Saturday July 29th we took off for Washington. We stayed the night with Becca and Blake on the way there to divide up the trip, which is always nice. They're so sweet (they often load the kids up with more snacks) and we always look forward to any stops and visits over at their place.
Monday morning we met Fred and Robin and their kiddos at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Fred has a high school buddy that works there that was able to get most of us in for free which was nice.
We watched a bird show, and during part of it they would have this little pig come out and do a little comedic act. Her name was Annabelle, so we got a picture of our Annabelle with Annabelle the pig!
Elisabeth, Reese and Annabelle love to spend time together.
The girls loved this otter! It was crazy all over the place swimming all around, jumping in and out of the water. The girls tried to follow it but it was hard to keep up with.
We didn't go to the Seattle Center this year (it's always too crowded and crazy down town), but after the zoo you could see the Space Needle on the way home so we snapped a picture.
My brother Luis, my 14 year old nephew Denali and I went for a run together one morning. We did 8 miles I think? We ran the first half all together and then Luis told us to go ahead for the second half (we did an out and back on a trail). We did around 8 to 8:30/min mile pace on the way back and it was easy peasy for Denali here, though that's hard for me so I was red faced and more breathless.
Mom rented out their clubhouse for a day so we had a family gathering for a baby shower for Lani and birthday celebrations for her new baby son, Luis and Andre, all of whom have July/August birthdays.
We were so excited that my nephew Andre was able to make it out from California where he's stationed for the Marines (he is a helicopter mechanic)! And his dad CJ was even able to make it out for the day which was wonderful (he lives in Tennessee or Georgia, and is a flight attendant so he can fly around pretty easily). I hadn't seen Andre since my dad died two years ago, and I hadn't seen CJ since Andre was probably 2 year old so it'd been awhile!
The cousins playing some pool: Shaun, Charles, Bella and Andre.
And of course, our traditional Roman candles for the birthday celebrations! I'm not sure how or when this started, but years ago, and I'm guessing my mom didn't have normal birthday candles for a birthday cake, so she pulled out her emergency Roman candles and it's stuck over the years.
My mom doesn't have a piano anymore since she downsized this past year, so when Elisabeth saw one in the clubhouse she went over and played Adele's Hello and the cousins joined round and sang! Love it!
My brother Fred playing pool with the littles.
Robin and Ellen playing.
Charles holding baby Spencer.
Andre and Jane getting ready to play one of the baby shower games. Jane and Nora loved being with Andre! If he was there, they were right there with him! Jane prays for Andre each night in her personal prayers, that he'll be safe in the Marines and she has for years.
CJ, Luis, Denali, Ann and Andre (and Annabelle in the front).
Mom here is explaining the rules to the 'guess what's in the poopy diaper' game. They are different types of candy bars. And I won the game, getting every single one correct, including the Kind and Lara Bars!!!
We got a kick out of the decor of the retirement center's clubhouse with it's antlers, deer heads, and old paintings and we loved the knitted section that was kept in glass with items that were for sale. So cute! I'm so happy my mom is here in this sweet community of people!
