The Greater North West part 2

I found just a few more pictures of the first part of Seattle. Here Z man is out front of the house my Dad got. It was  so beautiful and covered in Green !

A shot of the music museum and the Space Needle

Z man and his Space Needle. If he could live there, he would be the happiest boy. He just loved it.

They get away with so much

Tutu and Z man ! We finally made it to Federal Way and for our first meal Diane took us to Salty's, my most favorite place to eat. We sat out on the back deck, when you looked down you could see the water through the cracks and if you looked in the water, you could see fish and scuba divers. I had a Dungeness crab stuffed salmon over and amazing risotto. I didn't take any pictures for I was enjoying every bite of that meal.

James getting ready to go to his first MLB game. Dan got him a shirt and hat of the local team, so he was good and ready to cheer on the best team... at least that's what I think ;)

Little Miss Eira and Tutu

Eira was fast into wrapping Tutu and Kapuna around her fingers.

Kisses for Kapuna

Eira just fell in love with Shannon, She would do anything with here. That included a heap of laughing and smiles. If I recall, I think Eira taught Shannon to play 52 pick up...

At this point Dan and James would have been on the train to the game, but there was a hold up back here at the house. Little Miss Eira decided when Kapuna gets to leave

James was holding it in, but I could see he was ready to see this game. He talked about it the whole way up to Montana and then all the way over to Seattle.  But as I said before, Eira decides when they go ;)

Need I say more ;)

Now I didn't go to the game with them, So these are pictures Jameso took and he took a whole heaps of them, I just picked a hand full.  But here they are at Safeco  Field ready for cracker Jacks and $15 hot dogs...

James said he could hear the ball when someone would throw it and even catch it... a big smack into the glove.

James still loves how Americans show their team spirit. Every team, if they suck or if they are kicking butt, they are there at the games dressed in team colors and with pride.

I had said from day dot, if you're going to go to a MLB game, you have to go with Dan. I can't think of anyone else more passionate about the game of baseball. Plus James could ask Dan all the questions I couldn't answer... and there's a lot of them. When you get into the baseball terms and stats, it's another language to me. I love the game, but I know 3 strikes your out.

I feel these colors look great on James... I know he's a Phillies fan, but this colors look good

Some things to remember his first game by and a little gift for Z man.

So after the baseball game the battery for our camera died and we couldn't find the charger. So we depended on our phone which was almost dead too. So we had also hoped for Diane's phone too. So we don't have nearly as many photos as I wish we did. But here we are on a Ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. Z man just loved watching the Space Needle get smaller and smaller.

We looked for whales and dolphins... didn't see any, but we saw plenty of seagulls. The weather had a perfect break for the ride over. We didn't get to see Mt. Rainer, but we were able to see the surrounding Islands. Seattle holds a special place with me for it's amazing beauty. I just love how green it is. Every where you look... green.

Another Ferry going the other way, Again... Mom and Rich used to take me and my two younger brothers on these all the time when we lived in Seattle. So it was another memory we got to share together.

I'm pretty sure if I dig enough, I will find the pictures of me looking like that on my ferry rides.

Kapuna showing Eira how to take a ferry ride in style. No joke, he's like the baby whisperer, any time Eira would start to get a little cranky or extremely cranky, Dan would pick her up and start talking to her and she would stop... maybe even fall asleep. Amazing

" Kapuna ! Space meedle ! " yes I still haven't fixed it into "Needle"

I believe they are looking for dolphins. there was so much to look at and with only 20 minuets on the boat we had to take it all in.

We picked a Mexican place to eat at... Yes this plate could have fed us all and the table next to us. but this would be one meal and one meal to put anyone into a food coma. Didn't finish it... no where near it, but James loved having Mexican food while in America. That's one thing Australia needs to get... Real Mexican food... not so much this heart clogging  meal, but close to it.

On the Ferry Ride back to Seattle from bainbridge Island.

Looking back to Bainbridge, I'm so happy Dan and Diane took us to this Island. It was just a perfect little town on and amazing and beautiful island. I kept saying the whole time we were there... I am meant to be living on this island. Right out of a book or movie, cute little shops and cafes with local artist and foods. Just another world and all you need to do is jump on a boat.

