Mother’s Day Tea with the Girls

Today was the Mother’s Day tea at Abby and Ellie’s preschool. The girls were both very excited about today and I, of course, could not wait! We had lovely tea treats, some wonderful gifts from the girls and I was so happy to spend this lovely time with them.
Yummy tea time goodies
Mommy and her beautiful little girls. Thanks for making me a mommy!
Abby made me a coconut and lavender sugar scrub! Yummy!
I loved her answers for the questionnaire and the hand prints and poem had be tearing up in public. Oh my I love these kiddos.

First Fishies!

The girls have been asking for a dog, so we took them to the pet store… and got them some fish! Our house is limited to the size of dog we can get and if I am being honest, after losing Jack I am not sure I am ready for another canine companion just yet.
Instead we thought fish would be a great pet for the girls to have. Teaching them responsibility; making sure to feed and care for them. Its also a great way to teach them about loss, as we all know most guppies have a pretty short life span. Hmmm… maybe a puppy is a better choice. I guess only time will tell.
So after a trip to PetSmart we came home with a tank, all the needed accessories, some fun decorations and 4 fish picked out by our adorable little kiddos. Ah new fishy parents! Lets hope all of our new fishies adapt and survive. No matter what, it was a fun day sharing this moment with the girls.
Trying to decide which ones to take home. If the girls had it their way, they would take them all.
Our new tank with our 4 new fish. Each has a name but I have not committed them to memory yet. Just. In. Case.

It’s Zoo Time!

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

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!

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…

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

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

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!