Seattle Washington 2009 --- Final Post

Final post from our trip

I promise!

There were so many pictures I had to break it up.

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No trip would be complete without a few photos of the local vegetation. The azaleas and rhododendrons were A-MAZ-ING!

These flowers were at our hotel but while we were in the Seattle area we got to visit Mark & Angelique (friends from our G.P. days). Of course their yard and flowers were beautiful and I didn't take pictures --- I was just enjoying being in the moment.

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Saturday between the hike/picnic and downtown we let the kids swim in the Hotel Pool. Quite often the water is too cold for me at hotel pools but this one was perfect. We all had a great time splashing and swimming.

Our little babe is fearless when it comes to water --- really makes me nervous and I can't wait for her to learn to swim on her own.

Doodle is becoming quite the swimmer -- he says he has to if he's going to be a scuba-diver/marine biologist/inventor someday.

Even our little guy who is terrified of the water is starting to enjoy swimming a little more -- just don't splash him - or get water in his eyes or ears- or make him go anywhere he can't touch (even if you're holding him)-- and he really enjoys swimming.

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Sunday we had breakfast with all of the family - Pam provided ingredients and MDH made some tasty- tasty crepes.

Then we went to church with Pam and Ken and listened to Aaron speak!!! He did a fantastic job. The rest of the day we stuck around Pam and Ken's house and visited. Pam brought out some toys she had saved from when her kids were little for our kids to play with. Let me just say how thoughtful and nice that was. It made my life so much easier. Thanks Pam!

The next day we headed home. We took the drive home quite a bit slower and had a lot of LONG stops --- but I think we all enjoyed the journey.

We stopped and ate breakfast in _____________, Washington (can't remember the town, I'll put it in when I remember). There was an old guy in the restaurant who, as we were walking in upon noticing the size of our family, made the comment, "Boy, I'm sure glad I'm not picking up that bill!" MDH, always good at thinking on his feet said, "Are you offering?" Too bad the man didn't say "YES!"

We stopped in this particular town because at some point in the past I guess MDH was thinking of applying for a job there. (I don't remember when) We drove around the town, it was very charming and I'm sure we would've enjoyed it there but I'm happy with where we've been and where we are.

Stopping at a view point so I could change a little girls diaper - the kids explored a little.

Always a party when we travel!

We stopped at the Columbia River because MDH said he'd never thrown a rock in it.

It's the third largest river in the country you know. He'd thrown rocks in the largest and second largest, the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, so why not throw a rock in the third!

Duder found this rock and brought it to me. He said, "Here mom, I'm giving you my heart." How cute is that! Whomever he marries is going to be one lucky woman!!! -----

--I took a picture of the rock but didn't bring it home because the boys and I decided it wouldn't be in accordance with the scout "Leave No Trace" guidelines which state in part, "......leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but pictures......" Duder has been working on earning his 'Leave No Trace' award/badge (can you tell?).

Finally, MDH found this boat for sale by the river. He thinks it would be perfect for the pirate ship play structure he wants to build up at the family campgrounds.

Looks like fun (and work) to me.

Thanks for humoring me on this three part Seattle post experience.