Free Holiday Cards from Shutterfly!

That's right, you read it correctly, you can get 50 free cards from Shutterfly!  Just blog about their products and they will take care of you. 

So I started browsing the site and this one caught my eye:

The great thing about these cards is that you can type the text for the letter on the inside and then you don't need to do a separate letter.  That is going to be awesome so I can update everyone on the excitement of 2010 and what we are up to.

The other card I like is this one:

I think I like these because you can have multiple pictures, and that is always the hard part for me... which photos to use.

They also have gifts available.  So If you want to share a fun event that you did with others, this is the solution:

A photo book is a great way to share some pictures and add some captions.  Love it!
So if you are a blogger and want to get some cards for free, this where you sign up!  So start Blogging.

Well I am not sure how many cards I will be ordering, but be on the lookout for our special card courtesy of shutterfly.  If you want to make sure you get one of the special cards, leave me a comment - don't put your address because I probably have it.  :)  Merry Christmas!

A day in the life of travelling

I am going to start this post by saying... I travel a lot.  I am not at the super status yet for alaska, but am one round trip away.  I am in Portland right now and I know it is the start of the holiday travels.  Based on what I saw today, people forget common courtesy when they walk in to the airport.  I saw a lady walk up to the baggage check-in at Seatac and yell at the Alaska employee because she didn't want to wait in line to check in for the flight.  Really?  How will you get through security without your boarding pass?  Then I saw a guy checking his cooler of fish.  Instead of taping it shut in advance, all of us had to wait for him to do that.  The last one was an Indian family that was flying internationally.  They had 1 giant suitcase that weighed 65 pounds.  They had to pay $75 to check the bag because it weighed so much.  Why not just pack two bags and pay $20 each?  Just an observation. 

The best person I saw though was someone I felt a little sorry for.  He had just gotten off his horizon flight, didn't understand that he was supposed to pick up his bag at the ala carte, went to baggage claim and 3 ticket counters before I told him he needed to go back through security to his gate and get his bag, then go to his connecting flight.  He had 40 minutes to do this.  I knew how this would end... missed flight.  Sure enough, I saw him in line at the customer service with his suitcase at 10:05.  His flight was at 10:10.  I felt bad for him.  At least I was helpful, but obviously not enough. 

When I made it to Portland, I took the MAX and rode to the hotel for about $2.50.  What a deal!  Way better than my $50 cab ride from Bellevue! 

As I was walking up the street with my suitcase and laptop bag, a water delivery guy asked if I wanted help with my luggage.  I told him I was fine, but thanks for the offer.  That was pretty nice.  :)  How often does that happen?

If you are travelling this season and you see someone that needs help.  Help them.  :)  I will try to be helpful too.  :)

Free Cards from Shutterfly!

I can't believe this, but you can get free holiday cards from Shutterfly!  Interested?  Submit you blog right here and tell them about it and they will send you a code to get 50 free cards!  This is not a too good to be true deal, Jeannette just did it  and she ordered 75 cards, got 50 free and got free shipping. 

Sounds good to me, we did this a few years ago and was able to update everyone with a wonderful letter about all that was going on and what we were up to.  That was about 3 years ago... So maybe it's time to do this again!

Trip to Orcas & Bellingham

Last weekend, Caden & I went on a quick trip to Orcas to help my mom and dad get some more items and an extra car to Spokane.  We got up early and were on the road by 7:15am.  The first hour was a bit rough since we listened to Samantha bark for the whole time.  Then we stopped for a park break in Coulee City and put the muzzle on.  Ahhhh peace and quiet!  After that we had a few limited stops to stretch and eat.  We made it to the Ferry landing by 2:15pm for the 3:30pm ferry.  Life was good! If you have ever taken the ferry, you know you do not want to miss it or it is another 2 1/2 hours in the car with no room, 2 dogs and a 3 year old.  Oh and did I mention the dogs had gas and it was starting to rain. 

Here are some pictures of us on the ferry. 

We had a wonderful quick visit with my dad, Ginger, Tami & Greg.  Tami even brought Toy Story 3 so Caden was entertained.  We got to see the new loft being added to Ginger's cabin, the new door on our cabin and the amazing renovation of Tami & Greg's place.  It's not done yet, but it will be amazing!

After packing, we decided to head to Bellingham after the first ferry on sunday and visit my friend from high school.  We met at the bagelry and had breakfast.  Let's preface this with some things never change.  The bagels were awesome!  The crowd, still a bit eccentric.  Seeing my friend and her new baby, wonderful!  We were able to chat about what's happening in our worlds and life in general.  Afterwards, Caden & I went on our own mini tour of Bellingham.  Since I have been there about 5 times since my parents moved to Orcas in 1999, some things have changed. 

The Samish Drive-in is now a park & ride.  Bellingham High School got a facelift, (also saw the memorial for the girl that was run over by assumption).  Stopped at Trader Joes (the old Thriftway? grocery store on James) and picked up some snacks and wine.  Next we drove out to visit my cousin Pat.  Him & Debi bought my grandparents house that was next door to our old house.  They gave it a makeover and it is lovely.  Our old house now has green trim, and the Ross's old house is not looking good.  There was a fence around the tennis court that was smashed by a tree and the house looks like it needs a good pressure washing.  Next we drove by Silver Beach and saw that the middle building (where mrs Brink & Mrs Warner's classes were) was gone.  There was a beautiful new playground there instead.  It turns out that happened a few years ago, but it was news to me.  Last place to drive by was up to our old house on Lone Tree.  News flash, the house is for sale.  There were also houses built in all the lots on the coul de sac.  They also finished more of the street by Yolanda's and 40th goes through now. 

I did not go by Whatcom Middle School, but I did find out they are not the Warriors anymore.  It was fun to take a trip down memory lane.  Then we headed back to Spokane.

Caden tucked in his carseat amongst the treasures.

My parents van full of a combination of books and fragile china.

We had quite the adventure !