Wednesday, July 5, 2017

Happy 4th of July (a day late)!

Nathan had to miss the last day of Lego camp on 6/2 because a kid was diagnosed with chicken pox.  Luckily, Nathan never got it.  6/2 GG turned 99!

Nathan started summer school on 6/5.

I went to Tohono Chul Park on 6/8.

We went to Chicago for GG's birthday party on 6/11.

Lisa came to visit 6/13-6/22.  We all went to see Cars 3 on 6/16.  Paul, Nathan and Lisa went to Funtasticks the next day.  That night Paul and I went to dinner at Vivace.

We left for our vacation to the Pacific Northwest on 6/23.  We flew into Seattle.  The following day we made our way to Portland, OR stopping at some waterfalls including Multnomah Falls and ending the day at Portland Japanese Gardens.  Multnomah Falls was busy since it was a Saturday and it was also hard photographing because I was shooting into the sun.  The Portland Japanese Gardens were a little disappointing, too.  They had one star attraction which was a little waterfall with koi fist and irises.  I have seen pictures of this place in the Fall and it is absolutely beautiful so one day I hope to return in the Fall.  Sunday we went to Cannon Beach.  I loved it there and wish we had more time.  We got there early before most of the people started arriving.  We explored the tide pools and walked the beach.  They even have puffin there, but I don't think I saw any.  We did see an eagle in, though, so the seagulls and other birds went crazy.  Then we made our way to Vancouver, British Columbia that night.  Monday we went over to Stanley Park.  We went to the aquarium there and walked around the park.  Then we went to the Vancouver Lookout and ate at the revolving restaurant.  On the way back to the hotel we stopped to see the steam clock.  Paul also bought me an ammolite necklace in Vancouver.  The following day we drove to Seattle.  We went to the Space Needle and ate at the revolving restaurant.  Then we went over the Public Market and got there just as they were closing up.  We got to see them throw some fish, though!  We ended the night with a Mariners game.  They lost to the Phillies, 2-8.  Wednesday we went to Mount Rainier National Park.  We saw deer, beautiful waterfalls and the snow-capped mountain.  Paul thinks we saw about 1/4 of the park.  The following mourning we took the same route through the park in reverse to get back to the Seattle airport to leave town.  Just before entering the park we saw elk with a baby.  As we were leaving the park I finally got to see a marmot, my first time seeing one ever.  We missed a turn somewhere, though, and had to take an alternate route to the airport.  We were cutting it very close and made it to the gate just as they were boarding the plane.  This was Nathan's first time going out of the country.  We got home to the 105+ temp so I missed the 50s and 60s of Mount Rainier National Park.

For the 4th of July we just cooked out and watched the fireworks from our back balcony.

Sunday Paul leaves for Burlington.  Nathan starts the 3rd session of summer school on Monday.  He is taking Baking Buddies, Non-Stop Art, Indoor Games and World Explorers.