Visit to WA ~ Part 2

For the next leg of the journey we loaded the car and headed off to visit all our dearly missed friends. First stop was Spokane where we met up with my friend, Ellie.  We then went and ran/walked a 4 mile run.  The hills would have been challenging for me (I don't do much hill running) not pregnant so I was glad to have the excuse of 16 weeks pregnant to do some walking. :)  The next day we went to Riverfront Park and enjoyed the Carousel, garbage eating goat (except it was broken), and the Wagon Slide.  We also enjoyed a spray park near Ellie's and time to chat and catch up.

Auntie Ellie is so great!

Thank Elle for burning your legs to take M down.

Waving to Grandma. Side note: my mother took no less that 150 pictures on the Carousel alone.  NO joke.

Over the river and through the woods to the west side we went.  We had almost of week of dinners, BBQs, visits, and Seattle touristy stuff with friends.  Tony flew in part way through our time there and we did our best to see everyone.  I'll let the pictures do the talking.

Ted and David at the Lux Mundi reunion BBQ.

Thuy showing the girls the camera.  "You're so vain, you'd probably think this shot is about you."

Grandma and Monica seeing the Elephants at the Woodland Park Zoo.  Monica now makes her version of an elephant sound.

Gregory, Michael and Madeline- easy going babes along for the ride.

Monica learning to gently touch babies.

 Monica and Clare played chase at the Zoo and had a blast.  I found it funny that the people next to us looked annoyed with their delightful screaming.  We were outside and . . . it's a zoo.  If you want peace and quiet, go to the library!

Daddy and Monica by a fountain on the Seattle waterfront.

Family shot- all 4 of us. :)

Now who looks more excited?

Maggie (who was Monica's age last time we saw her) and Monica quickly became friends.  Maggie's sister Zeta was sleeping.

Clare, Monica and Michael before Riding the Ducks (most awesome tourist thing in Seattle- do it!).

Auntie Becky and the Ramseyers getting ready to ride.

Uncle Mike and Monica at the Pacific Science Center.

Thank you to everyone who hosted get togethers, took time to see us, let us stay with them, etc.  Sorry I didn't get pictures of everyone.  We love you all and miss you always!

Visit to WA ~ Part 1

To adequately summarize our trip to Washington, I would need to write a book.  So I will inadequately attempt to describe our fabulous adventures.

By far her favorite relative.

After returning from Montana, Monica and I spent almost two weeks at my parents house.  
 

"Here Grandpa, I think you need this part."

Hangin' with Uncle Mike at the concert in the park.

 Monica was spoiled rotten by grandma and grandpa (as it should be).  Her days were spent playing with lots of new toys, going to parks, meeting new people, playing with our families dog, Mocha, and playing in the "pool" (a large Rubbermaid container).  

 My brother, Mike, came to visit and Monica enjoyed more attention. 

Go Cougs!

 I was spoiled too and enjoyed much leisure time: seeing old friends, eating and sleeping.  I managed to work out a couple times to prepare for a 4 mile run with my friend Ellie, but with all the vacation eating and sitting those workouts were not a pretty sight. 

Feeding the ducks with Grandma.

"Umm, Grandpa, I don't think I'm ready to learn about amino acids yet."

Monica grew leaps and bounds on the trip. Not only is she an expert walker now, she is talking!  She says more, milk, mama, dada, nana, papa, no, a-huh, show, shoe, hi, bye, animals sounds and tries to parrot new words everyday.  It is SO amazing to witness this little person gain language, I love it!  

To be continued . . .

By the way . . .

So I have about 10 posts to do about our trip, but I figured I would jump back in time and fill you all in on a little info.  Now we'll see who reads the blog. ;)

Starting in January . . .