Pumpkin Patch

We took a field trip to the pumpkin patch with Hewitt's preschool. Hewitt looked forward to this trip for awhile and was probably the most excited he has ever been. We took the tractor ride out to the patch and Hewitt and Donny quickly picked their pumpkins. They are easy to please and everyone looked good. Unfortunately, Hewitt's was rather heavy for him and he walked around hunched over because he wouldn't let me help. The highlight of the trip by far was the kiddie corn maze that actually was quite difficult and fun. Hewitt loved it and could have remained in there for hours. After losing Donny a few times though I was ready to be done. It's amazing how fast those two boys can turn a corner. They were gone and out of ear shot in seconds. I had several flashbacks to the movie Labyrinth and have a crazy desire to watch it again. Overall, great trip to the patch. Gotta love this time of year.

Very cool hay maze

Carving the pumpkins with Daddy

Harry Potter Exhibit

So the very unique traveling Harry Potter exhibit is in Seattle for the next few months and we were lucky enough to score free tickets for opening night. So Steve and I and my brother Ben and sister Sarah made the very exciting trip up to Seattle to see many of the movie props from the first six Harry Potter movies. Having never been on a movie set or seen any other movie's traveling exhibit, I must admit that I was amazed by all of the attention that went into the seemingly smallest detail. Handstitched costumes, painted portraits, hand drawn Marauder's map, life-size spider and dragon, and real wooden wardrobes are just some of the highlights. They actually created the Harry Potter world. All very cool stuff especially because I am a Harry Potter fan, but I think even those who aren't would at least appreciate the artistry. So I feel like my movie going experience will be altered. I think I will notice more of the details and props that make a movie come to life. So I would recommend attending if you are in the area. (We only have the picture we took outside--no cameras allowed inside.)

First Day of School

I never did write about the start of school. Thomas is now in first grade. He loves his teacher and loves riding the bus to and from school. I am grateful that the bus stop is right in front of my house so I don't have to get dressed to take him every morning. Woohoo! Thomas lost a tooth on the first day of school, which he was really excited about. I have volunteered in his classroom and am super impressed with his teacher. She has already called all of the parents twice to let them know how their child is doing and what to expect in the upcoming months. I fear she is creating expectations too high for the rest of my children's teachers. Hewitt is in preschool and also loves his teacher. He is excited to show me his little project everyday. Donny carries a backpack everywhere we go in hopes that he can go to school too. I thought he would mellow out after awhile, but he still cries many days when we drop Hewitt off. Poor kid. He will start his schooling soon enough.

Eastern Washington

We took a trip to a quick trip to Eastern Washington over the weekend to visit our Aunt JaLynne, Uncle Rick, and cousins. Let me just say first that I love Western Washington. I love the dark green. I love the crisp air. I love all of the water sources including streams, rivers, Puget Sound, waterfalls... It is absolutely beautiful. But there is something deeply satisfying about living in a small town in the hayfields. We love this town of less than 1,000. We can play and play and play. The boys jumped on their oversized trampoline with a sprinkler underneath--it is much warmer in this part of the state! Steve played a round of golf. We went on a hike through the fields. We played a game of wiffle ball. We bought ice cream from the local grocery store and played at the old fashioned park complete with huge tires to climb on, teeter totters, tree house, and merry go round (not the mechanical kind--the kind where the kids hold on to the poles in the middle and you run around trying to get them to spin as fast as possible. I get sick even watching it now. It's a bit dangerous for most parks these days.) So we love this part of Washington in a different way. We are definitely refreshed everytime we visit. Thanks family for letting us come!

Grandpa Blackner

My Grandpa Blackner passed away a few weeks ago. Times like these definitely put everything into perspective and makes you incredibly reflective and grateful. I'm so grateful to have been living in Washington these past few months so that we could spend quite a bit of time with him before he passed. I'm also glad my whole family was able to be there. If we were still residents, I think I would have been the only one to make the flight. I'm grateful to have spent some alone time with him before he died especially the Saturday before when he was messing around with my boys and checking his blood sugar. I'm grateful for all of the people who provided food, babysitting, and flowers for the funeral. We have an incredibly large extended family and I could not believe the outpouring of love and support. It definitely makes me want to do the same for others. I'm grateful for all of the family who flew in from all over the country. My Grandpa died at age 75, which is relatively young for these days, but was in poor health. His funeral was sad, but also a huge reunion for everyone. All of my brothers and their wives were here and it was so much fun playing soccer, home run derby, and pickleball the Saturday before the funeral. It was nice to see cousins and aunts and uncles. I don't think we have all been together for years. I'm grateful for a belief in Jesus Christ and a knowledge of the afterlife. It is not so hopeless to have someone die when you know that you will see him again. And finally, I am grateful for my Grandpa Blackner who was always joking around and could always make me smile. He was a wonderful grandpa and he lived a great life. He was married to my Grandma for over fifty years and was a wonderful teacher. I will miss him.

