Evergreen State Fair 2017

One of my absolute favorite summer traditions is going to the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe.  It's strange because I don't like rides, greasy food, or overprices EVERYTHING...yet I still LOVE the fair.  This year the kids all brought friends, so Summer and I just kind of hung out together...mostly staying with the boys since they're not quite old enough to be on their own (hence all the pics of just Summer).  We didn't get a chance to do the rodeo this year (because it was on my mom's bday) and we didn't buy tickets to any concerts (nobody we really loved was going to be there)...and we didn't go until 6:30pm!!  But it was still awesome...and I still LOVED it:)  

I love the animals.

(The piglets are my absolute favorite)

I love the atmosphere.

I love watching my kids go on rides.

I love the lumberjack show.

I love the rodeo.

I love the smells.

                                                                   I love the little shops.

I love the outdoor concerts.

I love walking til my legs ache.

I love staying until dark and everyone is tired.

More Family Visits = More Playing Tourists

All within one week we had #1 The Lambs visit, #2 Grandma and Grandpa visit, and #3 The Leavitts visit!  It was a little crazy trying to keep the house clean and stocked for the next set of visitors, but it was a lot of fun having them here and I'm so glad they were able to come down.

#1--The Lambs:

Swimming and pizza at Waverly Beach Park

American Girl, Lego Store, Build a Bear, and ice cream at ColdStones

 Miner's Corner Park

Canoeing at Bothell Landing

Hilcrest Bakery in downtown Bothell

#2--Grandma and Grandpa:

We only have one picture to prove they were there...and it's only Grandpa with the kids--oops.  

Grandpa fixed my kitchen cabinet and gave Mike lots of advice about the yard.

Grandma finished my pillows for my living room couch.

We had a bon fire (and Grandpa lost his glasse--which we eventually found behind the table in the backyard)

 

Grandma and Grandpa even got to babysit while Mike and I went to the Terricotta Warriors exhibit and the science center.

#3--The Leavitts:

Seattle Temple

  

Cheesecake Factory

Don't ask how much it cost...seriously--yikes.

Pike Place

Poor Tina threw her back out the morning we had planned to go downtown Seattle.  She was a good sport and hobbled along, but we'll need to go back when she is feeling better...when it's not a million degrees outside...and when we don't have a gaggle of kids with us;)

Gum Wall--Yuck

Dick's Drive In

It looks like we are eating in a dumpster...haha...but it was delicious and super cheap (which was fantastic after Cheesecake factory the day before).  Can't believe I haven't been there before.

Olympic National Park--Part 4

Part 4--Hurricane Ridge

On the last day at the Olympics we decided to hike Hurricane Hill.  It was supposed to be the most popular and beautiful of all the "family" hikes and it did not disappoint.  Definitely one of the most beautiful views I've ever seen!  Once again, pictures just don't do it justice.

At the visitors center before we got started

 (see Summer refusing to have her picture taken again)

 It got colder as we climbed...

We got so close to the deer..before Jordan got a little too close and scared them away.

 At the lookout point...so beautiful

 Just beyond the lookout point, we found SNOW!!  It was fun to play and slide in it...even more fun cause we were the only ones there!

I thought this looked like the ending scene from The Sound of Music:)

So peaceful and quiet...we could even see Canada across the water.

Olympic National Park--Part 3

Part 3--Ruby Beach

Ruby Beach was about 3 hrs from where we were staying.  I didn't really realize that when we drove there because we stopped half way to do stuff, but then on our way back it felt like it too forever.  But I absolutely LOVED Ruby Beach (my kids (all but Summer) complained the entire time, but I forced them to stay even though it was freezing cold and everyone was miserable).  It was just a short hike down to the beach (although as soon as we got to the bottom, Summer had to go to the bathroom so I walked all the way back up then down again--sheesh). 

Pictures just don't do it justice, it was so beautiful!