We're Home...Sorry for the Hiatus

Loyal followers: It has been three weeks since my last post and I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. We flew back to Seattle (Home #1) for three weeks to visit family and sort out Wayne's green card and visa business. All is sorted, we had an incredible visit and now we're back home (Home #2) in Dublin. We are so happy to be back and really did miss our little apartment and our sweet town of Dun Laoghaire.
Our visit to Seattle was jam-packed and there were a few people we didn't get to see (sadly) but we truly stretched ourselves to the limit for the entire three week visit. We are completely exhausted but in the most wonderful way.
The pictures from Seattle will be a work in progress but I thought I'd post a few now and keep working on it over the weekend. There are 500 total so keep checking in over the next few days and I should have more up.

First Flight - Dublin to New York - she was such a trooper!

 5 1/2 hour layover in New York City and she ran almost the entire time

 Flight #2 - New York City to Seattle - passed out before take-off and woke up after landing in Seattle.

 The morning after we arrived, Uncle Dan drove us downtown to the lawyer for our first meeting about Wayne's green card and visa.

 Driving to see the Immigration Lawyer. They're on floor 34 of this building (below) and we're paying their rent. =)

 View from the office

 Walking back to take the Water Taxi across to Uncle Dan's in West Seattle.

 On the Water Taxi (small ferry boat) over to Uncle Dan's. Best $3 I've spent in a long time. And here is Seattle's latest addition to the skyline: a mega ferris wheel (OR death-trap of sealed hamster balls that will fall into Elliot Bay as soon there is a large earthquake - as I like to call it. No...I did not ride it.)

And, we made it back to the other side, all before 11:30 am. This was a good first day in Seattle.

 Cousin Suzy and Norah having a heart-to-heart. Norah was telling her that her "mom made her a birthday cake".

 First time seeing cousin Marko, Uncle James and Auntie Mimi (and our first time seeing Auntie Mimi pregnant after 7 months of being away!)

 We leave and she wasn't expecting, we come back and she's almost 7 months along! She is so cute!!

 Marko and Norah, re-united at last.

 Some of my favorite people and Seattle put on a real show, weather-wise. Steaks, salads, watermelon and that view. This was a great day!

 My Dad and his new apartment!

 Sidewalk chalk with Marko and Elizabeth

 Papa got Norah a new teapot. (We now have it back in Dublin and used it to make tea today)

 Baby Mika just woke up from a nap and wasn't ready for Uncle Wayne yet.

 Haruko, Joe, and Mika - Matt, Courtney and Nate (and Norah)

 Baby Mika and Baby Nate - two more offspring from our Seattle University Grad Program cohort. We're growing! Now we have three future Seattle U students.

First Seattle sunset over the port. There's no doubt, Seattle is one of the most beautiful places on earth (mainly when it's summer).