Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Day in Seattle, Part 2



After Brad's graduation picnic at Greenlake, we headed up the hill to the Woodland Park Zoo where we met Grady's mother. It had already been a loooong day for the children; a 2 hour car ride, a 2 hour picnic and now we were going to attempt a day at the zoo! :) Laura had taken a short catnap but Gracie was unable to nap in the car between places as they are very close in proximity. Grace without a nap.. hmmm. I had my doubts and was envisioning myself sitting in the van for 3 hours with a whiny 3 year old. But praise the Lord she was an angel! Both of the little girls did *VERY* well.











A familiar sign to both Grady and I who spent many days of our childhood poking around this zoo~







Grandma Bonnie



This day at the zoo proved to be a very memorable and special one. I am so blessed that Grady followed the prompting of the Lord in reconciling with her after the 10 years of zero communication. I pray that the Lord can use us in some small way to show himself mightily to her~ ♥







Darling Amanda with Grandma

















Who is this guy that keeps following us everywhere? :)












The dinasaur exhibit was interesting.. Grace was scared out her mind :o
They were life size, made noise and moved. This T- Rex was particularly imtimidating!









A rare glimpse at our photographer and oldest sweetheart (w/Gracie) ♥














A scruffy Sun Bear



















Komodo Dragon~ an 8 ft long, deadly and horrid lizard. Grady was particularly interested in this guy since it reminded him so much of his wonderful monitor lizard (a mini one of these) which he had during the time we were dating and in the first year or so of our marriage. Sadly, the scaley 3 ft long creature died suddenly of some bone disease. ( :0 )













Lovely Wisteria





Weaver Bird


















This guy was adorable~ Friendly too!













Very cute honey!









Grant's favorite animal at the zoo.. a wild rabbit! (they were all over the zoo!)









The only view we got of this sleepyhead


























Painted hyena









Laura making friends with Grandma









I am pretty sure I have a photo of me 35 years or so ago on this same lion











Sweet baby Laura Jean, 11 months





















Hello Mr. Donkey







Little Grace's favorite part of the day! We could hardly pull her away from this cute milk cow statue










The flamingos were at the end of the trail. Just when we got to them it started raining. Just in time for our departure. Thank you Lord for great weather!








Add Image








Closing down the zoo~ Laura getting her dinner before we leave





We did not leave the zoo until 6 or so. Bonnie wanted to treat us to a Mexican dinner but first we stopped by her 4-plex to take a look at her absolutely lovely garden! Ashley snapped quite a few pics of them.. We got to the restaurant at around 7:30 pm. Again, I was concerned about how the little girls would do at such a late hour and without their naps. One of the girls did indeed start falling apart at around 9pm but really Grady and I thought that wasn't so bad for such a full day in Seattle! All the fun, sun and family left us very much worn out. It was so nice to get back home ♥



The boats along the shore in Ballard near Bonnie's house




















A lovely strawberry blossom





























calla lillies









carnation








violet
















Poppies
















Another poppy











Iris





















Monday, June 20, 2011

Brad's Graduation

The family had an interesting trip to Seattle to attend a celebration for Kelly's brother Brad who graduated from the University of Washington. The picnic was right in Grady's old stomping grounds near Greenlake, in the heart of Seattle. There we saw hundreds of people.. walking their dogs, jogging, skating. Not too many children unlike when Grady and I were growing up in the area. Kinda eerie really. But lots and lots of dogs! We felt very obvious and out of place. Here in liberal Washington you NEVER see plain people, anyone wearing a covering. I mean absolutely never.. At one point my father, who is known to be QUITE the outspoken character, was loudly exclaiming "why dontcha just take a picture?" Our children were such a blessing to us though. They just shone of the Lord Jesus. At one point Ashley and Amanda rounded up the boys and they took off to the other side of the lake to hand out tracts. They had many decent discussions and many not-so-great discussions. We were blessed that they felt led to do that. Then it was time to go on to our next destination which I will leave for the next post.





Kelly's brother Brad and father Mark


(taken last year)



A heron along with a troop of turtles (can you see them?)










My Grant-ly boy




Kelly's dad with Hank





Some of the family



Cousin Dana




Mandy visiting with grandpa





The boys and Gracie at the lake





My big boy



cute picture Ash! :)