Seattle: We came, we saw, we (okay, just me) got sunburned

Last Wednesday afternoon, we set off for Seattle via Albuquerque. After fighting the marathon crowds at SeaTac, renting a car, and driving to my sister Julie Anne's house, we got Adrianna into bed at midnight (NM time). Because of that, we decided to take it a little easier on Thursday. Julie Anne took Taylor (4) to the doctor, while Scott and I took Adrianna and Preston (2) to feed the ducks and play at the park. We're used to our town pond, with eight ducks who get fed all day, everyday, and are so tired of bread, they will even walk away from it. These Seattle ducks were more plentiful and more exuberant about bread. The big ones even pushed the ducklings out of the way, so they could get more! (I made a point to get bread to those little ones. :) At the park, we were also amazed to see moss growing on the play structure's climbing wall! A wee bit different than what we're used to!

Thursday afternoon, while all the tired kids were napping, Julie Anne and I set out to make dinner. After a mere three trips to the grocery store, the kids woke up, and we finished the food while the kids renewed their cousin bonds. We even squeezed in a trip to a nearby waterfall while dinner was cooking.

On Friday, we were a little better rested for our next adventure. We went to Washington Watershed Educational Center (I'm sure I butchered the name). We had told Adrianna that it was a fun place to learn about water and the water cycle. We then found wild salmon berries and headed to Rattlesnake Lake to skip rocks. Adrianna later told us that she liked the lake, but she was frustrated about the Watershed Center. She thought there was going to be water there! In fact, there was no water there, but the center used balls and pressurized tubes to show how water goes from rain to evaporation, etc.

Adrianna found this rock by the watershed center and carried it until we arrived at the lake, after a car trip down the road and a walk through a trail. She had deemed it the perfect rock to throw in the lake.

We then headed back to Julie Anne's house for lunch and nap time. By dinner time, Julie Anne and I set out for downtown Seattle for my cousin Angei's bachelorette party.
Angei picked a sushi restaurant for dinner (good thing they had more than just sushi!). Julie Anne and I shared an almond-crusted tempura halibut (yum!). We all squeezed together for this picture, thinking our waiter was coming right back. When he never did, we hailed the hostess to take a picture. She admitted, "I wondered why you were all sitting so close!"

Our giggly group of six headed for a nearby drug store for pedicure supplies. We just all happened to pick our our favorite candies while we where there, and managed to devour 10 mini Kit Kats by the time we got back to Angei's hotel room. We were filled in on the story of a man, who had already creeped out Angei, Carissa, my Aunt Barbara, and J.K. in the elevator. "Mr. Floor 5."

We enjoyed several hours of giggling and sharing and eating too much candy. We did some manicures, but never made it around to the pedicures. Julie Anne and I decided to head home after 11:00 p.m., and the rest of the gang offered to walk us back to our parking garage, one block from the hotel. The way we sauntered through the lobby, chattering, and running into the door on the way out, people might have assumed we had more than just candy! Mr. Floor 5 just happened to be coming in as we were going out. "Don't have too much fun until you get back," he slipped in as we walked away. Eew!

We made it safely back to the parking garage, only to wonder at the safety of the other four making it back to the hotel. So, we decided to drive them back! After moving the car seats to the trunk, three of the ladies fit in the back, and Angei managed to squeeze on my lap in the passenger seat. You can imagine the looks we got in the short drive back to the hotel.

Saturday dawned bright and clear, preparing for a perfect day for Angei's wedding. By the time we got in our wedding best, we arrived just in time to help set up for the wedding. The location was a gated park, with a grassy center, surrounded by blooming beauties. The ceremony was simple, yet poignant, and Seattle (no doubt with God's help) cooperated without even a hint of cloudiness. In fact, as I passed around my sunscreen for all to use, I forgot to have it applied to my back. I ended the day looking like a lobster, but I would say it was worth it to enjoy a sunny wedding. Adrianna enjoyed playing in a mud pile in her pretty dress. It was such a contrast to see the princess in the dirt, that she became the subject of many photos.
As Angei and Adam embark on their new adventures, we pray God's blessings over them.

By the late afternoon, we had three kids with no naps, needing a little let down. We decided to stop by Ikea for a yummy dinner on the way home. Our little one was so tired, she actually fell asleep on the way there (first time in a year!), and slept on as we parked in the garage. We had to wake her up, and she perked up quickly at the opportunity to explore Ikea.

On Sunday, we set off to Remlinger Farms. They combine kid's sized amusement park rides with a petting zoo. They set a tone of good, clean fun with kind staff, a lovely setting, and fun rides. The kids had fun, and the adults did, too!
When we were finishing up at the farm, Adrianna told me that this canoe ride was her favorite. She also loved stealing the floating ducks from the water and putting them in her boat!




We finished up our time in Seattle by watching a terrible Adam Sandler movie. Good thing the rest of our time there was so fun! The good times will overshadow the stupidity of that movie. :) Thanks, J.A. and Chris for the hospitality!