SEATTLE TRIP/HALLOWEEN 2010

The idea for this trip started when Jennifer was going to Seattle for some photo sessions.  However, the majority of those wanting their pictures taken asked her if she would come in the spring instead.  So, I decided just to go anyway. 

Before I left, Hillary brought her little trick-or-treaters over so that I could see their costumes.

Hillary put together both Adelyn and Elsie's costumes--a witch and a cupcake!  The cupcake idea was so creative; made from an upside-down lamp shade, pink stuffed material for the frosting part with decorative balls for the sprinkles and shoulder straps to keep it up!  Elsie was pretty pleased!!!

And then there was cute Cohen--a darling little lion!


So, when I arrived at Ashley's McKay had to show me his costume--Batman!!!

This wasn't Ruby's costume, but her dance tutu!  Hasn't she got the most darling behind?

One of the first things we did was go to the mall in Silverdale.  Ruby kept asking if we could go to the "play place," which was a fun area in the mall open space designed with ships, boats, submarines--very fitting for the Seattle area.

McKay and Holland get along so well together,...

...as well as with Ruby!

And everyone just loves Benson (Benny)!

POINT DEFIANCE ZOO AND AQUARIUM--Tacoma, WA

The next day was a little rainy, but we went to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium--the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Northwest.

The zoo is 105 years old and both offer breathtaking views (although not today because of the clouds) of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier and the Olympic Mountains.  

There was even a new carousel (in the background), which Ruby really wanted to ride on but we ran out of time!!

Since it was rainy, we spent most of our time in the Aquarium.

We saw several peacocks just roaming around.

A large tropical fish in one of the tanks

Ruby next to a wobbegong shark on the sand to the right of her. 

The wobbegong shark camouflages itself really well!

This is the South Pacific Aquarium--a 240,000-gallon Outer Reef Aquarium--where you felt you came face to face with sharks.  The glass extended from your feet to way above your head.

This sandtiger shark reminded me of the shark on the movie Shark Tales.  They have so many teeth that stick up and out of their mouths--they can't close their mouths all the way!  This is one of the reasons people think they look scary! 

The largest shark in the tank was the lemon shark, which is the one above Ashley's head.

As we were looking at the sharks, an educationalist showed us a blue-tongued skink (lizard),...

...and a tarantula.

The kids couldn't touch but were able to ask all kinds of questions.  Their questions were very bright and thoughtful (and that just wasn't a proud grandmother's observation).

Razorfish are flat.  They swim with their heads down, their tails up and their back facing forward.  These fish slip in between coral branches or among sea urchin spines to hide from predators.  

See Dora in the bottom right?

 One way seahorses survive is by blending into the grasses, kelp or corals where they live.  Some seahorses have pointy spines all over their heads and bodies to help them hide.  While others disappear by changing their colors to match their surroundings.  Can you see the two seahorses in the middle of the picture? 

North Pacific Aquarium--where you could explore above or below the water.

JAWS!!!

A giant plumed anemone with a tiger rockfish hiding among the giant acorn barnacles.

Orange sea pens

An interesting fact--the Giant Pacific Octopus (its tentacles seen above) is one of the largest octopodes in the world and lives near the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, which is the bridge we always cross from Tacoma to Gig Harbor!

Beautiful coral display in pink, Ruby's favorite color.  Who would have thought Ashley would have a little girl that loves pink!?

We did see a few animals in the zoo, one of which was a falcon.

 A mother Sumatran tiger (found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra) with her two cubs!

McKay, this picture is for you!!

It felt like the tigers were right there, which they were but glass separated us, of course!

We also saw a big live python, but this was a cool bronze one! 

The workers were spraying off this elephant's feet.

After we left the zoo, the kids were so hungry.  This was a cute picture of Benson eagerly reaching out for a bite of a McDonald's hamburger.  

 He looks a lot like Cohen from this angle. 

 Ashley had me fix Ruby's hair in French braids, something I used to do almost everyday with Ashley's hair in junior high school.

POULSBO, WA
The next day was a sunny day and so we drove to Poulsbo.  Poulsbo has a long history as a destination for immigrants from Scandinavia, particularly Norway and Finland.  Downtown Poulsbo maintains a Scandinavian theme in its shops and restaurants.

 With all of the Scandinavian themes around, we decided to eat at a fun Italian Restaurant.

The table just across from us had a framed picture of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and his signed credit card receipt.  They have dedicated that table to him where he ate with his future wife.

 We went to another marine science center, but this was much smaller.

 This was fun because the kids actually got to touch the sea animals in the tide pool touch tank--a sea cucumber...

 and a starfish.  They again asked really intelligent questions!

 Above the "touching pool" was this gray whale skeleton.

 Evidently, the whale washed ashore and they cleaned the bones to salvage the skeleton.

A fun educational area for the children to draw, trace, stamp the sea life.  Living so close to the sea, these kids certainly have many opportunities to learn about sea life!

Old main street in Poulsbo with fun touristy shops and restaurants!

 Ashley took us to a wonderful bakery where we all got a treat!

 The kids in their Norwegian attire!

 A toy store where Ruby found a shopping cart just her size, and she started shopping.

 We walked down to the marina where they had a park for the kids to play.

 The autumn day couldn't have been more beautiful.

We returned home to Bremerton just in time for the kids to put on their costumes, and then we drove to Gig Harbor to Camille's ward's  trunk-or-treat, carnival, chili bakeoff, pumpkin carving contest, cookie decorating, etc., etc., etc.!  They had so many activities, which made for a fun night!

Holland is such a bright, happy little girl!  I had the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with her.  She brings Camille so much happiness.  She attends a school that has independent work stations, and she even has leadership classes!!!

 The next day we just stayed home at Ashley's and the kids painted pumpkins and just chilled out waiting for Ashley's ward's trunk-or-treat.

 Holland with her dog Giorgie (short for Giorgio Armani)

He even had a costume! 

This night Ruby was a princess, Holland was a black cat, and...

 McKay still as Batman!   McKay (aka as Batman) is doing so well with his health.  Living at sea level has definitely helped him in more ways than one!

 Trunk-or-treating indoors

Kids surely do have it easy these days.  In just a few minutes their buckets are full, whereas in the old days growing up we had to get in and out of a car, trudge up a long lane to get to a house and many times get a small apple!

 Adam even got in the act!

BENSON'S 1st BIRTHDAY

Benson will always have a lot of birthday celebrations with his birth occurring on Halloween!

This is about as much as he would let his hands get gooey!

 This is Benson in his cute doggy costume.

 We celebrated his birthday by eating cake and ice cream, having a dance (Ashley was the DJ and had a song dedicated to everyone--Benson's was "Benny and the Jets") and then we all wore googely eyes! 

Happy Birthday cute little Benson!

This little dog just won my heart over!