Family Vacation 2023- Seattle! (Part 1)

 Years ago I made a bucket list of sorts of all of the trips I wanted to take with the boys before they are out of our home. There are still many destinations on that list, but SEATTLE was at the top of the list and I was thrilled to get to cross that off the list. 

We spent a handful of summers traveling across the country to see family in Washington, and while we didn't get to drive it, we were able to spend about 10 days out in the Pacific northwest. Daniel had never been to that part of the country, and getting to take him and the boys to a place so special to me was magical. 

The icing on the cake, so to speak, is that my parents came on the trip with us. I cannot imagine taking this trip without them with us. Having them there made it the perfect return to Seattle. Mom and dad flew out separately and met us there!

 

My cousin Sara lives in her childhood home and she let us stay with her and getting to return there, to the same house we visited so many years ago was such a big deal to me. I loved having Daniel and the boys get to see the house and neighborhood that is so ingrained in my childhood memories. 

 

The house 😁

 Walking to the neighborhood playground is something we did as kids too. It is just down the road from the house and has had some upgrades since I was there last, but the boys had fun playing basketball with Granddaddy.

 

One interesting side note about the trip is that, apparently, August is the singular hot month of the year in Seattle. And, fun fact, most homes and even some business, are not air conditioned. And it was HOT. Like blazing hot. There were times I thought I would die. But we survived and as memories typically go, the good ones have risen to the top and the near heat stroke experienced seems less dramatic in my memory.

Our first day was a busy one. We headed to Snoqualmie Falls and then into downtown Seattle. It was a beautiful day and we got so many things crossed off our list of things we wanted to do.

After Snoqualmie Falls we headed to Pike's Place Market. I LOVE this market. It is iconic of course, and there was so much to see. We found a great parking spot (always worth noting!) and spent a couple of fun hours here.

Carson loved this disgusting gum wall. He even had to buy gum specifically so he could add to it.

The displays at the vendors were incredible. I especially loved the flower stands.

 

After the market we headed to the Space Needle. I had never been up the Space Needle so it was fun to do this for the first time with the boys.

Then we headed to lunch at a great place on the water, the name of which I can't recall. It was good, but the best part was the tiny wild bunnies running around the property.

That night we met up with Drew and headed to a Mariner's game. The game was fun and Carson and Daniel especially love going to new MLB stadiums.

Before the game we got to see Drew's house and meet his new puppy. We had a few minute to walk over to see Puget Sound and it was beautiful.

Then we ended this very long day at the game!

It was a perfect first day of our trip 💕

July (2023) Phone Dump

 Other than our Florida trip, most of July was taken up with camp! I am always so thankful that all of the cousins have a tie to Strong Rock and get to spend that time together. And getting to have my siblings and mom around for the drop off and pick up weekends is a really great bonus also.

Dinner and swimming at Crestridge with the cousins.

Fresh! in Black Mountain.

Griffy isn't the best cousin to the other dogs...

Dinner at Nibble Nook.

I love this picture!

On drop off day :)

Florida Trip (July 2023)!

 Our trips to Florida each year are something we look forward to for months. The boys and I love it, but it is probably the highlight of the year for the dogs. It is tricky fitting in a trip between the two camps, but even short trips are better than nothing. This summer we went to Legoland and SeaWorld, and spent time with my parents and all of the animals. 

It was a fun trip!