Summer

Here are a few more pictures of our summer adventures.  Matthew went on a three day campout and bike ride with the young men from church. Scott also went as one of the leaders - so we have pictures!!

Matthew seemed to have a good time even though his bike is now too small for him - we'll get him a new bike soon.

The tunnel

Matthew and Dad

Matthew also taught himself to knit over the summer - I am impressed because when I've tried to teach myself to knit I just end up frustrated and angry.  So good job Matthew!!

Emma got her wish of trying boba for the first time.

She hated it.

So did John.

So now they know

Backyard swimmy pool fun

Playing at a park near us

Picking blackberries

At the swimming hole

Emma and I did the downtown bird walk - you can find the 10 or so statues of birds in downtown - using a vague guide we printed out online - it was still pretty hard but we finally found them all.

And we got donuts afterward

We visited Washington State University in Pullman, Washington.  I have never been out there and it was so interesting.  Pullman is a really small town next to nothing and there are no big roads that go there.  We drove on a lot of empty country roads - not seeing another car for miles and miles.  Finally we arrived in "the Palouse" - a region of Washington (and maybe parts of Idaho/Oregon) that is all low rolling hills - it looks like a bunch of sand dunes, mostly with wheat growing on them.  Washington State University and the town of Pullman are right in the midst of the Palouse.  Here we are by a cougar statue - WSU's mascot is the cougar - like BYU.

Looking down over the practice field.  We took a thorough walking tour of WSU - it was a pretty cool campus.  We didn't have time to do individual tours of major departments or anything but got a good feel.

Getting some WSU gear

We learned they have a grizzly bear rescue program at the school and you can go see the grizzly bears - pretty close up - pretty much whenever you want.  Glad we got to visit!!

Seattle

 

A few days after getting home from our epic midwestern road trip, we took a day trip to Seattle.  We toured the University of Washington campus.  On the way in we hit some serious traffic and were delayed quite a bit - I forgot what big city traffic can be like.  Portland traffic is not as big and crazy as some larger cities and we don't even get into traffic there that often since its usually weekends if we venture into Oregon.  Anyway in spite of traffic delays we made it to our tour on time and had a great time seeing the university.

Fountain at UW

Inside the beautiful library at UW

It was a quick visit but Matthew and Anna both really liked the campus and we got a lot of good info

A quick stop at the space needle - didn't go up inside it on this trip

We visited Pike Place Market and walked around the area near it for a while.  It was a warm day - then we had dinner.

And went to a Mariner's game - we haven't taken the kids to that many pro-sporting events but it was so fun!  I didn't realize it was very restrictive on what bags you can bring in the stadium (should have researched that ahead) but luckily my tiny purse was deemed acceptable.  Phew!!  Here I am looking a little crazy!!

We had a great view of the Seattle skyline from our seats (space needle included) and the game was so fun - and went by pretty quickly with the new rules.  We even got to see some fireworks after.  We had been planning to stay over night but Matthew had a job interview possibility the next morning so we drove home right after the game - and it felt really far.  It's a 3 hour drive.  Our older kids thought Seattle looked amazing and we want to come back to do the underground tour and see more things.  

Spring Blooms

I am loving the Pacific Northwest.  I have never seen a spring bloom quite like this.  Scott seems only mildly impressed by the overflowing beauty.  He is used to it.  Anna is right on board with me though.  So many flowers and blossoms everywhere - maybe its all the blooming trees and rhododendrons.  So here are some of our spring adventures.  

First of all, my sister had her baby.  Here is Anna holding baby Enoch.  This is her 4th child and 4th boy.  The three big brothers are really excited about their new baby.  He is really cute.

He stayed asleep while we passed him around for all the cousins to hold.

My parents were in town helping with the baby and one morning we went on a little hike with the cousins, grandma and grandpa and my brother in law.  We went to see the Camas Lillies which are in bloom right now.

We hiked a bit and played in the creek

Fun cousin time!

I hike near our house maybe 2-3 times a week.  I have been checking on the Camas lilies quite often.  They are a small blue/purple flower - these pictures don't really show them that well.  They seem to like rocky soil.

Camas lilies

One day I had gone in search of the chocolate lilies growing nearby, but only found one that was looking quite sad.  Maybe I missed them.

Another day we drove down to see the tulips in bloom in Woodburn, Oregon

We just happened to run into Scott's parents (who live near), his sister and some of her family (who were visiting from Idaho, unbeknownst to us).  It was a happy and very surprising coincidence!

Here are a bunch of pics of our tulip adventures.

It was fun to see them and have some surprise family time.

Anna got heart attacked by some girls from church.  It was very sweet.

Emma and her school friends decided they wanted to wear dresses to school one day.  She wore leggings underneath, but it might mean spring is coming.

Scott has been working on the yard a lot.  It looks good!!

We took out a juniper/arbor vitae type tree and put a little apple tree in its place.

John got some glasses for close up - reading etc.  He uses them at school in class, but leaves them behind for recess.  He looks cute!

One day the older kids and I walked around downtown.  We ran some errands, went to the library, post office, got bagels and smoothies etc.  I made the kids pose by this mural and they were semi-mortified and afraid some friends would see them taking a touristy picture when we're "locals."