Freemont Troll Fun

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Today was a pretty tame day. We went out for breakfast, hung out at home and just spent some quality time together. We did head to the city for a bit and revisited the Fremont Troll so that Auntie Jillian could see it. The trip back in April was without her and by the time we visited the troll, people were starting to fall with the horrible Norovirus that swept through all of us, except my dad.

The girls are always up for a trip to the Freemont Troll and this time they even had the chance to do a mini photo shoot with Auntie JJ. This is what fun with Auntie is!

After all of our fun, we headed home for some BBQ done perfectly by Shaun. Then Jillian and I head out for the evening to do a little ghost tour of the city. I know where a few haunted spots are. We had fun until the gunshots we heard near us while driving through the International District at 12am. That’s when we high tailed it out of there and called it quits for the evening. We did however drive past Kurt Cobain’s former residence, over to the Pioneer Cemetery, through Queen Anne and its several haunted locations and over to the site of the infamous Wah Mee massacre. There were a few more in there as well, so despite our brush with gunfire we were ok.

4th of July Across the Sound

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In my very humble opinion, I feel that the best way to enjoy the 4th of July and beat the holiday crowds is to head away from the city and out to the smaller towns on the Peninsula. While I know there are plenty of great celebrations for the 4th near Seattle, we just didn’t want to deal with the crowds. So we headed for the Bainbridge ferry and took off to the smaller towns on the Peninsula.
The ferry was busy but not bad. Unfortunately, we were the last car on and my parents and sister were right behind us. So we took the ferry and then we had to wait for the them to catch up. The day was a bit cloudy and cool. To most people, that would be a huge bummer but for us it was heaven. Despite the delay in catching up with everyone, our 4th was off to a great start.
Patiently waiting to head out the door.
Rainier from the ferry to Bainbridge.
Seattle skyline on the way to Bainbridge Island.
Seattle skylines and ferry boat trails.
Snuggles with daddy
Kisses for daddy too!

Once the troops were rallied and potty stops were made, it was off to Port Townsend for some fun! We walked through some shops, enjoyed the beautiful afternoon and then needed to stop for lunch. We found a new little spot to enjoy and the food was AMAZING. Hillbottom Pie in Port Townsend has some of the best pizza, soups and salads I have ever had.The Clam and Corn Chowders were perfect for the slightly cool day and I didn’t want my bowl to be empty.

After lunch we continued our walk around town and through more shops. So many of them were decorated for the 4th. It was so charming and perfect for the day. To me it was far better than spending the day in a crowded spot.

We wanted to make a stop in Port Gamle on the way home, so we eventually had to pack ourselves up in the car and go. As we drove, the clouds that had hung on for most of the day had started to part and the sunset over the Olympics on the drive home was stunning. Who needs fireworks when you have Mother Nature on your side?!

The perfect clam chowder that I wanted to take home in vats.
All smiles and having fun!
Feeling festive and enjoying all of the decorated shop windows.
Love it!
Silly girl enjoying a break from walking.
Perfection…
Happy 4th of July!

Most of that statement about needing fireworks is true however, after our ferry ride from Kingston to Edmonds we were treated with a fireworks show by the city of Edmonds. We stopped along the street and watched. Sure there wasn’t any music or anything to accompany it because we were too far from the park, but it was still pretty and a perfect end to a fun night. Ah, the adventures!

