Anniversary Trip.

Peter and I were sitting around last August talking about how it really stunk that he was using all his vacation/sick time at work for the broken wrist, but we weren't actually on vacation.

Our 11th anniversary was coming up so we thought, let's go somewhere!! We tried at first to think of driveable places but nothing sounded good. So then we started looking at flights. We wanted to go somewhere that we were kind of familiar with so we didn't spend the whole time lost and would be able to get around without a map in our face all day. So we figured, why not go to Seattle? I was just there on my girl's trip so I know the area, how to use the rail system and the basics of where stuff is, yet I only had one actual day in Seattle so there was still lots I hadn't seen.

So, we took our kids to our friends house and off we went! We went for 4 days and had a blast! It was so good to get away from broken wrists and yard work and all that other boring real life stuff for a few days!:)







We did the Ride the Ducks tour while there. It was SO much fun, I highly recommend it if you are in the area. And go your first day cuz they give you lots of idea's of things to do.

It was fun that they went on land and water.

The 'captain' handed out hats and pom poms, they blast the radio and you are encouraged to be as loud and crazy as possible.

They asked if there were any special occasions that day, ie birthdays, anniversaries etc.. and since it was our anniversary we had to go to the front and get sung to.

They showed us lots of fun things. This is the hill that the paintball scene in '10 Things I Hate About You' was filmed on.

While in the water, a seaplane landed next to us.

You can't go to Seattle and not see the 'Sleepless in Seattle' houseboat!:)

That white building on the left...it's just an office building but it is used as the outside shot of Seattle Grace Hospital on Grey's Anatomy.

I had no clue what this was but Peter got so excited that when the tour was over we had to go find it on foot. It used to be a recording studio and I guess Nirvana's first songs were recorded here.

We ate LOTS of seafood!

We went to the SAM(seattle art museum) Peter had been jealous of our girls trip cuz he wanted to go to this Kurt exhibit.

My hubby, the crazy Nirvana fan.

Some wierd art piece that is supposed to be Kurt's head. We weren't supposed to take pics in the Kurt part of the museum...so I took some:)

This was much more impressive in person, but the entire thing is made of military dog tags. It was really cool.

Gotta love the cars hanging from the ceiling.

Look! I even found something for me!:)

We went to the EMP(experience music project) it was actually pretty fun....and of course, being in Seattle, full of a lot of Nirvana stuff.

Peter with one of Kurt's guitars. Again...not supposed to take pics. You know me tho, tell me not to do something and I will for sure do it:)

We walked A LOT on the trip. We didn't rent a car, just took the link light train and walked everywhere. Walked thru the sculpture park, this is one of the sculptures.

Actually made it to the space needle this time! Didn't go up it tho...with my intense fear of heights, there was NO way I was going up!

We rode the ferry....a lot. Anytime we weren't sure what to do and needed to look at the map, or our feet hurt from walking...we just hopped on the ferry. We went back and forth between the two places it goes, both day and night (cuz you gotta see the skyline lit up too!) We decided that we love Seattle and could totally live there. I loved Bainbridge Island...cute, quaint with awesome views of Seattle. Not likely, but it would be fun:)

One of the many pics I took of the city.

Found this store in the basement of Pikes Place Market...and I just had to get a picture:)

(you can't tell, cuz he is so tiny, but I am standing in front of a Justin Bieber cut out and blocking him):)

Summer

Is it cheating to just do a 'summer' post? Oh well, I'm doing it! Mostly because my memory isn't what it used to be (thanx kids!) and I cant remember exactly what month things happened. Only that certain things happened in the summer and some in the fall etc...
So, here is a small recap of some of our summer.


Hadley made it his life goal this summer to scare me. One day I found this snake in the fridge. He has yet to succeed, which is quite funny cuz ask anyone who knows me...I am so jumpy and get scared VERY easily!

Lot's of days spent at the pool for swim lessons.

Lexi lounging with daddy while the boys do lessons.

Lexi and her friend Amber enjoying a snack at the pool.

Lexi and Amber...Amber is a big Flock of Seagull's supporter:)

We got the front yard done...mostly. Still need to plant trees, bushes, flowers etc... but we got the sprinklers done and the sod layed. A HUGE thank you to my good friends who helped me do the whole thing since Peter was laid up with a broken wrist. Words can't even begin to describe how hard it was and how much work it was and I never could have done it without them!!!!

