Road trip home

The night before we left Longview to drive back to Arizona, we decided to take the scenic route. We first stopped at Bonneville Dam to see the dam and the fish ladder, which was really neat. We got to drive along the Columbia river on our way out of Washington, and we ended up in a Boise hotel for the night. The next day we drove straight to Cedar City, where we spent the night at my friends' place (my college roomie Michelle and her family). We did not want to leave! Our kids and hers had so much fun together, and of course I was in heaven hanging out with Michelle. The next day we drove through Zion's National Park and headed towards Arizona. Mr. B had been driving, but after a few minutes in the Park, I made him pull over and let me drive. I get carsick with all those curves! After we left Zion's, we stopped at a restaurant for lunch, largely because the sign cracked us up. The food wasn't great, but it was a nice leg stretch and fun place to be. 

 I guess the story is that the original business shortened the word homemade to save money on the sign and add folksy appeal, but in more recent years when the word "ho" took on its current meaning, the restaurant decided to run with it for marketing. Guess it worked on us!

We got back home that night and were relieved to find everything as we'd left it, and so grateful to be out of the car.

Titlow beach--low tide

In Tacoma, there is a beach (Titlow) that has amazing creatures to discover at low tide. Our last day in Puyallup happened to coincide with a super low tide, so we headed down to see what we could find.

A purple crab!

He loved being here but was unsure about the creatures

Aunt Laura and Ian

My brothers Ben and Kenny. Ben is a MASTER at finding creatures. He must have found 20+ huge crabs under rocks.

"Aunt Laura is making me hold this for the picture!"

Hiking

Mr. B's younger siblings live in the Seattle area, so one day we met up to do a short hike and go out for ice cream. Fun to see everyone!

Carly (Mr. B's sister), Audi (Sam's wife), Ian, Sam (Mr. B's brother), Mr. B, Audrey

Not pictured: Declan and Chloe, who is Sam and Audi's daughter. Carly's husband Spencer had to work, so we didn't get to see him. Wish we could have spent more time with these lovely people. Chloe is three and perfectly adorable and hilarious.

It's summertime

One evening in Puyallup, I picked up a Little Caesar's pizza for my kids and myself, and we grabbed paper plates, plastic cups, and ate in the backyard. LOVE IT.

Pioneer Farm

One day while we were visiting Puyallup, we drove to Eatonville to visit a living pioneer farm. It was the most fun!! The kids got to interact with farm animals, do farm chores, and discover what life was like for pioneers. I pretended to be a strict teacher, much to Laura's delight; we found a frog (in my hand in the first picture); and the two babies got soaking wet in a water pump. Every second was delightful. Laura is a fun, fun, fun sister, and these are all her beautiful pictures.

Best picture of the day!

I'm on a horse! He was so proud.

found an egg a hen laid

Audrey, Elizabeth, Lindsey, Ian, Declan and McKenna

getting my hair curled pioneer style!

SIT DOWN!!

Cousins

Then on Monday, my parents hosted a cousin family night with dessert, and we had a blast. It was great catching up with my cousins, and I saw one cousin I hadn't seen since I was in high school, Will. I also got to meet his fabulous wife and beautiful sons. 

Beautiful. 

Declan and me at the cousin night.

Declan showing his football skills that night.

Happy birthday Paul!

My brother Paul's birthday happened to fall during our joint visit. He lives in Utah, but came out to visit so the family could all be together while I was there as well. Below Paul's picture is my brother Kenny, who lives in the area, but we don't see much, so it was nice to see him a couple times on our trip.

Family dinner

The following Sunday, my whole family (siblings, parents, nieces and bonus Grandmother Carol) got together at Laura's for dinner. We got to take a few pictures to remember this rare occasion of being together.

My parents, siblings, their spouses and kids. And us.

Four generations: Grandmother Carol, my dad, me, and my children.

My siblings, my grandmother, and me.

From another night, my two grandmas. Gayle and Carol.

Seattle

The famous pig. We also saw a few fish flying!

The first Saturday that we were in Puyallup, Mr. B and the kids and I headed up to Seattle to walk through Pike Place Market (eating berries and chocolate covered hazelnuts), and then we met our college friend Natalie and her kids at Ivar's on the pier. Yum. I love Seattle.

Kristin!

This is one of my college roommates, Kristin! She is wonderful. She also lives in Washington, and she brought her kids down to my sister's house a couple times while I was visiting. The kids swam, the grown-ups chatted! It was so great to see her again. And her three kids are adorable!

Laura's pool

Laura's husband Alex put in a pool in their backyard this summer, and my kids had a blast playing in it almost every day. Well, Audrey and Ian anyway. Declan wasn't too keen, and the kids usually swam during his naptime, so it worked out.

Declan, Lindsey, Elizabeth

Jamie & Audrey

L to R: Lindsey, Audrey, McKenna, Ian, Ben