Big Vacation

Once a year Jason and I try to go on a big trip with the family.  Last year was a bit difficult things being as they were, so this year I was determined to go somewhere.  The trick is going somewhere that is family friendly, not to far away, and not too expensive, we are a family of six now.  So I chose Seattle.  Jason had never been, it wasn't too far away, we have family there, and it has a lot of attractions for kids.

 This is our cheezy picture with the fake background, but I like it because it is hard to get pictures of our whole family anymore.

 This was the real Seattle skyline from the Spaceneedle. Better picture? Debatable. After coming down, was the only time Truman or anyone puked the whole trip.  Which is saying something if you know anything about our family trips. In his defence I was a little woozy myself. 

 Stopped at the Children's Museum.

 Great picture of Elleree in her purple cast.

 This Children's Museum was a really good one.  I am becoming quite the connoisseur of Children's Museums

 It has a butterfly house.  Truman was determined to get one to land on him.  This is as close as he came.  Too bad.

 The next day was the Zoo.  My two monkeys, I mean boys ran around.

 Aren't the little bronze statues convenient for picture posing?

 Best part of the Zoo, Bamboo the Elephant.

 For a fee you could feed her.

 It was actually kind of fun.

 She was pretty amazing.

It made for another good photo opp.

 Next day was the Aquarium.  Which I have to say is not so impressive.  No offense.  Seattle can't have the best of everything right.

 I forget how "green" Seattle is, they have a huge section dedicated to the conservation of the water.  Which I am just going to be real here is not why I go to an aquarium.  I know I'm not PC for saying it, so moving on.

 After the aquarium was Pike's Place Market.  Jason had to see the fish fly, and pick up some Salmon to grill.

 Next day was a harbor cruise.  I know the picture is awful, but it was my only one, and the cruise was really interesting even if the kids didn't care.  They sat and ate salt water taffy, that kept them happy.  Beckett ate Truman's head, that kept him happy.

Then a stop at the "gum wall",  Dillon's only must see attraction in Seattle. 

 The kids had to leave there little piece of goodness there with the rest.

 I, for my part was really grossed out and chose to keep my gum in my mouth.

 Then there was the visiting with the family.  We spent most evenings with Dennis, Miste and Spencer.  Tucker had to work and Cooper was on a camp out.

 We went to a BBQ at Dennis's brothers house.  That was the only time we got to see Tucker.  Apparently Beckett loved him.

 I have no idea what Truman is doing to Copper in this picture, but as always Copper was a good sport!

 Beckett love, love, loved Miste.  Dennis on the other hand not so much.

 Spencer with Kelly his cousin, Ali and I babysat her when she was like 3, now she is in college. I don't want to talk about it.

Beckett just likes some people and not others.  He really likes my dad too. 

 The last day we went to the Museum of Flight.  This was Jason's favorite stop.

 It was a little harder, and more boring for the kids because there was alot of reading.  But they did have some fun things to do and Jason loves this kind of thing!

This trip made me realize how nice Denise and Miste were those two summers letting us come and bum off them.  They had kids, jobs, and were not rolling in the dough, but they took in two girls, made them welcome, and took care of them.  Because of that Ali and I had experiences that we never would have had otherwise.  So, Thank You Dennis and Miste you are both wonderful people.