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.