East Coast Tour

So it's been awhile...a long while since we blogged. Sorry Kristen and Dave. Since I think you're the only 2 that might check this blog.


Last week we went on our vacation for the year. We started at our friends' Ian & Meg's wedding in New Jersey near New Hope, PA. It was a stylish wedding on a beautiful day in a perfect setting. It was held at her childhood home, a house built in the 1700's in rural Jersey.




They had these large pieces of cool fabrics to take photos in front of. They used them to take a visual guest book. This is our friend Jessica and me.

Sunday after the wedding we took a train in to New York City. We were there Sunday-Thursday and stayed with our UofI and Chicago friends, Mike and Tammy. Mike showed us the city through a locals point of view verses a tourist. It was a really great stay in NY.


Mike and Rob played in a band at UofI and the guys caught up as friends and musicians.


Monday we went to MOMA. I don't believe in photographing art work so you can view it later as everyone else seems to do now in museums—really people enjoy the actual piece and not from behind the viewfinder, buy a postcard. So this is a cool view from a window of the museum. :)

Rob blending as a local.


The Apple store in Mid town. The city architecture was definitely inspiring.

Central Park

Times Square
Dinner after a long day of walking around the city.
Tuesday we went to visit my mom's family in Yonkers. Her cousin, John, his wife Joann as well as my great aunt, Janina. John and Joann took us down through the city via car. We saw their neck of the woods in Yonkers the in the city, Ground Zero and the Statue of Liberty way off the shore. Then we walked around Chinatown, which Rob said look a lot like some parts of China—packed to the brim with people and cheap knock of purses and pagmenas.


Here is one of 3 sets of 4th of July fireworks we could see from our friend's roof top.
Then we were off to Washington DC (I told you it was a tour) via train. We stayed with Rob's Aunt & Uncle, Sally and Jerry. We saw the Library of Congress and the latest memorial additions on the mall.



The new Air Force Memorial


We went to The Phantom of the Opera— another place you shouldn't take photos so here were are all dressed up afterwards.


Sunday before we headed to the airport Sally & Jerry took us to lunch in Georgetown and we ate in the actual booth that JFK proposed to Jackie in.
Then Sally and I became fast shopping buddies in Georgetown—it's ok to take photos in stores, but who really takes pictures of that? So here's a cute Georgetown street.

It might sound like our trip was really busy and not relaxing, but don't worry we got naps in. Honestly it was so great to see so many family and friends and have them share their fun cities with us.

Baby Update

Official data is in:

Sarah Ayn Jorgensen
Born February 24th at 10pm

8lbs 6oz's

19 3/4 inches

Sarah Ayn has arrived!

Our first niece was born Saturday February 24, 2007 after 10 pm. She weighed about (sorry didn't write it down) 8lbs 4 oz. and was about 18 or 19 inches long. She definitely looks like the family—which member, well that's up for discussion as usual.

We can't wait to meet her! I'll be helping my sister, Corinne in Chicago for the next 2 weeks with her 2 boys.

So our goal was to post every Sunday well we're a little late in saying:

Happy Valentine's Day!
Happy President's Day!

Two weekends ago we took our second bedroom (a.k.a "the office") apart, washed the rugs, rearranged, reorganized, built new furniture and put it all back together again. It was like one of those 2 day room make overs, well without the painting—carpet washing was enough. Now we both have better work surfaces AND the new keyboard has a home. We finally feel like we fit in the house again. Plus the room is a more efficient use of space so when we have house guests there's more room for them...you.

Before (a really long time ago)

After (an hour ago)

I always say that I'm not one for Valentine's Day. Why should I tell people I love them the day that Hallmark says I should—right? Well most years I cave and get all mushy. It's easy when your husband loves chocolate and all you have to do is bake...ok that might be easy for most, but I don't have a good baking track record. I didn't do too bad this year, I made a chocolate bundt cake with an orange glaze for Rob and ordered Thai for me. Then, we went to see the movie, Music and Lyrics, a great chic flick for a great Valentine's Day date.

Whistler Ski Weekend

This past weekend we joined a group of MBA friends up at Whistler Blackcomb in Canada for some great skiing. Friday was the best day we've ever had skiing. It was sunny, warm and the views were amazing. Plus, we have the privilege of being friends with Brad, a very good skier and teacher. So to say the least, we became better skiers this past weekend. One of the best runs of the day was a 4 mile run from the peak all the way down to the base (over 5000 ft of vertical!!). It took about 45 mins, with a couple breaks to catch our breath. Believe it or not there are even longer runs!

Saturday was snowy and we were definitely sore from the day before. I had a headache but decided I didn't want to be left behind so I followed the group up only to be stuck at the top with a raging migraine and nausea. I think I had just worn myself out the day before. I had to be helped down by ski patrol via lifts and snow mobile—how pathetic! Luckily I got a refund and Rob was able to still enjoy the great powder and the day out.

We were suppose to leave Sunday morning in time to return to Seattle for the Superbowl, but we were delayed 12 hours due to a rock slide on the only road back down to Vancouver and the US border. They are widening the 2 lane highway between Whistler and Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics and I guess the land slides are common, since they are chiseling away the mountain side. We returned to the condo we stayed at as a group and watched the game & had steaks. We finally got home after a long, slow drive at 1 am. It was a fun weekend that we hope to repeat (except for rock slide & migraine) next year for possibly longer. Any Chicago takers on joining us?

Since all we have are the camera phone photos above, I've included some of Whistler's own photos to show you the breath taking views.

Sunday Outting

Today we went to visit our friends Allie & Jason and their 2 month old son, Owen and a new house in Poulsbo, WA. Rob and Jason were in the MBA program together and Allie is in book club with me. Poulsbo is across the sound via the ferry and a drive across Bainbridge Island. It was a beautiful day so we had a nice time traveling and of course visiting with them and their cute son.

Owen says hi!

Here are some views of the Mt. Rainier, the city and the Olympic Mountains, respectively from our sunset ferry ride.