Seattle Aquarium

Today we left the small comforting town of Sequim and headed to the hustle and bustle of Seattle. Tom and I have been planning on taking the kids to see the Seattle Aquarium since the plans to head to Seattle started to surface. The plan was to head out early and grab a ferry (I kept my eyes peeled for McDreamy!!) over to Seattle.



We finally made it to the landing at 11, just in time to miss the ferry and had to wait 45 minutes for the next one. This was the first ferry ride for both Lucius and Maggie. When I tell you that they were excited, you just have to imagine them running around screaming in circles!!!
They were also very impressed with the mountain in the distance (Mt. Rainier). Lucius kept telling me it was the top of dragon mountain (some of you might recognize as a Backyardigan show....and now I have the song stuck in my head!).

And of course I couldn't resist taking a picture on a Seattle icon: The space needle.


Finally we made it across and set off on foot (and stroller) to find the aquarium. After making a couple of u-turns, we finally found it on pier 59.

The first thing that we HAD to go see was the octopus. Lucius is learning about the letter 'O' in pre-K and they are drawing/coloring octopus' just about everyday.



The highlight of the day was seeing Nemo, Marlin and Dory all in the same tank!!! The movie Finding Nemo comes in a close second behind her ultimate favorite, Tinkerbell.

The kids had a great time looking at all the sea life. There were a couple of exhibits that had divers that would feed the fish. The kids really got a kick out of waving to him and high fiving the diver through the glass.

Afterwards, we wanted to grab a bit to eat. Of course this was a little bit of a struggle. I felt like the kids would do better with something like McDonalds. BUT Tom and I both wanted get some AUTHENTIC seafood. (I mean, we can eat McD in Dothan!). End the end, we chose a very over priced restaurant on the bay. I'm sure that we would have enjoyed it more without our wonderful hungry, well behaved no nap children. Maggie is just started on that lovely stage called the terrible two's. And I just not really sure how to handle her. We will def be rethinking the entire eating out situation for a while!

After lunch, we hightailed it back to the ferry, and OF COURSE, missed the ferry. I mean it was still sitting there, but full so we couldn't get on it!!!!! Another hour wait. So Tom and I amused ourselves with the camera and the self timer! All in all it was a great day. The weather was amazing and the kids had several firsts!

Washington, Day Three

Can you believe that Abbie Grace is five months?

We have been in Washington now for three full days. The kids are having a blast. Today was very low key. We stayed at the house and the kids played outside most of the day. Tom and I tried to take a short sight seeing trip to Port Angeles, but the weather didn't agree with us. So we ended up heading to Wal-mart to pick up some items and came back home.

Who needs expensive toys when there is a plastic cup and rocks around?

The weather is so nice......In the upper sixty's most of the day.

Everyone took a turn wearing Grandma's gardening hat.

Meeting the Family

Lucius is having a ball hanging out with his Grandma and Grandpa. They are quickly becoming his 'best-friends'. He is especially enjoying heading out doors with his Grandma and playing in the gardens with her. I am amazed at how easily the kids can open up to someone that they have not had a chance to get to know. I think that as we get older, it is harder and harder to really let someone in. I am so thankful that they are now getting a chance to spend some time with Tom's parents.

Today we were supposed to be heading to the park for a family picnic, but the rains came and we had to head indoors. We had a small little family reunion over at the In-Laws house so that they could meet the kids. Sue (MIL) had her mom (Grandma GG) and both her sister and brother. Also there was Tom's sister, Becky.

(I must get better about picking up the camera. This is one of the only pictures that I took)

Do you ever wish that you could hire a zap guy to just follow you around?



Tom, Sue, and Maggie

Can you believe that we are all smiling and looking at the camera?

Still up for this week: Tom and I are going to get a date night on Tuesday. And we are taking the kids to the Seattle aquarium on Thursday.

War Eagle Baby!

Just had to share our first Game Day pictures.

Auburn won their first game of the season and we were very excited!

I was quite concerned that the game would not be shown over on the west coast, but IT WAS!

(it is so hard to get a good picture of everyone!!! Esp when you are always the one behind the camera.)

We are still hanging out with the In-Laws in Washington. The kids are having a great time with Grandma and Grandpa. They have a small 'orchard' of sorts in the backyard. Lucius spent all day Saturday outside picking fruit of the trees. There were apples, pears, plums, tomatoes and blueberries. They also have a peach tree and grapes, but those weren't ripe.

Totally makes me want to get some land and plant some trees. What a great way to have fresh food at your fingertips (while I know that this is not a NEW concept, it's totally new to me!)

The kids also got a quick ride on the tractor!

Lucius met two of his cousins for the first time. (Maggie was sleeping.) Kyle and Sarah are several years older than Lucius, but they played outside together and had a great time.