December Visitors

 Right after we got home from Washington for Thanksgiving we had some of our best friends come stay with us.  We are realizing that we see quite a few Nebraska friends here in Utah.  It seems like everyone has a Utah connection. We enjoyed having Brad, Emily, Mya and Madison stay for a couple days.  The highlight was the trampoline park... especially because Brad turned on his charm and got he and Brenden in for half off! Thanks for coming to visit!  We miss you guys! 

 Later that week my parents came up for a short weekend trip to hear my holiday orchestra concert.  It was fun having them here even though it was in the teens the whole time!  My poor mom never took her coat off.  They ended up driving our car home in the snow and leaving their van here.  Their van is not used to the cold!  The poor van spent most of the week in the shop due to a little ice skating incident with my dad.  After a hefty repair bill it was back to normal.

Sprinkles anyone?

Whatcom Falls Park

 We have taken the same photo in the same spot 3 times now.  Isn't it amazing how good looking we are after 10 years!?

2003- before we were married, Brenden shaved his head the day before

2007- Pregnant with Emmie

 2013- happy as ever

Now including 2 cute red-heads. 

Thanksgiving in Washington

 Last week we drove up to Bellingham, Washington to spend Thanksgiving with Grandpa Pete and Grandma Linda this year.  It was a long drive (13.5 hours) but worth it!  The weather was fantastic so we were able to enjoy playing outside almost every day.  

Panorama of Pete and Linda's backyard.  We can't wait to come play here next summer!

 

We went to Boulevard Park and Taylor dock where we tried to find some crabs.  The tide was really high so we ended up just throwing things in the ocean.  Excuse Brenden's questionable attire.  He had just finished running a 1/2 marathon up in the Chuckanut Mtns and was still wearing his running gear.  Men in Tights!

Here are a couple pics from Brenden's run up into the Chuckanut Mtns to Lost, Pine and Cedar Lakes:

 

The touch tank has been a favorite for many years now.  The kids loved it although they were too scared to actually touch anything.  There was a large octopus in the dome tank.  The guy working there said that he eats crab so they throw one in there about once a day.  It was funny because the crab would follow you around the tank with these pleading eyes that screamed, "get me out of here"!

We took the kids to Whatcom Falls Park. Where I'm from a park is a play structure with some rocks around it.  In Washington this is what they call a park - and its in the middle of town.  About 1.5 miles from Pete and Linda's place.  Pete didn't like how loud the falls were so he closed his ears. I still can't believe people get to live here.

The morning of Thanksgiving we took our bikes out and took a little walk through the woods. It was a beautiful morning.  I really think the Lord spent a little extra time when he created this part of the world.  Arizona got cheated.

It was fun to watch the kids and how they loved being with grandpa and grandma.  We also got to visit Great Grandma and play with her poodle Tedi.  Sorry to all the grandparents but I think Tedi was the highlight of the trip.

Our last night in Washington we got to go visit Santa in Fairhaven.  It was the perfect ending to a great trip! 

Thanks to Pete and Linda for having us! We loved every minute of it.  I'm glad we got to spend thanksgiving with you (and other aunts, uncles, cousins...).  We are sure thankful for you!