I'm baaaacccckkkkk

Hello everyone! I'm back from my vacation to Seattle and California. I went to Seattle first to visit with my son and daughter-in-law and let me tell you.... it was HOT! I got there just in time to experience their "unusually" warm weather. And as cute as my children's apartment was.... it was WAY TOO HOT! They did not have air conditioning and I desperately needed it! And to think when I left Nebraska it was unseasonably cool! So anyhow, we ended up going to the store and buying the next to the last fan in the place! EVERYONE was out trying to find a way to cool off. So, one of the first places I went to was Pike Market. That's the place where there are TONS of little shops, full of fisherman, farmers and crafts people. It covers roughly 9 acres and it's Seattle's market institution! It was so much fun going through and seeing all the shops, although, I didn't get to see any fish being thrown that day! There were even shops down below the street as well! In fact, I was so busy looking at everything that I forgot to take any pictures... except for the this one. That's my son hold flowers he bought for his wife! (I taught him well.. and yes, I'm going to take credit for that!) ;)

My son and I had lunch there at one of the little Italian food stands and it was really yummy! I had an Italian pizza and he had a strombolli. (Mine was better than his, although he would disagree).

Unfortunately, both of the kids had a pretty busy schedule so we weren't able to spend a ton of time doing things together. But, one thing that my daughter-in-law and I did together was head out to the Ikea there. Oh my! What fun! We both walked around just happy as two people could be! Oohing and aaaahing and sighing like mad. I was feeling quite nostalgic because I used to shop at an Ikea in Germany quite often and I truly miss it! She, because there were just tons of neat things that she would love to have in her home. We both walked out with a little something, she bought a cute lamp and I bought two tea towels. I know, it doesn't seem like much but it is so nice to pull them out and see them in my kitchen! ;-) And this is my daughter-in-law.. isn't she just too sweet? She's wearing her scrubs because that is what she wears to work.

We went out to dinner one night with another couple who are their good friends. It is so interesting to spend time with my son and daughter-in-law and see them as adults. I tried really hard not to act too "mother-ish". They see themselves as adults making it in this world and there are doing just that, but it's still a little difficult to see them that way. Those days that I spent with them helped me to see them differently. My son is still my baby in my heart but my mind is beginning to see him as a grown man. And my daughter-in-law is so easy to love. And the fact that she loves him dearly is easy to see. And that makes me love her all the more. As all you mothers out there know... you want what's best for you child and if they can find someone who will love and cherish them... well, you just gotta love the person who does that for them! ;-) And here we are, my son is getting ready to head for work at the time of this photo!

So, my visit with the kids was eye opening and heartwarming and it was really nice to spend time with them both together and individually!

Well, I will post later about my trip to California in the next day or two. Doing this blog is still a little like work for me. It's not as easy as all you seasoned bloggers make it out to be... So, until then, ya'll have a great week!