New Year's, Seattle and Nicolas

This year for New Year's we celebrated in Seattle, WA. It was Jonathan's third trip to the Pacific northwest in 2007, and my second. Last time I was there, it was for our honeymoon in Oregon, and it was during a wind storm. It pretty much rained the whole time. And it was forcasted to rain our whole trip to Seattle also, but it was surprisingly dry. It rained the first day and then not again until after we left. Granted it was a short trip, so it was really only 2 and half days sans rain. But I still appreciated it.

We went up to meet Jonathan's new nephew, Nicolas. I guess he is my new nephew too now. Anyway, it was kinda of like a mini-reunion, since Jonathan's parents were also visiting. Isn't it amazing how babies can unite people? I have seen this in my own family. The different generations gather around the tiny person being cradled, waiting for their turn to hold him, or just watching in wonder at how small the child is. This trip was an especially uniting one because of Nicolas.

Isn't he cute!! And he loves to be held. And there certainly wasn't a lack of arms waiting for their chance to hold him. The family was split between two homes. The Van Essen home, where my mother and father-in-law were staying, and the Nascimento home, where Jonathan and I were staying. But no matter the two different locations we all gathered together to spend time with Maile and Nicolas. And that is the magic of babies. Oh little one, you can't possibly know how loved you already are, and what a difference you have already made in this family.

I could go on and on about Nicolas, but I think you may have had your fill. So onward we go. Though this was my first trip to Seattle, there was a bit of pressure on me to like it. You see, my wonderful traveler of a husband has an itching to move out of sunny SoCal and he has his eye set on the Pacific northwest. Seeing as how I couldn't see myself in Portland, he was really anxious about Seattle. Now, aren't you curious to see how I felt about Seattle??? Perhaps these images may shed some light:

Such a pretty view. Wanna See what we're looking at?

Urban culture?? He he he...

Pike's Place: Don't I just look like a Seattle-ite?

Set of Howl's Moving Castle. Doesn't it kinda remind you of that?

Beautiful lake/park.

Beautiful family.

So what is the verdict? Well I really had a great time in Washington. And I really enjoyed Seattle, and yes I could see myself living there. Maybe someday in the future. There are some things I want to take care of here before I move. But for now, SoCal is my home, and though there are elements of being here that drive me crazy (refer to smog entry) this desert land has it's own beauty. We had a few rainy days recently and the skies were clear, and it was so beautiful. I stare out in wonder and dream of what this land must have looked like before the sprawling cities. There is definitely something attractive about it, something that beckons people to come and stay.

So I started January 1st, 2008 in Seattle, then boarded a plane and spent the evening that same day in Los Angeles/Anaheim. My parents say that whatever you are doing on new Year's is how you will spend the rest of that year. So who knows, maybe there were will be more trips up north or maybe I will be traveling. Maybe Jonathan and I will spend more time than ever with his family. Only time will tell.

It was a great trip. I absolutely love that little boy, Nicolas, and for the first time, I felt like I might actually be a part of Jonathan's family. Both Nicolas and I are new additions, and we will have to find and carve out our place here. But it is a good family, and we are lucky. Aren't we little one?