Month: April 2014

It’s Zoo Time!

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We’re going to the zoo!! I know, this is nothing out of the ordinary for the Wharton Family, but we love this place.Who wouldn’t?! Its spring time in Seattle and when the sun comes out and the days warm up, you get out of the house and enjoy it. That is just what we did. I always enjoy my time at the zoo with my little monkeys!
Watching the gorillas!

Woah mom! Its coming our way!

Amazing and so beautiful

The Woodland Park Zoo’s oldest gorilla. She has been here since 1979. Looking good!
The Penguin Whisperer
Becoming one with the penguins. Love this spot.
“Let me in!”
She is fascinated by the ocean and all the creatures in it.
Hello pretty penguin!
Just out for a daily stroll in my tuxedo.
Penguin chicks in their natural habitat.
Taking in and enjoying a beautiful, sunny day in Seattle.

Little furry sentry standing guard.
“What? Who are you looking at?”
“Whats the shiny thing that you hold in your hand?”
Meerkat kisses… totally irresistible.
“I am ready for my glamor shots atop a Komodo Dragon!”
Sisters and besties forever. They might fight but they still lean on each other whenever they can.
I wish Ellie’s hand could always stay this small, especially when compared to a Orangutan.
Mama watching over her little not so little cubs.
Mrs. Hippo
Hungry, Hungry Hippo… ok, dumb joke.
Cheeky Monkey
Beautiful and curious.
Hello Wolf…
Big ole Grizz
Tiny Otter Bubbles
There is something very peaceful about watching the river otters swim and play. I could sit here for hours if my family let me.
“He’s a Raven Lunatic” Love you Daddy!
Nothing completes a trip to the zoo like a roll down the hill.

Another zoo trip complete! I am sure we will be back very soon and ready to visit our favorite friends again!

Spring Bloom

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Spring is here and everything is blooming. Its a pink and white paradise around here. Winter is so stark and just when you think everything has died and lost its spark, everything blooms and proves that life is there and ready to be seen. Summer is just around the corner!

Happy Easter!

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Happy Easter Everyone!
The Easter Bunny made it to our house and the girls were thrilled. This year, the big bunny made the girls do a bit of work for their baskets. When they woke up, the girls found a note from the Easter Bunny saying that their baskets were hidden around the house and they had to find them! Once they did, Abby and Ellie were in heaven. They loved their baskets!
The Easter basket with the note from the Easter Bunny!
SOOOOO EXCITED TO HUNT FOR OUR BASKETS!

Cheese and Happy Easter!

The note from the Easter Bunny

Someone found her bucket and looks pretty excited about it.

Abby loves her basket too. She had to look a little harder for hers but she found it pretty fast!

The Easter Bunny loot!

Enjoying every little bit of her basket.

So thrilled with everything!

After baskets and some breakfast, we took a drive and ended up in Edmonds at the beach. The girls cant get enough of the beach. (I think its the fact that they are California Girls). We had a great time even though it was a little bit cold and Abby and Ellie certainly stayed busy. Pictures at the beach are always the best too!

Our day was quiet and uneventful but I could not have asked for a better day. Happy Easter everyone! Hope you have a lovely day!

The Aftermath…

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Welcome to the aftermath! Grandma and Grandpa left this morning. Grandma was feeling a bit better nd luckily was able to travel. Unfortunately, the night time didn’t prove to be all that nice to the rest of the Wharton family.  By 2am it was very apparent that both Shaun and Abby were now down with the same bug. That means all but one has been sick this weekend. Here’s to hoping that Grandpa Jerry stays away from this crud!

Fremont Troll, Gas Works Park and More Vomit

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Everyone woke up feeling better this morning, so we took it easy and then head out to see some of the sights. Abby and Ellie really wanted to show Grandpa and Grandma the Fremont Troll, so that is where we headed. 
There is a lot to see in Seattle, but the Fremont Troll is pretty cool. A special little spot in an artsy side of town. The girls love it and it was the perfect day to go with very few people around.
HEY YOU GUYS!!!!

Ellie through in a little wave too!  Come and get me!

Grandma Denise and the Fremont Troll.

Such a fun and unique place to visit.

Doing a bit of exploring with Daddy.

One, singular sensation every little step they take! TADA!

After the trip to the Fremont Troll, we decided that it was a perfect and sunny day to head over to Gasworks Park. This park has gorgeous views of the city and a unique history all of its own. If you would like to learn about it, please click here. Its a pretty cool place and certainly busy when the sun is out.

Many of the buildings still stand and make this park so interesting.

Perfect day and a gorgeous skyline

Watching all of the boats, DUCKS and birds.

What mom???  Enough with the pictures all ready!

GasWorks and Kite Hill. Perfect day to enjoy.

Playing and exploring as per usual.

We enjoyed our time at Gas Works, but unfortunately as we walked around Grandma Denise started to feel yucky so we packed up the car and headed back to our house. By then time we reached our house, it was obvious that now Grandma Denise had what Ellie and I had. She was miserable and what made it worse was the fact that they have to leave in the morning to travel back to Bozeman. Not the way I wanted them to end their anniversary trip, at all.

