Pike Market and the Gum Wall

Finally, we worked our rainy way down to Pike's Place. It is a huge market place that is famous for fish throwing. This is just one little chunk of it.  It is actually a few stories high and has a couple different turns!

There were fun things to look at where ever we went but we were never tempted... mainly because we didn't have any room in our suitcases.  Brent told me that he really likes my hair in this picture, I guess fizzy is really a great look for me!

This is the shop that is famous for throwing fish.  I caught them throwing some but Brent was distracted and missed it.  Since it was past mid day we were really hungry.  Instead of having a meal we actually got little items from vendors and shared.   I love eating like that.  We probably spent about the same, but we got to try a lot more fun stuff!, like a chocolate hazelnut pastry and a delicious meat filled pastry with amazing mint sauce.  

We did have to walk back to the car because we forgot our pack of gum, and found this little statue.  The arm is mechanical and hammers up and down all day. 

 From there we went down to the harbor but there wasn't much to see but a few little things that were worth it!

After the harbor I called Audrey because Brent really wanted to visit the Gum wall.  Turned out it was back at Pikes Place Market. Look at this wall!  

Of course we contributed!  Brent said it started at a protest for waiting a long time for the theater.  

I guess a lot of people don't like to wait.

After we finished up we drove down to Auburn to visit with Toren and Audrey for an hour. It was really fun to be out of the rain and just catching up with the family.  I seriously want to live close to Audrey because she so so amazing!  I am pretty sure we could have a lot of fun together. Little Austin was asleep but woke up just as we were leaving.  He was super bashful when he came down but that little boy as to be one of the cutest three on the planet!  I could have stayed for a few more hours but it turns out Brent was pretty excited for the Mariners game, so we reluctantly left. 

Space Needle and Experience Music Project

Where is the most famous tourist spot in Seattle? THE SPACE NEEDLE! Before we actually got to the needle we went to Kerry Park, which is known for its amazing view of Seattle downtown! Imagine this on a beautiful clear day!

After the park we drove to the actual space needle.  I like this shot because you can actually see the water drops on the lense.  Brent was not happy about that, but we were in the rain so I guess it happens!

Next to the Space Needle there is the Experience Music Project. It is an amazing building but Brent and I really had no interest of actually going into the exhibits, so we just walked around inside and out.

I liked this outside structure.

The Music Experience building with the Space Needle in the background!

A front view of the Music Experience building!  Seriously how awesome is this building.  I have no idea how an architect can dream up and make something like this happen!

Final picture of the Space Needle.

On our way back to the car we ran into saw these duck vehicles.  They are amphibious so they go strait from street travel to water travel.

The Space Needle is cool but like most of the biggest tourist attractions I still kinda think it is overrated.  It was nice to get to check it off the tourist list!

Gas Works, Lenin and a Troll

In Seattle they have a couple different parks that are totally unique. One of them is the Gas Works park. It used to be an old gas refinery. They closed it down but left all the equiptment.

Signs were everywhere telling us to not climb on the material.  Apparently, we do not read very well.

I swear I am more tan that this picture is implying!

I liked all the bright colors.  The chose a very fun palate of colors. you can see some purple in the background of this picture.  I will they had little plaques explaining how everything worked at one point or another.

Gorgeous view of Seattle!

After that we went to visit a statue of Lenin.  I guess the story goes that someone purchased it and brought it back from Russia.  This statue is true to communist form.  We saw A LOT of communist art work while we were in Hungary and it look pretty similar to this.  

Some may ask "What does "this" mean?"  Well communist artwork  is suppose to inspire a sense of community, hard work, and equalization.  Since Lenin was the leader of the Soviet Communist Party, typical art would consider it odd that he is in a walking position with average work clothes on.  This suggest that he is a common man.  It is also very typical to see communist art work combined with some sort of rock structuring.  As you can see Lenin is coming out of stone, this suggest that his pathway and his will are unbreakable even when compared to the solidarity of rock.  These are things that we saw a lot in Eastern Europe so it was kinda nice seeing some familiar looking pieces.  

If you are wondering I did not google my analysis, it was all my own which is why it could be WAY off! Needless to say, it is pretty controversial to have in Seattle since the US has never supported communism or its propaganda. 

Once we were finished looking at Lenin we went to find the Troll that was featured in the movie 10 things I hate about you!  They were doing construction right next the the Troll but had it opened for people to climb on.  I was trying to see if they carved out his nostrils, and they did. 

This thing was GIANT!  In his hand he had a full VW bug!

Brent just relaxing.  you can see the VW bug, and the construction much better in this picture!

The troll was one of my favorite stops!  I am still not sure why the troll is there, but I will more people took advantage of unusual art spots!  

Seattle Parks

Saturday and Sunday were relaxing but Monday was a day to get things done! Brent decided that he wanted to be tourist in Seattle! It was a great idea and I was totally excited, until I looked out the window and saw a steady downpour of rain. that is when I became less excited about the prospect of walking around outside all day. When we were in London is rained, but since we were in London it was exciting, not daunting. Despite the rain we took off for Seattle!

