Northwest Respite, Week 2

Week 2 gave us more time to soak up the beauty which is August in Seattle. Dave was able to take some "study leave", so spent a good deal of time in coffee shops and libraries. It's perfect really - he gets a jump start on teaching prep (which tends to be encouraging and refreshing as well), and I have built-in babysitting and support while catching up with dear family and friends.

We spent Thursday morning at Remlinger farm with the cousins. To our boys, it may just have well been Disneyland ;).
Very excited to be on a train ride.

One of many "rides" - this was the tamest. We also enjoyed a barrel ride (think teacups, but barrels instead...Caden didn't like them), and another flying up and down ride (think dumbo).

Riding a canoe - just before Caden's arm went in ;).

Climbing around an antique fire truck.

Our trip wouldn't be complete without a Friday run to the farmer's market. It's packed, it's beautiful, the salt water air breezes through, unique street vendors perform everywhere, post alley buzzes in all it's charm, and delicious coffee is yours on every corner (location of the original Starbucks). It's so Seattle - I love this place.

We found a WEEDLE in post alley!! The character of one of my favorite children's book 'The Weedle on the Needle", now a favorite for my boys as well.

Andrew playing in Grandpa and Grandma's woods - they've made several paths, it's a dream world for little boys.

Meeting up with my roommate Sarah at the supermall. This just happened to be behind us....we thought we were hilarious.

Her precious family.

A Saturday evening picnic at Beaver lake, just 5 minutes from my parents house. There was a wedding taking place in the pavilion right behind us.

My brother Chris and his gorgeously pregnant JA.

Happy with gramps.

Caden feeding the ducks.

Sunday night we celebrated my dad's new job with a dinner out at the Rainforest Cafe. Our boys LOVED this frog, but did not love the thunderstorms that came every 30 minutes.

He just couldn't resist.

Somehow, they all ended up on Grandma's lap.

The volcano for dessert - it was enough for all of us.

Monday morning we ventured out to Rattlesnake lake for a picnic lunch. Another of our favorite spots, nestled in the foothills of the Cascades.

My friend Amy and our pack of boys!

BOYS! By next year, they'll be 8 standing there (between myself, Amy, and JA).

P helping Will - LOVE his tongue.

My cousin Barb and her husband Greg stopped by that afternoon - we loved getting to see them since they were out of town when we stayed at their house in Desert Aire.

Barb is amaaaazing with kids. She was one of my favorite people growing up, so it was fun to watch my boys enjoy her so much.

Dinner in Freemont that night with some of our old Wash U college students who now live in Seattle. We stopped into this fun coffee shop on Queen Anne for dessert and amazing coffee.

Tuesday we drove up North, and stopped to see Great Grandma Dot. She was doing well this particular day, so it was a sweet sweet visit. I was so thankful Will got to meet her...and he was especially cuddly with her (and he has her chin!)

Stopping for lunch in La Conner.

And then we arrived at Deception Pass - one of my favorite spots to camp and play as a child.

Throwing rocks - the Olympic mountains hovering in the background.

Playing in the waves with Grandpa and Grandma.

Grandpa's hand.

Happy boy.

Discovering tide pools.

Climbing the same rocks I climbed 25 years ago.

We took the boys exploring in the woods, and came out to this beautiful overlook.

Heading home, driving on the ferry.

Andrew taking it in.

A lighthouse as we docked.

Wednesday, one last picnic in the woods.

Our dear old friends, Nora and Tim stopped by.

Our last night there, we enjoyed a beautiful evening along the banks of the Snoqualmie river with my family. The boys swam with their uncles and cousins, we ate good food, and we soaked up the Northwest beauty one last time. Our time there was such a tremendous blessing. We were so grateful for the opporutunity the rest and be refreshed before jumping back into the craziness which is this season of our lives.