Just another Sunday

Farmers markets are open for business!!!!  I couldn't think of a better place to have lunch or pick up some fresh food.  We headed for the South Tacoma farmers market (the same one we visited last summer, read up here).  We had all sorts of treats, even freshly-made Popsicles. 

The day was sooooo pretty that we just couldn't leave it at just visiting the market.  After a quick drive, we decided to head for the sound.  I had read about some local parks located on the sound on a local mommy blog, Sounds Fun Mom!  This day just couldn't end there, so we decided to meander over to Steilacoom and Sunnyside Beach Park.

We played on the sandy beach and found a jellyfish.  We played in the grass and on the playground.  We watched the ferry run back and forth.  Really, we just enjoyed our day in the sun and on the water. 

Seeing the Sights

Continuing our theme of showing the Olivers around, no trip to the Seattle area is complete without a few stops.  And... I got to play with  my new toy.  Ronnie bought me a new camera.  I am beyond excited about it and the pictures I captured.  

We headed out bright and early Saturday morning and made a beeline for the Bremerton ferry.  We had ridden the ferry when we went to the San Juan Islands back in April and the girls wanted to share that with Grammy and Papa.  The ferry system here is one of the best ways to see the Sound.... of course, the weather couldn't have been more pretty. 

After an hour's ride, we landed at Pier 52 in downtown Seattle.  We quickly found our favorite parking spot and headed out on foot to discover the rest of Seattle.  Another of our favorite things is to eat fish and chips at the counters at Pike Place Market.  Sarah has her Ab-SO-lute favorite and we HAVE to go there over any other place every time.  After grabbing lunch, we wandered around the market taking in all the sites (and with me snap-snap-snapping pictures. Did I mention I love my new camera????)

After we had our fill of the market, we made our way to Seattle Center.  Of course, we did it with style - we took the Monorail.  The Olivers decided they didn't want to wait in the hour+ long line for the Space Needle, so we just hung out at other Seattle Center sites.  We played on the lawn and at Friendship Fountain. 

Before you ask, no I did not "enhance" the sky with my fancy new camera.  It is really that blue up here....

Photo Friday

Every Friday, I will post a picture from our life.  Enjoy!!

Celebrating my sister's 30th birthday, Orlando, Florida, March 2010

We took a "spring" break from the cold, snowy frozen land of Korea and went to Florida for two weeks.  During our visit, Ronnie and I ran the River Run, visited with our friends and family, and celebrated my little sister turning 30.  

Rainier National Park

After a week of solid sunshine, I think it's safe to say that summer has arrived in the PNW.  Sunshine and bright blue skies!!! 

Right off our front porch is one of the most beautiful sights you can see in these parts, Mount Rainier.  But seeing as we had the Olivers in town, the front porch wasn't quite close enough.  After the Fourth, we took off for a round the mountain day trip. 

Our first stop: Suntop Lookout.  This is a beautiful area just to the north of Mount Rainier and is one of many fire lookouts in the national forest.  While there, we talked with the people who were staying in the lookout who gave us a tour and a small history lesson.  Turns out the fire lookouts in the area pulled double-duty during WWII as an aircraft warning tower.  We also found out that we can camp there (hmmm....).  Beautiful views and wildflowers were all around the area and our first big view of the mountain. 

Next up, we headed for Crystal Mountain.  The gondola runs during the summer and the Summit House was beckoning us for lunch.  Again, blue skies, sunshine, and some of the best views greeted us.  And a little bit of snow....  So much fun to play in it in July.
 

After filling our bellies with food and a small snowball fight, we hopped back in the car to continue 'round the mountain.  We drove through/by the Grove of the Patriarchs, Box Canyon, and Martha Falls in order to get to our next stop: Reflection Lake. 

This lake is the "typical" Mount Rainier picture -- the one with the mountain in the distance and a perfect mirror reflection in the water below.  On our visit, the snow hadn't quite melted all the way, but it was still a sight to see. 

After playing in the snow some more, it was time to really go look at some waterfalls. 

Narada Falls was up first.  The hike to the bottom was a little steep and slippery, so Shirley stayed with the girls at the top.  Boy did they miss out! 

 

Grammy and her girls

 

 Narada Falls, Ronnie and Robert, & the view from the top of the falls.

One of our last stops on the tour was Christine Falls.  Like I could really pass up an opportunity to see a waterfall sporting my moniker.  Of course, it didn't disappoint. 

On the way home, we swung through and checked out the campsites...  Just for future reference.

Bang Up Fourth!

Hurray for the Fourth of July!  It's been a bit since we've celebrated in the states, so we were really looking forward to our celebration this year.  That and the Olivers get here today to spend a few weeks with us.  To kick off their visit, Ronnie and Robert headed down to the Nisqually Indian Reservation to get the good stuff.   We invited our neighbors over and started the fireworks show in the driveway. 

Of course, it wouldn't be any fun if we didn't play with sparklers.  I taught Holly how to twirl it so I can get a picture of the swirls.  Fun huh?  Of course, Ronnie had to get in on that fun too. 

When it was all said and done, this was the frag left in our driveway....  If it looks like we had a good time, we did :)