THE GROWING GENTRYS: Seattle!

We took a family vacation together the beautiful Pacific Northwest. James and I had not been back to Seattle since the year with left, four years ago. It felt like just yesterday though, as we pulled out from the airport, Mt. Rainier at our back, the Puget Sound to our left, and the city skyline straight ahead. Grandma Cindy and Chip also came along to make it a smashing 60th birthday celebration! We had an amazing time catching up with the city we love so much, the landscape we still dream of, and family and friends we miss so. Oh, and the coffee! Did I mention we had five days of 60degree, sunny, blue, OCTOBER Seattle skies? Indeed, the gods looked favorably on our return! :)

Two toddlers. Five days. Seven checked bags.

Airport fun. Dad with the kids watching planes and trucks. Will would sign "more" after each one passed.

Will would have been content had that been the whole of the trip!

Go time! Operation flying with two 20 month olds!

Ada looking like an old hat. "Bee" got a luggage tag.

Minivanning it in Seattle. Definitely new for us!

Uncle Ed and Aunt Erin were amazing hosts to us, letting Will and Ada have at them. They loved hanging out with them, "helping" harvest the last of the seasons raspberries, and taking Nabina's toys for a spin. They also hosted a twin babysitting night so mom and dad could hit the town grown-up style! Such a treat to spend as much time with them as we were able to. James and I literally wish we lived next door! ;)

When we weren't at Ed and Erin's we were crashing our dear friends Hayley and Thayer's pad! We loved the extra time spent with them, seeing their new house, catching up with the cats Stu and Frank, and practicing our piano. We also took a great walk in downtown Renton where we saw Salmon swimming upstream to spawn. With a latte, of course. Perfect!

Just hanging out with Grandma on her birthday. We got lots of park time in Seattle.

Green Lake. Off roading to follow ducks.

Skippy showing us around her 'hood. We spotted a squirrel! Note Chips hat, courtesy of Will.

Skippy family shot.

Grandma had a great idea to check out the Chittenden Locks during Salmon season. We caught the eye of one lone salmon in the ladder, but plenty a boat traffic.