Dusty Bottoms, Lucky Day and Ned Nederlander in Seattle

In February, my friends, Nikki and Sandra, came for a weekend visit. Friday night I picked them up at the airport and we went out for authentic Australian food at The Outback. Saturday we went and had brunch at Chinooks which located at the Fishermen's terminal. It was neat to see all the fishing boats. After brunch, we went and cheered on the Arizona Wildcats who were playing the Washington Huskies. It was a good game but the Wildcats unfortunately lost.

Derek, Alexis, and Holly cheering on their Wildcats

Ned, Dusty, and Lucky

After the game, I took Nikki and Sandra (Dusty and Ned) to the Seattle Temple and then up to Snoqualmie Falls. Holly and Nikki freezing in front of Snowqualmie Falls. From here we headed to Uncle Si's and had some delicious pizza and draft beer (the root kind).

On Sunday after church, I took the girls to the Cedar River trail and we walked about a mile to a bridge. Nikki showed me how to use my camera in manual mode and I took senior portraits of the girls. Nikki's (Dusty) Senior Portrait

Sandra's (Ned) Senior Portrait

On Monday we headed to Seattle. We stumbled on this park as we were walking. It was really cool to see trees with sweaters.

We went to the top of Smith Tower where legend has it if a single woman sits in the chair she will be married in 1 year. Nikki hoping to prove the legend true.

View of the Space Needle from Smith Tower

After Smith Tower we went to the Underground Tour. Originally Seattle was built at sea level and there were all sorts of flooding issues. After Seattle was destroyed in a fire, the city decided to rebuild above sea level. Nikki and Sandra looking through a store window. Some of the shops around this area actually have parts of the original Seattle for their basements. If your in Seattle I highly recommend this tour; it is very interesting.

We also went on a Harbor Cruise. Unfortunately, the day was fogging and wet so we couldn't see the Olympics and Seattle skyline was hard to see, but we enjoyed the cruise anyway. Nikki and Sandra were able to experience a common Seattle day.

Part of the Harbor Cruise included going into the Shipyard which I found really interesting.

After the Harbor Cruise, we went to Pike Place Market. This was my first time to actually go through the whole market. Did you know there is a yummy donuts stand where you can get 6 little donuts for $2?

When we were leaving Pike Place Market we found these cool lamppost.

The last day the girls were here we went for a hike in the rain. Sandra and Nikki all bundled up again.

I just love how green things are here

I had a lot of fun laughing and taking the Ned and Dusty around Seattle.

Greta the Ninja

Need I say more?

Sledding

This winter season I have been able to go sledding twice with the twins. The first time, Derek and I took them up I-90 to exit 45 where there is a small hill for kids. You get off the of ramp, park, and sled.

Greta the Dare Devil riding solo and face first

Derek, Greta, and Evan

Greta trying another one of her tricks

Evan was all giggles going down the hills

The second time was during the Winter Storm. The night before the snow really hit, I found some disc sleds at Bartelli drug store. The next day the twins had an appointment to get their haircut. Lis, the lady that cuts our hair, lives about .5m down the road. Well, we couldn't drive so Alexis and I bundled up the kids and walked/slid our way down to Lis' house. While the twins were getting their haircut I walked to Safeway where I found some rope. We tied some rope to each disc and were able to pull the kids on the way home which was a lot easier. On the way home we also stopped at the golf course where there is an hill. So, we spent about 45 minutes sliding down the Seventh Hole. It was a great hill and the kids loved it. I am not sure why but for some reason I decided not wear my snowboard pants. During the time we were out it was raining/snowing really light but consistently so that I was soaking wet by the time I got home but it was great fun.

I made Evan carry the sled uphill one time. The other times he had me pull him up :)

AHAHAHAH

Is Greta trying to catch snowflakes with her tongue or doing a Michael Jordan impersonation?

Greta with Alexis the sledding Ninja

Winter Storm

In January, we had a Winter Storm that blessed me with three days off of work. The snowstorm then turned into a ice storm. Here are some pictures to illustrate how beautiful it was.

These branches do not normally touch the ground. I cannot touch them when they are in their normal position. The snow was so heavy that MANY branches were hanging down or even broke.

If you look on the left you can see some branches resting on the ground because of the heavy snow.

Fun with Matt

While Owen and I were in Kansas we spent some time playing with Matt in the snow. We played some tackle football, tried jumping on the trampoline that was covered in inch thick ice and then snow, built a snowman, had a snowball fight, and the most exciting thing was building a pile of snow.

The snow was pretty dry but as it melt there was enough moisture to build a small snowman

Anyone want to play some football?

Matt keeps the snowman from gaining any yards towards the end zone.

What can you do with a pile of Snow?

You can throw a 6 year old boy into it.

Okay, now it's the adults' turn

I am not quite sure why I thought head first would be a good idea

Owen gets himself stuck

I just loved this picture of Matt and his beautiful blue eyes