Our very 1st Garage Sale

We made $750.00, but most importantly we downsized, and it feels great!

Valuable lessons learned:
1. Definitely have someone else on hand to watch children
2. Make sure you have a lot of $1.00 bills
3. Everyone wants to feel like they're getting a bargain, so price high, so they can negotiate you down
4. bikes are a HOT item
5. It's all in the merchandising and the story-telling
6. People LOVE books and cd's (you were right, JWG)
7. Strong signage and placement of signs is key
8. Start early, as the bargain shoppers arrive EARLY
9. Garage Sales attract some really interesting people....
10. Definitely have friends and family on deck to help you wheel & deal
BONUS: Labradoodles would sell like hot cakes. We had 5 people ask us in all seriousness if Hank was for sale

Like I said, it's all in the merchandising (thank you cousin Brian, MK, Hazel, Sadie, Carol, Dick, and Christina for all your help, laughter, and inner sales skills)

A week catered to Children's!

Levi and I spent a week in Seattle, so I could dedicated a few days to my Children's Hospital Guild (btw, this year's concert is on Nov 5th...mark your calendars and check out clips from last years show www.thesymphonyguild.org) While I worked, Levi enjoyed lots and lots of attention!

He befriend Sinclair and didn't want to leave her side. I must say she was quite patient, especially when he would try and walk her by her tail.

Levi was BUSY....Papa and Mumsey Lyons took him to the Zoo

He chauffeured Mumsey around the driveway for countless hours

Levi and I snuck in a visit to GGMA's house, and we got to play w/ her 80 year old dolly

Levi covered a lot of parks on the Eastside and enjoyed a sunny afternoon with his Granmommy

He showed off his ability to walk down the stairs like a big kid, feed the ducks and climb on the big toy! I had a successful week working on the Symphony, and Levi LOVED all of the attention from his Grandparents!

San Francisco- you still got it!

After nearly a 3 year break, we returned to one of our most favorite cities...


and to no surprise, San Fran still charmed us w/ her 'quaint city feeling' and gorgeous sunshine. This time, we go to enjoy it w/ two of our favorite Brits, Darren and Carmela!

It was Levi's 1st trip to SF...

as well as Darrens, so we took them to a few of our favorite spots like Union St.

We also managed a lazy Sunday Dim Sum brunch w/ Cuzzie Kim (not shown), Kevi Beano and finance Jessica

Levi and I squeezed in a visit w/ my old friend & MySpace colleague Jen and her precious Rory!

who at 18 months (yes 18) can count to 20, recognize colors and say please and thank you (Levi and I were both impressed) and loved meeting this little lady.

Oscar Night SoCal Style

It all started with a bit of unpacking and hanging out at our new house

Cuzzie Jamie and Laura showed up, and Levi quickly discovered that the view from 6 ft 7" is pretty nice

We introduced Wally (a Goldendoodle) to his cousin Hanky!

We took the crew for a walk around the neighborhood to show them the sites

The girls rode in style in Levi's Radio Flyer

The Doodles were just in style, as always...

We hit the local park for some R & R

Jamie managed the Doodles and made it look easy (hmmm, do I sense a potential new career?)

Finally...Oscar night with yummy pizza and Skinny Cow treats...what more could you want?!

Called for reinforcement

After 5 days of non-stop unpacking, trips to the Goodwill, and to the Recycling Center, we decided to call in for reinforcement...

Papa Lyons to the rescue.

Taking a breather

A few trips to the park with the SoCal Holmes clan helped us keep our sanity during the move

Moving Day...

We've been busy moving. This is our 3rd move in 5 years, and each time I swear it's my last.

Combing two homes (Seattle and London) was a much bigger undertaking than we realized.

I realized that while living abroad, I didn't miss all the lovely 'extras' we have and that I quite enjoy living life a bit simpler....

I try to remind myself of that as we continue to unpack on day 9...