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:)

Fun with Family...Grandpa's House First Day...

I went and picked Stephenie and Raelee up early on the last day of the kids school year. We dropped Stephenie off at home, then Raelee and I went to pick the kids up from school. Nicole ran for Raelee as soon as she saw her and they gave each other a big hug. Amanda's teacher invited Raelee in for their last slide dance of the year:Then we traveled over to Grandpa's house for the weekend. Nate created a new tree swing (since he broke the last one) and the girls got to push Nate around for a change:

And the girls pushed each other too:

They laughed and had lots of fun watching each other on the swing:They all settled right in and went to sleep. Raelee and Stephenie were understandbly very tired after such a long day of traveling.

More fun, fun, fun!!!

What a week! The weather has been absolutely gorgeous for the last few days. This week I've "helped" John move two trailer loads of wood beams: and another of pavers, gone on a field trip where Nate and his class went on a hike and fished slimy water out of a slough: and then studied the creatures in the water under a telescope (which is MUCH cooler than it sounds): had fun at the park with Amanda: ate lunch with the kids at school, visited the zoo and aquarium in Tacoma with Amanda's best friends and Nate (who was moving too fast to photograph!): and a fort in the same park, and gone shopping with my best friend (John!). Next week I'll be preparing for a visit from my favorite (and only) grand-niece and her mom and for the last week of school.

Summer at Grandpa's House (a little early)...

We traveled to Eastern Washington in search of the sun and to help celebrate Dad's 71st birthday. The kids played on the tractor (it doesn't have the grass cutter anymore so it's completely safe):

We made s'mores in Dad's brand new firepit (his birthday present from us):

The girls planted the garden where they will have tomatoes, cucumbers, and raspberries this year:

And Nate broke the cherished tire swing. Grandpa's going to make one out of a wood disk and heavy rope to replace it. The kids can't wait!!!