Sunny Seattle

We kicked off our summer vacation with a trip to Seattle. We couldn't have had better timing. We left just in time to miss all the rain in Utah and had the best weather EVER in Seattle. It didn't rain once, which has never happened to me before when I have been there. It was nice though because it made it much more pleasant for us as we kept busy outside! We have been wanting to take the family to Seattle for a while now, we haven't all been together there since the twins were 2 1/2 years old. I have been there by myself many times. It worked out great that my niece was graduating from high school so we decided to use that as our excuse to go. We had an awesome trip. The kids were so excited to be with their cousins 24/7 for a whole week!! Here are some highlights of our trip:

Graduations x 4: My niece not only graduated from high school but also from college with an associates degree. She participated in a running start program that her school offers and was able to attend a nearby college and earn her associates. The graduations were long, but worth it! Good job Kylie!! Good luck at college in the fall!!


We of course couldn't go to Seattle without spending a day downtown. I have been going to Seattle since I was about 15 years old to visit my sister. One of my greatest memories is the first time she took me downtown. I love going downtown and was even more excited to show the kids all the neat attractions. My dad was also there and my little sister and her husband so we made a fun day of it! We took a double decker bus tour(LOVED IT!) and took the kids to the top of the space needle. Andy and I have been up there but this was a first for the kids.

The kids loved being on the top of the bus! Ethan was so interested in his surroundings and enjoyed the ride taking it all in!


It just isn't a trip to Seattle without going to. . .


SPACE NEEDLE



Ethan was obsessed with all the telescopes and had to look in every one that we passed


We also spent a day at the beach. The kids had a great time exploring. They found TONS of crabs and thought that was so neat. We ate seafood out on the pier and just enjoyed the beautiful day.





I just had to share this picture cause I thought it was so funny! One evening after all the kids were in bed we were all just hanging out downstairs at my sisters house. We were all on our laptops catching up on email, facebook, blogs, etc. Andy was sitting on the opposite end of the room and took this picture of us on his cell phone(hence the blurry picture). We were all so enthralled with what we were doing that we didn't even notice he took the picture. He then emailed it to each of us, which we of course received immediately since we were all online!!! I don't know what I would do without my computer. I can't even go on vacations without it!!!


I of course didn't have my camera for all of our fun! Cassidy and I went with my sister and her daughter and got pedicures, we cheered on my nephew in a baseball game, did I mention we attended 4 graduations!?!, shopping, and of course one of my favorite things to do in Seattle: italian sodas!!

Thanks to my sister and her fam for a wonderful vacation and a great place to stay!! Also, a shout out to my kids who were AMAZING on the trip--especially the 13 hour drive--each way!!!

All good things must come to an end!

With the end of school comes the end of many other activities that the kids are involved in. Here are some of the fun things that we have said goodbye to for now:

SOCCER:

The boys LOVE soccer and always hate to see it end. They are already eagerly waiting for the fall for soccer to begin again. They played on the same team for the last two years and only lost two games. They are an awesome team!!



CHOIR:

Cassidy was able to participate in the school choir this year. She had to get up early twice a week and get to school early for choir practice. She never complained and loved it! They had their spring concert to end the year. Before the performance began the principal gave an introduction and commented on how great they were and how she had never heard an elementary school choir sound so good. In my mind I was thinking that of course she is going to say that, she's the principal. But I have to say they were OUTSTANDING!! My sister was there with us and she couldn't believe how good they were. They sang some really hard pieces and did great!



SCHOOL:

Here are the kids after they got home from their last day of school. I told them to cheer since they were done with school. Cass and Spencer were happy to do so, but notice Kaden's expression!! He didn't want to do a cheer because he was not happy that school was over. He came home so sad from school because he was sad about missing his friends and teacher! Let's hope that doesn't wear off before school starts again!



A few days before school was over Cassidy's class hosted a poetry cafe for the parents. They each performed some of their favorite poems that they had memorized. Cassidy performed one by herself and one with her friend.




I also need to give a shout out to all my kids for working so hard this year. They did a great job at school and had outstanding grades. I need to give an extra cheer for Cassidy. She was accepted into the A.L.L program next year. That is our schools version of the gifted program. She had to take a 4 hour test on a Saturday, get a good teacher recommendation, and Andy and I had to fill out all this paperwork on her. She was so excited to get her acceptance letter. I am so proud of her for being such a good student and working so hard for so many years in school.

Summer is here, let the fun begin!!