We got to end our summer with some pretty awesome people coming to visit us for the week- Grandma, Papa P, Amy, Charlotte, Juliette, and Emily. We had so much fun with them and I love having my family come see us in Washington. We get to show them why we love living here and Paige loved having constant cousin time and always having someone to play with.
They arrived Saturday evening and we walked over to the lake to feed the ducks and play at the playground before heading to bed.
We ended the evening with some excitement. Poor Emily fell down the stairs and got a buckle fracture on her arm so it was a late night for them in the emergency room getting a cast on. The next day was Sunday and Amy and Emily stayed home since they were up late and the rest of us went to church. The rest of the day was pretty relaxing and just letting the girls play.
Monday we went to Tacoma to Titlow Park. We first went to the beach to do some beach combing, exploring, and playing in the sand.
Then we walked back over to the playground and ate a picnic. Then it was splash park time! The girls loved this especially Emily. We wrapped her cast in plastic wrap and it was pure joy on her face the entire time.
Baylor enjoyed sitting in the shade while the girls played. I put her feet and hands in the water a couple of time which she loved since she is a little water baby.
Tuesday we hurried and ate breakfast and got our lunch packed and head up to Mount Rainier. We were able to borrow a van from a family in our ward that was big enough to haul us all. It was fun to ride it and Nate loved driving it.
It was a beautiful day! The weather was perfect. The only downside was there was some smoke so a lot of the drive up it was hazy so you couldn't see the gorgeous view to its full potential. There were so many gorgeous wild flowers along the road and it was so green. I loved driving through the trees and just enjoying the beauty of the Earth.
We got up to Paradise and had our picnic. We had an awesome view of Mount Rainier from where we were eating.
Then we drove up to the visitor center at Paradise to go the bathroom and get some pictures.
We loved our car for the day!
Then we stopped at some waterfalls right after Paradise to feel the water and of course more pictures. It was truly beautiful and the girls loved exploring.
I have seen some sort of wildlife every time I have gone to Mount Rainier and the only thing I got to see this time was a frog. :)
Then we stopped at a lake with a view of the mountain before going down to where we couldn't see it anymore because of the haze.
Then we went and hiked the Grove of the Patriarch. This is a great hike for kids. It is easy and short. You hike along a river, you get to cross a suspension bridge, and there are some enormous trees to see.
We stopped at the river before heading home and enjoying putting our feet in the water and skipping rocks. The water felt good after all the dusty walking we did throughout the day.
Wednesday was a much more chill day compared to our busy Tuesday and it was my 29th birthday. It was nice to relax and just enjoy family for the day. We started the day by going to the Black Diamond Bakery for some donuts for breakfast. We walked around by the train even though the museum was closed.
We then stopped by Covington Community Park and my parents and Charlotte picked blackberries while the rest of us walked around the walking path.
We then went home for a the rest of the day. I stayed home with Baylor while she took a nap and I made my birthday dessert and dinner. The rest went to the lake for lunch and played on the playground. Then they decided they wanted to put their feet in the water which led to their whole bodies getting wet. :) Then once they got back the girls played outside and gave us all a fashion show.
We had lasagna and bread sticks for dinner and then delicious pavlova for dessert. It was a great birthday! I asked Nate for the Magnolia Table which is the cookbook from Joanna Gaines. I knew that is was he got me so when we gave it to me he jokingly said you better like it since you know what it is. I smiled but then really laughed when I opened up my gift. Nate had wrapped two of Paige's books up- Everybody Poops and The Gas We Pass- to trick me. My husband sure knows how to make me laugh and that is what I like the most about him.
Thursday we spent most of the day at Lake Meridian. The morning was pretty relaxing. The girls played with play dough and some other things at the house until it was time for lunch. We went to get the free lunch at the lake and then they played at the playground until it was time to head to the Carters.
Every Thursday throughout the summer the Carters invite people to play at their house in the lake. We went to the last one and the girls loved playing in the water. Paige got super brave and went out pretty deep with her cousins. It was nice for them all to enjoy the water while I got to visit with Amy and my mom. Amy and I jumped in twice before heading home. The water felt really good and I am glad we did it.
While the girls were playing outside, Nate secretly filled up some water balloons. This picture is the first one that he threw at them- I love their reactions of surprise and what is going on?
This led to get Uncle Nate with all the water balloons. :)
And they did a water balloon toss and Emily and Paige just played some water balloons by the porch.
Then we ended the day taking the kayaks out on the lake. The three older girls liked swimming and Emily spent most of the time in the kayaks switching to whoever would take her out.
Friday was our Seattle day. We first went to the Seattle Goodwill and then went to Seattle Center. We had a picnic by the Science Center and then we walked around for the rest of the day. First we stopped at the fountain and watched it for a while until going to the playground.
This playground was packed but super awesome. Each adult was in charge of a kid and followed them around. I climbed up twice with Paige since it was pretty high and Paige is scared of heights. I was happy to though since it was pretty cool. I loved having a amazing view of the space needle most of the day.
We then took the monorail to Westlake Mall.
We walked the few blocks down to Pike's Place Market. It was so crowded and that was an experience in itself. While Nate waited in line to get some donuts, the rest of us went down to the gum wall.
We then took the monorail back to Seattle Center and walked a few more blocks for dinner.
We went to Dick's for dinner. I love going to eat at Dick's. It is simple to order from and has great food. I enjoyed a shake and all the kids especially Baylor loved eating some ice cream cones for dessert.
We ended our Seattle Day going to a Seattle Storm basketball game at Key Arena. We got the free tickets from the library. I love going and enjoying the atmosphere there. It was pretty loud for Baylor though she slept through some of it and then I plugged her ears for the rest. They won the game which was exciting! It was a long day and a lot of walking for the girls but it was a really fun day.
Saturday we had a chill day and just relaxed and recovered from our busy Seattle day. We went to the lake and we even did some tubing which was super relaxing and makes me want to go float a river. Maybe next year when Baylor is bigger.
We ended our day with some smores. Since there is a burn ban we improvised and roasted them on the stove top.
On one of the first days the girls spent the day decorating their "room." They were up late most nights giggling and talking. They had so much fun and I'm glad that they got to have this time together and make so many fun memories.
Every night I read them a bedtime story. I enjoyed this time with them!
Sunday was their last day here. We went to church and had some lunch before we said our goodbyes.
I'm lucky to have such amazing family and I am grateful that they all got to come and visit us. It was such a fun week and we did so many fun things!
