Mr. B's adventures

Some days on our trip I had to work, either grading essays or editing books, so Mr. B took the kids on adventures. Of course he had them while I was on my little getaway too. And right at the end of the trip I got really sick. Some photos of his time with them:

I think this might be NW trek--no one remembers. 

Blackberry bushes at Grammy and Grandpa's

Lake Sacajawea Park in Longview

Seaquest Park and Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center

Lots of bbqs and smores and outdoor fun in this backyard.

Fun at Lake Sacajawea Park Fourth of July festivities

Aunt Amanda always spoils these kiddos! 

Bonnie's girls weekend in Puyallup

I definitely did not get enough time with my family in Puyallup, so I left Mr. B with the kids in Longview to have a girls weekend with my sisters and mom. We ate, we shopped, we felt nostalgia at the Farmer's Market (at least I did), we played games, we laughed. I sewed with my mom. These are my people.

Trip to the Oregon coast

Our next destination was an overnight stay in Astoria with Mr. B's parents, enjoying tide pools at Cannon beach, lunch at Dooger's and playing in the arcade in Seaside, and climbing the Astoria column. We finished the trip with a long detour to Tillamook to tour the factory and eat the cheese. This was a fabulous getaway. Oregon is so beautiful. I want to be here all the time.

Day out in Portland

I love Portland. Reason one: Powell's bookstore. What a magical place! I mean, books are cheaper on Amazon, but the ability to wander through a massive treasure trove of books and find pretty much any book you're looking for is gratifying. Reason two: OMSI. Way better than Pacific Science Center, and it's my favorite science museum ever. We had a great time there with the kids. Reason three: Food. We ate at Screen Door and Pie Spot. Yum. Wish we could have had more time and appetite to eat even more! Reason four: LDS temple in Lake Oswego--it's where we got married and it's gorgeous! We didn't make it there this trip, but here are photos from the other adventures. 

Ian at Screen Door

We also had to stop at a place called Pie Spot before we headed back to Longview. Delish!

Heading to Longview en route to Vegas

After a fun and family filled week and a half in Puyallup, we headed down to Longview to see Spencer's parents. We spent a couple days there before leaving our children with their grandparents so we could head to Vegas for a board game getaway with our friends.

The Nutty Narrows squirrel bridge in Longview

We spent lots of time with books and toys that have lived at Grammy and Grandpa's for years.

Mr. B got out his old transformers--nostalgia galore!

 We spent four days in Las Vegas, staying in a beautiful and spacious two-room suite on the strip (thanks Briens!!). We mostly played board games (20 in all) and ate. We had the best pizza ever at Giordano's, amazing shakes and burgers at Gordon Ramsay's burger, and lots of yummy board game snacks and treats. We also got out one day to see the pinball museum and play some games there. Fabulous trip with fabulous friends.

Seattle day

One day we drove up to Seattle and had adventures all day. First, Fremont troll, where we met up with Carly and her kids again. Audrey loves this place. 

trying to recreate a pic from when they were much smaller

Love Carly's babies! 

 Then the group of us headed to the Seattle pier to eat at Ivar's, feed the seagulls, look at the Sound and shop at the Market (donuts, mmm!).

Thomas is adorable! Makes me miss my kids being little.

Ian was a huge fan of the clam chowder.

 We said goodbye to Carly and headed to the Pacific Science Center, where I haven't been since I was a kid.

  Spencer took the boys back to Puyallup and Audrey and I hung out in Starbucks for awhile, waiting to meet up with my sister and her daughter, who were coming up to see Wicked with us. So amazing! While I'm spoiled and it was my fourth time seeing the show, it was Audrey's first and she was incredibly excited. She's been listening to the music for months. She absolutely loved it. I think it may have been the best cast I'd seen--definitely the best Glinda.

 LONG day, but so fun. I always love Seattle--wish the traffic were a bit easier to manage, but that's why we packed it all in one day.