Our first few stop were Parks, which is exactly what I wanted to do in the rain ;) 

Carkeek Park was the first place we went. Brent said this park had a great view of the Olympic Mountain range.   

 I am sure he is right but because of the overcast sky we couldn't really see anything.

At the Park there were  some funky statues.  I really liked tis one.

The park was right next the the oceans.  I was tempted to jump on in, but decided against it.

I loved the funky algae covered rocks on the ocean side.

Another statue in the park.

The second park we went to was the Golden Gardens park.  Half the park was beach and the other half was harbor. We saw a class of scuba divers swimming back and forth between the two.

Perhaps our flash was a little to bright?

The parks were really fun. It was hard to do anything but get out of the car and look around and then go to the next place. We plan to do the parks again in the future when it is nicer so we can actual hike and enjoy the surroundings!

Seattle Trip!

Once a year we try to make it up to Seattle with Brent's family and watch some Mariners Baseball! This year we were pretty lucky to have the same chance! We arrived late Friday night and were so tired we decided to go straight to bed! It was a good decision.

Saturday and Sunday were comprised of relaxing!  It was really nice.  We went to Bucks for lunch on Saturday.  Sean said that Buck's is a pretty famous spot for good seafood.  I got a cup of clam chowder and it was sure tasty!

Later that day we went to Zach, Mel's son, soccer game.  It was nice to watch a soccer game.  I am not a really big soccer fan, but it was nice just to see all these boys working so hard!

After church on Sunday we went to a farmers market, down on the Harbor.  Brent did a wonderful job taking some artistic photo's.

Here we are at the harbor.

Brent with his mom at the Farmer's market!  

Sean had Brent and I sneak Mel some wonderful flowers. Flowers are SO inexpensive at the farmers market.  I told Brent that is we lived there he would have to buy me some every week they were so beautiful!

Another wonderful artsy photo.  I like how the buoys kind of look like Chinese lanterns.

The Gateway to the water.  I really liked the framing of the walkway.

Saturday and Sunday were a really nice relaxing time.  We spent a lot of time with the family, just catching up. We also watched the movie Hanna, and I wasn't to impressed.  The weather was a great Northwest windy, drizzly, gorgeous green!

Johnny Rocket and The Silverton

After driving the car all the way back from Portland (by myself) it was nice to have a day to recoup. On Friday evening we went out with Erin and James, who had just moved here to work at the same firm as Brent.

We went to the Silverton Casino and ate at Johnny Rocket's.  It is this 60's style diner.  James order a sampler plate with mini hamburgers and hot dog.  Jadie, Erin and James 14 months old daughter, really enjoyed the hot dog.  James also got a yummy dark chocolate strawberry milkshake.  Jadie, took that milkshake down!  James looked away for about a minute until he realized Jadie had drank about half of it!

Here is the Ketchup they gave me!  Isn't it just the cutest little face?

Since the Casino is mermaid themed, you get cool features like this!  Those tanks are full of Jelly Fish!  The tank changes colors too.

The Silverton also has a really amazing Bass Pro Shop.  I am thinking it is bigger than Cabella's. Here is James and Jadie looking at a fish pond.

Brent just fitting in with the wild life.

Isn't this a really cute little cub!  He was really kind to let me pet him!

Erin and James playing Wii hunting.  It is pretty much the only form hunting I endorse.

Overall it was a really fun time.  We saw the mermaid again, but Jadie pretty much started crying at the site of her!  Going out with James and Erin is always a good time and I think we plan to do it again very soon!

Labor Day in Portland

I have been travelling a lot lately.  It started out with Utah, then San Diego and my third trip was to Portland over Labor day!

I have three major reasons to want to see my family all the time... 

Those reasons are Austin...

 Brody...

And Braden (apparently I didn't have a photo of him from Portland.)

 One of the favorite past times of all three boys was this... getting food out of every possible source.  I believe Brody had a fudge-cicle for breakfast one morning. Austin didn't like the cold so he would get any other type of food he could.  

 Austin set his sights on basically every animal in his sight. He was even daring enough to hug Itty Bitty.  The old cat put up with it decently, but you could tell he was close to showing Austin who was boss.

Over the weekend we did a lot of fun, relaxed things.  I bought a car, and Maren and Blake bought a van. We watch the first BYU game (which was torture since they almost lost), and we celebrated Toren's 30th birthday!

 Since we didn't want to share the cake with the kids, we waited until they were all in bed!  After singing Happy Birthday, Braden came down.  He told Maren "Mom, can I stay down here?  It is just soooo boring up there (in bed)."  Braden is such a little negotiator, but with something so cute it is no wonder Maren let him stay.

He sat on Blake's lap and just chattered to himself for a good hour!  He was adorable!

Toren requested that my mom make the famous chocolate cake, with no additions... and that is what he got. 

Portland was a great relaxing trip, and since we purchased a new car I was able to drive it home.  It was a turbulent ride where I way overdosed on 5 hour energy to stay awake. Although I had a hard time sleeping, I was able to drive safety home!

Thank you to my Aunt Patty who let me take a day of rest in Utah.  I got a great chance to catch up with them and see some friends!

Overall this was a great great trip.  I love having such a wonderful family!