October

Since we are coming up on December and I last blogged in September, I figured I'd do a update on what has happened in October and maybe next week I will do November. I should probably change my blog from "Days of Alys" to "Months of Alys."

In the middle of October we took our summer vacation to Seattle. Since Chris got a new job this year, we had to wait until at least October until he had enough vacation time saved up. Chris's family lives in Seattle and we haven't seen them for a couple years so we decided to pay them a visit. Friday morning we made the loop to Seattle. On the way there we drove up through Montana and stayed the night in beautiful Coeur' D'Alene. There are three mountain passes that way and there was some snow on them, and with my PTSD that is a scary thing. Guess what? We didn't die and I survived the drive. With my teeny tiny bladder the normal seven hour drive probably took us 10 hours. It was a beautiful drive through Montana and Northern Idaho in the fall. Of course we stopped at the 500,000 Silver Dollar Bar so I could get my gamble on (I don't have a problem, I promise, its just a hobby, I can stop at anytime.)We also stopped at my favorite small-town, Wallace. I love Wallace, Idaho. I could probably live there if there was a Wal-Mart or a Target. Wallace is this cute, historic town in the panhandle of Idaho, tucked away in the mountains. Wallace claims to be the center of the universe, because there is no actual proof of where the center of the Universe is. For fun, I decided to take my picture at their "center of the Universe" sign to give people a reminder, that I am in fact, the center of the universe.

We spent the night in  Coeur D'Alene and explored around the lake and resort the next day. Coeur D'Alene really is beautiful. Chris worked there when we lived outside of Spokane many years ago so we spent more time there then I did, because I had only been there maybe three times.

 We then stopped in Cheney, Washington, a little college town outside of Spokane where Chris and I lived ten years ago. It was so strange being back. I wanted to go back to our old apartment and take a picture. It was so fun to sit and reminisce of all our memories made there from when we were fresh newly-weds. I wondered if there was a huge bleach stain by the front door where I had spilt bleach all those years ago, or whether you could smell the faint stench of electrocuted pan, from when I stuck a pan in the microwave. I learned a lot about being an adult-and a wife that first year. Like, bleach stains, and metal does not belong in the microwave. Granted, I was only 19 and that was my first time from home. 

We continued our trek to Seattle. We stopped at what I think is one of the most beautiful places in the world, Columbia River Gorge. It is simply breath-taking, I could probably stare at it all day if time allowed. 

After what seemed like 40 hours, (because of said small bladder) we finally made it to Seattle. We stayed with Chris's Aunts, Sheree and Mary, in Shoreline. Ever since we went to Seattle a few years ago, I had been craving these delicious Elvis-inspired french toast with bananas and peanut butter. When we got to Sheree and Mary's we went to that same restaurant with them and I had fulfilled my years long craving and indulged in the sinful french toast. No regrets. 

On a rare, sunny day in Western Washington we took advantage of the beautiful weather and took a ferry to a cute little sea-side town called Kingston. The town was charming and beautiful. I grew up in the Ocean State and spent almost everyday of my life on, by, or near the beach. Salt water runs in my blood. It was so nice to smell the sea air and to hear the waves crashing again, oh Rhode Island how much I miss you! The ferry ride was so much fun! I wanted to stay up deck the whole time and watch but it was quite windy. 

On one of the rainier days in Seattle we took the bus downtown for the day. If you know me well enough you may know I have an Otter obsession, especially if we are friends on Facebook, you have the pleasure of seeing all the cute, adorable otter pictures and videos I share. I wanted so baldy to go to the Seattle Aquarium and see the sea otters. Sheree and Mary were SO kind enough to buy our tickets for us! It was like a dream come true for me to see the otters! We probably spent a good forty-five minuets at the otter tank, just watching them, eat and play. Seriously, they are so.cute. I was like a little girl in a candy shop, or an adult woman at an otter exhibit. We ate lunch at the Hard Rock and walked around Pike's Place Market. 

We also spent time with Chris's grandma and his dad, and aunts. We really had a lovely time and I was so sad to leave Sheree and Mary! It was so sad leaving them, they were so kind to let us stay in their home for the week, but we have convinced them to come to Yellowstone sometime and stay with us! 

Mary, Sheree, Chris and I

Chris and his grandma

Chris and his dad. Yes, this is the only picture we got. Haha. 

On the Road to Boise!

 Friday we left Seattle to stay in Boise.Chris and I were competing in the Idaho State Championship and it worked out well with our vacation! The match was Saturday and it was so much fun! We got to meet friends we've made online and catch up with old friends and meet some new friends! I finally met my greatest online enemy, Eric Steiner. We mostly like to argue with each other on Facebook and he has this suspicion that I am trying to kill him. But lets be real here, you all know how sweet and innocent I am and that I would never do that, it's not like I wrapped up and sent him a shank or anything. I also got a new sponsor that I was able to represent during the state match. All of my concealed carry holsters are from Ultimate Holsters. They made me up a sweet holster for my competition gun and I am now part of their team! Ultimate Holsters has been so good to me this past year and I am very appreciative of their kindness! If you ever want a holster, you can go to their website Ultimate Holsters and use my code at checkout ALYS10 and get a discount!

After the state match Chris and I went out to dinner with a dear friend of mine who I know from the gun world, Autumn. We went out with her and her cute family. It was so fun to catch up. Autumn is one of the sweetest, strongest gals I know!

Bunco and my birthday happened on the same weekend. I hosted a Halloween Bunco and it was lots of fun, I dressed up as rebel Sandy. After bunco a few of us went to all he finest bar establishments in Down Town Idaho Falls. 

Jenni came into town to help Lisa and I celebrate our October Birthdays! We went to Fort Hall Casino to play some bingo. Like I said earlier, I can stop at anytime. I ended up winning $250 in cold hard cash!! I couldn't believe it! I won IVF money! Lisa, Jenni and I joked about telling my future baby that I won them at the casino. I had to much fun with them and I am so glad that we still make sure we keep in touch even though Jenni moved! Our next trip we planned to go visit Jenni in the big city of Boise Idaho! I can't wait! Too bad there isn't any casinos. 

Jenni, the ball verifier