It was cold on our boat trip back, so Z man found a great spot inside... He got to watch the Space Needle getting bigger and bigger as we got closer. He got to watch the seagulls chase us back to the mainland, He loved out little boat adventure.

My old house... right across the street from Dan and Diane. I had so much fun living across the street from my best friend Chelsea. I have had so much fun sharing this place with my family and I can only hope we make it back here more.

Out front looking at the moon and watching the planes fly above

Daddy's little girl for sure

On our last day in Federal Way Dan and Diane took us to Salty's for a goodbye Brunch... All you can eat most amazing seafood and sweets and crepes and... well everything was just over the top delicious. In the left hand corner of this picture, Dungeness crab legs.... all... you... can... eat. Bring it on

James knows how to enjoy a vacation.... Yum and they tasted like some pastry chef was out back making them. 

After brunch we played on the beach Chelsea and I used to play at as kids. Little Miss Eira jumped right into playing with the rocks... good thing Tutu was there to take the rocks out of her mouth and keep her from jumping over head first..

Again... we didn't have a camera, so we took pictures from the phones and not enough. But James and Dan got right into teaching Z man how to skip rocks on the water and to miss the scuba divers. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing our trip has been so far. We made it from California to Montana and now Washington and we will be making our way down the 101 back to So Cal. I always feel at home when I come back to Federal Way, The brooks went out of their way to show us a good time and we will always remember our few days in Federal Way. James and I still can't decide what place was hardest to leave.

To the North West part 1

Making our way from Bozeman to Seattle, but not without a few stops in between ! Our number one stop would have to be the Wolf family in my hometown of Missoula Montana.

I remember playing at this house when I was only young (3 and 4 ) I was born in this neighborhood, but I don't remember all the years ;) But I was so happy to bring James and my kids to places that have such meaning to me. I would have to say, they like it so far.

26 years and still great friends. I can only be so lucky to have the friends I do. I just love catching up with Lianna and her family. It's not a trip to America without stopping at the Wolf's house.

Our stop was short, but sweet with the Lianna, but we had to chug on to our next stop. Pass through Idaho again to get to Washington state. One thing James noticed were how the trees changes every 100 miles. It was pretty amazing to catch onto that. The further West we got on the 90, the bigger and thicker and much more greener they got.

You can NOT pass through the pan handle of Idaho with a stop in Wallace. The town under 90. Also Dante's peak with out the volcano. Still holds some amazing character .

We made it to Spokane Washington and found a Red Lion Hotel, it was so late, so we decided to go right to the hotel and order room service. Z man was over the moon in "AWW" he thought it was so cool to have food brought to you...in bed ! He had no clue what was going on, but he loved it.

After Spokane we hit a few hours of Washington Desert... This picture says it all.

It's so cute, Z man kept looking at his pictures he took with Papa Weeks and kept asking about him. He was already missing his mate oh so much.

The Columbia River crossing ! Great Memories of road trips to see the grandparents while living in Seattle. I would just love seeing the Horse sculptures. It was so hard to see them this time because of the 19 + fires burning around us. The smoke was over the top thick and not fun to breath in.

Almost there...

My Dad flew out from Virginia to meet up with us for a few days. He got a house in Seattle, with a view of the Space Needle. In this picture, both James and Zeric are trying to teach him to use the ipad... it made for some good laughs.

For years now, I have been telling James the weather in Seattle if perfect (in my eyes) Cold and rainy. But for the first few days it was right out of Australia, It was HOT and muggy. You can see here Miss Eira is not putting up with it, so walking around in her diaper is how she was rolling.  She also took charge of the dinner table, she ate everything and picked what you could eat.

Z man was just in love with this city. He kept pointing out the space needle and saying " Space meedle"

He was so in love with the Space Needle, we decided to take him up to the top of it. He was in "aw" He kept pointing out boats and planes. We made our way around it checking out the city from above, this only helped James love for Seattle begin.

A view of the water and a boat ( ferry) Z man would scream " BOAT !!!"

I'm not sure what side of the Needle this it, but James was pretty pumped to see Safco Field (baseball) from up top.

Again, I use to do this a kid. I remember my Mom driving us up from Federal Way to play at the Space Needle and the children's science museum. So yet again, I was so excited to bring James and our kids here to share memories with them. I know they may not remember this trip, but I will and so will James... plus this blog might help.

