Last post before flying out

The dragon is a napkin holder…interesting and very artistic. The other picture is of a new scarf. Some last minute things before we leave. Pack everything. Harder than it sounds. Calling taxi’s, meeting with friends, playing with play dough with Emma, calling the landlord, etc.

Emma got a pair of shoes a couple days ago. We were getting back from Wrocław and Emma was really fussy. We went through Galleria and decided to just have dinner there- food always makes Emma a happier person. It took forever for the food to arrive so Emma and I went to surrounding shops to distract Emma walk around. We entered a shoe shop and she went crazy! She was so excited to see colorful shoes that she immediately wanted to take her boots off and try some on. She kept holding up her feet and asking, ‘help, help?’ I was shocked, this was the first time she really showed her preference for shoes. So I bought the cheapest pair and she was beaming I tell you carrying her shoes to the counter. She couldn’t wait to show daddy too. They’re pretty cute if I do say so myself.

This is in one of the surrounding parks by the square. Trav took this and I think it’s absolutely beautiful.

We are leaving at 5am tomorrow morning and will first be flying to Warsaw-stay there 5 hours (oh yuck) then flying to Chicago (9 hours-not bad) then to Portland. *sigh It will be a long day. Would appreciate your prayers.

Really quick

OK, really quick before Emma freaks out in Trav’s lap and screams bloody murder. That’s just what we would need…

It’s been snowing here all day, but the light dry kind. It’s cold here too. 18’F We’re bumddled up though and once you get used to the cold it’s not so bad. You just learn to love snuggies. 🙂 (Brandon where is mine you promised me for Christmas!?)

We used the WIFI here to look at some possible flats here for rent. There are a couple that are really nice. Emma though is not doing well and her time is just about up. We’ve bribed stuffed her with french fries and soft serve ice cream from McDonalds. The rhythm of our daily schedule is showing us how much slower things will be like for us here. It will definatly be an adjustment. But it is good and insightful. I have a new found respect for Kerstin, The Balons, Robyn and Katie.

We’re having a couple come up from Nowy Targ with their daughter to stay with us for a night. It should be nice. I think we’ll see some of the city with them, then have a nice quiet WARM night.

Well, I think that’s it for now. If you have any questions just ask. I promise we will post more when we move here. It really sucks being out of the loop of the world for days on end. We just found out about the earthquakes in Haiti. What the heck?! It’s horrible. Anyhoo, I’m also dying inside because I can’t post any pictures. I wish I could…but when we live here we’ll be able to. Promise. OK, that’s all. Peace out my peeps. 🙂

Nowy Targ

We’re here in Nowy Targ pronounced ‘nove targ’. We’re here visiting a couple we’ve been friends with for a while. Weronika, Chris and their daughter Esterka (Ester) We’ve had a nice relaxing time, and will probably be taking a walk in a while. Trav found a way to upload pictures so far (my hero!).

Here are pictures of our flat in Krakow.

where we eat every meal

La Kitchen

Left picture: Fridge on left, blessed washing machine on right. Then there’s me with the living room view. Ground level flat.

Our street in the early morning.

These are Trav’s favorite cookies. We bought them the first day we came. 🙂

On a side note, we were watching High School Musical 1 and I was the only adult who was watching it- what a shock. hehe Then Ester turned off the DVD player HALF WAY THROUGH!!! I had too much pride to ask to turn it back on.  Pride is my downfall. I have a good idea how it turns out…but still. Maybe I’ll borrow it from a friend…amy? 😉

Enjoy the pictures 🙂

Emma, Chris and his daughter Ester. They girls loved playing together. Yay, I hoped they would!

Emma and Ester ready for bed! A second later they were out and running around the room. Last night I was up with Emma from 4:30am-7am. Pray for me.

Breakfast this morning. They had their own table, it felt like Thanksgiving. Emma felt like a big girl. 🙂

Breakfast. They had a cherry jelly-which is my favorite! I’ve already eaten one whole jar of cherry jelly. And I’m thinking of bringing some over too. Emma had 1 1/2 of the sausages! You go girl!

It’s not nice of me to take this and they had maybe 3 seconds to prep for it. But hey, we all have a pose we prefect in high school right?! At least I did.

Peanut Butter Christmas Balls

This is what Emma and I did today. I enjoyed myself but I think she had more fun. I have to be leaving in the next 20 min but wanted to show what fun today was for us. Enjoy!

Drying So pretty

Emma's attempt

When Emma saw me dipping them, her favorite past time, she HAD to help. Why not? Life is too short to not let your dears play in chocolate. I thought you would like to see her attempt at dipping it. What can you say, I’m a proud parent. 🙂 I have to give credit to my friend Melissa, who got this recipe from her mother. It is SO CRAZY SUPER DUPER EASY! Seriously, if a 1 1/2 year old can help, then so can your kids. Or grandkids. Or nieces and nephews. Promise.

