Old Fashion Road Trip

Brad had just gotten off working night for the previous 14 nights straight...so he looks a little tired? Stockton drove and got lots of his freeway time in...I can't believe he will be able to drive soon, but I am looking forward to his help!

A picture taken from Pike's Market...wow it was a gloomy day and just after this it poured rain...but what do you expect - IT'S SEATTLE!

Fake smiles and grouchy faces....oh the joy!

Yay! They both are smiling!

Yes - I am sitting while they shopped...the Nike store was heaven for Stockton, Brad and the girls! I think Stockton was sitting by me begging for something?

This was a swanky pizza restaurant, I wasn't sure if the kids would eat it, but they did! They are getting mature, but none of us act that way!

Waiting for the Fireworks to start at Gas Works park... they were awesome!

Pictures DON'T do justice?

The Locks...the ocean is 13-15 feet lower than Lake Washington.

Smile, grumpy, grumpy, grumpy

smile, smile, smile, grumpy

At Shilshole Bay, not the ocean we are used to visiting but beautiful!

He STILL loves me?!? How lucky am I?

Our visit to the Museum of Flight at Boeing.

The mellow driver - Brad

The crazy driver - Stockton...look at their smiles.

Pictures from the Ferry ride to Bremerton

The view from our resturant in Bremerton...so pretty!

From a top of the Space Needle

You can see Mt. Rainier in the distance.

Us watching the World Cup game at a sports bar and grill! Stockton wasn't going anywhere else until he watched the game.

The public library, the most photographed building in Seattle.

Sam and Rachel hooping it up!

We did a BIG family vacation earlier this year and so for our summer vacation we decided to go to the Oregon coast...but Brad had never been to Seattle so he wanted to drive up there first and then down the coast. SO THAT'S what we did! We put some miles on the Tahoe... Brad and I both grew up taking road trips for every vacation but we didn't have seat belts, a/c, DVDs to watch, electronics to play...our kids are spoiled and they still complained a bit?!? But the drive was beautiful and we did find fun. It was just us too! So immediately after Brady's baptism we changed clothes and we were off...Stockton now has his permit and he drove for the first 4 hours, almost to Boise. He did a great job. Brad had worked nights the previous 14 days before we left so he rested in the back and then I drove for the next 6 hours and NOT 1 car past us...I wasn't even speeding THAT bad. The speed limit was 75 and I went 79. Then Brad drove us into to Seattle for the last 2 hours, we got there at 3 AM. The next day was JULY 4th and we went to Pike's market and shopping in downtown. Then the girls went swimming at the hotel for a few hours and then we went to the fireworks at Gas Works Park. They were spectacular! It was a rainy day but it was exactly what you expect when you go to Seattle. The next day we went to the Lock's and went to Shilshole Bay and walked around them. Later that day we went to the Museum of Flight at Boeing and the kids did like the simulator's. Later that night we went on the ferry to Bremerton and ate dinner then came back on the ferry at dusk and it was so beautiful. The kids LOVED the ferry ride. The next day we went to the Space Needle and then Dave S. came and picked us up and took us to the troll under the Fremont Bridge. Sam S. lost his legs in an accident a few years ago so we went and watched him and Rachel practice for their wheelchair basketball league...they are bad a...we went to dinner and then the next day we went down the coast. The girls loved to swim everyday in the hotel pool, they had a great time just the two of them. Some day I will write the history of Dave S. but not now its a funny story.

Brady DOES make good choices...

Just kidding about the title. Brady is the kid in the family, that you NEVER know just what he is going to say or do...who does he remind you of...ME! We say just what is on our minds and I don't get in as much trouble as I used too....but poor Brady, he still has a few years before he can get away with it. Grandpa Scott, said he will be in the Marine Corp because he may need the discipline, but I don't think so. He makes me laugh every time I am around him. He usually says something to make one of my kids cry or feel bad every time they are around him, but I still LOVE him. He got baptized today and I am so happy that he made this decision. He is a smart kid and I am glad that we could go and be there for him on his big day. Even his parents say, "He was sent to the wrong family, Kim, he was supposed to go to your house!" Well I will take him anytime. He went to the right family, they needed a little excitement!

Independence Day Celebration (in Utah)

Mike Lake driving the music for his two daughters that are Fal-ettes. Go Jaimee and Melissa.

Grace, Brinley and Sam on the cheer truck, waving and having a great time. Sara said she didn't want to be on it...she wanted CANDY?!? Go Lyndsie, Sydnie, and Kendra!

Because the holiday fell on Sunday, some of the local cities celebrated on Saturday... Brad worked nights, so he stayed home to sleep a little before we left on our road trip, Grace was in the parade with Brinley and the CHS cheerleaders, so Sara, Stockton and I watched the parade. We have gone with the Adams' for the past 10 + years and we sit in the about the same spot! (usually my whole family comes but Brady also was getting baptized so they didn't come to the festivities) There were 5 floats in the parade this time and a lot of kids we know participate...BUT the crowd watching the parade is where I find a LOT of my joy! Have you heard...people are crazy? At least some of them look crazy, I don't actually know their state of mind but I love to people watch.