We timed our Washington visit perfectly. We left almost a month straight of 100 + degree weather and traded it in for 60 degree weather in Seattle and 80 degree weather in Yakima. It was so refreshing to spend time outside! We are learning that "Summer" in Dallas is really our "Winter" since it's too uncomfortable to spend time outside. The good thing is that we can enjoy being outdoors the rest of the year! And we always welcome family and friends down south when they want warmer weather in winter ;)
Our trip started off shaky after experiencing a six hour delay in Sacramento after maintenance issues with the plane. Let's just say that my instinct to keep the kids germ-free and away from touching anything in the plane that might make them sick slowly disappeared as I relented to letting them play on the airport floor, eating cheerios that they had dropped, etc. (Thank the Lord nobody got sick from that long day!!) The kids did well considering that we woke them up 2 hours early, they missed their naps and had to adjust to a 2 hour time change. Kai could barely keep his head up when we finally made it to Jared's uncle's house in Seattle around 10 pm (TX time).
We spent the first few days in Seattle visiting Noni, Jared's grandmother, in her assisted living center, going to the zoo, shopping, and spending time with the Christianson side of the family.
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| Noni meeting Isaac |
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Noni let the twins use her spare walker....Papa took them on a ride around the hallways :)
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Noni loved "driving" the kids around on her Scooter!
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| Tired kids after lunch |
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| Nana & Papa |
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| At the zoo. Noni let them borrow her walker to use as a stroller! |
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Enjoying family up in Stanwood, WA
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| Aunt Janell & Isaac |
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| Papa entertaining the twins w/ I-Phone |
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Noni let Isaac taste her ice cream and cake frosting. Only great grandmothers get a way with that!!
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We then headed over the mountain pass to Yakima where we spent another 8 days. Nana & Papa bought an inflatable pool that the kids loved and used twice daily! We enjoyed time with Aunt Janell and Uncle Andrew, a visit from Gigi and Grand Papa (Lisa's parents), Jared's aunt, Gina and cousin Hannah, and Michala's aunt, uncle and cousins (Baders) who live in central Washington. The kids loved visiting the Massini farm (friends of the family) where they went 4-wheeling through the vineyards, chased bubbles, and played with their dogs. The kids also helped Papa roast hot dogs and Smores over the fire pit which was a lot of fun. They also thought it was hilarious to hose themselves down afterwards! Both Kai and Julia got haircuts while we were there, which was a first for Julia.
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| Cuddling with giant teddy bear |
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| Papa and Kai on the 4-wheeler |
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| Being silly w/ Nana |
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| Enjoying the Smores |
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| Kai loving getting hosed down! |
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| Gigi & Julia |
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| Gigi & Isaac |
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| Aunt Gina & Isaac |
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| Ring Around the Rosie! |
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| Julia was very serious during her hair cut! |
Jared and I enjoyed an afternoon date as we toured a few local wineries in the Yakima Valley. It took a while for mommy to relax, but she knew that the kids where in good hands! The views from the wineries where beautiful and the time without kids was needed!
We were sad to leave the family and good weather behind, but it's also good to be done with traveling for a while!
