Tag: Abby

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!

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!

Exploring Pikes and Some New Places

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Now that I am back to work, time is a limited commodity. When we do have the weekend to ourselves, we head out to find some fun things to do and spend the time together. Today we decided to be tourists in Seattle and check out Pike’s Market and then discover the Fremont Troll. 
Pike’s market was fun but a little busy. The rain kept the crowds away, but it also meant that everyone spent time inside the market and off of the streets. We would have been fine had we not decided to use the stroller. Pushing that thing through a very crowded Pike’s Market was a blast! We survived and still had a wonderful time. The girls even enjoyed a trip to one of the stores to buy some beautiful fans. One in pink and one in purple of course!
I love the old signs down in the market.
The name speaks for itself.
The rain let up so it was out to the streets to check out the shops.

After the market we decided to find another Seattle treasure, the Fremont Troll. This spot would be new for all of us and I was very excited for the girls to see him. Fremont is a very artsy and free-spirited If you have never heard of the Fremont Troll you can learn a little more about him here and here.

While the girls found him to be a bit intimidating at first (it was pretty dark and gloomy by the time we got to him) they soon warmed up and wanted to play and explore. You can climb to the top and explore all around the troll and they certainly got a kick out of it. Once again the rain kept people away, so it was nice to explore without the crowds. Score another one for the Wharton’s!

Daddy, Abby and Ellie hanging out with the troll.
Walking under the George Washington Memorial Bridge, AKA the Aurora Bridge, on Troll Street

Abby’s Registered for Kindergarten!

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I dont think I was prepared for this. I know we were just walking into the school office to turn in paperwork but I left there feeling super emotional and anxious. I just registered my first born for Kindergarten. Kindergarten!!! 
In less than 8 months, she will officially be in elementary school. She will be learning to read, write, and think like a kid not the preschooler I see in front of me now. Abby is very excited and has asked a million questions about what Kindergarten is like. I love that she has a love and a drive to learn new things and ask questions about everything. While it makes me sad to see her growing so fast, I am excited to see what this little sponge is going to soak in once she starts Kindergarten in the Fall. Lots of changes coming!

Monorails and Beautiful Glass

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Another beautiful sunny day here in Seattle and when the sun comes out, its time to have some fun outside. So off to downtown Seattle the Wharton family went with the hopes of trying something new. Once downtown we thought it would be great to take the monorail again, since Abby and Ellie loved it so much, and head down to the Space Needle. 
Once there we thought about our options and Abby said she wanted to go to the place with all of the funny glass. The Chihuly Museum is what she meant and that is where we went. ( I rhymed… did you catch that.) What an incredible museum. I was worried that Abby and Ellie would get bored quickly but they loved each an every minute. I think the colorful glass kept their attention.
Riding the monorail with my favorites!
Love that sassy little face.
Space Needle coming in to view.
A picture perfect day down in Seattle Center.
Weird and so cool. Abby and Ellie loved all of the neon colors.
Shelves and shelves of beautiful glass vases and other jars. I want one!

Under the Sea
Fisherman’s Lagoon
Coral Reef
Fisherman’s Lagoon
Fisherman’s Lagoon
Fisherman’s Lagoon
Fire and Ice
Abalone Bowls
Abalone Bowls
Hanging Flowers
Space Needle Flowers
Up close and so beautiful
Performing in the arboretum.
A final bow and kisses to their adoring fans.
ENCORE!
Reflective garden. Every single sphere in the garden reflects the Space Needle from it.
Space Needle reflection
Space Needle reflection
Sunset over the Chihuly and the Pacific Science Center.

The sunny days in Seattle are always special and today didnt disappoint. I love exploring all that this city we live in has to offer and much much more. On to the next adventure!

Ferry Ride… No Car Needed!

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I think its pretty apparent that we love to take ferry rides. If you have ever been on a ferry ride across Puget Sound, you would probably understand why. Then again, so many people become so complacent with where they live that it loses its thrill. It has yet to do so for us and I don’t think it ever will, especially for Abby and Ellie.
So far we have taken ferry rides with our car, that way we could drive to our favorite places once across the sound. But today, we didn’t feel like spending a bunch of time on the other side so we decided to just walk on! Its super cheap and the walk on ride back is free. After parking the car and bundling up it was off for the ferry on a chilly but beautiful and sunny day.
Parked, ready to go and enjoying the sight of Mt. Baker covered in snow in the distance.
Winter sun setting on the Puget Sound
Doing their best fashion walk up the walkway to board the ferry.
Patiently waiting and having a few good laughs with daddy while waiting for the ferry.
Silly Ellie…
Beginning of a beautiful sunset near Edmonds
“Look mommy!”
Sunset and Moon-rise over Edmonds
Very important conversations with daddy.
Sunset over the Olympics
Watching the ferry some in to the dock. Pretty neat to watch.
Bye Bye Cars… Its been fun!

