Family Trip to Seattle

This past week we took our first official family trip somewhere where we weren't visiting family (Missouri) and not up north to the cabin. We went to Seattle, Washington to visit friends and take in the sights. We had a wonderful week and hopefully the pictures below show it.


We starting out leaving early in the morning on the 27th (Brian's 32nd Birthday!!). While I was dreading the 7am flight, it turned out to be an enormous blessing because Nolan slept the entire way. Lucky for all those first class passengers that gave me the evil eye as I settled into my first class seat with a baby!

Once we landed in Seattle we headed downtown to our Hotel to unpack, shower and do a little walking and exploring. We ventured down to Pike's Place Market and was amazed by all the beautiful flowers, the amazing produce and all the other yummy foods. I have to admit that it was totally overwhelming - so many people shopping and buying stuff as well as tons of tourists (obviously we were tourists too:)) We ate lunch at this great little place that overlooked the water and then headed down to stroll along the boardwalk so to speak.

(Approaching the Infamous Pike Place Market)

(Apparently this Pig is famous, so we had to get a picture of Nolan on it)

(The most beautiful selection of fresh flowers)

(Brian and Nolan by the waterfront)

From there we headed back to the hotel for cat naps before heading to Northwest Seattle to have dinner with some of my college friends - Samie and George. We had a great evening, enjoying the chance to catch up and meet everyone's significant others. Unfortunately, I was a little spacey and forgot my camera...which means no pictures!

(Nolan loves his hotel bed...can you tell?!?!)

(I just love his little smirk and hit cute lips!)

The next morning we got up early and did some more wandering of down town. What a beautiful city! Despite the heat wave (100+) we enjoyed wandering around and ended up back down at Pike's Place market. We decided that to get the full experience, we needed to actually purchase some things, so we went to town...by the end of the morning we had removed Nolan from the stroller and were using it as a shopping cart for all the produce we needed for the upcoming week!

From there, we headed out to the Queen Anne's area to take in the beautiful skyline scenery before meeting up with the Heeters. Check out these views - pretty amazing!

The next couple of days we spent out on the Hood Canal with Becca, Kraig, Payne and Parker (the Heeter Family). What a GREAT week. We relaxed, ate tons of great and fresh food, drank plenty of wine/beer, played with the kiddos, took Nolan on his first boat ride, tried skiing (I didn't make it up, but I'm blaming it on my hand that's still healing!), went tubing and played in the water. We couldn't ask for better friends and a better week - a HUGE thanks to Kraig's parents for letting us take over their house for the week and enjoy a little vacation!

(Where we spent most of the days - outdoors either on the grass or in the water!)

(Parker & I - isn't he a cutie!)

(Nolan giving Parker Love...or is he just jealous that I'm holding another little boy???)

(Brian and Nolan hanging out in the water)

(Nolan & I watching the sailboat)

One of the evenings Kraig had to go back into Seattle for a business dinner, so Brian filled in for him. Here's Brian and Payne cuddled on the chair watching Pirates of the Caribbean. We definitely missed Kraig that night, but Brian had a blast hanging with Payne . This gave Brian a glimpse of how Nolan and he will do "guy stuff" together in a few years.
What goes together better than dirty children and baths...dirty children, baths and POPSICLES!! I have to give Becca all the credit for this idea. Seriously, kids are so messy eating Popsicles, but you really don't care if they are being messy in the bathtub, so why not combine the two. Here's all three boys in the tub enjoying their Popsicles. They all had a blast and enjoyed themselves...until Nolan pooped in the tub and we had to start all over (HA!)

Most of the week was spent just hanging low, relaxing and enjoying the kids. Here are just a few pictures of that.

(Airplane with Payne)

(Parker crawling around the living room)

On our last night there, we celebrated Parker's 1st Birthday, Brian's 32nd Birthday and Kraig and Becca's 10 year wedding anniversary. A perfect evening to a perfect week. We love and miss you guys!

(The three boy waiting to devour Parker's birthday cupcakes)

(Parker's 1st Birthday cupcakes...yummy!)

(Big Surprise - Nolan loved the cupcakes too!)

(The Heeter Family)