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

Mt. Rushmore--4th Stop

This stop was quick as it was the only day it rained. We got out of our car, walked to the lookout point, made a quick tour of the visitor's center and got back in the car.

3rd Stop--Badlands National Park

I don't have any pictures from our second stop in Des Moines at Uncle Jeremy and Aunt Britney's house. I think my Mom does though. I just have yet to see them. Thanks to Jeremy and Britney for letting us relax and enjoy their house. Britney made an amazing bbq and Jeremy entertained us by continuing to fall down a hill while racing around his house. Great evening.

Our third stop was at Badlands National Park where we stayed at a KOA cabin for two nights. The Badlands were amazing. They were different than anything I had ever seen before. The rock jutted out of the grassy land suddenly and sporadically. Even after hearing the rangers lecture on the cause, it didn't really explain the phenomena. I left feeling that no one really could explain why it happened, they just had some pretty good theories. Our first night there we sat through a astronomy presentation by one of the rangers on the night sky. It was pretty incredible to see all of the stars. And the sunset was breathtaking.

We took a great hike the next morning. There are basic starting points and trailheads, but from there you can roam and explore pretty much anywhere. It was fun to point to a high spot on some ridge and then try to figure a way to climb to the top. I must admit that I was nervous for the boys a few times, but my family was good at holding their hands and watching out for them. The boys did great climbing by themselves. I had to hold Donny on the way down, but even he climbed much of the way to the top. That afternoon during the heat of the day we went back to the KOA and swam in the pool for a few hours and then hit the rodeo that night followed by smores. Ironically enough we ran into some of our friends from Michigan, the Dains and their grandchildren. We loved playing with them in the pool and making smores with them at night. It was also nice to be equipped with all of their gear from the RV as well as extra food. Thanks for providing the smore stuff!!!

Uncle Tim, Uncle Ben, and Thomas. You can see the path to get out there isn't very wide. My Mom couldn't watch.


Steve and Hewitt


We climbed that big ridge behind us right after this picture was taken.


I have never been to the grand canyon, but this little canyon was very impressive.

Climbing at night. The sunsets were beautiful.

If you can blow off those petals, you really deserve your wish.

Our Michigan friends

Our really nice neighbor made animal balloons so he came and entertained us one evening while we made smores. He was good.