Sunday, August 21, 2011

WA 2011

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We had an amazing 3 weeks in WA. We really enjoyed being spoiled by family and awesome weather!! It never rained a drop the entire time we were there.

I flew out with the kids early on July 22. I was a little nervous about flying with the kids by myself, but they did awesome! They were so excited and didn't even play with half the stuff I bought. I even managed to read an entire magazine on the flight!! On our flight home we had a red-eye and they surprised me with how well they did. Caleb went right to sleep and I gave Joel some Benedryl and he and Kiera slept too! It was such a blessing to have the kids do so well!

Much of our time in WA was spent just sitting around either at my parents or my sisters house. Those who know us best know we love to sit around and chat while drinking diet coke! We made sure to enjoy this daily! The kids were able to play outside a ton and I rarely saw Kiera as she LOVED being with her girl cousins. We took a trip to Jungle Playland again, enjoyed playing in the sand at the beach and having a picnic, and digging in Opa's bark pile at home. A highlight was getting to ride Amtrak up to Bellingham. It was a 30 min. trip and the kids just LOVED it. It was so beautiful riding along the water and lots of fun to see my train loving boys so wide-eyed!

We were also able to celebrate some birthdays while out there. Rylee had turned one just before we came, so we were able to give her our gift. Rhyson turned one while we were there, so we had a fun b-day party with him eating cupcakes! My mom also turned 60, so we HAD to go to Red Robin to celebrate! Sioux Falls really needs to get one!

We enjoyed family reunions on both sides of the family. My dad's side had a fun afternoon barbecue complete with water gun fights and ice cream! My mom's side got together for the first time in 11 years! We celebrated my grandparents 61st wedding anniversary! It was so fun to spend a weekend with all of them reminiscing and eating GREAT food!

Overall, we had a blast and made lots of fun memories. Enjoy the pictures!!!

Fort Casey

One of the last days we were in WA we headed out to Fort Casey on Whidbey Island. This is one of our favorite places to visit and the weather couldn't have been more perfect! We packed a picnic and then spent the rest of the time walking through the darkened fort with glow sticks and flashlights. We ended with our traditional hike down the beach to throw rocks and build driftwood houses. The kids had a blast and we really enjoyed our time with extended family!

Lunchables and Subway...mmmm!
Helping Opa fly a kite
Heading down to check out the fort
Walking through the rooms
Beautiful WA state ferry...I love this place!
Some of the kids in front of one of the canons
Hiking down to the beach
The kids found a driftwood fort already made!

Joel
Caleb
The big boys building their house


The finished product
Cousin Cody showing the boys a snake he found--typical boys
Some tuckered out little boys on the ride home!