Washington!

I still feel like I didn’t take pictures or use words that do justice to how much we liked exploring Portland, AND although this is not an apples-to-oranges comparison, we liked Olypmia/Seattle just as much (maybe even more).  

we didn’t SEE this state as much as we saw our people but we did see what we could where we were.  (and we’ll get some more of Washington on our way back through from Vancouver!)

our first stop was a state park just outside of the Olympia/Lacey area to visit my cousin Patti and her sweet daughter Madison (who none of us had yet to meet!).  our time here was so special.  the kids were immediate best friends, we celebrated Easter together with meals and eggs and candy, and even snuck in a tour of the state capitol.  

Olympia was smaller, quieter and beautiful.  the downtown scene, with Capitol Lake and a view of Puget Sound were delightful.  

these 2 are already missed. xoxo

then we ventured just east of Seattle to visit Ben’s aunt Chris and uncle Tom and see the city.  we stayed first at a campground between Fall City and Redmond, then for a couple extra days we parked at a neighbors of Chris and Tom’s in Sammamish. 

this whole area is STUNNING and you could throw a stick and hit a running trail.  we again, caught rainy days but managed a decent amount of sunshine in Seattle. 

dinner at Chris and Tom’s. xoxo (in the first picture I'm supposed to be holding Austin, who's hiding)

our morning in Seattle was jam packed but our kids were AMAZING.  there gotta be some really good days, right? :)  we got coffee at the original Starbucks, saw them throw fish at Pike’s Place Market and rode the Ferris wheel for incredible views of the port and the city.  

the fish on the right is always there.  they have a string/rope tied to it under the ice that the employees pull to move the fish when somebody gets close, for a good scare!

on the way home we stopped at a park on Mercer Island and were rewarded with a sweet playground and a dog park. 

our extended stay allowed us a quick trip to Snoqualmie Falls.  my favorite part was the rainbows. 

the rest of the weekend was filled with park play (we love to explore this way) and a special lunch with a special friend.  who knew we’d have lunch some day in Seattle and reminisce about the old days???!!  xoxoxo

on a whim, we decided we weren’t ready to head east yet, and instead drove to Vancouver, CANADA!!!  I’m so glad we did, but it’s kind of like we forgot we were going to a foreign country.  now that we’re successfully humbled, I can’t wait to tell you all about it. 

Happy April (now May) friends, 

xo

KG