Waterlogged in Washington: April 2008

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The Sights of Seattle

VeAnne and Karen loved Ivars. They ate there 3 times in 3 days.

The cherries are blossoming.

The fish market at Pike's Place. The fishmongers throw the fish to the back to be packaged when you order it.

Old Seattle (Pioneer Square) was built in a tidal plain that kept getting flooded. So when the town burned down in the late 1800's, they rebuilt the city at the level of the 2nd floors. There is a whole hidden world down there that got covered up. Alex and his folks took the tour. He said it was quite interesting.

Iron Chef Seattle

Alex challenged Karen to a bread bake-off. Karen uses the breadmaker for everything except cooking the loaf. She was working with a handicap though because we didn't own a baking stone. (We corrected that the next day.)

Alex uses the KitchenAid.

Derrel is judging the results.

And the winner is. . . . . .

Depends on who you ask.

Homeless in Seattle

Derrel, VeAnne, Aunt Karen and some homeless guys in Seattle. They were hanging out, so the Wrights invited them into the picture.

We rode the Ducks

Monday we went up to Seattle for a baby shower that Alex' work threw for us. Everyone loved seeing Lily. Afterwards we took a Duck Tour in these funny trucks. They are amphibious vehicles from World War II. We rode around the city and then drove into the water and had a water tour. Despite being really cold, we had a good time.

Here I am trying to stay warm.

The Sleepless in Seattle house on Lake Union. It's worth $2.5 million now.

The skyline from Lake Union.

Aunt Karen. We're not in Buhl, ID anymore.

Derrel, VeAnne and Karen.

Dad.

Mom.

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Lily's Blessing

Lily had a whole mob attend her blessing. It was so fun to have everyone here. In attendance: both grandparents, Derrel & VeAnne, and Ken and Rebecca, Aunt Georgine, Jen's cousin Martha, Aunt Beth, 2nd cousin Thaddeus, Alex' cousin Cody and his wife and children, Alex' cousin Travis and his wife and children. We took up 2 whole rows at church.

Our tradition is to get a picture of the blessed child with her family members. Things were pretty chaotic with so many family members, so here are the pics that turned out well.

Lily and Mama

With big sister Megan

With big big brother Dylan

With big brother Hunter

With grandparents Derrel and VeAnne

With great aunt Georgine and the quilt that Georgine made her.

With Georgine and 1st cousin once removed (COR) Martha.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Hunter's Special Day Book

For Hunter's preschool, they celebrate their "special day" once a year instead of their birthdays. They bring a little scrapbook to class to share with their friends. This is Hunter's special day book this year. He really likes the page with all the cars on it.

Hunter's New 'Do

Hunter decided to get a "big boy" hair cut. Everyone tells him they don't recognize him. He thinks that is funny. He's very proud of his new hair. He combs his hair with water and parts it on the side by himself every morning. He says he looks like his friend Chas.

Hunter before the makeover.

Hunter after the makeover.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Arg, me booty!

One of Lily's popular poses. Shiver me timbers.

Our Home in Washington

This is our castle.

Most of these pictures were taken before we bought the house, so it isn't our furniture in the pictures. Wish it was. We decorate in the "early grad student style" of design.

This is the kids' castle.

Our garden.

The mammoth backyard. It is 8000 sq feet.--huge for Washington. There are cherry trees and blue berry bushes along the side.

My project last summer. Alex did the garden and I did the flowers. I discovered wave petunias. They are gorgeous.

The master bath. Love the tub. Wish I had more time to use it.

Looking at the front door from the dining room. There is an office with french doors to the left right before the front door. There are stairs to the right. This is the living room and dining room. Love the last supper picture on the wall. Obviously not ours.

The kitchen

Dining Room

Family room

The Backyard.

Covered deck. We love that. It is big enough for Hunter to ride his tricycle around on. Especially useful with the rainy weather here.

I discovered pansies are perennials here. These little guys bloomed all year--even in the snow. They made me happy. If anyone ever calls you a pansy, take it as a compliment. Pansies are very tough little plants.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Easter Lily Part II

Gail also sent this cute Easter outfit. Lily gets quite the comments when we take her out in the bunny hat. This is definitely a blackmailable photo.

Michelin Tire Baby.

Lily at 6 weeks old. She is over 10 pounds now and is really starting to fill out. She has outgrown her newborn clothes now. Alex calls her the Michelin tire baby because she has several rolls on her legs now.

Pacific Science Center

Ben and his friend Mark visited Seattle last week for an Anime convention. Alex and I took them out for sushi and we visited the Pacific Science Museum. Ben only brought shorts and as luck would have it, it snowed in Seattle that week. (only the second time in the season.)