reading with Samuel

This is before we cut Samuels hair. Boy he had a fuzzy head. More pictures soon.

Mimi visits

Daddy goes to the Aquarium.

I took a First Aid/CPR class last Saturday so that I can fill in at a day care whenever they need extra help. Nick took Lillian and Samuel to the Aquarium to touch star fish and gawk at a very large Octopus. To add to the fun, they road the bus and walked the market. Nick had Samuel in his Backpack carrier and in a Charlie Chaplin moment knocked over a bucket of water on an old lady. I always get a good story from their times together.

Sight seeing with Mimi.

This is the Sound from a 500+ acer park down town. It was a short trip but the setting sun was nice. Most of Sheryl's visit was cold and rainy; we had fun anyway. Lillian loved having her Grandmother to tirelessly play "Pet store" and "Dog gets hit by a car" games. Plus all the other Grandma kinda stuff, Paper Dolls, reading books, going to the playground (sorta). I think I observed Sheryl on the floor with the children most of the time. I have to say, I really enjoyed unusual free time.


Richmond Beach

We had a good time today. Nick took the day off and we did some sightseeing. This beach is full of rocks, clearly. So, we spent most of our time trying to find the most beautiful ones. Finally, the clouds broke and it began to warm up (66).

Ferry Ride to Kingston

There is a snack bar on the Ferry, so nothing is more fun than "Tee-toes" on a boat. Except Samuel did not get "Tee-toes" he got Chex-mix. Lillian was kind enough to share a few. This was my first trip on one of the ferry's and I was surprised the boats where so large. Kingston is at least a great place to sit and have lunch, it really was quite pretty. Though, I think my opinion of the very small town was probably swayed by the fact that the sun was shining. A scrap yard would be a magical land to me if the sun shone on it. Actually, I really do get excited when I see large heaps of metal. Anyway, it was a lovely day and my family came home with rosy cheeks. To all of you who may be suffering in the heat of summer; I send you pleasant thoughts. I am in a sweater and my cucumbers are growing...if they are growing, at such a slow rate I may not get them until fall. In my summoning of hope, I bought a pair of sunglasses that might make Elton John blush; because I know the sun is up there somewhere, I saw it peek its head through the clouds once.

Hiking

Saturday we went on a hike UP a mountain. Lillian was amazing. I had more trouble than she did. It was a great time, beautiful day, and it felt so good to exert myself after sedate winter living. I hope you enjoy the pictures of the lovely state of Washington. I am still wondering if I think it is this greatest place on earth (probably not) but I couldn't be more glad to be here.

Samuel and Nick marvel at the climbers.

Samuel was very interested in the folks climbing the wall. He kept saying "Plime, plime". He didn't take his eyes off of them. He is going to make a great "Plimer" some day.

Going up.

These are not pictures of the rain forest. I look forward to making a trip over there this summer some time. Little Mt. Si is in the Cascades (east of Seattle). The rain forest and Olympic mountains separate us from the Pacific coast.

The three Billy Goats Gruff ahead.

Almost to the top.

View from the top...of Little Mt Si.

I am serious about Lillian doing an amazing job. Look how high we climbed. I was so impressed. Five miles round trip and Andy only carried her a few times. The trick is in the imagination (and fun company). She pretended to be a mountain goat at least half the hike.

Lily Billy Goat Gruff.

Climbin man.

We stopped at the top for a rocky (and damp) picnic. Samuel was released from the backpack and boy did he go. "Plime,plime" up and down the top of the mountain and for a moment I was like "Argh, what are we thinking". But he loved it and so it was fine...

Thank you Janna and Andy for being so much fun!