Day 2 - Seattle to Whistler

After a little breakfast at Danielle's apartment, Karen and I left the Seattle area to head further north.  Our first potty break was in the beautiful college town of Bellingham, WA.  We found the cutest donut shop on earth there along with no less than four fantastic murals on the sides of buildings.  It was rainy and chilly all day.

Our sweet rental car

Why yes, that is a maple and bacon long john.

Cubist The Last Supper, in a church parking lot no less.

We got asked a lot of very specific questions when crossing over the border into Canada.  Much harder than getting into Mexico.  Sometimes it's hard to think of Canada as another country, they speak English, their dollar is worth exactly what ours is right now.  We were so shocked to receive change back at shops in a foreign currency and I was unable to use my phone or my iphone internet for a full three days.

Lunch in Vancouver

People sitting at this restaurant were speaking at least two other languages.

Apparently our stops in Bellingham and Vancouver, not to mention the nightmare that is driving thru Vancouver, took too long and we arrived at the lodge in Whistler at exactly 5:30pm, the time when official wedding festivities began there.  The evening began with a BBQ to get to know the family and friends of the bride and groom who had all traveled there recently from all around the world to celebrate.

Cousin Theo and Aunt Elizabeth

Helene and her niece Callie, Theo's daughter

Three sets of sisters and Molly

It was also Elisa (the bride's sister)'s birthday that day:)

Vacation Day 1 - Seattle

Last night I arrived home from a five day trip with my sister Karen (6 yrs. my junior).  The vacation started and ended in Seattle.  Karen spent the summer of 2008 working and living in Seattle.  I had never been there before.

Karen landed a bit before me and picked up the rental car.  From the airport we headed straight downtown to Pike Place Market as the shops were already beginning to close down there.

Then we headed down to the water front to check out Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe, which is pretty much a national treasure with it's mummies, shrunken heads, and multiheaded animals, etc.  And after exploring the shop we had seafood for dinner on the pier.

Next it was over to the Space Needle and it's environs.

Sci Fi and Music museums in awesome architectural gems.

After exploring the city, we crossed another bridge with gorgeous views to visit Karen's old neighborhood in Bellvue and then went out for drinks with her old friends in another incredibly beautiful suburb called Kirkland.  We each spent the night at a friend's house and I stayed up WAY too late talking with Danielle.  I love you and miss you already Dani!

Tuesday we drove from Vancouver to Seattle but were out of time so never did get to do the Underground Tour or anything, we just drove through the beautiful city and headed straight to the airport.

More of the trip to come!

Boating

Elora driving the boat with Papa "Owl-an"

Elora's first time tubing

Jonah loving the tube

Tori tubing

The joy of going fast :)

Demolition Derby

Double Shower

While Brandon's mom is in town, her sister Karen is getting remarried.  So we had a double shower for all the ladies on that side of the family.  Baby shower for Andy and bridal shower for Karen.  Good food, good presents, great company.  Lots of laughing.

We. are. fam.i.ly.

The K. family gals

The blushing bride

Just a warning, if you force Stephanie to be in pictures, she may grab your boob.

Lisa & Tori

Brandon's mom and 14 y.o. sister Tori are in town.  It's been a lot of fun so far.

Farm country at Thanksgiving Point

The girls in T.P.'s dino museum

"Napkin man" Tori at Cafe Rio

Napkin-man Jonah

Brandon holding our new nephew Trey Dillion