The One with Redmond Days 4 and 5

Early Monday morning (we're talkin' 5am early!) we watched my mom's cruise ship go through the Panama Canal via a webcam.

I love technology and all the things that can be seen and done with it!

Fox and I woke up early so we could meet Bethany and Peter and Evelynd for breakfast. How serendipitous that they were in Seattle from Oregon at the same time as us! We got there ahead of schedule and drove around because someone fell asleep in the car.

Right next door to the breakfast diner is the Seattle temple. I think it looks so pretty in the morning. And afternoon. And night. Basically at all times.

We met up for breakfast at Lil' Jon Restaurant.

Hi Peter, Bethany, and sweet baby Evelynd!

Cute cousins! Isn't Evelynd's jacket adorable? I may or may not have something to do with that :)

Back at home, after the delicious breakfast, we went on a walk through the neighborhood. We don't get much of a fall in SoCal so I'm loving all the colorful leaves gathering on roadsides and lawns.

Biggest leaf ever! I mean really, it's almost as big as Fox!

There are some cool looking houses in my 'hood. I used to babysit at this house (one of the few families I ever sat for - babysitting wasn't my cuppa tea, or should I say, hot chocolate).

I didn't even know this house existed! It's been a long time since I meandered through our streets. I definitely want a tour!

Shortly after our walk Fox took the longest nap he's ever taken in his life - 4 HOURS! I kept checking on him to make sure he was okay, and he was, so I got some work done, read, took a nap myself, ate, etc. I finally had to wake him up to go meet Dald for dinner. I wish he would take power naps like that more often!

We drove down to the strip mall where I used to work at my very first job at Yesterday's Scrapbooking & Stuff. You can read all about the day that changed the course of my life HERE.

What once was my home away from home, my creative sanctuary, the beginning of my scrapbooking life as I know it:

is now a dumb AT&T store. I hope some day little scrapbook stores open up again and thrive.

My dad had a Groupon to Fatburger so that's where we ate. My mouth is watering just looking at this!

After dinner my long time neighborhood friend Kelsey came over so we could catch up and reminisce about old times. Fox loves new friends!

This morning Fox woke up at 4am. Oy vey. I brought him into Allie's room to hang out while I caught a few more zzz's.

We had a slow start to the morning and then went outside to play. I don't know why people are always complaining about Seattle weather - it's been perfect except for one bout of rain the other day!

Fox is like Dumbo who can only fly with a feather in his trunk: he'll only walk with leaves in his hands.

For lunch (why does it seem like my vacations always revolve around food?) we met my dad at work at Google.

The booster was straight out of The Jetsons!

All you can eat and so much variety! Eating lunch at Google is always a highlight of my Seattle trips.

Gorgeous view out the cafeteria panoramic windows.

I didn't want to go home yet so we stopped off at Ben Franklin - Allie's old stomping grounds! I love that she's a crafter like me. My mini me!

Halloween stuff was all 50% off. I had to keep in mind I don't have much room in my bags or I woulda gone crazy!

For Amy - they had quite a bit of your line and check out this cool project that was on display!

And the most random ending of the year award goes to me for this: My dad sends me links throughout the day that usually have no rhyme or reason other than they're entertaining. Including this picture - it looks like a gif but it's not! Trippy!