Back from the dead!

It has been 3 months since my last blog post, and I will admit it took 2 people asking me if my blog was in fact ‘dead’ to get me off my ass and posting again. So for all of you fans out there, I apologise for my lateness and I am in fact back in business.

So, what has happened the last few months since I posted (at least travel wise)? Well in fact most of you know the main thing….we made a summer trek back to Seattle. Woot woot!

But before we got there, we made a quick stop in New York city:

What a great time, we were only there for a few days, but we did so much....

took a boat tour to see the Statute of Liberty of course,

we went to the 'Top of the Rock' and got a great view of the city,

walked around Central Park,

Secil had pancakes for the first time (you know, just a really thick crepe),

we saw some great art,

saw Times Square at night,

and tons of other stuff that tourists do (except for taking a carriage ride, I had no desire to do that one).

After getting nice and acclimated to America, we hopped on over to Seattle where we were joined by friends and family for the official engagement celebration spectacular!

So much joy!
And although I think I did a good job of proposing the first time, I did forget one thing....the ring (it is there, really trust me).

Our trip back to Seattle was more than just this party though, we continued Secil's American sports indoctrination that started with a Seahawks game at Christmas, with a trip to Safeco to see the M's.

Really I was mostly excited to hang out in the beer garden, but Secil and I both neglected to bring our I.D.'s, and thus we were relegated to the kiddie corner. Oh well maybe next time.
But in the middle of our visit we took a detour and headed with the family down to the real heart of America. Oh yeah, Vegas baby Vegas!

I had not been to my home away from home away from home for a few years, but it all came back to me pretty quick. First we all rented a cabana and spent an entire day hanging by the pool:

Plus Secil learned to gamble (shhh, don't tell anyone), and she wondered off by herself and in 10 minutes turned $20 into $80 at the blackjack tables before calling her gambling career quits and retiring to a life a luxury and champagne:

Now, of course what is amazing about Vegas is that it felt like we were still back in Europe and we even got to visit the Eiffel Tower again....

and also relive our recent trip to New York,

I mean where else in the world can you do all that, and order a 3 foot long frosty drink (not pictured)? I really love Vegas.

Eventually we did have to come back to Seattle, and we managed to catch up with all the friends we could. We even found just enough time (and barely enough weather) to enjoy appetizers and drinks on the water with mom and dad:

But after a few days of hanging out, shopping, and living it up Seattle-style, we had to head back to Luxembourg....however, my American summer was not over yet.

After not visiting New York during the first 30.5 years of my life, I got to go back to the Big Apple for work only 18 days after returning home from our trip. I was only there for a few days and I did have to work, but there was something special about this quick trip....who should be able to join me for one night but my Mom and my good friend Big Al and his mom Cindy, who I had not seen in a few years:

We enjoyed a great dinner in little Italy and explored the city for a few hours, and were even able to run into Detective Mike Logan a.k.a. Mr. Big a.k.a. Chris Noth coming back from a run in Central Park. Yes I know, I am a lucky guy, and now I can die in peace.

Alright, so that was it for my American summer adventure. It was so great to see so many of you and to again see Seattle in the sun (seeing it only in late December gets old quick). We can't wait to come back again. I am like 95% sure it will happen.

Cheers!