Happy Thanksgiving weekend in Seattle

We just got back from our annual trip up north to my parents' house for Thanksgiving in Seattle.  This year, we were smart and drove directly north of us through Central Washington, instead of getting stuck in traffic in Portland, Olympia, Tacoma, Renton, etc.  On paper, this shortcut only saved us 10 miles, but with no traffic, we easily saved close to two hours in holiday traffic!  No-brainer!

This year, Bridgit's family also came up to Seattle for the holiday week.  Since my parents' neighbors were out of town, they stayed just down the hill from us at their house.  My parents let them use their golf cart for easy commuting :) 

Still can't get over these huge windmills that line the gorge.  Pictures do not do these justice - they're HUGE!  We would go along the gorge on many trips from Eugene to Spokane to visit family as a child and these were never there.  So crazy to see them here now!

The first thing to do at Grama & Papa's house?  Play outside, of course!

Very fitting of Talia to wear this dress since we have a picture of Tristan wearing this two years ago after we left all of his clothes in Portland.  That was right after we found out we were having a girl and I looked forward to putting it on my future daughter :)

Cousin breakfast!

And then the next morning, outside again!

We love Grama & Papa's jungle gym!

Even Grandpa John (Bridgit's dad) got in on the action!

Taking a break to say, "cheese"

On our Thanksgiving family "nature walk" around Grama & Papa's property and their neighbor's house

Their neighbors are artists from Manhattan who have recently retired here, so there are works of art all around their property.

Just a little project their neighbor is working on in the "basement" of their house.  He built and painted every single feature of this train city.  It is beyond amazing!!

This ferris wheel is designed after a real-life one that was in their amusement park they owned on Long Island.

And then there's this tree house.  I felt like a kid all over again while we were here!  And yes, that's a zip line Trav is on that connects from the tree house to the balcony of their house. 

Inside the tree house

Bunk beds they made for their grandsons.  Is it okay for me to wish I had this tree house as an adult?!

Bridg taking a ride on the zip line

Continuing on our nature walk, Bella fell down a steep ravine into a creek as we were crossing a slippery wooden bridge.  I'm not quite sure how we got the polar bear out of there.  I thought we were going to have to call in a helicopter or else make a new home for Bella down there.  But with two grown men pushing and one pulling, the crisis was averted. 

Beating us back to the house

Funny cousin poses.  And again, someone really needs a hair cut.

Lincoln still wearing a bandage after getting his first stitches after falling off the play structure at school.  Poor guy.

The Thanksgiving spread.  Too large of a group to fit in the actual dining room, so we all crammed into the living room.  Whatever works :)

These guys love to dog pile their Papa!

Playing dress up with Talia again.  Another outfit worn by me 32 years ago.  Brian and Bridgit think my mom and I are crazy, but we think it's fun :)

And then the next day, we had to take the obligatory visit to Pike's Market

Love this pic of Tristan skipping along with Grama :)

Since the Danners and Beasleys spent the last two nights of the weekend at a hotel in downtown Seattle, we met up with them for lunch.  These boys just cannot get enough of each other! 

And then on Saturday, with the house to ourselves (Danners/Beasleys downtown, Papa left for Haiti the day before and Grama was at a wedding), we decided it would be perfect timing for an all-out piano concert!  They really got into this and played for nearly an hour.  Hoping this piano excitement lasts into the future because, little do they know, they're taking piano lessons whether they like it or not! :)

Another fun Thanksgiving weekend with wonderful family!! Love this time spent together so much :)