Wow, is it really almost August???

I know this is no excuse, but we've been incredibly busy this past month. Let's see if I can remember everything we've done. We went to Grandma's house for 4th of July and the kids set off fireworks. John and Nate attended Cub Scout Resident camp for four days and three nights. The girls went to several birthday parties. We climbed the rock climbing wall at REI. We went to Cub Scout Twilight camp every night for five nights, and we went to Grandpa's house to a family reunion. We tamed the jungle in our backyard, but it took six people two days to do it. We've had an old friend visit from Texas, an Uncle and Aunt and their family visit from Ohio (six people in all), and now another Uncle and Aunt from Ohio is in town. There, that covers it. As for pics, I'll be working on those next. Next we'll be headed to a 10-day beach vacation out of state. I sure hope we have a few minutes to catch our breath there!

Cruising in Seattle...

At the end of a long day exploring the Seattle Center, we decided to take a Seattle Harbour Cruise to check out the view from the water. Raelee was so tired that she fell asleep in her mom's arms and napped for a little while. I took a few pictures before taking the kids below with me to keep them entertained for the duration of the cruise.

The kids enjoyed playing games in the galley while waiting for the cruise to end:

And having their pics taken at the end of the cruise:

We traveled home with four very tired children. We had such a wonderful day!!!

Swimming in Seattle...

On Stephenie and Raelee's 2nd day exploring Seattle, the day dawned bright and beautiful. We drove to Seattle and rode up to the top of the Space Needle to see the panoramic view:After we got done looking at the view, we took the kids to the International Fountain to eat a picnic lunch and play in the water:

I think they all enjoyed it!

After the kids got done playing at the International Fountain, we took them to a wading pool close by to play for a little while.

After they got done swimming, we changed the kids back into their clothes and traveled to the Seattle waterfront to get in line for a harbour cruise of Seattle's Elliot Bay. That will be the material for my next post. We enjoyed having them visit so much!!!

Seattle Center Roaming...

After we finished at the Science Center, we took the kids for a walking tour of the Seattle Center grounds. The Seattle Center is a huge park containing the Pacific Science Center, the Space Needle, the Seattle Children's Museum, the Seattle Children's Theater, the International Fountain, the DuPen Wading Pool and Fountain, the Key Arena, and other local attractions. Raelee was really interested in the International Fountain and enjoyed running around the outside of the fountain and dodging random shots of water. She heeded our warnings about not getting wet, but Amanda was unable to escape ALL of the water:We took some pictures of Stephenie to prove that she actually visited. I don't think we got many of those.We enjoyed the day. It was warmer than it looked (in the upper 60's and low 70's), but still not Louisiana hot. We tried swimming later in the week.

Pacific Science Center...Here we come...

We were on a mission to complete as much as we could in a small amount of time. First up was the Pacific Science Center. The girls waited patiently while we paid to get in:Then all the kids worked together to move a huge weight:
Raelee loved the butterfly exhibit!

She played at the music exhibit:

They posed outside so we could take some pictures:And even more pictures:

Next up...the Seattle Center grounds.

Cousins...

The girls bonded so quickly it was hard to tell that they weren't all sisters. Here is one of my favorite pictures of them sitting together and talking. If you look closely, you'll see the slot machine that they spent all of my money, John's money, and even some of Grandpa's money playing. Raelee got a Jackpot which is the first one we've ever gotten!

More Fun at Grandpa's House...

On the evening of the second day, Dad surprised us with tickets to a car race in Wenatchee. We were skeptical about how the kids would do but were amazed at how much they liked it (at least for a little while):The girl in the purple sweatshirt is a friend of our kids.

Raelee enjoyed dancing to the music:

And checked in with Mom several times:
They played on the playground:
Raelee got tired and cold and we knew it was time to go:

And Nate was in his own little world. He loved every moment of it and ended up staying late with Grandpa and Daddy. I took the girls home as it got dark and put them to bed. John even tried to Hula Hoop as part of a Father's Day contest: At least he had fun trying:)