Yay! Grass!! So nice to have it done (almost) and now we just have the whole backyard to do *sigh*

Lexi showing off her big girl undies! We potty trained this summer and she proved to be just as difficult and stubborn as the boys. We are glad to have that done though!

A picture of one of many, many nights spent at the drive-in. We love the drive-in and spend most summer/fall weekend nights there.

Lexi got her first haircut. This is the before pic.

During....

And after.

Oops, this one is in here twice. Guess that's just how much we love the drive-in!:) I thought I might have accidently done this one twice...anybody know how to delete just one pic from blogger??? I sure can't figure it out.

And school started!!!!

Hadley is in 4th grade this year. He has Mrs. Mair and I absolutely adore her, she is freaking awesome! Totally loud and crazy and sarcastic as all get out!! I think she is me in 30 years!:)

Devin is in 1st grade this year. He has Mrs. Perkins who is just the sweetest lady you will ever meet. She is like the grandma that everyone wants!

Hadley outside his classroom...he is in one of the portables this year. He didn't want to be, but I told him how I was in one when I was a kid and it was the cool classroom that everyone wanted. I think he enjoy's it now.

Devin outside his classroom.

The picture doesn't quite capture it, but he was trying to be really brave and not tear up. This is his first year being at school all day and I think he was a little overwhelmed the first day. I thought I was great with him going all day til I walked in and saw him trying so hard to be brave! I left the school a little teary myself.

Overall, it was a fantastic summer. Full of fun activites and great friends!

Camping

I guess the best way to get this blog caught up is just start at the beginning of the memory card:)

Our good friends invited us to their cabin with them the end of July, the drive there was quite interesting to say the least (we have since discovered we just shouldn't drive together!)
The day was supposed to start around noon but I got a text from Tanya saying they had an incident and would be late. Turns out their 3yr old had managed to drive their car from the garage, down the driveway, over the curb and into their neighbors yard. luckily nobody was hit!
Once that was over we hit the road for the 4 hour drive. We stopped at the Maverik with the playground in Fillmore to let the kids run for a minute. While playing, we look over and Tanya's oldest is over in the corner of the lot throwing up, about the same time her 3yr old announces that she has the runs and has pooped her pants. Craig cleaned her up with the hose and we hit the road. We made it about half an hour and Devin started barfing all over our car. We pulled over and he leaned out and threw up all over my feet...it was awesome! About another hour down the road the Willie's pulled to the side and we followed. Craig and Tanya got out of that car so fast! They grabbed Amber and had to hold her over the sagebrush while she went to the bathroom. Tanya was laughing so hard that she was no help to Craig. We thought they were all signs that it was going to be an awful trip! But once we got there we had a blast!





Craig and Tanya taking care of Amber...well, Craig is, Tanya is just laughing:)

Devin sporting Hadley's jacket cuz he had barfed all over his clothes.

The cabin

Peter had his b-day while we were there. 34 years old...getting old dear:)

The boys shot guns.

Lexi and Amber fished

And played some sort of duck game...or just ate the ducks, not sure.

And what cabin trip is complete without some late night card games?!

And what makes late night games more complete that a can of spray cheese?? (we wont mention where said can was found)

And then, you have to have some spray cheese art!

Tanya and the kids throwing goldfish to some critter in the woodpile.

The critter.

How many Willie's does it take to fill a gas tank??

Heading out for an afternoon of 4 wheeling and the Rhino.

Stopped by a lame ranger who said we needed helmets. whatever!:)

I guess riding backwards was more comfortable for Craig.

Peter enjoyed the Rhino

And Lexi made a friend.

A hummingbird got stuck in our van.

The kids heading down into a cave.

The beginning of the cave. Lexi freaked out so I had to go back out with her.

Everyone climbing out of the cave.

We had a blast, thanx to our friends for inviting us!!

Slowly but Surely

I will catch up on my blog! We finally got our computer fixed and got internet hooked back up. So, I figure if I make myself take 15 minutes and do one post a day, I will be caught up in no time...right??:)