Happy Birthday Griffin!

Happy 12th birthday {tomorrow} to this handsome kiddo.  Griffin - you have the kindest and sweetest heart, give the snuggliest hugs, have the best laugh, and are growing up way too fast.  Luckily, you're growing into a pretty awesome young man, so I'm ok with it :)  I love you G!  Happy Birthday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Be The Legend

Last Thursday I headed up north to watch an extra special dance recital - Lila's first and Hadley's last.  It was the first time I had been back to the Skagit Valley Academy of Dance's big end of the year show since right after I graduated high school, and it brought back so many emotions and memories of my time as a dancer.  The theme this year was Be The Legend and all of the songs were by legends of music, so Mom and I sat back and watched performance after performance to tunes by Prince, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, etc.  Hadley's solo to a beautiful rendition of Let it Be was by far my favorite of the night and nearly brought me to tears.  I had no idea that girl was such a beautiful and crazy talented dancer!  And watching little Lila up there in her tutu prancing around with the other Kinderdancers was too cute.  Watching the kiddos big and small made me yearn to dust off my dancin' shoes and take a little spin down memory lane.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll find a studio nearby to see if I've still got it - Mom even said she'd come watch my recital :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Happy 37th Anniversary to the greatest couple I know!  Mom & Dad, you guys are such a wonderful example of love and happiness - I'm so proud to call you my parents!  I love you guys - happy anniversary!!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Mariner's Reunion

Last Wednesday, part of the old crew from work got together for a mini-reunion at the Mariner's.  The sun was shining as we met up for a few pregame drinks outside at The Lodge and was still going strong as we headed into the stadium on the first full day of summer.  We ended up spending the entire game wandering around the stadium to each little standing room only section, catching up with everything in each other's lives and reminiscing about all the good times {we've had a lot!}.  The Mariner's come from behind victory was icing on the cake to this fun night out with friends.  Here's hoping we can do it again soon!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Birthday Sara!

Happy {late} birthday to my beautiful sister-in-law!  Sara - I'm so happy you're officially part of the family now.  I hope you had the best weekend and I can't wait to celebrate with you soon!!  Happy Birthday!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy {long} Weekend!

Hello!  I'm taking a long weekend - because why not?  Perks of being at a company for 10+ years, right?  I'm heading north tonight to watch a highly anticipated dance recital, then am heading back down to the city to spend time with family and friends and enjoy this mini heat wave we're supposed to be getting.  I love this time of year :)

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

{above is a pic of my new doormat that Mom so graciously helped me pick out at Target {after way too long debating} and some pretty peonies from my garden}

Asadero

A few weeks back, David and I went out for a dinner date to Asadero, a newish Mexican steakhouse in Ballard.  Sounds pretty delicious, right?  We started out with a few refreshing cocktails, then went on to order a table full of food, including fresh chips with guacamole {and salsa from the salsa bar}, a chicken quesadilla, fried jalapenos with cream cheese and bacon, and an order of delicious steak tacos.  Everything we had was fresh and filling, and I would go back again just for those juicy and tender steak tacos - yum.  A date night with David is always a good time, and when you throw in some yummy Mexican food, it's even better :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Summer To Do

Today is officially the start of summer {although in Seattle, it's hard to tell}!  In keeping with tradition, it's time to make a list of things to accomplish to make this summer better than all the others.  Summer always goes by way too quickly and I want to cherish every little bit of it that I can.  Now, if only the sun would come out for more than a day at a time.....

1. Visit the Yayoi Kusama exhibit at SAM
2. Sail in the bay on Dad's new boat
3. Stroll through Myrtle Edwards Park
4. Enjoy rooftop cocktails at Mbar or The Nest {or both!}
5. Eat a sundae at Shug's Soda Fountain & Ice Cream
6. Try outdoor yoga at the Locks
7. Organize an Interbay/Magnolia Brewery Tour
8. Get outta town for my Bday
9. Check out the Rams new stadium
10. Take Mom to the Zoo
11. Drink rosé on my patio with friends
12. Take in Snoqualmie Falls
13. Paint the hallway in my house
14. Go crabbing
15. Take a random "me" day from work to soak up the sun, cuz it doesn't last long :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie 

see previous years here, here, here, here, here, and here

Father's Day {Blue Mountain Grill}

How was your Father's Day?  Dad and I had some high hopes for either taking the boat out or golfing, but with some bad tides and unexpected rain the entire day, we decided to do the next best thing - eat.  Dad had heard great things about the Blue Mountain Grill way up Highway 9 in Whatcom County, so Sunday afternoon Mom, Dad, & I headed out on an adventure to find this hidden spot.  It's right off the highway in Acme {where???} and was just about what I expected - a little divey, cozy, and delicious food.  I had a burger while Mom got the fish & chips and Dad went for the Captain's plate, and everything was so so good.  My burger was perfect and the fries were crispy and crunchy - just how they should be.  Paired with a refreshing IPA, it was definitely worth the drive out there.  We took the long way home through Bellingham, and it made me glad I headed up to celebrate with the fam.  Even the rainy days are some of the best when you're with some pretty awesome people :)

Hope you all had a great Father's Day!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the awesome and amazing dad's out there, but especially to mine!  Dad, I can't say enough how lucky I am to call you mine, and how proud I am to be your daughter.  Cheers to you and all the things you taught me that make life beautiful - firepits, red wine, football, the open water, and afternoon naps.  Here's to many more adventures!

Have a great weekend everyone!

xoxo,

stephanie marie

60th Anniversary Party

Sunday afternoon, Mom & Dad hosted a wonderful 60th Anniversary party at their house for my Gram & Gramps.  Many of their closest friends {and some of the original wedding party!} came together on this gorgeous sunny day in the valley to eat, drink, and toast the couple on their diamond anniversary.  It was so fun to see everyone together catching up and toasting to 60 years, and I couldn't help but sneak around the party snapping a few pics to remember the day.  Happy Anniversary G & G - we love you!!

xoxo,
stephanie marie