Miss Eira, Z man and Grandpa up top of Seattle.

The Space needle, I thought I had more pictures, but I can't seem to find them. So this will have to do. Z man was just in love with this tower.

After the space needle we walked to the Children's Science Museum, that too was a place I used to go to. We had so much fun here. In this picture Z man got to make the jaw bone of a T Rex move.

In the foot print of a long gone creature... I'm not sure he knew how to take it all in, he just followed us with a little confused look. But he loved it !

After the dinosaurs, it was into the space section where James and Zeric got to fly a space ship.. There were other things in there where  you could see how much you weighed on another planet or touch rock from outer space. After the space section was earth Science... just amazing and mind blowing fun. 

Just a little fun with Mirrors

Eira had to get in on the fun... look at her hair, she thought it was so much fun.

in the middle of the science center... making our way to the King Tut expo

We took so many pictures of this expo, but pictures just don't do any justice. It was amazing to see objects that were in King Tut's tomb. Amazing art on rocks and gold, amazing statues of kings and gods. Seeing how they lived and what they did. I'm so happy we all decided to check out this part of history before they take it all back to Egypt.

More Science museum, I love this place and with a huge part of it closed down for a face lift, it was still so much fun.

Z man thought this guys music was god enough for money... he gave a little wiggle wiggle and then ran.

Making art into a stylish seat... why not.

Grandpa decided to join

Z man got a cake pop from Starbucks and most of it fell on the ground... As he cried the saddest tears, a little bird thought he would make the most out of this situation.. peck peck

Some more street art in Seattle and leave it to Z man to turn it into a game, My dad was fast into joining him and ran into the forest of metal. I'm not going to lie, I too joined and chased Z man around in them, it was oh so fun.

The Space Needle, The Music Museum and the tall sculptures that we used for hiding. Seattle has so much character and beauty to it. Grunge did start here, so the music community is huge and strong. There is so much to do here, we may have to stay a week next time just to see more. 

Little Miss Eira playing Peek A Boo with Grandpa

Now showing me she can get away with almost anything with that smile. She was very fast in figuring out she could run the show... very fast.

The next day we made it back into the city to check out pike place. A steamed milk for Z man to help him get the day started from Seattle best.

Pike Place... one of my most favorite places. We were there for hours and still didn't get it all in. So many side alleys and up stairs and down. You would need an extra day and a good pair of shoes to check it all out. You meet the most interesting people and buy the most amazing stuff here. The tasty peach I have ever had in my life... here. Amazing sea food and treats that could put you into a food coma.  Local Artist who are still stuck in the 90's but that's what makes them special. James and I loves every bit of this place, if only we had more time and energy.

This is a famous coffee drinking man... only in Seattle

What a good morning looks like in Seattle, As I said earlier, I think this kind of weather if perfect. It takes a select few to enjoy the true beauty of the fog I guess. At least that what I keep telling myself.

My Dad took us out for lunch at a place across from the water and right next to Pike Place. So any Sea Food would be to die for. I decided to get a Dungeness Crab Sandwich and New York style clam chowder. I have said it a million times and I will always say, My favorite sea food hands down is in Seattle. This place was so delicious.

What can I say, Z man just loves live music and the people who do a good job. Dropping coins in every case that was open. This man was a true character of Seattle... right outside of the first Starbucks.

I kind of wish all of them looked like this, but if they did... it wouldn't be so neat. It was super packed from coffee fanatics, but we still went in and got a drink and a mug.. it would be stupid if I didn't.

At one point we all had to have a seat. We sat down in a park full of 90's hippies and Navy entertainment. Some of the best music yet, leave it to the Sax and any band will be tops in my book.

As I have said before, the food was amazing and finding the right places you have to go off the beaten track and find a place in an alley hidden behind it all. We got some super yum cookies to end our day in Seattle.

The time with my Dad was fast, but fun. I was for sure I had more pictures, but we were playing with the kids so much and enjoying the view of Seattle, we didn't get as many as I thought. I know we wore him out because this is how we felt after. A good 4 day nap would have done us great, but as we all know... kids don't sleep. So it was a nights sleep, a morning walk with Grandpa to get a cuppa and then off to our next stop... Look out Tutu and Kapuna