First Halloween in Seattle!

Halloween has always been serious business in the Milam household . . . last year we were the fearsome foursome school of sharks and we knew we had to up our game for 2014.

After taking my new job in Seattle in September, our travel schedule required that we spend Halloween in Seattle, which turned out to be a spectacular decision.  We caught up with Uncle Ronny and then paired up with a great family from work and went to the Queen Anne area, where all of the businesses handout candy to the kids in an incredibly easy, fun environment.

The boys loved the whole experience . . . nonstop candy every 3-5 steps . . . what more could they ask for??

Now . . . onto the costumes . . .

Our legendary bosses:  Noelly Optimus Prime and Ethan Darth Vader

The bosses with their minionst:  Pai Stormtrooper and Daddy Bumblebee

Transformers R-O-L-L . . . 

This picture KILLS me . . . I mean that Stormtrooper is DIS-interested and lacking discipline, while Darth is commanding respect.

First Trip to Seattle: Part 2

So we've arrived, settled into our apartment, which is nice, just a bit crampt -  four of us in 800 sq. feet.  Luckily, it's an amazing building with a ton to do there and we're right in the middle of downtown where we can go on these great Urban Adventures.

The boys have totally taken to the city and love exploring the new scene.  And a little wind and rain doesn't phase them either - they just keep on going through it all


On our first outing they proclaimed, "Pai - look, it's Little Blue Truck!  We didn't know he lived here!"  For those not in the know, it's one of their favorite books - go HERE for a reference.

On Day 2, Bruce arranged for us to go on one of those Duck Tours.  Super Touristy, yes, but the boys had a blast and we got to see most of the city in under 2 hours with a lovely duck whistle accompaniment:

On Day 3, we rode the monorail down to the Space Needle, where we paid for our tickets, rode up the elevator and after about 5 minutes, the boys declared they'd had enough and wanted to head back down (the cost per minute on that transaction was maddening):

Ethan taking in the sites

Noel looking too much like a grown up...

A pit stop in between the monorail and the Space Needle

Post Space Needle candid photo - moments before, his shirt was off.

We're at this massive water feature and they're protecting us from it.

Having a world famous "Dingleberry" - aka chocolate covered strawberries.

We took a lovely boat ride with Bruce's boss the last day

And some brotherly love as we landed back in Dallas.

First Trip to Seattle - Part 1

In early October, the boys and I made our first trip out to see Bruce in Seattle.  It was my first time traveling with the boys alone and it was a four hour flight.

I know - you all know me as the poster child for "cool as a cucumber" - unflappable, overly planned, think of everything - you'd never know on the inside I'm like this:

Who am I kidding - I'd planned for nothing, forgot to pack any pajamas for the boys and barely managed to grab iPads as we headed out the door.  My only goal was getting both of the boys to Seattle - that would deem the trip a successful one.

That being said, the plane experience was lovely, the boys were amazing and set the tone and routine for our future trips to the Northwest:

The night before the flight - the boys are SO excited to talk to Bruce.

Ever the stylish travelers - backpacks and all

They both sacked out for about an hour giving me a nice peaceful moment to read and relax - well, as relaxed as you can get with two 40-ish lb. boys strewn across my lap: