Lublin Reunion in Seattle

We hosted the Lublin Reunion in July. I thought we should do one so I volunteered to plan it. We wanted to do some fun activities with the kids that they haven't done before. It was a fun weekend and the cousins had fun being together. We made lots of memories along the way. We met Dee Ann, Melanie and the kids on Thursday near North Bend area to do a hike. Kyle and I had never done this hike before, but it looked like a good family hike. It was to the Franklin Falls. It was a beautiful day and a fun well marked path. Dee Ann even made it! The last little bit down to the falls was the trickiest because you walk on rocks and it was slippery getting down. The kids wanted to swim so bad so we should have brought swim suits. 

You can see Nathan on top of the rock ledge. Melanie's boys are typical boys and like to explore and do boy stuff so it's fun to watch. I'm not used to a typical boy. 

Kate and Kathryn went exploring up along this cliff edge so you can see them way up there. This area is close to Snoqualmie pass and the overpass on I-90 is above this area. 

The next morning we got up and out the door early to see the Fremont Troll. It was a quick stop and some climbing then back into the car to see the Ballard Locks. It started raining and I didn't bring a rain coat or umbrella so I was not happy. I was annoyed b/c it has been a beautiful summer with great weather and the one time we have family in town to do outdoorsy stuff and it rains. Ugh. 

Melanie got this picture of these two 3 year olds holding hands and following each other. They were cute on the hike the day before too. They were talking to each other and helping one another.

Next stop was Pike's Place Market. It was a zoo! We basically pushed our way through the crowd and tried not to lose anyone. We got a picture on the pig and saw some pretty flowers and watched them throw some fish then we were done. The rain had let up too. Phew. 

The infamous gum wall. We had to leave our mark and see all the grossness of it. It's kind of cool though. 

We hurried to our next activity which was Ride the Ducks. This has been on my bucket list and so I was really excited for it. Everyone loved it. It was such a fun thing to do for all ages. It was nice to relax on the bus and look at things while someone else drove us around. The driver was hilarious and gave funny jokes as well as lots of information we didn't know about Seattle. It's a land and water tour so we did the land tour first then went into the water. I was nervous about that, but it was fun to float around in Lake Union for a bit and see the houseboats. (The vehicle is an amphibious one where it can go on land and turn into a boat. Cool!) We saw the one from Sleepless in Seattle and even got to see a water plane take off. 

Afterwards, we walked across the street to the Seattle Center where they have this huge new play area. It's free and a lot of fun for the kids. It was pretty busy, but the kids had fun climbing up and sliding on the big slides. 

We walked to see the International Fountain and we were nice and let the kids play in it. They got somewhat wet and loved it. 

We had to hurry back to go to an Aquasox baseball game in Everett. I hurried and made dinner, but it was rushed and stressful. I was throwing out the first pitch so I had to be there early. We should have left downtown Seattle earlier, but oh well. I was stressed as we drove to the stadium and I ran in and barely made it in time! Kate came with me to video me throwing out the pitch because the others were parking the cars! It was a fun experience though. It was LDS night at the game and so they have a couple people from the big groups at the game throw out the first pitch. The Public Relations guy is in our ward and a couple weeks prior was asking Kyle if he wanted to do it and I said, "I should b/c I'm the one that played softball so he was like okay do you want to do it?!" "Yes!"haha! We stayed for most of the game, but kids were tired and parents were too. We came home and got kids to bed. What a day! 

The next morning we took it easy and went to the mall to take the kids to the Lego store and American Girl Store. Dee Ann got Lindsey her birthday present early at Build a Bear. Lindsey was so excited. We went to see the minion movie too. 

Dee Ann playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64 with the kids. 

It was a lot of fun! Can't wait until our next reunion!

Visitors and Donuts

Chelsea looked like a hot mess with two black eyes! She hit her nose on the corner of her bed and luckily it didn't break the skin and need stitches. She just looked bad for a while. Poor girl. 

My old neighbor and friend, Darbi, came down from Alaska to visit family so we met up at the Mukilteo beach and let the kids play. We also met up at her parent's apartment complex pool for swimming the next day. It was fun to catch up with her. She is liking Alaska and busy with a gym she is a personal trainer at. Her and Mat divorced recently and that is sad. The kids seem to like it up in Alaska, but they  miss their cousins down in the states. 