The girls had a great time and enjoyed riding the ferry in a new way. As we waited to disembark we had the chance to watch the ferry pull up and we watched as the cars unloaded too. Its always fun to see things you love to do from a different perspective. Until next time Edmonds ferry!

Ferries, the Monorail and More!

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Christmas flew by as it always seems to do and now everyone has the Christmas blues. Lots of toys and candy and now reality sets back in. After a few days of work, Shaun and I decided to get out of the house and go on a few adventures with the girls. Another Wharton Adventure without a destination or plan equals fun!
First a ride on the ferry! This always equals fun for these two!

Sister snuggles!

Happily watching the world go by.
Calm winter waters on the Puget Sound.
Its windy and cold, but I love it!
More sister snuggles!
Watching the seagulls fly with the ferry. Close your mouth Abby!
After a ferry side, we decided to stop in downtown Seattle and do the one thing that Abby has been waiting to do. Ride the monorail!
The monorail runs to and from the Space Needle. This view never gets old.
Space Needle selfie!
Space Needlie selfie!
After a ride to and from the Space Needle on the monorail, we drove around the city taking in all of the lights. Loved how the market was all done up. The lights above were all vegetables. Very fun!

Our adventures always take us to fun places. I love that we can jump into the car and take an adventure. Always puts a smile on my face.

It’s Christmas Eve!

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Its Christmas Eve! Pretty soon the munchkins will be in bed and Santa will be bringing lots of presents!  Lots and lots of wonderful presents, some of which Santa and Mrs. Claus had to travel all the way an a ferry boat with two kids in the sleigh to pick up the only present Abby wanted for Christmas. I know it will be worth every moment though. Cant wait to see the looks on their faces!
Until then we decided to bake and decorate our cookies for Santa, enjoyed some dinner at Red Robin in our jammies (well, just the girls) and we drove around to look at Christmas lights. I love the little traditions that we are starting with our girls. Once we finished all of the fun and excitement, it was off to bed to have dreams of sugarplums dance in their head!
While the cookie dough was chilling for the sugar cookies, mommy baked some amazing peanut butter cookies. Santa’s new favorite.

Abby and Ellie in matching Christmas Jammies. My favorites!
Ready to decorate some cookies!
Cookie decorating is serious business.
One of the finished products!
The goodies are all plated and ready for Santa and the reindeer.
Ready for bed and hoping that Santa will put lots of presents where they are sitting.
Pretty Christmas tree
After many hours of building one Barbie Dream House, one near miss of Ellie catching Santa in the act of prepping the tree,  wrapping and more Santa finally made his stop at the Wharton House.

First Official Snow in Seattle!

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The weather reports were predicting it, but all to often they end up being wrong. Yet in the early hours of the morning we woke up to a wonderful sight. SNOW! While this isnt even close to being the first time we have ever been in the snow, it was our first snowfall since moving to Seattle. And while it was short lived, the girls enjoyed as much of it as they could.
Our view at 6am. So pretty and so quiet.
Abby and Ellie were up, out of bed and dressed in less than 5 minutes when they saw the snow out their window.
My adorable little snow angels
Dancing around in the snow.
Abby snow angel…
The end result of Abby’s snow angel
Ellie snow angel…
The end result
Another snow angel ala Abby
She reminds me of Ralphie’s little brother in this one.
Winter Wonderland
Just laying around in the snow
Tiny snow man
Building a tiny snow man.
Before we knew it the snow turned in to rain and everything started to melt, but Abby and Ellie spent a good 2 hours outside taking in all the snow had to offer.

Christmas Time Performances

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Christmas break is about to begin! But before school breaks for a few weeks, each class performed a few songs and poems for parents and family. It was very cute and I love the reindeer hate that Abby made. Ellie was a tad shy, but that’s ok. She still looked adorable and had a fun time. 
Listening to the Nativity Story. One of their guest teachers had a great book for young children that teaches all about the Nativity.
That’s one cute little reindeer!
Ellie sitting so quietly and patiently during the Nativity story.
The performance is done! Now its time for cookies and hot chocolate. Maybe even a present from her teachers too!