WESTPORT

Last weekend we went on a little camping trip to Westport which is on the Washington coast SW of Olympia. We left on a very raining day and it didn't let up until the next evening. We went with friends who camped for one night and we stayed for another night, hoping the weather would get better! My camera didn't come out until the first morning. We went for a drive into Westport to check it out. It's a small town and it was very grey and quiet.

 We came across a tower that we climbed up which gave us this view of all the pelicans.

 The marina area of Westport

 Jenny & Eli checking out the view - the only photo I have of our friends on this trip before they left. So sad!

After driving around Westport we went to Aberdeen in hopes of finding something else to do or see while it rained. We ended up going to Walmart to buy the forgotten unpacked items and some new rainboots for Aubrey. Then we took Aubrey to a movie: Brave. It was good, but had some scarey moments. When we came out the rain had stopped and by the time we got back to our campsite, the sun was shining!

 We walked down the path from our campsite to the beach. 

 This beach had so many sand dollars everywhere. I have never seen so many in one place! Aubrey used them as plates.

 We found some sand dollar artwork someone else had made.

 It's nice to see Aubrey not freak out about the sand anymore! She still has to warm up to it, but it's taking much less time! We even played in the water, it wasn't as cold as we were use to and Aubrey loved it!

A common Aubrey pose.

 Our campsite

We made peach cobbler in a dutch oven for desert the last night and it was so good, but way to much for just us, especially after a big meal of taco salad! We shared a little with our neighbors.

The next day we went to church in the little branch and then packed up and went to the beach one last time for some lunch before making our way home.

Does anyone know any remedies in getting rid of the smoke smell in clothes after camping?

I just finished doing 3 loads of laundry and it still has a slight smoke smell to me. 

Maybe it will just take a couple washes??

MUSEUM OF FLIGHT

Last Monday we had free tickets to the Museum of Flight so we thought we'd check it out. I wasn't sure if Aubrey would be interested in it, but she LOVED it! It reminded me of going to air shows as a kid.

 She sat in every plane that she could!

 They had a little kids area with little planes, hot air balloon etc. 

 There was also lots of space stuff.

Outside there were a few planes large planes you could go through, one was an Air Force One, that was pretty cool! I really wanted to go in this one (Above) but it was closed. It was so huge, I've never been in one so big.

SUNNY BIRTHDAY

 

Aubrey's birthday card to me - I'm pretty impressed with that cake and all those candles!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes yesterday. It actually turned out to be a great day, maybe because my expectations weren't very high! I woke up kind of stuffed up and fighting off a cold starting, I didn't feel like doing too much but it was a nice sunny day - finally! Jared took the car to work so Aubrey and I walked into the village for some lunch and shopping.

We went out for some greek food with a gyro and pitta bread.

 Then we walked to the park where we ran into some friends - who afterward bought us some ice cream cones!

Jared had taken the car to work so he could pick up these cupcakes for me (in lieu of a cake) on his way home. The flavors were: pancakes and bacon, cinnamon bun, strawberry, pomegranate, vanilla and chocolate.

Then we went out for dinner at Tulio's - it's an Italian restaurant really close to Jared's hotel, we had told some friends who visited to eat there and in return they got us a gift certificate.

The friend who we ran into the park was also the one who babysat for us last night so we could go out for dinner (she also brought me cookies the night before - isn't that super nice? Thanks Anna!!

The food was sooooo good. I had some sweet potato gnocci for an appetizer which was amazing and this halibut. It was the most interesting combination with pesto on top, sitting on a bed of foccacia croutons, tomato, radish, leeks and greens but it was so fresh and light and tasty.

 On our way home, it was so nice out and I thought how nice it would be to go for a bike ride while we had a sitter (since I don't have a bike seat for Aubrey yet). I hadn't really ridden my new bike yet and now was a chance. So we went home, got on our bikes and went down the bike path towards downtown and the water. It was a little scary at first (learning to ride a bike again), but it was fun!

Yes, I wore a helmet mom - just took it off for the photos :)

VISITORS

Yesterday my sis-in-law, Shelli had a weekend getaway to Seattle with a couple friends who were running the marathon here. I was able to tag along for some shopping with them yesterday and Aubrey came too. I couldn't believe how well Aubrey did. My intention was to call it quits as soon as she got grumpy but she never really did! Maybe it was because I wasn't shopping myself, so I could pay more attention to her! After shopping we waited for Jared to finish up work so we could grab some dinner and I was so impressed with how she just sat in Starbucks with me and patiently waited!

 I love walking through the market to see all the beautiful peonies - they are so pretty. I just discovered that they have a flower stand at the fruit stand I shop at, I might have to pick some of these up next time I go there. It's hard to buy flowers downtown when you are walking around with a child and a stroller and/or bags to bring them home, but the fruit stand might be an easier choice!

 She insists on having her photo taken with small girl mannequins everywhere!

Waiting in Starbucks for dad (almost an hour!) on a rainy dull day.

We found her her own umbrella today!

Also, tonight we are having Brent (brother), Tracey and Lauren come for a visit as they are out this way shopping!