Washington Trip Part 1

To end a fabulous summer, and add a third state to our travels, I finally had my dream come true of taking the kids to Washington state for the first time. Before I turned 30, I made a list of 30 BEFORE 30, basically a bunch of stuff I wanted to do or get to see before the important milestone. It was really fun getting to do a lot of them, and this summer I added another check to the list. It almost didn't happen though! The kids were flying on buddy passes, and due to weather a few days prior, a huge convention in Atlanta, and crazy full standby lists, we spent an entire day gate-hopping with next to no chance of getting on a plane. The kids did remarkably well, and we did get to ride the train a lot between terminals. But finally after we were all exhausted, we headed home convinced this was one trip not meant to be. We had ridden to the airport with my dad that morning, so Davey's mom had to come pick us all up since we had no car. Our luggage, however, did get to go on the excursion, so all our stuff, clothes, toiletries...everything...was in Seattle. Not too happy about that.

Until the next morning.  Davey woke up with a migraine, and unable to go back to sleep, he began checking flights again. I was still recovering after the long day before when he gently woke me up. "I don't know if it will work, but check these numbers. We may be able to make it to Portland." In my sleepy state I stared at the screen, wondering if we were crazy to start the whole process over again. Fly to Portland. Rent a car. Drive to Seattle. Hmmm. It might just work. Davey does not give up easily, and before long we were scrambling to find clean clothes (remember: luggage is sitting at SeaTac Airport) and hitch another ride with Davey's mom back to the airport. This would not have been possible without all the help from our family with phone calls, rides, etc.

Waited a LONG time to finally walk this way

Unbelievably, we made it on! We were so happy! I told the kids they couldn't scream in the airport but boy did Lailey do a happy dance!

Tired but happy

"We finally get to see Sadie!!!"

The kids had a blast riding on the plane, and they thought the whole experience was very cool. They didn't nap, which I was hoping, but I think they were just too excited about the experience.

My dad had already flown to Seattle the day before to attend a funeral of a good friend. He actually took the first flight we got bumped off. Having some free time, he was able to drive down to Portland and pick us up, helping us avoid paying for a rental car. See what I mean about family help?

So, one whole day at the airport, back to the airport again the next day, flying across the country, and driving 3 hours to Seattle, and it was all worth it for this:

 These sweet smiles!!!

Maddox went straight to bed when we arrived at the Malcoms' apartment in Ballard, too tired to greet anyone, but the next morning began several days of fun cousin time.

 While staying with my cousin Christy and her family, we went all over the city of Seattle one day.

My cousins, April (taking the above picture), and Michael (behind Maddox), came to see us while we were in the city. It was so cool to see so much family there.

These two were inseparable

Space Needle!

Flattening souvenir pennies

Christy, Jason, Sadie and Titus

All of us down at the waterfront

Boys on the ferry to Bainbridge Island

Leaving the city

Running around the ferry was his favorite part

Mt. Rainier unusually visible that day

They loved sitting by the railing spotting giant jellyfish in the water

Pointing at something

View of the Ferris Wheel on the Seattle Waterfront

LOVE this of the kids!

A trip downtown really wouldn't be complete without the experience of Pike Place Market...and an obligatory picture of the four little kids on the big pig.

After a few days in Seattle, we drove north to Stanwood to see my other cousin, Jen, and her family. It was only a one night stay, but super fun and also relaxing. Their friends invited us to their house on Lake Ki. It was so beautiful and pristine, and we loved the kayaking, paddle boarding, paddle boating, and jumping in the water.

My brave little leaper

Lailey was fascinated with the lilly pads and had to pick some

Squirting Daddy

Titus and Davey

The Akins, Satterfields, and the Malcoms (minus Jason and me)

After the short visit, we headed back to Seattle (Ballard) to enjoy another evening there. We went to one of the Malcoms' favorite parks, then visited the Fremont Troll, which is a weird public sculpture under a bridge. The kids were slightly weirded out since it was at night.

The next morning, we drove to Olympia, WA, where my grandmother lives, to begin part 2 of our trip. Coming soon!