Asher, Logan, Chelsea, Lindsey, Kate, Dallas and Preston

Krispy Kreme was having some special with their donuts and so to be spontaeous and fun I wanted to go down to North Seattle with Kate to get some. Kate had never been to a Krispy Kreme before so I wanted to show her. I don't even like the donuts all that well, but it's fun to go see the store. Well, we are cruising along the freeway and about to get off the exit when I hear a loud popping sound and then the car starts to feel funny. I hear a louder sound and then slow down and get over to the exit lane. I tell Kate I think our tire is flat. I pull over on the exit and sure enough the tire is flat. Ugh. I don't remember how to change a tire so I call Kyle, but he's not too happy to have to get the younger kids loaded up and come down to help me. He told me someone will stop once you start getting stuff out of the trunk. I was mad at him for not being willing to help me so I figured I could do it on my own. I start getting stuff out of the trunk and sure enough a dude stops immediately and he could barely speak English. He pointed to the tire and said some words and basically we agreed that yes it's flat and I need help. He goes back to his car and pulls out this T wrench thing and goes to work. He was SO FAST! He had that tire changed in less than 5 minutes. It was amazing and so nice of him. I profusely thanked him and we were on our way. Oh and Kyle was right. Someone did stop and Kyle wouldn't have made it to the freeway by the time this guy had my tire changed. I was so grateful for this guy. He was probably on his way home after a long day of work and just wanted to get home, not stop and help someone with their tire, but he did. 

The huge hunk of metal that popped our tire. Grrrr.

Kate loved the donut process and was so interested in it. I was too because I love factories and shows that show how things are made. We got our donuts and off to home we went. 

Chelsea made an even more of a mess of her walls. That girl! Where does she get those markers from! Magic Eraser has become my new best friend. 

I finally caved and started watching Downton Abbey. It was all the rage and so popular, but I wasn't interested at first. Well, after the first show Kyle and I were hooked. Yes, Kyle watched every single episode with me. At first he didn't want people to know he was watching them, but now he doesn't care. They are so good and we can't wait for the last season to start next year. Sad it's the last season. It was kind of fun watching all the episodes back to back. You retain a lot more of the story line that way. We have never watched a show like that before so it was interesting. 

4th of July

We went up to Mattawa park for the flag raising ceremony and pancake breakfast the ward puts on. I liked this picture of Chelsea sitting in the dirt staring up at the giant flag. Thank goodness for our freedoms! 

Our neighbors and friends, Mark and Shannon Wright, came over for the 4th of July at my parents house. Our kids play a lot since we live next door to each other and we have been wanting them to come out and visit our parents house. They have never been on tractors or on a farm so it was fun to take them to my Dad's shop and let them drive a tractor. The kids were loving it. Then we went back to the house for swimming and motorcycle rides.

Sparkles and lots of glow in the dark jewelry. Mark and Kyle went to the Indian Reservation up in Marysville to get fireworks before we came over. They said it was crazy to see all the firework stands and how pushy the salespeople were with trying to get them to buy their fireworks. They got some good deals and got the good illegal fireworks that light up the sky. 

Silverwood

I hadn't been to Silverwood in forever so I was excited to take our kids there. We used to do Remlinger Farms, but it was getting too babyish so we decided to do Silverwood this year and it was a lot of fun! We went the day before 4th of July. We went with my parents and Sara came too. Derek couldn't come b/c of farm stuff, but Sara brought Landon and Zane. It was VERY hot the day we went. We drove up early in the morning and stayed until 8pm that night then drove home. We did the rides first and were melting by the time we finished and went over to the water park. The water felt heavenly. The lines for the rides weren't long at all which was so nice. We went on all the roller coasters even the new one, Panic Plunge, which I didn't think was that bad. The water rides had longer lines, but still it wasn't too bad. The kids liked the wave pool and kiddie area the best. We will have to go back next year!  

My Dad treated us to ice cream. We devoured it in the shade.

Preston likes these characters. Here is Odie from Garfield. (I didn't even know who he was until Melanie told me when I posted a picture of this on Instagram! haha!) Preston's not afraid of them at all which surprises me. It's funny to watch him interact with them. 

Sara and I enjoying the water and lazy river.

On the train ride before we left. They take you around the park and do a scene/skit out in the woods. It was funny because the main dude on the train was picking on our group. Funny times.

Chelsea was worn out!

Leaving Silverwood! Until next year! I had to get a picture of the pretty flowers. It reminded me of Disneyland with how well kept the park was and how pretty the flowers were everywhere.