Adventures and Unexpected Suprises

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This morning we set out for what we hoped would be a lovely day. Breakfast at Salish Lodge, a walk down to Snoqualmie Falls overlook, ferry rides, Port Townsend and more. But just as we started to hit the road, Ellie puked all over herself. Both girls had coughs for the last week and she was coughing when it happened, so we turned around, changed her clothes, checked her temp (she didn’t have one) and then headed back out. We figured that was the last of it, but boy were we wrong. 
We sat down for a lovely breakfast at Salish Lodge and a few minutes after she started to eat her food, Ellie leaned her head under the table and proceeded to throw up all over Shaun’s leg and the floor. Luckily the restaurant was super nice about it, we got Ellie and Daddy cleaned up as best we could and we finished breakfast. After that, Ellie seemed like her normal self again. So we carried on! 
She ran down to the falls and we enjoyed the beautiful view.  The day was perfect, sunny and warm for Spring in Seattle. We enjoyed every moment that we could. Soon we were heading back home so that Shaun could change his shorts and we could meet up with Auntie Kelli and Keith. They were going to join us for a ferry ride and a trip to Port Gamble!
Snoqualmie Falls

Snoqualmie Falls

The Barger, the Goofball and the photo-bomber.

So pretty and green!

The ferry ride over was beautiful and it was so exciting to have Keith and Kelli with us. Kelli was able to introduce Keith to my parents and we all had the chance to hang out. I don’t think we could have picked a better day. I am starting to think that my parents are the good luck charm for amazing weather!

Kelli and Keith, the Happy Couple!

Picture perfect day and a clear view of Mt. Rainier

Hello Everyone!

Feeling better with a veracious appetite!

Everything is blooming here in Port Gamble.

After a ferry ride and stop in Port Gamble, we parted with Keith and Kelli and made our way to Port Townsend. By the time we got there and drove out to Fort Worden, I was starting to feel pretty yucky myself. At first I thought it was hunger but it wasn’t. Once we were back at the ferry and ready to head home I was very under the weather. What a bummer! I can only hope I feel better by tomorrow. No fun being sick with family here!

Day Trip to Friday Harbor

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All work and no play makes Jocelyn and Shaun very cranky people! So we took a weekend off and decided to try another something new. This time, Shaun decided to make it a bit of a surprise and wing it. The results were pretty awesome.
We woke up and headed out the door at a Shaun approved day off hour, so like 9am and hit the road. I had mentioned maybe heading to Bellingham or a little further north. Ultimately I would have loved to go to Vancouver for the weekend but we still need to get passports for the girls. But I digress…. 
For a day trip we decided to check out Anacortes, at least that is what I thought. We drove there and had a few laughs, remembering our honeymoon and the whale watching trip that we never made it to. We were all ready to go, Dramamine in our systems, sleepy but excited and when we arrived we learned that no one called us to remind us to be there 45 minutes prior to get live vests and head to the boat. I think we still have the free tickets to use! Just when I thought we were going to leave and find something else to do, Shaun heads to the ferry terminal. He decided we should take an adventure out to the San Juan Islands and Friday Harbor!!!
On the ferry and having fun. Its a longer ride for all of us!
Beautiful ferry ride through the islands

Watching the cars and people below.
Watching the seagulls follow the fishing boats.
All little Starburst to pass the time.

After the beautiful ferry ride, we arrived in Friday Harbor. It was gloomy and misty but the rain was staying away. We decided to do a little exploring and came upon Lime Kiln Point State Park. From what we could tell the hike from the parking lot down to the overlook was manageable for the girls, so we hoofed it. The walk down was beautiful among the trees, moss and greenery. The coastline was stunning and pretty soon it would a wonderful spot to see whales migrating back from Baja, California and other locations. We were a few weeks too early though. Not to worry the views were spectacular, with or without whales.

Nature hiking with their favorite guy.
Green and mossy
San Juan Island Coastline

After we were worn out from our hike, we headed back to the car and did a bit more exploring from inside. The area is so diverse. You move from mossy coastline to rolling open pasture land within a matter of minutes. The misty day made it feel like we were driving though England rather than San Juan Islands and it was spectacular. As we passed by one farm house we noticed several large birds near a grove of trees. After a few looks we realized it was a bald eagle with several of her young. ALl of the young birds lacked their white heads, but you could see that they would soon be getting their white feather. What amazing birds and so breath taking. Luckily I had my camera and longer lens, so I was able to catch a few photos!

Juvenile Bald Eagle enjoying a “snack”
Mama bird with her so called… Babies.
Such a beautiful bird and very aware and watchful of us.
Those white feathers will be coming in soon!

After our adventures we headed back to the ferry terminal and made it just in time for the next ferry. We have awesome timing like that. Once again the ferry ride home was amazing and we enjoyed every moment. I know where I will be heading again soon! Love Friday Harbor and the San Juan Islands!