Seattle the beautiful!

Warning...this is a photo overload post :]

We took your big Family vacation at the beginning on this month. We went off to visit Warren's sister Elisabeth and her Hubby up in Seattle. (and to escape the heat but that was just an added bonus!)

The Trip started out with a flight that we had timed perfectly so the kids would be happy on the three hour flight to Bellingham (5-8pm) and would sleep on the hour and a half car ride to Seattle(8-9:30pm bed time!). But these airline people were just not working with me. They delayed out flight an hour. Moved out terminal three times. You may say that moving around inside may not be such a big deal. But when you are toting around 3 large bags with four peoples cloths in it (HEAVY), 3 carry on bags, a small stroller that would only hold 1 VERY wiggly child, and 1 toddler that thought it was funny to run anyway but they way you needed him to go was very trying to say the least. By the time we actually boarded the plane we began to taxi and then stop! The pilot tried to start the plane.... it would not start! REALLY!!

We flew Allegiant Air so if you are not familiar they are a discount airline and have horrible customer service. That little tid bit is important for what happened next....

The pilot came on the intercom and told us we were going to have another delay but were not going to un board the plane unless we needed to change air craft (meaning they could not fix the problem).

"Oh yeah did i mention that i had never seen so many children under the age of TWO get on the same flight EVER! Over 20 babies!"

Back to the story... The flight attendants were walking up and down the isles making sure people were staying seated because they did not want people blocking the isle. (for what a courtesy cart to come by...i think NOT) We left on the hottest day ever i swear and these plane's had no AC while the engine was not running so needless to say to was FREAKING HOT! The flight attendant were DEBATING to serve us water for free or not because they usually charge $2 a cup (NOT BOTTLE).

Nothing was free on this flight not even choosing your own seat.

After sitting there on the tarmack for over an hour the Pilot came on the speaker again and notified us that we would indeed be taking off it this plane in 5 minutes. If you have young children you can probably imagine what it sounded like on this lovely plane that evening with 20 babies, no AC and only the food you brought on the plane, and the smallest space imaginable for your child to ("sit down and be quite" as the flight attendant repaetedly YELLED at parents). NO joke. Yelled!

SO needless to say my perfect timing so a distant dream and we were 2 hours behind schedule and the car rental place was going to be closed by the time we got there so we were looking at sleeping in the terminal until morning so we could get our rental car. I was NOT happy!

The flight proceed and the kids fell asleep 2 minuted before we took off. Sweetness! And i popped open my laptop and enjoyed Batman begins (with ear phones) to block out all the other crying children. lovely 3 hours i must say.

When we arrived in Bellingham at 11:25pm Warren ran off the plane to hopefully to catch anyone at the car renal desk in hopes of not having to be homeless for the night. SO i unloaded my two sleeping babies and all our bags (like he-woman i might add) and walked slowly through the rain. That is right people they had litte rolling carts that unloaded people from the plane and then you trek your way across the tarmack to the inside. When i finally found Warren he was talking to the CAR RENTAL MAN!! SO happy! He waited around for us because our on line reservation said we had two small children and he did not want to leave us stranded! Oh bless you car man BLESS you!

The drive went fast to Seattle. The kids and I slept :) , Sorry Warren...

Once we got to Zach and Elisabeth's they took us to where we would be staying. It was one of their friends guest house.

And Oh my was this house AMAZING!! Indoor pool, movie theater room and ON THE LAKE!

The home was on Hunt's Point is anyone is familiar.

Mike and Debbie you are the Best! Thank you for letting us stay in your beautiful home!

Ok now for your trip!

Oh did they keep us busy. The first day we walked down to the park that is a few blocks form Elisabeth's house. Picking and eating fresh strawberries on our way. (because people just have them growing in their front yards! Love it)

The kids had a blast running off all the pint up energy from the day before. We had lunch at a cute little place called "Julia's". Best prawn mango salad ever! Oh you better believe I took advantage of every opportunity I had to have fresh sea food, my absolute fav!

And I will let the pictures tell the rest.

DAY 2

On our walk to the park we saw these beauties growing along the side walk. ( can you believe it!)

I think Hunter picked and ate all of them.

DAY 3

Snoqualmie falls

two very happy adults and not so excited kids.

I guess the just did not think the fall was as cool as we did...

Mr. pouty pant and mom!

The whole gang

(Elisabeth, Warren, Autumn, Me, Hunter, Zach)

The old train station

Uncle Zach chasing the kiddos while we ate under the gazebo.

(If you can't tell it is raining. )

Such a natural!

DAY 4

The Zoo

Gas Works Park

(Or kite hill as locals call it)

Autumn climbing the stairs at Elisabeth's house

DAY 5

Space needle!

Hunter was cold so he wore Elisabeth's jacket. We thought he looked like a detective.

Duck Tours!

Entertainment before the land and sea tour!

Hunter thought he was funny.

Any of you guys watch "the deadliest catch"? These are some of the boats that have been on the show.

The "Sleepless in Seattle" house boat! I loved this one of course.

The famous "Pike's Market"

The amazing array of yummy fresh fruit!

Sorry for a rear shot of me but warren seamed to take a lot of those... ;)

This troll sits under the bridge by Elisabeth's house.

Photo op!

The "Locks"

I am watching the salmon jump up the latter. SO cool!

Hunter found a hill and saw some other kids roll down it. He joined them and had a blast.

Our little Autumn sitting like a princess!

(no grass stains for her)

Warren took both kids down so they could splash in the Pacific ocean.

Lowering the water level to let all the boats out to sea.

The gardens are so green!

DAY 6

On Sunday we went to visit some family on my side. Steve and Suzette were so wonderful to have us over to ride pony's and play. Thank you guys! We sure had a blast!

Autumn wanted to ride so bad...until she got on...

Willey and Hunter. Oh Hunter LOVED this!

Autumn could be a farm girl. Look at her go!

DAY 7

The Fourth of July Parade at Yarrow point

Eating lunch on the lawn after the parade. Hunter was so tired after this we did not see much of his he rest of the day. He fell asleep in the theater room back at the house we were staying at and stayed there through dinner. I was sad he missed everything.

Lake Washington. It is in their back yard.

The back of the house we stayed at.

DAY 8

Mount Rainier

Autumn almost made it the whole way on the 1 mile walk. We were shocked.