Weekend Getaway

When Paul had a training for work down in Seattle, we all got to stay with him in the hotel one night. The kids loved the hotel and can't wait to do it again!

Kindergarten Field Trip!

 Benjamin and I were both really excited for his first field trip.

I got to hang out with Benjamin and two other boys from his class.

 

Even with one of my charges making a run for it as the class was getting on the bus to go back to school, it was a fun day!

Friends + Fish = Fun!

We wrapped up September with a fun visit from our friends the Dymocks. They were nice enough to drive up from Portland to hang out with us for the weekend.

We spend Saturday at the Vancouver Aquarium:

 

On our way home we stopped for a bit at the Vancouver Temple. It's fun to bring the kids here since they don't get to see the temple as often as we do.

 

(Little friends Samantha and Connor)

The Fair!

This year we were wise enough to get to the fair right when it opened, which made for happier kids and happier mom and dad as well.

We saw and did all the usual things. (If I wasn't posting this 5 months after the fact I might remember more interesting anecdotes about our day at the fair.)

 Newborn calves are always fun to see.

 

 As are cows who have been tp-ed.

 

 They had some cool birds of prey. 

Notice Benjamin's new "school haircut." We went to the JC Penney Salon where they were giving free back-to-school haircuts to kids K-6. The lady didn't do a very good job, but Benjamin was pretty excited about it nonetheless.

Baby animals are always a hit with our kids. We usually make a couple of rounds through the baby animal area before everyone is satisfied.

 Rhett struggled with the "don't touch the chicks" rule.

 We loved learning about this mama pig and her brand new piglets. Did you know that pigs are born potty-trained? That would be awesome.

 As always, we tried to find the horses with our kids' names. This year the only one we could find was Rhett. It seems this is a tradition that is way more fun for the parents than the kids. I'm not sure why we keep doing it, to be honest. Especially since the horses are all facing the wrong way for pictures.

We let each boy pick one ride to go on. Benjamin chose this obstacle-course type thing that he could run through and then slide down at the end.

 

 

Rhett had his eye on the Ferris Wheel, so I got to go too.

Fun times! Till next year...

Train Ride!

 Bright and early on a Saturday morning, Benjamin and Rhett boarded their very first train!

They waited so patiently

 until the train finally pulled into the station.

 They waved bye-bye to Mama and Lucy

 and got ready to enjoy the 45-minute ride!

 Rhett consulted the map (or the train schedule).

 

A train ride from Bellingham to Stanwood was perfect for these two boys (and their dada!)