{ A Seattle Kind of Weekend }

Each year I make it a point to go out and visit my brother in Seattle so his kids (and he and his wife) won't forget me. This year's trip happened two weekends ago and included a hike to Talapus Lake (the lake pictured above), swinging, zip lining, laminate-floor putting in-ing, gelato eating, doll-house playing, ice cream making and relaxing. My brother's house never disappoints for good times with good people. I got to spend time with some of my brothers friends this trip too, and he surprisingly knows some cool people other than my family.


My brother and I share and affinity for big swing sets, so we stopped here on our way back from breakfast after I flew in Saturday morning. The family that swings together stays together.


My niece Anza running ahead one evening as we walked to the grocery store to stock up on food for the week. I need to move closer to a grocery store so I can ligitly walk to and from it when I need groceries -- it's so much more fun than driving.


Anza and her binoculars during playtime. Talk about awesome.


We ate some seriously delicious homemade foods while I was there. This is one of them. I'm not sure the ice cream world gets better than homemade pistachio ice cream (freshly crumbled pistachios to garnish)


The group on the hike to Talapus lake that we took on Monday. My brother is in charge of stocking and monitoring four lakes in the Seattle area, and Talapus is the most kid-friendly accessible.
From left, clockwise: Littly Emily, Jen, Chele, Mojave, Me, brother Andy and niece Anza.

The hike was followed by five adults (Jen's husband joined us) and three kids cramming into a mini van and driving to get gelato and thai food, in that order.


What the sassafrass? Anza before the hike.


Happy nephew Mojave before the hike.


Me and Mojave at the trailhead. You may think he's hitting me in the face, but you would be wrong; I'm kissing his hand.


My brother Andy with his kiddos. This is what hiking with two kids looks like a lot of the time.


Streamfall on the way to Talapus.


Me and Anza were in charge of taking the temperature of the lake while we were there for my brother. It was 64 degrees.


Me and Anza with our gelato spoons after the hike.


Anza and her makeshift antlers at the arboretum we visited the last morning I was there.


Mojave decided it was a good idea to sit in the pond to feed the ducks at the arboretum, but then no one would pick him up because he was all wet. He wasn't so happy about that part (picture of wet feet taken before he realized no one would pick him up)


The view from the plane as I left Seattle. Holy Mt. Rainier, Batman. Sicky sick.

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Sidenote of unfortunateness: I saw the non-attractive mugs pictured above on the left (priced at $16.50) when I was at the Seattle airport waiting for my flight. And, I instantly thought of the attractive mugs pictured on the right (priced at $6.00) from Anthropologie that my friend Brittany got me for Christmas a few years ago. It's sad to think some unfortunate souls are going to pay $16.50 for such ugly monogram mugs at the Seattle airport when pretty ones are available just a few clicks away for only $6.00! Such a pity.