1 Cup Powdered Sugar
1/2 Cup Creamy PB
3 TBS Softened Butter
1 LB White Confecionary Coating (I am using both milk chocolate and white chocolate)

In a mixing bowl combine sugar, peanut butter, and butter; mix well. Shape into 1 inch
balls a
nd place on a wax paper lined cookie sheet. Chill for 30 minutes or until firm. Meanwhile melt coating in a double boiler or micro-wave safe bowl. Dip balls and place on wax paper to harden.

The only change I did was I dipped them in heated Chocolate frosting (dollar store) and a couple spoonfuls of Nutella.

But we had a bit extra chocolate. 🙂 Here’s what we Emma did with it. Oh, and on a side note, she had a death grip on that sticker in her hand. Silly girl.

Emma chowing down Emma Eating

Raining Chocolate Cute

This is serious business I think she's in heaven ;)

And then us

Emma’s Animals

It is MY pleasure to announce the one….the only….Emma Eileen Mielonen showing you her animals! (roar from crowd and throwing of roses!)

Go HERE to see her showing off her skills.

*actually, she knows way more animals, she just wanted to see herself on the camera. I might have an actress on my hands. 🙂 Please ignore my annoying voice. You know how you never want to listen to a message of yours because it doesn’t really sound like you? This is way worse. So ‘I apologize’ before you see it.

Yes I’m alive

(push F11 to see this full screen!) And I haven’t forgotten you. I have been wanting to post, but being in Seattle, not always around a computer and visiting EVERYONE has been a bit overwhelming. SO I just focused on trying to document it with my little Fuji friend. All in all, I took over 200 pictures. Yikes.

I first want to show you my good friends Ferry and his wife Robyn. They have an adorable little boy, Josiah. They live in Holland and both our families look forward to hanging out more when we’re in Europe.

Robyn and I

Robyn, I just have to say that I count it a huge privilege to have been able to be apart of your life for the past 4 or so years. I am happy to see how much Ferry loves and dote’s on you.  Having our children be friends as they grow up is just the icing on the cake.  I really really look forward to going on holiday’s together as families and having Thanksgivings together too.  ~alexis

After stuffing ourselves at Claim Jumpers-yum

(I love how pale fair skinned Emma and I are)

Emma and Josiah

OK, and now a huge amount of pictures. I took some on Thanksgiving…but that is for another post. You will understand later. hehehe My sister and I woke up at 4:30am and went shopping the day after Thanksgiving. And it was a blast seeing old ladies push their way tot the cashier and get free little gifts that I’ll either throw away soon or give to Goodwill. For this post, it’s of Trav, me and Emma along with my mom and sister Jamie. (Check out her blog here!) We went downtown for black Friday and saw the Christmas tree lighting. It was beautiful, cold, fun, cold, a great memory and cold. At least Emma was all bundled up.

I can't believe I used to live in this amazing city!

Trav and Emma

cute huh 🙂

Me and Travis in heaven

Travis and my mom My mom and sister Jamie

*sigh, I love my sista

'Rawr' says Jamie

Silly girls on the Monorail Jamie taking MILLIONS of pictures

Monorail Station Here it comes

Clean city

Everywhere we went the garbages were full of people’s trash. As ‘duh’ sounding as it is, Seattle-ites keep their city clean! They use their garbages and there isn’t any lying around on the streets. And of course the garbages were filled mostly with Starbucks cups. But hey, it was a cold night and what else would you drink?!

The tree before it was lit The tree after it was lit

Before and after the tree was lit. They even had fireworks after it! They also had choirs to lead the masses in Christmas carols before it was lit.

The best baby ever

Emma is the best toddler baby ever. She didn’t fuss, want out or anything else. She even fell asleep in the stroller. *sigh, my little personal angel.

Wow beautiful My city man

It was a LONG night and so we went home and snuggled in our fleece pj’s  with your pants stuffed into your socks- don’t judge us we were freezing. (my mom and I) and Trav zoned out on his new phone, Jamie was into downloading her picts, Emma was asleep in her room and there was coffee brewing.

Fleece pj's Trav and his phone

I think we went to bed around 11pm. Long black Friday day. But oh so worth it.

Christmas Ornaments

Yes, I am fully aware Thanksgiving is next week and I’m posting about Christmas. But I am making ornaments for Emma’s  tree. (she has her own- the one Trav bought while he was single)  I got a bunch of old handmade ornaments I made while I was a child and I was so excited to begin Emma’s collection. Enjoy 🙂

My old Christmas ornament

Didn't learn my lesson from way back then hehehe

I’m still working on putting toys away- card stock, crystals, head pins, punches, ribbon and fabric. I think they’re pretty just looking at them. But that’s just me.

Painting

finger nail paiting

Emma took advantage to show me that shewas paying attention while I was painting her nails. She will be able to do it herself soon…* sniff sniff

Mr. Rudolph

Adorable no?!  I’m pretty happy with how it turned out.

