Seattle/See Attle

I had to go to Seattle for work over Memorial Day weekend. I hate to waste a good holiday like that, but it really is the best conference for my job. I always find a few interesting things.

Ashton was convinced that I was going to "see Attle", like see the town of Attle, and would say things like "How was Attle, mom?". Funny.

I left for Seattle on the Sunday before Memorial Day. I was able to go to church and then come home and get out the door. I was a little slow, and Abbey and Peter were nice enough to wait for me. Abbey works with me and Peter her husband drove us to the airport. Mike was taking the kids to Price shortly after I left.

We had plenty of time at the airport, but Abbey had some issues. Her ticket was made out in her maiden name and with the new security, they weren't going to let her through. In the end, she ended up transferring her ticket to her married name ($100). Pain!!

We got into Seattle at 6:00 and caught the shuttle to our hotel. Our hotel was small, but nice. We ate dinner, and walked around a little that night, and talked with the front desk people trying to get a handle on what we would do the next couple of nights.

We spent all day at the conference (until 5:50) on Monday. Abbey and I both got up to exercise. That night Abbey and I met up with Tim and his family (Tim also works with us). We went to the Folk Life Festival (Hippie Festival). It was interesting, but not that great. We took the Monorail there, and that was kind of fun. And it was right by the Space Needle so that was cool. I think I was the only adult that hadn't gone to the top, so, we didn't do that. We ate dinner at the only restaurant in the eatery by the Space Needle. It was decent, but not great. Then Abbey and I took Kristen with us and got a shake (from Starbucks) and wandered around. It was fun.

On Tuesday, I got up and exercised, then went to the conference. There was an hour long break that day and we met up and ate breakfast at the Crepe shop in front of the conference center. It was yummy!! The conference ended at 4:30 that day, so Abbey, Mark, and I went to Pike's Pier. Pike's Pier is where they "throw the fish". I really wanted to see it. We found the shop where they do it, but weren't throwing the fish right then. I was asking when we could see it, and between the guy and I we were having quite the interesting conversation. He was not impressed that I was calling his job a show, nor was he impressed with my camera phone. Anyway, he allowed me to go and catch the fish. Thanks Mark for the video clip of it. It was kinda scary, but fun to.



After the fish stuff we went down to the water front. From where we were we could also see the Space Needle. Here are Abbey and I pointing at it.

Then we met up with the rest of the office and spouses and children and had dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. It was really yummy. That night Abbey and I contiuned with girls night stuff and ate our cheesecake while watching 27 Dresses in my hotel room. I love that show.

Wednesday brought the conference starting early, and leaving before the conference was officially over. We were worried about getting to the airport on time via our shuttle. The shuttle companies never seem to realize that we will all want to leave within 4 hours of each other, even though we arrive more sporadic. When the shuttle got to our stop, they had already been by the conferences other hotel and hence they were full. So, we walked to the other hotel, where the line was at least 60 people long. So, we got smart and went to the hotel before the conference hotel. Only I believe they finally got smart and sent a shuttle to only the conference hotel. In the end we made it to the airport on time, and made our flight without any issues. We got in around 6:30. Mike was a little late picking us up, but all was well.

Once we dropped Abbey off in Provo, Mike and I drove to Price to pick up the kids. They had had a great time at grandma's and grandpa's, but were glad to see us.

All in all it was a good trip.