Adventurous Day with The Taylor Crew

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Grandma Denise, Grandpa Jerry and Auntie Jillian arrived last night! Its been just under a year since I last saw my sister and boy have I missed her. Her last journey to Seattle was a short one and a little more limited because of weather, so I have lots of things planned for her now that she is in town. So to start, we headed over to Pike’s Market and Post Alley for some fun!
We walked through Post Alley, stopping at some stores and to give Jillian the chance to take as many photos as she wanted. We then made our way over to Beechers and one of the French bakeries. We even had the chance to sit and watch them make cheese! Pretty cool to see them make it in such a big vat! After that we strolled through Pikes and watched the fish throwers. It was super crowded, so I didn’t get the chance to take a great picture but we had fun regardless!
Walking through the markets, trying not to buy everything in sight.
The people of the market
Listening to performers and vendors
Tossing a little bit of money into their case.
Shops along Post Alley
Along the streets and the street performers who have been there for years.
Seattle’s iconic Pikes Market… it may be a tourist trap to the locals but I love it.
Pretty fans for the girls…
Classy ladies exploring the sights!
Trying to catch a glimpse of the fish mongers and their fish throwing skills.
Hanging with Grandpa Jerry and the fish mongers.
Watching the cheese making process at Beechers.
After Pike’s Market we decided to do one of our planned trips… Ride the Ducks. Yeah I know… super touristy but I had a blast! Sometimes its OK to be a tourist in your own city and do silly things. I know the Ducks aren’t popular with a lot of people, but its a great way to get an overview of the city and have some fun. My parents, Shaun and of course Auntie Jillian had a blast and Abby did as well. Abby was amazed that a giant car could go into the water too! Unfortunately Ellie fell asleep through most of it but did wake up while we were out on Lake Union. I guess this means we will have to take her again some time. Bummer.
Two cute little duck faces… all ready for some fun!
Ducks, Kings… we know the real winner here…. Go Kings Go!!
Sporting our very best “duck faces” 🙂
My Ducks crew mate. She’s pretty cute!
Auntie Jillian’s adorable crew mate!
The rest of the peanut gallery, ready for a fun and funny tour of Seattle.
Quack, quack, quack!!
Down by the waterfront…
Our hilarious tour guide and captain!
Miner’s Landing
Historic car washes! Its said that while filming here… Elvis would bring his car here every day to have ti washed.
Seattle skyline from Lake Union
Gas Works Park from Lake Union
Loving her time on Lake Union!
From the ducks we decided to have dinner at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants. This was a treat for my parents and sister, being that Bozeman doesn’t have a lot of choices when it comes to Chinese food. After a delicious meal, we decided to make our way back to Seattle Center and enjoy the sunset view from the Space Needle. Like I said, we have guests in town… its fun to play tourist in your own city.
Patiently waiting for the monorail and having a little fun.
Oh silly little Abby!
Enjoying the ride to the Space Needle..
Loving the ride and another break from walking.
Hello Space Needle!
Trying their best to stay still and be patient. The line was a long one!
My beautiful sister… this is her first time visiting the Space Needle.
Finally made it to the top!  Pretty sunset city views!
Sunset city views!
Auntie JJ and her adorable nieces… Abby said she would keep Auntie Jillian safe.
City and mountains at Sunset.
Sunset on the Puget Sound
Hey!  I know them!
A rare moment and photo alone with my amazing husband!
They were having fun up there… I swear!!!

After our stunning views and fun at the Space Needle, it was time to head home. Everyone was exhausted from all of the fun and adventures that we had today, but it was a wonderful kind of exhaustion. Tomorrow we celebrate the 4th of July and goodness knows where our adventures will take us. Until then!

Brave Little Trooper

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 Mommy was a meanie and made poor Ellie go in for her 4 year check up at the doctors office. That wasn’t the bad part though…. it was the vaccinations that she received that made mommy the bad guy. Lucky for me, she was a brave little trooper and I had an easy time taking her for ice cream afterwards. After some crazy colored and overly sugary stuff, the shots were all but forgotten and mommy wasn’t so mean anymore. Thanks 31 Flavors!

Seven Years Together and Many More to Go…

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Today Shaun and I celebrate our 7th anniversary. Seven years together as a married couple, husband and wife, best friends. Seven years isn’t a long time in the grand view of life, but those years have been packed with a lot of big life events. Plenty of ups and downs, plenty of moments filled with tears (of joy and of pain or upset) and so far we have weathered it all. I think it goes without saying that what doesn’t kill you does make you stronger. At least that is my opinion and with each passing year, we are stronger then ever.

I could say a lot more, but I wont. Sometimes the best things are said with simplicity. So with that, I say Happy 7th Anniversary Shaun! I love you with all my heart and I cannot wait for all of the adventures ahead of us.

Happy Fathers Day!

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Happy Fathers Day to some of the most amazing men that I know! 
To my grandfathers, where ever they may be, I love you and miss you so very much. I feel a bit lost without you and miss the little things, like being taught how to properly use a scientific calculator or being told stories as we traveled through Wyoming and Montana about how the Yucca plant and other feathered brush were the Natives hiding and waiting for us. Its those things that will stick with me forever.
To my dad, the man who taught me to look towards the sky and dream. To imagine and dare to to wonder what is out there. Who taught me to love the outdoors, how to fish, to spot a grizzly from a distant hill and to learn how to use a camera. For being an amazing Grandpa who always makes his girls laugh and keep them constantly in wonder.
To my father in law, Patrick, who helped raise and shape the man that I love so much. For welcoming me into his family with open arms and with a few warnings about the family I was gaining (be wary of those Olivers, *wink, wink*). From a special memory of a moment shared at our wedding to a love and appreciation of hockey (and some good humored jabs about my love and intensity for the sport.), to being an amazing grandfather who 
To Shaun, the most amazing husband a girl could ask for. We have been through ups, downs and more moves in our marriage then most but we have survived and had fun doing it. You are an amazing father; kind, patient, always excited to show them something new and always there to pick them up when they stumble. Each day you show them how to dream, how to keep reaching for what they want and how to learn from their mistakes. You make them giggle with your silly stories and songs but you are firm when they need guidance. Such a wonderful father, so much so that I could go on for days. I love you and thank you for all you do!

Happy Fathers Day to all of the amazing men out there! Know that you are loved and appreciated every day.

Sick Little Sister

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Well “the crud”, as we have so fondly named it, has finally caught up to everyone. Ellie is now down with it and couldn’t be more miserable. Poor little monkey. Ellie has always been known to have high fevers and this is no exception. I guess its time to wait it out and hopefully get past all of the yucks. 
For now I will be opening all of the windows in the house, cleaning and spraying everything down that I can to keep away the cruds. Shaun is down with a milder version of what the girls have. However, he looks worse than it is because his eyes were hit hard. Yeah, hes gone in to work and been sent home based solely on the watery and swollen masses that his eyes have become. He wouldn’t let me take a picture and post it. Hmmmm, I wonder why? I keep praying I stay away from this one. Very much over being sick.