Blue Star

Have a happy weekend- I won’t be posting till we come back. 🙂

Eyeshadow is my t-shirts

To wear or not to wear, that is the question. I am liking make-up and especially eye-shadow more and more. I find myself buying some here and there wherever. Dollar store is my favorite- they sell Maybelline and Cover girl. You can’t beat $1 for a good quality line. Anyhoo, to get back on track, today I looked in my bathroom and thought, ‘this is wrong’. How much make-up can one girl or I mean woman need. (I forget I’m a grown up sometimes)

But I quickly told myself that I don’t buy T-shirts so it’s OK. Confused? Well, being in the Pacific Northwest I notice that many, and I mean many, people here wear and buy TONS of t-shirts. Long, bright, dull, thin and short. If it’s for sale- someone somewhere here will buy it. I think it is the official item of clothing here. Those with a Columbia jacket over it. But I have a secret…that’s not a secret once I publish this post- I don’t like t-shirts! Gasp! I know, I think I own maybe…hmmm….3? And they’re all to sleep in. I know. Crazy. But all these people here spend tons of money on replenishing them but don’t buy that much make-up. Sometime I feel weird and purposely don’t wear much just to fit in.

amazing

A beautiful make-up kit. I have nothing like this at home, but wouldn’t mind this at all! I’m praying that my mom will buy me a couple eye shadow kits I showed her in Seattle. (hint, hint mom- I know you read my blog!)

shirts2

I on the other hand, don’t buy t-shirts – instead buy eye-shadow. Colorful and fun! I love looking at different colors and seeing how I want to fiddle around with it in the mornings. (OK fine, I get ready more like 11am while Emma takes her nap) I even love going on u-tube and watching videos of how to do different looks. Fun stuff.

One day I felt really shallow and did some self searching. I didn’t want to be some shallow person who pays too much attention to ‘dressing’ myself up and payingn too much attention to the outside of me- if that makes sense. I thought about this for about…4 months I think. I wrestled and went up and down in my decissions. But in the end, I had to find out why I like putting make up on. Is it because I like color and it’s fun to play with make-up? Or is it because I think I look better with it on? I came to the realization that right now, and I have to keep checking myself, I am happy playing. I like- no LOVE all the pallets of eye shadow and the fun it is. Trying, trial and error (and oh how much error there is!) to see what shirts go best with certain shadows. Make-up also takes precedence over my shoes- it’s my ‘other’ accessory.

But I have a 1 1/2 year old daughter. What do I think about make up and her? I don’t let Ema play with any of it, just the brushes. She sticks it in her ears and loves the tickling feeling. I encourage it.  And I think I have to be careful with her because she already LOVES putting on lip gloss and lotion. Not a bad thing, pretty cute actually, but I want to stay close to her as she grows up and puts it on. You know- to find out, talk about and encourage her to put make up on for the right reasons.

makeup brushes

(this make up brush kit is for you Jamie- and look, it even has snaps to keep it closed! I wish I could buy this for you…but alas I’m poor. But you can have this picture. Consider it from me to you 😉 )

Last of Seattle

Finally posting the last pictures of Seattle. (Mom, I hope you like the picts of you and Emma- I think they turned out great)

I went to the beach on our way out of town because a. I miss the smell of the water b. I love watching ferry’s dock and c. it makes me feel dreamy

Enjoy the pictures and I hope you have a great Wednesday. Today is filed with cleaning, organizing, putting things back and also keeping up with our schedule that didn’t slow down just because we were gone for the weekend. Not that I’m complaining, it’s a normal schedule. I guess I’m appreciating the vacation more since coming back. 🙂

Oma and Emma

Awesome picture of ‘mamama’ and Emma. “Mamama” is how Emma pronounces ‘Oma’. Cute huh.

There you are!

Kingston Ferry

I love riding from Edmonds to Kingston and walking around, getting fat free/calorie free ice cream (is there such a thing?) and looking at incredibly ridiculous items that are way too expensive. The shop owners seem to hope that we left our good sense wherever we came from and are willing to spend $20 for a stupid boat wind sock- sorry lady.

Beauty

Who wouldn’t want to wake up to THAT in the morning?! Amazing.

Ocean view Being silly

Life is too short to not be silly everyday. I think it is what keeps me from being bitter from all the horrible things that happen in the world.

Roots

Scuba divers

Not only is Edmonds known for their cutsie-ness and ferry docks, but also for their amazing underwater gardens. Scuba Divers come from around the world to this little town and ALL YEAR LONG you see them diving. Crazy in my opinion, but that’s because I get cold in 70″F weather. So why would I risk dipping my little body into the FREEZING ice water?  (people have unfortunately died from hypothermia from being in the water too long)No special suit will make me do that. I would rather take pictures of them from inside my warm heated car. Thus the picture above.

Jamie’s Artistic Room

My sisters room~ hehe She wasn’t in the house when I took these. Enjoy!

Mr. Darcey dancing

Meet Mr Darcy!

Guitar

Message

Jamie painted this

Tea

Jamie playing

TOMS

Owl slippers

Jamie's backpack

Jamie’s backpack

straws and paint

Jamie and Monsters

Jamie has an obsession with monsters

Trumpets

We all played the trumpet.

Jamie's banner