Vacations are never long enough!

It's always fun to go on vacation. Especially when part of your family is able to go with you. Which is what happened this year. Brandon, & Anjie, w/Alea, Tam-e & Bobby, & myself went to Seattle, Washington to visit my sister, Jean, and her husband, Joel.

It was a stretch for the both of them to have us all at one time. BJ, Anjie & Alea, the baby, had the guest room in the basement, Tam-e & Bobby had an air mattress in the family room, and I slept on the couch. It may not have been the greatest arrangement to some, but when you come together as a family, it doesn't matter where you sleep, as long as you're with family.

I took around 500 photos this trip. I picked out quite a few photos to post, but decided that I had to put a limit on them. Way too many to put on here. And most definitely!!!! they are out of order. It may not bother you, but it does me. I would prefer for you to see them in sequence as they had happened.

Four "new recipes" were packed in our suitcases that Jean had served while we were there. This is not an unusual experience. It's almost a given that we return home with at least one new recipe. The most popular one I've gotten from her is the "Lil Cheddar Meatloaf". That recipe was given to me the first time I visited Seattle with my sister, Ruth.

Jean & Joel have lived there eight years now. I've gone each year for a visit, ok....only 7 times of the 8 years. Six of those visits, I've taken someone "new" with me. (Ruth, Tam-e, Stacy, Aunt Martha & Uncle Jim, BJ & Anjie, and this year Alea & Bobby.) Jean keeps telling me if I want to see anything new that I have to stop bringing new people with me. So far, I haven't listened to that advise. Maybe next year.

We always have to see Joel operate the trains before leaving.
This isn't quite the Seattle downtown skyline, (which happens to be to our right), but at least the Space Needle is in the picture.
Here we're eating our packed lunch during our "day" trip to see Mt. Saint Helen's.
Our first day in Seattle we stopped to see the Troll. He's a cutie isn't he?
Do we look like we're cold? Not sure how chilly it was, but the wind on that knoll was rather cold. Behind us is Mt. Saint Helen's. We could have walked to the windy hill, but we decided it was too far. I believe it was a two mile walk. Not so sure about that, but it looked that far away.
Jean & Joel took us to Discovery Park. Again, it was windy & chilly up on this hilltop. The view was wonderful! Pictured is: Joel, Jean, Anjie & Alea.

Jean is an avid sew-er....two years in a row I had sent fabric postcards back home. Anjie & Tam-e wanted to do that this time around. Here's our artistic work at hand. I can't believe the post office actually mail these things. Mine are on top, Anjie's are in the middle, Tam-e's are on the bottom.
Tam-e's high school friend lives not far from Seattle. Saturday morning (6:45 a.m.) Tam-e & I left to visit Amanda & her family. Her son Abe (4 yrs old) had a soccer game, 3 on 3. It's like T-ball, no one wins, it just gives them a little knowledge of the game. He was so cute chasing that ball.
Amanda holding Violet, Abe and Parker.
Jean must have thought we were board, because she got out games for us to play. I believe BJ said we wanted to play Scrabble. Jean was amazed we stayed up until 2:30 in the morning playing Scrabble. We now have a new game to play when we get together. Not sure where my Scrabble board is.....hum! Have to think about that one.
Our first morning in Seattle. Tam-e finally gets to hold Alea.
I told you....these pictures are way out of sequence. Here's Tam-e & Bobby with Mt. Saint Helen's in the background. (After lunch.)

Because Bobby had never been to Seattle some visits were repeated. The Mt. Saint Helen's trip was new for all of us.

We had a great time and a great time together. Jean & Joel....we'll never be able to say "thank you" enough for the time we were able to spend together and the time we had with you both. It was a great memory week. I hope that we didn't stress you out too much and that you had just as much fun as we did.

Thanks for everything!!!

Happy Birthday Jean.....9/26/????

Have a GREAT retirement Joel.......10/1/2008

(Have fun at your new adventure....The Boeing Museum.)