Seattle Trip - Part Two

While Daddy was in his training on Tuesday, Mommy joined the kids and grandparents for a day at the beach.  The weather was a little chilly for August, so we stayed out of the water and enjoyed playing in the sand.  Papa found crabs and jellyfish for the kids to touch.  There were a few jellyfish that had died and washed up to shore.  It was really cool to touch them and handle them.

Papa combed the beach for treasure and found some loot buried long ago by a lone pirate who likes to shop at the dollar store (a.k.a. Mommy).

 The girls were in heaven as they uncovered treasure after treasure.  We caused so much commotion that other little kids started digging around where we were hoping to find something too.

It was a beautiful day for the beach.  Tommy kept eating sand - and paid for it the next day with some vomiting and a slight fever.  Thank you for another adventure Puna and Papa.

Tuesday night, Jeremy and I went to Tillicum Village on Blake Island.  We had a lovely ferry ride to the island.  The cruise director told us some history of Seattle and some Native American legends.  We loved the island.  There are spots for beach camping that face Puget Sound and offer gorgeous views of Mt. Rainier.  We'd love to go back and take a day to explore the island and camp overnight.  The dinner was amazing.  The salmon was fantastic.  Jeremy would not try it, but he enjoyed trying everything else - even a clam! It was a beautiful night to be on the water and explore Seattle.  We saw deer, racoons, and I found a beautiful pink shell to bring home as a souvenir. What a great way to celebrate our 15th anniversary!

On Wednesday, Puna and Papa felt brave enough to attempt an all-day outing with the kids.  They decided to visit Woodland Park Zoo.  I asked the kids what they liked best about the zoo and these are the answers I got......

 Annie loved the penguins.  She said they were here absolute favorite part of the zoo.

Lily loved the hippo and elephants.  She was truly amazed at seeing the hippo out of the water.

Tommy can't answer, but we're pretty sure he loved all the loves form Puna!

Lily said she talked to this orangutan.  She was excited that it had auburn hair like her.  On the way home from the zoo, the kids were very hungry and tired.  The girls were grumpy with each other in the back seat.  Tommy threw up all over himself and his car seat - probably from eating so much sand the day before.  By the time Puna and Papa got home from their outing, they were ready to turn the kids back over to Mommy and Daddy.  Three days of chasing three little ones wore our grandparents out!

While everyone else was enjoying the zoo, Mommy and Daddy took a trip to the Seattle Temple.  We participated in an endowment session and then wandered down to the sealing room where we were married 15 years ago.  As we sat in the sealing room we talked about all that has happened in the past 15 years, and what the next 15 years might have in store.  Lily will turn 20, Annie will turn 18 and graduate high school, Tommy will turn 16 and be old enough to drive and date.  So many changes are coming our way in this next season of our life.  It's hard to imagine what 15 years from now will feel like.  We feel so blessed for the life we have and for all that is ahead of us.

One highlight for the kids every time we go to Washington is bathing in Papa's huge bath tub with jets and lots of bubbles.  Annie keeps telling me how she loves Puna and Papa's house because it is beautiful like a hotel and she can swim in the bathtub.  What more could a girl want?

 

 All of a sudden, it was nearly time to leave Washington.  Papa and Daddy took the girls for a little boat ride on Lake Meridian.  Lily loved telling us all about the spider net at the park.  Annie was hoping to see more ducks, but still loved riding with Papa in the boat.  For Papa's birthday we had over some cousins and did a family dinner.  Mommy made blackberry crisp from berries growing right in Puna and Papa's yard.  It was great to see Erin and Danielle and let the children play together.  Papa got a little worn out trying to keep all the hooligans under control.  But we think everyone had fun and the water guns and slip and slide were favorites with all the kids.

Oh how Mommy misses tree lined streets!  It was hard leaving this beautiful place full of people we love.  Thank you Puna and Papa for giving us such a wonderful mini vacation away from the children.  The kids had so much fun with you and made lots of great memories.