Outings and Aboutings Part 1

Though I've lacked motivation to blog lately, we've nonetheless had more than our share of fun adventures.  

With the last of Aubree's homeschool stipend money, we got annual passes to Point Defiance Zoo/Aquarium and Northwest Trek.  Along with those passes is the ability to bring 3 guests with us every time we go. Score!

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We visited the zoo with friends and managed to visit on a perfectly mild day that wasn't overrun with end-of-the-year-field-trip groups (a pretty serious accomplishment).  We've been to this zoo numerous times and always have a good time.

Enjoying lunch and entertainment

Graham wasn't too happy to be in the stroller and would only sleep when I put him in the Ergo (my new wrap).

The best part had to be watching the polar bears swim around, separated from us by only a few inches of glass.

photo by Kali from Kalilu Photography

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The following week Mark joined us to check out Northwest Trek.  This time we invited his favorite former co-worker from Florida, John (who recently got a job in Seattle as well) and his wife, Sue.  We've had them over for dinner a few times, and to say my kids adore them would be a categorical understatement.

Bryce discovered that he and Sue share the same birthday, and though he already thought she was pretty fabulous, that special link elevated her to super-star status.  He insisted he be able to sit next to her on the 45 minutes tram ride to see all the native Northwest animals.

The tram ride is pretty neat.  We all loved being so close to the animals and some of us appreciated learning more about them.

Mark, Thane, and John 

Aubree mostly wanted to use my camera to take pictures of everything, but briefly gave the camera back to me so I could snap a photo of her.

with bison in the background

After the tram ride we stopped for a picnic lunch.  John and Sue were so patient and loving and wonderful with our kids.  

John and Bryce comparing chin scars

It was a breathtakingly beautiful day, and it's times likes these that make me wonder if I can ever live anywhere else again.

As always, the underwater viewing areas were major hits.  The beavers and otters were especially active and playful, and kept coming right up to the glass to interact with the kids.  More than once, that resulted in Thane jumping back off the platform in alarm.  Guess he's not overly confident in the few inches of glass.

 Mark and John learned a simple trick that brought the big brown bear right in front of the viewing area.  Amazing.

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On Memorial Day we were invited to join our Bishop (who is also our home teacher) and his family at his cabin up the Snoqualmie Pass.  Our string of beautiful weather outing days came to a grinding halt, but we still had a fabulous time.  But, how can you not when it involves fire?

 And quad-riding?

and no, she didn't drive by herself

And a gorgeous cabin, novel toys, great food, and even better company?

 I truly feel spoiled.