Update:January

Finally, we are writing an update...long overdue.

January was a wonderfully busy month for Orb as he was preparing for his General Exam taken Jan 27th - which he passed with flying colors. I started a new and exciting quarter into my Flash Application Development program. And Aurelia discovered the joys of jumping/rolling off the couch into a pile of pillows, dancing to music, wearing training pants, playing dress-up, and splashing in her her mini-tub in the shower.

Christmas 2009 - New Years 2010

Here is a collage from Christmas 2009 which we got to share with Grandpa and Grandma Jantos in snowy Peterborough, New Hampshire and New Years Day lunch at the Denver Airport with Jeff, Jessica, Emma, and Gabe during our layover back home to Seattle. Aurelia grew up so much in just two weeks! Happy New Years!

Acton's new car!

We got a new car! Thank you to all who helped to make this happen, we were really in a tight situation. Now we are cruzin' around in our dream car! It is a 2002 Honda Accord EX. Happy Holidays!

A Sweet Halloween

Aurelia was a cupcake this Halloween thanks to Allison's savvy sewing swiftness.


We had a full night of fun visiting all of the shops at the University Village where we participated in the candy crazed sidewalks just in time before the candy ran out.

Later, we went to one of the Ravenna neighborhood's to find the best candy of the evening, only chocolate bars, yumm. Aurelia figured out the process of filling up her bag with loot quickly and soon became a natural, holding out her bag and smilling with her big cupcake smile for the homeowners to wilt over with "awwww". Allison really did a great job on the costume, everyone we met knew what Aurelia was and was surprised at the tailorship of the cake work. We are storing the costume to give to Aurelia when she is 20.

Thanks to Grandma Robyn for sending the orange tutu! Aurelia found it to be quite tres chic and danced around the house being a ghoulish ballerina.

Parks & Recreation

Seattle is full of AMAZING parks! I try to take Aurelia to a new one each week. Its good for both of us to get out and explore. We rate them based on the number and height of slides, whether the swings have a big chain or small chain (this makes a difference in the amount of pushing I have to do), toddler friendly climbing structures, beauty and cleanliness.
Here is a picture list of our favorites!
1. Magnusen Park (huge play structure, beach and park w/ducks)















































2. Matthews Beach (play structures and beach, and we can bike there)














3. Meridian Park (great play structures and grassy lawn w/apple trees)













































4. Madison Park (not that great for Toddlers, but has a delicious bakery nearby)














5. Golden Gardens (for the beach)














We visited the most amazing park 2 weekends ago up in Kenmore (about 20 min from where we live at the top of the lake). Orb took Aurelia and I fell asleep in the car - when I woke up 45 min later, they were still gone. I went to go find them and this is what I found :

This picture really doesn't do it justice. I even had fun playing and climbing around! Needless to say, Aurelia was completely exhausted and glassy-eyed after an hour and a half. We will be back!








The air is definitely getting cooler, but the sun is still shining, so we are out and about enjoying it until we have to hibernate inside for 5 months.

Something designy

Here are a few of my favorite design blogs for any of you needing color/decorating inspiration or would just like to view some artsy/not so artsy stuff:
Mostest Favorite: Design Sponge http://www.designspongeonline.com/
with a fun DIY idea section and great Before & Afters
Great Design: http://decor8blog.com/
Fun Stationary: http://www.papayablog.com/
For those of us still living in apts (there's hope): http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/
The most beautiful Letterpress company: http://www.elumdesigns.com/shop/
Random assortment: http://poppytalk.blogspot.com/
And fun hilarity on cakes: http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

I hope you find some inspiration. Please let me know if you come upon any great design blogs and leave a comment with the address.

Right place for Dahlias

Today, Aurelia and I visited Volunteer Park. This is one of my favorite parks in the city. Not only is it beautiful but it contains the Asian Art Museum (free on the first Thurs and Sat of the month), the Conservatory (perfect to visit in the dead of winter for color therapy) and the Dahlia garden. This garden contains the most magnificent floral blooms in all shades and varieties. Today we happened upon the caretaker of the garden who was pruning the plants. We were in the right place at the right time to bring home 6 bouquet fulls of clipped blossoms...otherwise they were just going to be thrown away. Here are some pictures!