Another Anniversary

One year ago today, Andrew and I were making our way through airports with mountains of luggage, carseats, stroller, and boys in tow.  People passing smirked at us as though we were the parents who seemed unable to pack light and felt like we had to take everything on our "trip"...not realizing that we weren't just going on vacation, but were actually moving our whole life.  

I still remember the woman at the ticket counter in Burbank telling us that my suitcase was over the weight limit by a few pounds, and then asking if we would like to take something out.  Um...where exactly did she want us to put it, I kept wondering?  We were maxed out in bags, weight, everything and I just wanted to laugh.  I said there was nowhere to put it, and was there some kind of fee we could pay?  She responded in a very serious tone with an expression on her face that made me certain she was going to tell me the fee was $150 or more and said "It's $25."  I almost laughed out loud again, and told her that was fine, we would pay it.

I think my favorite part of the experience, though, was all of us, including Caleb (who was 7 months old at the time) getting wanded down at security because something on the stroller had set off the machine.  The stroller couldn't fit in the scanner so they had to wipe it down and scan the cloth and apparently, we came up with Nitro-glycerides, or something...can't say that remember exactly.  I do, however, remember the security manager coming up to talk to us after we were all cleared, and telling us what had come up on the handles of the stroller and then telling us that it was a pretty common ingredient in a lot of lotions and hand soaps, etc.  Again, me with the slightly bitter laughter bubbling up...  The funniest part is that they were not going to let Andrew or I hold either of the boys when they were going to be wanded.  Hilarious!  Finally, realizing that it was a ridiculous request to expect a frightened 2 year old to stand still away from both his parents while some serious-faced stranger waved something around his body, and that a 7 month old baby HAD to be held if you wanted to wand him...well, let's just say, they decided it would be okay if Andrew and I participated.  Good times.  :)

The flight was uneventful, getting everything to the rental was fine, picking up our keys to the apartment and finding the place, in the heart of Chinatown all went relatively well without incident (that I remember at least).  We were exhausted and hungry and I was feeling considerably displaced.  The next few days were a whirlwind of house-hunting, finding our house, making an offer, and signing the preliminary papers all within 5 days.  Crazy!  Happy 1-year Anniversary, Seattle!

It's amazing to think how fast the time has gone by, and how the boys have grown since then...here are some favorites from our apartment.  They loved hanging out in the low window and watching the buses go by.