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Todd’s excited to spend lots of time with family – August 7, 2015
This month, my sister and her kids came up from Oregon for what has become an annual summer vacation. We usually split the time at our house (north of Seattle, WA) and our condo (in Wenatchee).
Last year was the only exception: they still came up, but not to do all the fun stuff mentioned below. We were #WaitingForTodd to be born. That was no vacation (at least for me)!
Here’s what we did on each fun-packed day this year….
AUGUST 7
Family arrived on Friday! Todd was so happy to see his aunt and cousins. It was like, “See ya later, mama!” We took a short stroller walk to the library before Eric got home from work, then Todd got to open his first 1st birthday present(s) early. (Thanks, guys!!)
Todd helps set up the beds for our house guests – August 7, 2015
AUGUST 8
We had a morning soak in the hot tub before us girls went to the Taylor Swift concert. That meant Eric was in charge of two kids for the entire afternoon/evening! Note that it was ~8 year old Eli who pointed out that the movie “Stand By Me” had “a lot of bad words.” (Rated R!)
Hot Tubbin’ – August 8, 2015
AUGUST 9
En route to our condo in Wenatchee, we stopped in Leavenworth for a late lunch/early dinner at South. It’s a restaurant with Latin cuisine that different people over the years recommended we check out. It was okay, but nothing worth getting excited about. They do give the kids Wikki Sticks, though…
Eli with his Wikki Sticks glasses – August 9, 2015
In Wenatchee, we took Todd for his first “car cart” ride at the grocery store.
Riding in a car cart – August 9, 2015
AUGUST 10
In late morning, we rolled, strolled, and/or biked for 6.15 miles along the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail.
On the Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail – August 10, 2015
In the afternoon, we cooled off in the condo pool. Todd tried his covered pool float for the first time, while chewing on vegan squid. Before it was time to go, I dunked his head underwater for the 1st time. He handled it well!
Elisa & Todd – August 10, 2015
AUGUST 11
August 11th last year was Todd’s due date. Obviously this August 11th was a LOT more fun!
When my sister and her kids come to Wenatchee during the summer, it’s a tradition to play certain games that Karin and I loved in the 80’s (Stop Thief and Lost Treasure…remember those??)
It’s also tradition to spend a day at Slidewaters in Lake Chelan. That’s what we did on Tuesday. At first, Todd was content to simply attempt putting every rock he could find in his mouth. He wasn’t too impressed with the “Aqua Zoo” area for little kids. Pretty quickly, though, he realized how fun it was to slide down the small slides with Eric (they’re actually fun for all ages). In the afternoon, we all floated on tubes in the Lazy River.
Elisa & Todd at Slidewaters – August 11, 2015
AUGUST 12
On Wednesday we took a short hike (1.89 miles total) up Beehive Mountain. Todd enjoyed his ride in the Ergobaby™ carrier. (We don’t use it enough!) After that, we stopped by Beehive Reservoir.
Todd – August 12, 2015
Beehive Mountain – August 12, 2015
After getting sweaty in the heat, another trip to the pool was in order. This time, Eric did the “Todd dunking”…
That night, Todd was so tired that he bagged out on Ashley on the couch. We teamed up to change his diaper, don a onesie, then move him to his bed. He never woke up!
Todd & Ashley – August 12, 2015
AUGUST 13
On Thursday, Ashley had the great idea to do some miniature golfing in Leavenworth, at Icicle Junction.
Mini golf in Leavenworth – 8/13/15
Afterwards, we ate lunch at Munchen Haus, where they have vegan dogs loaded up with all the good stuff: tons of different mustards, warm sauerkraut, onion, relish, and jalapenos (if you like).
Finally, we checked out the vegan fudge selection at The Flavor Express. They had 3 options. All were excellent, but the chocolate raspberry was phenomenal. I should have bought more than a 1/4 pound!
And– a third trip to the pool!
