Awesome Day with Grandma J: Snoqualmie Falls

Our last stop on our awesome day with Grandma J was Snoqualmie Falls. I don't think we've ever taken Gwen there, so we wanted her to see it before we moved.

The girls both loved it, and I especially loved the cool mist that rose from the falls. It felt great on a hot day!

Awesome Day with Grandma J: Remlinger Farms

After Blueberry picking, we headed to Remlinger Farms. This place was AWESOME! Gwen's favorite part was the amusement park filled with pint-sized rides.

First we rode the train...

Then Fiona and Gwen rode the canoe. I promise I held Fiona's hand the whole time. I stepped back momentarily to snap a shot...

Then Gwen went on a pony ride...

We paused for a photo op...

Next Gwen rode by her lonesome in a pumpkin. She didn't mind...

Gwen and I tasted death in the roller coaster. I took this picture of her before the ride started. I screamed the whole time. Seriously....

Gwen in another ride...

Gwen on the merry-go-round...

Next we all got to ride in an old-fashioned car. Gwen loved "driving"...

We took a break from the rides and flirted with e-coli...

Somehow Gwen convinced me to ride the roller coaster again. I didn't scream quite as much this time...

By this time we were hot, tired and headed for home. But, we had to make one more stop...

Awesome Day with Grandma J: Blueberry Picking

During the first week of August, the girls and I spent four nights at my parents' house. Since the house was on the market and Rick was in Denver, it seemed easier to be away from home. The house stayed clean in our absence and we got to spend lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa!

One day in particular we decided to go out with Grandma to enjoy some of the wonderful things the Pacific Northwest has to offer. Since we weren't going to be living here much longer, it was extra-important to me.

First stop was blueberry picking I love blueberry picking! The girls had a blast and Fiona was eating them by the handful. Some were ripe, but many were still green. I was surprised she loved them so much because she has never eaten them before. Turns out it was a one time thing because she's never eaten them since!

4th of July at Fargos

We have really loved the tradition of taking the girls to see Rick at work around the holidays. Bringing them in before the 4th was a little bittersweet because we knew this would be our last holiday visit in Seattle- at least for a while.

But, every time I looked at Gwen and Fiona waving their little flags, I couldn't help but smile. So, I wasn't sad for long.

We are definitely going to miss seeing Rick's co-workers, Tiffany and Beth. The girls love visiting them (as do I) and I know Rick loved working with them.

Actually, when Rick first started working with them I was a little wary because they are both gorgeous. But, once I got to know them, I couldn't help but love them.

I think they are going to miss Rick too. Luckily they have a photo of him to gaze at whenever they want too.

Hopefully the folks at Wells Fargo in Denver are as receptive to little visitors as Seattle has been!

Sisterly Fun

It has been so fun to see Gwen and Fiona's relationship grow. I often worried that their age difference would keep them from really playing together.

So far, my worry has been for nothing. These girls just love each other! Mostly it is due to the fact that Gwen enjoys playing games that others might deem as babyish. Gwen will do just about anything to get a laugh out of Fiona.

Their latest game is to take their push toys and race them around the downstairs while laughing a screaming. After a few rounds, they will trade toys and the race will continue.

Speaking of push toys, the other day I was working on the computer. I heard somebody coming in the office and turned in my chair to see this...

Fiona and Gwen has taken the doors off of the mail truck and Gwen was pushing Fiona around in it. I'm not sure which of them was more pleased.

Fiona is also getting old enough to really start enjoying outtings. She loves the park and Gymboree Play and Music. It's great to go places where they will both equally have a good time.

Stopping Traffic

I was enjoying a becautiful afternoon at the town center with my girl yesterday. When it was time to head home, we returned to our car parked on main street. I was getting the girls loaded when I noticed a woman driving past us. She glanced over at Fiona in my arms and was admiring her cuteness- I mean, who wouldn't? Her eyes then shifted up and made contact with mine. She smiled at me and I smiled back. There was a moment of mutual acknowledgment that my girls are darling.

Then she rear-ended the car in front of her.

They both pulled over, and from what I saw from my vantage point, they quickly decided that no damage was done and they both went on their way.

And I had a good laugh.

Gymboree Fun

Gwen has been begging me to go to the Gymboree Play and Music. We finally made it and had a great time. Rick came straight there after work to join us, which made it all the more better. More better? Can I say that?

She loved "Gymbo". He had straps on his hands and feet so that you can attach yourself to him and dance. Being the silly girl that she is, she had to put him on upside down.


When a lady there explained that she was supposed to dance with him, Gwen said, "Well then let's get some music going!" It was hysterical, and of course I obliged.

Gwen took Gymbo everywhere she went after their dance.

Fiona also loved it. She played with balls and had plenty of room to, well, sit there. If she crawled, there would have been room for that too.

It's great to have an activity that is fun and appropriate for both girls. We will be coming here again soon!

Spreading Christmas Joy

It is always fun to go to "Fargos" on holidays. Our Christmas visit was no exception! I put the girls in their Christmas dresses and paraded them around the building as Gwen handed out chocolate and candy canes to his coworkers.

Gwen said that she was the "Candy Princess Fairy" and brought a magic wand with her. She asked people whether they wanted chocolate or a candy cane. She would then wave her wand over her bag and magically pull out the desired candy. It was so cute.

We made sure to remind her that this outing was all about giving to other people rather than getting things. Of course, people still tried to give her candy. When they did, she would hold up her hand and say, "Oh no, no, no. That's ok. You keep it." At one point, somebody insisted that she take two pieces of candy. She immediately regifted the candy to somebody else, although she did keep the green one because it's her favorite color. I was so happy that she was really catching on to the spirit of giving.

Our last stop was the Wells Fargo store down in the main lobby. Gwen boldly started approaching people passing through the building and saying, "You look like you need some candy" and handing them a piece. It was really neat to see how the faces of these people would totally light up. She even barged in on a banker who was having a meeting with a customer and gave them both some candy. It was obvious that her intrusion was welcome.

[Remind me someday to mention how her comfort around strangers makes me completely uneasy]

Gwen gave her last piece of candy to somebody in the lobby with a huge bouquet of helium balloons. This person was touched by Gwen's gestured and gave her a balloon.

We then went back up to Rick's office to take a few more pictures and pack things up to go home. Gwen insisted that Rick's coworker, Tiffany, take the balloon because it was so important to her to be the one doing the giving that day.

I promised Tiffany I wouldn't put up any photos of her. I don't remember making Beth that same promise. Have I ever mentioned that Rick's coworkers are darling?

I'm looking forward to our Valentine's Day visit!