Weekend in Leavenworth - December 13, 2008

We got together with Brenda's sister Jackie, her husband, Mike, Sami Jo, Allie, and Brenda's parents for a weekend in Leavenworth. This is the second year that we have made the trip for the Christmas Lighting. We made a stop in Cashmere for a visited to the Applet & Cotlet Factory. We stayed in Wenatchee and drove up to Leavenworth and spent the afternoon browsing in the shops and the girls had fun sledding down the hill in town before the lighting.

Sami Jo & Alli with Santa

Wee!!! Sledding in town.

The whole group!!

Everything was frozen!!

Rick in the snow

We stopped on the way home for alittle more sledding. Brrrrrrr!

It was so cold that we only stayed for a few minutes. Mike had a themometer, -4 below!!1

Day with Allie - November 16, 2008

Rick & I got to spend the day with our niece Alli. We started out with a visit to Manchester State Park for a hike. Then we made our way into Port Orchard for alittle lunch at a cute diner and then to the city park to play on the toys. We all had a great time!!

Look at that smile!!

Rick on our hike.

We took a break after climbing up some stairs. (At least 200 according to Alli)

Leaf Fight!!

Rick showed Alli how to skip rocks on the beach

Anniversary Trip - November 1st 2008

Rick & I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary this year. With Rick starting a new job, we decided to take a weekend trip to the Portland area. We had a great weekend!!

Willamette Falls

Rick at Multanomah Falls

Multamomah Falls

San Juan Island Camping Trip

Rick & I took our two nieces, Sami Jo & Sophie to the San Juan Islands for a few days. We loaded the boat with all of our gear and headed out to Pelican Beach. We were lucky to find a campsite. The weather was great and we had a great time. We did some fishing & crabbing, hiking to the top of the mountain, and even playing a game of "Camper", which the girls made up (their version of Survivor). We were lucky to see a pod of whales when we were at the top of the mountain and then again when we were out in the boat. We enjoyed the trip with the girls and had a great time meeting lots of new people that joined us on Pelican beach!!

Rick taking a break.

Mt. Baker

Sami Jo & Sophie kayaking around the bay.

The Lady Washington sailing ship was out touring the San Juan Islands.

Sami Jo fishing.

Sophie fishing.

The girls got a lesson in rock skipping from Uncle Rick!

Mt. Baker - early in the morning.

Sunrise - it was beautiful!

The girls at the top of Eagle Cliff. What a hike!!

Camp

Look at the size of these ice cream cones!!

Pulling crab pots. We can do it!!

Our game of Camper!! Sami Jo ended up in the water not on it!!

Sami Jo was already wet, so why not have alittle fun.

Boy, that was cold. The girls washing their hair & feet!!

Smores & Camp Fire with gummy bears & rice krispie squares, Yum!

Sunset on our last night!

Rick's Trip to Wisconsin - July 31, 2008

Rick went back to Wisconsin at the end of July to help Chelsea & Jake moved into a new apartment. Jake was out of town working but surprised Chelsea & Rick by coming home early. They were glad to have him home and it made the move alot easier. They were able to move in a day and that left them time to enjoy Madison. They visited the zoo, did some kayaking and fishing!! Rick had a great time!!

Chelsea & Jake

Time out for alittle Kayaking!!

Chelsea in the new apartment

Mt Rainier from the plane

Wow! What a view!!

4th of July

Fourth of July, we spent three days at Westport. The weather was cloudy and misty, but we still enjoyed the holiday. Rick went out fishing & crabbing each day. The water was alittle too rough for me (seasickness), so I stayed on shore. Fishing for sea bass on Friday & Saturday was slow, but the crabbing was great. Sunday, he & my dad went out salmon fishing. Unforunately, they did not have any luck at all. We went down to the docks on the 4th to watch the fireworks, but the clouds came in and you really could not see much. Always nice to get away and relax.

Rick, the Great Fisherman!!

After a hard day of fishing & crabbing, Rick cleans fish and cooks the crab.

Lots of Crab!!!

We caught 9 on the 4th

Sea Bass

Westport Winery

We stopped for a little wine tasting on the way home.

Camping @ Sol Duc Hot Springs

Rick & I finally managed to visit Sol Duc Hot Springs this last weekend. We had plans to a few other times and never did make it. Boy, was it worth the trip!!! We left on Friday morning and took our time, stopping for lunch in Port Angeles and again to see the old Lake Cresent Resort. Then it was on to Sol Duc. Camping at the resort was ok (the hookup sites were pretty much a parking lot) but the hiking and soaking in the hot mineral tubs more than made up for it. Saturday, we hiked up to Sol Duc Falls (6 miles round trip) The weather was perfect (in the 70's) and we packed a lunch. It has been a long time since we had been hiking in the woods and we enjoy it very much. We spent the evenings soaking at the resort in the mineral tubs. (They smelled like sulfur alittle bit, but after awhile you got used to it) It was a relaxing weekend and we look forward to visiting again.

Lake Cresent

Rick on our 6 mile hike to Sol Duc Falls

Sol Duc River. The weather was great, not too hot!!

The Falls

We took a little break & had a snack at the falls.

This is a shelter that was built in 1939 for the hikers to get out of the weather.

Sunday morning at camp. The smoke is from the natural hot springs.

This is one of the hot springs by camp. People fill water bottles and drink the mineral water, they say that it is good for you and has healing powers.

On the way home, we stopped by Salt Creek Recreation Area and walked on the beach.