Seattle

I love cities. I love everything about them. I like the people busily going to work, the shopping, the bustle, the smells of all the restaurants, all of the activities and festivals, the used bookstores, the tourist attractions...I just like them. Living outside of Philadelphia and Detroit definitely allowed me to get my fill. In fact, I think I averaged a visit to downtown Philly once a week. I also loved living in proximity to New York City and Washington DC. When in Detroit we also visited Toronto, which I loved.

So even though we don't live right next door to a big city anymore, I have managed to visit Seattle a few times since moving to Washington. As soon as I drive around the bend near Boeing Air Field, the Seattle skyline pops up and my heart starts to quicken. It is a beautiful city and I can't wait to explore it more and find my favorite spots. My friend Lisa came in to town from Michigan for a week so I had a good excuse to make the drive (twice). We did Pike's Place market, the Science Center, took a ferry ride, walked around the Space Needle, went to a Mariners game, etc. After talking to friends, I have found many more things to try out. I just need visitors to give me a good reason to spend my day and money up there. I think Steve moved us over an hour away from a city for a reason...

Mariners Game


Ferry Ride with Miss Lisa



Dancing at the Seattle Center fountain


Famous Pike's Place Market pig

Riding the bike at the Science Center

Lake

We spent the majority of our July and early August at the lake a few blocks from our house. The lake is shallow for a long stretch, which makes it perfect for kids who think they are really going out far, but are not in too much danger. I spent most of my time playing in the water and reading on the beach. The Count of Monte Cristo had to be my summer favorite. Here are some pictures with the boys and their cousins and friends.

Lake Kachess/Lake Rachel

Having not lived in Washington state for the past six years we have been excited to reqacquaint ourselves with all of the outdoor activities abundant here. We have camped our last three weekends with family and friends, gone on some spectacular sights and really started to remember why we love the Pacific Northwest so much. Our first trip was up to Lake Kachess (close to North Bend) with my family. We then took what was supposed to be a nice day hike with the boys and my family. Unfortunately, my Dad was the planner and he has a very different definition of an enjoyable hike length. Seven hours and a grueling 9 mile roundtrip hike later, we got back to the camp. haha. I complain now, but in all reality, the hike was absolulely beautiful and I would definitely do it again. You hike alongside a remote river , through a meadow filled with wild flowers up to your head, through the forest, finish with a steep incline where we simply put the little boys on our backs, and then arrive at a prisitine freezing cold glacier lake at the top. We all jumped in and Steve even found a great cliff to jump off of. The boys were great. Thomas climbed the whole way and the two little boys climbed most of it. They did fall asleep on the hike back down, which posed some logistical issues, but my 52 year old Dad just put Hewitt on his back and cruised down. He was amazing. Here are some pictures.

Driving the Truck

The Penske truck was extremely slow. It seemed like the people driving the truck were always the most cranky so we had to take turns to spread the love. (It was like wearing a horcrux for all of the Harry Potter fans...) Steve and I drove the truck with Hewitt in between us for the two longest days. Hewitt was amazing. He was so happy to be in the truck. I think he got more attention in those two days then he has received in his whole life. Of course he loved it. We did have a few other stops along the route that I didn't have pictures for including visiting with our friends the Brysons in beautiful Couer d'Alene, Idaho. Why I didn't take pictures is a mystery. We also stopped in Billings Montana for the Fourth of July where Steve lost his phone. Our favorite food stops were Five Guys and Quiznos. Those places both hit the spot and properly rejuvenated us to continue driving. This is one trip that we won't forget anytime soon.

Five Guys

5th Stop--St. John Washington

We stopped at my Aunt JaLynne and Uncle Rick's house in St. John Washington. This small town is heaven. The boys and Ali golfed in the morning and then we all played a game of good basketball (it's been a long time for me and it was super fun) at the high school gym and then jumped in the pool in the afternoon. In between we managed to ride their four wheelers, go skeet shooting at the local gun club, take a bike ride to the park, and watch World Cup. It truly was my kind of vacation and we already can't wait to go back. JaLynne also made us some homemade ice cream. Brilliant.

I shot the balloon my first attempt. I should have stopped then. I continually got worse.

Boys jumping with a sprinkler under the trampoline.

The boys kept score for us in the box.


Thomas riding a four wheeler with Aunt Jay