a complete rupture of his Achilles tendon. He had surgery today and is recovering well. It is going to be a long road until he is back to 100% though. We are slightly depressed about the lack of skiing this Winter as well.

We made it!

2008-11-18T20:43:00.001-08:00

If you want to see a not so little slide show from the trip, post a comment with your email and I will send it on over!

Our Summer

2008-09-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

Below are a bunch of posts summarizing some of the highlights of our summer. We got in a lot of backpacking and time with friends and family. The count down is on for our big trip to Africa. We leave in less than four weeks. We have been training hard, learning some Swahili, and coordinating last minute plans. I sent out an email to friends and family discussing an opportunity we have to help a few schools in Tanzania while we are there. We are carrying books, clothing, and supplies and are collecting money to give as a donation to the schools. If you would like to help, please send me an email or leave a comment and I will get you more information.
I apologize for the lack or makeup I am wearing in almost all of the photos I posted today. I guess I am feeling brave. Makeup is overrated anyway right?
One thing I didn't mention is that Michael and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary last week. It was awesome. The adventure continues...

Visit to Utah 6/6-6/9

2008-09-01T19:47:00.001-07:00

Nancy's Visit 6/27-6/29

2008-09-01T19:41:00.001-07:00

Ingalls Creek 7/4-7/6

2008-09-01T19:31:00.003-07:00

Necklace Valley 7/18-7/20

2008-09-01T19:25:00.000-07:00

Mount Rainier - Camp Muir 8/2

2008-09-01T19:22:00.001-07:00

Adam and Reyana Visit 8/5- 8/10

2008-09-01T19:15:00.001-07:00

My sisters visit -backyard market feast! 8/15

2008-09-01T19:10:00.000-07:00

Goat Rocks - Snowgrass Flats 8/30-8/31

2008-09-01T19:07:00.001-07:00

Burn Fat Not Oil

2008-05-30T13:54:00.000-07:00

Somehow I was convinced by co-workers to join a bike to work team for the month of May. Mind you, I work about 22 miles each way from my house and have only actually biked to work once. Since I work from home on Fridays and Memorial Day is in May there weren't actually that many commute days in the month and I was nervous about letting my team down. The goal is to do 10 one way trips or 5 round trips in the month. On this last day of May I am proud to report that I completed 11 trips totalling almost 200 miles! The first trip was not easy, especially on the booty, but it really does get easier and I am now a huge fan of cycling. I'd like to urge anyone who can to dust that bike off (or pick one up at your local REI), leave the car at home and run some errands on your bike. Burn extra calories, save money, and get some fresh air.

Watch This

2008-02-09T09:12:00.000-08:00

One Amazing Day

2008-02-09T08:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Michael and I headed downtown to the Obama rally. We were so excited to see him speak live. Michael was working on Queen Anne Ave and beat me to the arena. I rode the bus in from West Seattle, stopped by to pick up my friend Ava, and our way over Michael called and said that the arena which holds 18,000 people was filled to capacity. I was so sad but we made our way over to stand with the crowd of about 5,000 people who were standing outside to listen to the speech from the exterior speakers of Key Arena. I kept hoping that Barak would come outside to greet all of us who didn't make it in (despite being there two hours before the doors opened) but no one thought there was a chance of that happening. Right before the speech was scheduled to start we noticed some movement at the top of a small staircase immediately to our left. We noticed some secret service looking people start to gather around, one of which held a megaphone, and then sure enough, Barak Obama came around the corner. We were about six people back from where he stood. So close that you feel like you actually made eye contact. It made the speech seem so much more personal and real. It was incredible! We could not have picked a better place to stand. It was so moving to be in a crowd that was so diverse, had so much energy, and that was united in the cause to change America for the better. Today at 1:00 we will caucus and make our voices heard that we want change.
Here are a few photos we snapped at the event

We are Fans

2008-01-12T17:58:00.000-08:00

I have always loved election time. In fact, if I didn't love my job I would persue a job as a political correspondent. I have never been so moved by a candidate as I am by Barak Obama. I definitely feel like he is exactly what our country needs and now I am on board as a full fledged supporter. Read his website if you haven't had a chance and watch the upcoming Democratic debates to see for yourself what a great leader he is.

The deposit is down and airfare has been purchased...

2008-01-12T17:03:00.000-08:00

One of my dream trips is going to happen this September. My stocking this year was filled with guide books, down tent booties, a currency converter/alarm clock, maps, and a card that said a deposit was down on a trip I have been dreaming about for years. I was so excited I couldn't handle it! We are going to climb Kilimanjaro and take a safari through the Serengeti. Our plane tickets are in place and actually consist of one day in NYC, then on to Tanzania for a little over two weeks, and then three days in Amsterdam on the way back. We figured we had a layover there and it is on my list of places to see so we might as well use this chance to see what it is all about. How is that for jet setting? Let the training begin! The "Roof of Africa" is nearly 20,000 feet but nothing is going to stop us from making that summit.

