On The Road With Daddy

Bob had a work meeting in Cedar City earlier this month so the kids and I tagged along.

We left early for the conference so we could sight see a little. Our first stop was at Kolob Canyon. Lucky for us it was fee free weekend! Even more fun!

Ethan had become obsessed with the Jr. Ranger program and quickly became a pro! Badge #1.

I think the kids' favorite part of the trip was swimming.

While dad was at his meeting the kids and I went to a natural history museum...

a great wooden park (built by the community members)

flew our new kites

and visited the Iron Mission State Park

Badge #2, Junior Curator

What a fabulous work conference!

What We Really Went For...

My dad retired. Yep, officially unlaced his work boots and retired. My mom threw him a fabulous retirement party, with a little help from the family and Dad's Employer.

Bob and I worked many summers at the grain elevator. We had a great time seeing so many family friends, farmers and people we knew many moons ago.

With all 6 kids in town we of course took a family picture. So glad to spend time with all my siblings!

We had a great time in Washington and were sad to pack up and leave the next morning. If only it weren't such a long drive each time we went to play with our Washington Family. Although we make the most of each visit!

Just Fun

We think it's just fun at Gram and Papa's house. We love to do so many things...

Play with her bunnies...brand new babies just for our visit.

Shoot a little hoop...

Cheering for our cousin's game.

A little light reading...I don't know how she thought of this, but really it was all her!

and a Washington trip wouldn't be the same without a trip to Ry and Hannah's to....

Ride the 4 wheeler

take care of the horses

and just hang out...

Simply said, Washington is just plain fun!

A Washington Day Trip

For my dad's birthday we gave him a whale watching tour. It seemed like something a retired person would go do right? Plus the rest of us really wanted to go, so we loaded up early one morning and headed 3 1/2 hours north to Everett, WA. After a quick stop at Krispy Kreme we arrived at the docks.

Before we even got on the boat we were able to see ducks, Osprey on a nest and a bald eagle...always a good sign!

We finally boarded the ship and were off on our adventure. It was quite a good group of us...Gram, Papa, Aunt Amy, Uncle Ray, Aunt Nancy, Harvey, Samantha, Lane, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Emily, Uncle Mark and Daniel. We missed Auntie Hannah and Uncle P...maybe next time!

We kept our eyes on the water in search of whales...and found a lazy sea lion hauled out on a buoy.

About 30 minutes in to our trip we were thrilled to see "smoke on the water." The sign of a grey whale coming up for air.

We watched 2 whales surface and dive back down to eat. They were feeding in shallow water so we only saw their back, but it was still thrilling to catch a glimpse and watch them dive down in one spot only to surface again a little further on.

The kids loved spending time with cousins and relaxing on the boat.

After our voyage we headed back to Seattle to Pikes, a family tradition when in Seattle. Tulips were in bloom, of course we all had to bring a few home!

We took a quick walk down the pier then headed home for the day.

It was a memorable day! Thanks dad for having a birthday so we could make it on a whale watching tour!

Washington-The first few days

As always when we take a trip to Washington we fill our time with all sorts of fabulous things! This trip was no different. We started by making the road trip more fun and bearable with our new car! A 2009 Ford Expedition...so luxurious compared to the 1998 Jeep, which we still own and love, but we LOVE our new car!

We can never get enough of our WA cousins when we're in town. The kids loved jumping on the trampoline and playing out in Gram and Papa's huge yard. Gram had new baby bunnies and new pigeons this time around too.

"Baby Daniel" had his first birthday party while we were there. He's a cutie and Avery still thinks she should be able to hold him. We had a great time at the party. The kids rode plasma cars and hit a bucket or two, or three of balls at the driving range at the fun center.

Thanks to the golf pros, Daddy, Uncle Ry and Cousin Samantha; Ethan and Avery looked good.

Auntie Hannah had a barrel race while we were there too. It was so fun to see her ride Jetta. She had a fantastic ride and won the top spot with a fast run. After the race she graciously gave Ethan and Avery a couple of rides.

Avery considers herself a real cowgirl now.

After the race Gram and Papa spoiled the grandkids with one more Easter Egg Hunt. The yard was littered with toys, treats, eggs and surprises.

My now professional hunters made out like bandits.

Avery got a new baby and a stroller. That girl will never have enough babies!

Ethan got the bow and arrow set he's been saving up his money for. He sold original works of art to family to earn extra money and was thrilled to open his package and see the "Arrowband" he'd been hoping for...after a few shots his mind started racing thinking about what he might buy with his money now... Three days down, 7 to go...stay tuned, it was an eventful trip!

Easter Revisited

I know Easter was a month ago, but we've been too busy traveling to blog about it...so here it is, our Easter Recap.

Ready for the hunt. I think Avery's face is priceless. I'm not sure what she really anticipated, but you can see it was going to be good!

A hunt, hunt, hunting we go!

The Easter Bunny and his little helper spoiled these kids...

I made orange roll Easter Bunnies for breakfast...the perfect fuel for more hunting.

After church we headed to Jenny's house to the Allen Family Hunt. Spoiled again! What a fabulous tradition!