Seattle Visit to the Packers {July 14-15}

This weekend, we made a quick trip to Seattle to visit the Packers.  They are living there for the summer while Nate does an internship with Amazon.  I don’t know if I’ll ever get the chance to live that close to my sister, so we thought we better take advantage and go up there for a weekend, even if it was a quick trip.  We left Saturday mid-morning (after my mom, Stacey, and I all went to Junk in the Trunk, an annual community garage sale at the rec center).  We had a fun-filled, busy day, walking all over the city and seeing a lot for the short time we were there.  The kids were great through it all, and took turns riding on or sitting in the strollers (we all have different styles of the same stroller!). 

We got there early afternoon, so we started out my walking along the waterfront and stopping for some fish and chips at Ivar’s.  Yum!

   

The kids looking at the fountain just as we got started.

Enjoying some fish and chips.

 

James enjoying an ice cream cone, and the kids found this octopus by the aquarium to climb on. 

After eating, we walked up to Pike Place market.  It was pretty crowded, but we still enjoyed walking up and down the stands.  Landon remembered buying a small turtle toy last time we were there, so when we found the spot, Grandma bought one for all of the grandkids.  They had fun picking theirs out and playing with them when we got to the grassy park at the end of the walk. 

We had to stop at Le Panier, a French bakery by the market, to get a croissant aux amandes!

  

James decided to hide inside this “No Parking” sign.

Stacey took these fun pictures of some of the beauties of Pike Place.  I was most tempted by the fresh fruits and veggies! (well, second to the pastries obviously)

  

 

Relaxing on the grassy hill at the end of the Pike Place.

After the market, we drove up to the Space Needle to walk around up there.  The kids especially enjoyed watching this fountain, and they all ventured down close to it.  Luckily, they all managed to stay relatively dry!  You can see the fountain a little bit in the back of the second picture.

For dinner, we went over to a park that overlooked the city, and we all ate pizza while enjoying the sunset and the beautiful view!

   

Stacey got this picture of our family with the view of the city behind us.

On Sunday, after church and a short nap, we went over to the Ballard Locks to see the boats and the salmon.  The boys liked watching the boats as they came through the locks and were raised or lowered to the right water level.  There were quite a few salmon as well who were migrating to fresh water up the salmon ladder!

   

The boys watching a boat come into the locks, then lowered into the Puget Sound.  James was saying “Where’s Daddy?  There he is, Daddy!” while Shane had him up on his shoulders.

 

Watching the salmon swim by.

Thanks Becky and Nate for a great weekend!