Abby Graduates from Pre-K

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Well, Abby made it! She was fever free for over 24 hours (without the aid of medication) and woke up today feeling well enough to graduate with her Pre-K class. She was very excited! Over the last few days the absence from school was starting to get to Abby and I could tell she was getting upset that she might not be well enough to go. But she woke up chipper, happy and ready to leave Pre-K.

Ellie waiting patiently to watch her big sister

Their ceremony was short and small. This is Pre-K after all. Each child had their names read aloud and Miss Foster had some lovely and kind words for each student. The class made their own caps and also helped put together a photo slideshow for the parents. It was fun to see them grow through the year through photographs.

After the ceremony, the school put together a small luncheon for the children and their families. It was nice to sit and talk with some of the parents one last time before we parted ways for summer break. We live farther away from the preschool than most families, so Abby wont be attending the same school as most of her classmates next year in Kindergarten.

Walking down their road. Miss Foster read “Oh the Places You Will Go”. Not a dry eye in the house.
Abby recieves her “diploma” and the gift she made for mommy and daddy.
The Pre-K graduate! She wants to be a doctor for moms and babies when she grows up.
Sisters!
A proud mommy and her little graduate.
A very proud daddy and his graduate.
Miss Foster with her little graduate and future student. Ellie will be in Miss Foster’s class next year!
After graduation, we took the girls for a celebration lunch at their favorite place, Red Robin. Abby had a yummy lunch and received a special gift from us. To commemorate her day, she got a new backpack. A big kid backpack! One that a Kindergartener would take to school and can fit big kid folders and homework. Abby is very excited that she will have homework. (We shall see how long that feeling lasts!).

Lunchtime smiles and silliness. I cannot believe this girl is going to be in Kindergarten!
Opening her “super big” present!
Showing off her “big kid” backpack and some of the goodies that were tucked inside. Lots of fun for the summer and next year!
Ellie recieved a little something too! A perfect little pony backpack for her year in Pre-K. She wouldn’t let me take a picture of her with it. Shocking.
Yay for big kid backpacks!

Today was a great day and everyone was healthy again! Yay for celebrations and fun times. Its even better when daddy gets to take a day off from work too!

Down For the Count

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I usually don’t like to post about our kids being ill but this was one of those moments where I couldn’t help it. After watching Ellie suffer through Whooping Cough at only 4 weeks old, seeing your kiddos really sick makes your experience completely different.
Abby started off with what seemed to be allergies. Quickly she developed a fever and her eyes watered and look as though they might swell shut. After three days of a fever that we couldn’t control or lower with medication (ie; Tylenol and Motrin) we made our way to the doctors office just to make sure there wasnt something bigger that might be going on.  Her doctor seemed a tad concerned but before putting Abby through the ringer, she had us wait until Sunday before coming back in and addressing the problem further.
Sunday came around and nothing had changed. Abby was still unable to fight her fever on her own, which remained constant and over 102.7, and her doctor was concerned based on a grouping of symptoms that Abby might have Kawasaki’s Disease. So we were whisked off to Seattle Children’s Hospital to run tests and be very sure that this was just a virus and not something bigger.
Poor peanut was not doing well at all!
  After a cool shower to try and bring her fever down. A little more light in those eyes but still so sick!
Being a trooper with lamby, some snacks and of course her favorite doggy, Rosebud!

Before I continue I want to say that in the end, Abby did not have Kawasaki’s. She tested negative and instead had a very aggressive form of an Adenovirus, which effects the sinuses. This was what was creating the crazy issue with her eyes and such a high fever.  She was given a good dose of Tylenol and after a few hours, she finally started to respond. They took blood work, hooked her up to an IV to get fluids running through her and all the while Abby was a brave little soldier.

We were blessed to have Auntie Kelli and Keith help us out. They met us over at Seattle Children’s and hung out with Ellie, who was quite concerned about her sister. Luckily, a trip to Starbucks for some treats brightened her spirits. Thanks to the both of you for helping on such short notice!

I cannot say enough about the staff (nurses, doctors and even the admissions staff). They were fantastic with Abby! They spoke to her like a person, explaining everything that was happening in terms that she could understand. They did their best to make her comfortable, happy and as fear free as they possibly could. Her IV went in like a breeze and aside from the occasional discomfort when she moved her hand, she barely knew it was there. (We covered her hand with Lamby… out of sight out of mind). She received her own pair of hospital socks, which Abby thought were very cool, and they gave her some of her favorite snacks since her appetite was starting to pick up again. Despite feeling bad, she was having a lot of fun and even got to watch some cool movies too!

Now we are back home, resting comfortably and hoping that she can improve enough to attend her preschool graduation. Fingers crossed!