Happy Holidays

2007-12-11T21:57:00.001-08:00

We hope your Christmas is a peaceful as Taiya sleeping on our new couch.

The Rains Came Down and the Floods Came Up

2007-12-11T21:21:00.001-08:00

We had our first big adventure as homeowners when record amounts of rain fell in Seattle. Our dainty little creek in the back yard became a raging torrent. It was unreal. Sadly, lots of water found its way into our basement and we quickly learned a lot about about sub-pumps, sandbags, and concrete.

We Love This View

2007-12-11T21:16:00.001-08:00

We got married just a few minutes walk from this spot and grew up at the base of the canyon. This was taken on our trip to visit family in Utah over Thanksgiving. Please note the severe lack of snow.

Best Friends for Knowing the Longest

2007-11-12T19:19:00.000-08:00

When we were little we used to tell each other about our best friends. I had a best church friend, a best friend in my grade, a best friend at recess and a "best friend for knowing the longest". Of all of those friends, only one has held their title. "Juicy Q" is still "my best friend for knowing the longest." She visited for the weekend and we had a blast dancing til dawn and chatting for hours near the Seattle harbour. There are some friends who you know you will always stay in touch with. We danced with the best of them and even made money on our jaunt out on the town. We are good, what can we say?

Happy 30th Birthday to My Sister

2007-11-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

It has been pretty fun knowing you all this time. Lots and lots of love from me on your birthday.

Camping in Leavenworth

2007-10-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

We set off for Leavenworth, the somewhat cheesy Bavarian town about two hours East of Seattle, for one last chance at fairweather camping. The weather called for clear skies and we figured that we better get one more camping trip in before the winter (aka permanent rains) start. To our surprise, the area near the river where we were planning to stay was closed. We didn't let that stand in our way and we hiked past the gate and set up our own awesome little space. Taiya was absolutely loving it. She ran in circles from the river to the tent and all around. We decided that we will make it a tradition to go car camping the weekend after the campgrounds close every year.

Mikey got a harmonica for his birthday. Sometimes when he plays Taiya howls like she is singing along. It is pretty awesome.

I just like Mikey's face in this one

I just like Taiya's face in this one.

One of the best perks of my job is I can borrow and test out any gear I want. This tent was awesome! It is the Big Agnes Big House 4. I also tested out the Thermarest Dreamtime sleeping pad and the Marmot Couloir. I would definitely recommend all of these. Mikey could stand in the tent, Taiya had plenty of room to stretch out and I stayed warm even with temperature dipping to the 30s.

Of course, you can find all of these products at http://www.rei.com/

Henry's 2nd Birthday

2007-10-26T21:56:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday Henry! We will miss out on the real party in Utah but we made the most of our time together when the Barlands visited last month. Here are some pics from the trip.

Henry at Alki in his awesome new REI rain jacket

Don't worry, we had our own little party when they were here. Complete with funfetti cupcakes!

Of course, uncle Mikey had to work off the cupcake he ate. Here he is showing his nephew how to get great abs.

By the end of the trip Henry learned to love "big dog Taiya". Good times.

How do you know you are loved?

2007-10-21T19:17:00.000-07:00

Love is homemade chicken noodle soup when you are sick. Complete with homemade noodles.

Mikey's 27th Birthday Party!

2007-10-21T18:26:00.000-07:00

Our first house party turned out to be a great success. 30+ people showed up to help us celebrate our new place and Michael's birthday. Here are some pics of the grand event! Sadly, I started taking photos pretty late in the evening and I missed capturing most of the crowd.

Good Conversation and Good Friends. What more could we ask for?

Mikey, Ryan, Dave, and Jason chatting in the living room

That is a nice spread if I do say so myself

Mikey drinking Powderhound with our Powderhound

Tami, Ava, and Taiya

Julie and Terry (both clients) and our best pal Ryan

Carly, Juli, and Courtney chatting on the couch

Laura and Dan. One doctor and one doctor to be, talking about doctor stuff

Taiya did know what to think of all the action. She was pooped by the end of the night and found solace under the kitchen table and out of the way.

Fall in West Seattle

2007-10-12T22:23:00.000-07:00

The autumn colors this year have been some of most beautiful I have ever seen. This Taiya love comes to you from an awesome park just a hop, skip, and jump from our new hood in W. Seattle.