Eric & Todd – August 13, 2015
AUGUST 14
While we all packed up to go back home on Friday, we engaged in another tradition: watching “Honey I Shrunk the Kids.” (We have a pretty sweet collection of VHS movies at the condo!)
Other highlights for the week (that I didn’t already mention):
- Slumber party-type sleeping arrangements for our guests (in a small house/small condo!)
- There was a little “tree incident” (enough said!)
- Todd loved when his cousins shared their Os cereal with him
- Hanging out on the condo deck
- Watching movies (“Harry & the Hendersons,” “Father of the Bride”)
Todd & Eli on the deck – August 12, 2015
I think that’s a wrap!!
Todd – August 10, 2015
C’mon, Eric- the water’s fine! – August 10, 2015
Taylor Swift at Century Link Field – Seattle, WA – August 8, 2015
August 8, 2015 was a very exciting day, because I got to see TAYLOR SWIFT in concert (The 1989 World Tour). She was born in 1989. I graduated high school in 1989!
She really put on a great show!!
First, my sister (Karin) and niece (Ashley) drove up from Oregon the day before. I researched our public transportation options, to avoid the chaos of driving into the city with thousands of other people. The ST (Sound Transit) Express Bus ended up being the way to go!
On the ST Express Bus – August 8, 2015
We hopped on bus #512 in Lynnwood, then we got off within walking distance of the downtown Seattle Veggie Grill (at 1427 4th Avenue). We met Karin’s friend (and others) at the restaurant.
Outside the Veggie Grill in downtown Seattle
I ordered the (vegan) ‘Crab’ Cake, “Kale Style.” (Look at that tiny bit of tartar sauce. Of course I had to ask for more than that!) For dessert, I had a piece of carrot cake…yum!
‘Crab’ Cake, Kale Style (vegan) – Veggie Grill
From the Veggie Grill, we walked ~1 mile to Century Link Field. I picked up a double short soy latte at a Starbucks along the way. (Coffee = a hug in a mug!)
Before we joined the procession of people entering the stadium, we figured out where we’d need to catch our bus home. My niece and sister saw Taylor Swift in Portland for her Red Tour 2013. Hence– the red signs in this picture…
My niece, me & my sister
Look at all those tour busses…
Taylor Swift tour busses
Taylor Swift – The 1989 World Tour
We arrived plenty early. I actually had a seat in a different section than Karin and Ashley, because I’d decided that I wanted to go to the concert after Karin had already purchased their tickets. As it turned out, though, I was able to stay with them next to/within their seats for the whole concert. It was nice to be able to stay together.
Entering the stadium
Inside Century Link Field
Where we sat – Section 131, Row Z
There were 2 opening acts for the Seattle show: Shawn Mendes and Vance Joy. Both were excellent. The night of the show was actually Shawn’s 17th birthday. (During Taylor’s show, she had all of us sing Happy Birthday to him.)
Sean Mendes was opening act #1
Vance Joy was opening act #2
While it was still light out, I really enjoyed watching plane after plane after plane flying by overhead. And by the way– the weather was perfect: not too hot, and not too bright. (I don’t like heat and I’m a shade seeker!)
I should have taken a picture of an airplane going by, but I didn’t!
Karin & Ashley
When Taylor’s performance started, the wrist bands that everyone got upon entering the stadium started lighting up. Somehow they were coordinated during each song. Different bands lit up at different times and each band lit up in all different colors. It made for a fantastic light show.
Taylor Swift is known for really emotionally connecting with her fans and she didn’t disappoint us. In Seattle, she brought a surprise guest– Russell Wilson– (know him?) on stage. She also performed a song with another secret guest, Fetty Wap.
Ashley & Elisa
Here a few more pics:
Taylor Swift in Seattle – August 8, 2015
Taylor Swift in Seattle – August 8, 2015
After the show, we very quickly caught our bus and we were back on the road without any hassle. When we got home, the house was quiet, as (baby) Todd successfully went to bed for the 2nd time without me. It was a good night for everyone!
Freeheel Vegan 