Labor Day in Washington :)

Finally I'm posting about our week long trip!!!

This post is really LONG....I really don't know how to contain my thoughts when I go on trips like this! Sorry!!

The 7 week break of summer just ended and before it ended Steve and I wanted to take a little break and go to Washington to see his family. Craig is graduating from Marine boot camp, Christy was having a baby shower, and so much more. We left on Friday, August 31st and stayed at my sisters place in Boise that night. It was a lot of fun to see them and it was also nice to get part of the drive out of the way. We then visited the Loya's (family friend) Saturday morning they don't live too far from my sisters place so we visited for a little bit and then drove the rest of the way to Snohomish, WA. We met up with two of Steve's best friends (Jarrett and Kenny) and Kenny's wife Natasia and went out to eat at Bob's Burgers and Brew in Everett. It's one of Steve's favorite restaurants and we thought it would be a good time. These three have been good friends ever since they were little and it would have been perfect to compare what they look like now to what they looked like when they were little kids.

Sunday: We went to church at Steve's parents ward all by ourselves because his parents and siblings were still in California. After church we went and saw Steve's mom and step-dad. They live in Bothell and it's always great to see them every time we visit. They fed us some wonderful biscuits and gravy and we chatted for a bit. The rest of the afternoon we went over to Mukilteo, which isn't too far from Snohomish. Mukilteo has a little beach, a lighthouse, and the ferries also go out in the Sound. At 1:30 amish the family got home from California!

At Mukilteo :) The lighthouse was tiny but still was a cool view! Steve's skipping rocks in the bottom left picture.

Labor Day: That morning we left for Lake Cavanaugh which is where the Boyd's cabin is. It is about an hour away from their house and lets just say after a lot of curvy roads and Lonnie driving, you're not feeling so hot. We got to Lake Cavanaugh, put the boat in the water and took it for a spin on the lake. It was a little chilly at first but eventually it warmed up and it was so much fun out on the lake. I've been on a boat before but have never been tubing or wakeboarding (i know call me crazy). Not long after we were on the lake I decided it was time to get on a tube. It was sooo much fun. I only fell off a few times but it was only because the driver (Steve or Lonnie) would go around corner really fast or change the boats direction. It was also a lot of fun seeing how good Steve was at wakeboarding. He was pulling flips, jumps, etc. I tried getting up on the wakeboard but it was a little hard and after my arm muscles hurt I decided it was time to take a break and maybe try tomorrow. After hours on the boat we decided to go shooting. It was all the boys and then Christy and I. They had a lot of guns to shoot around including a .22, a 30-30, .270, .30-06, a couple 12 gauges, and a 38 special. It was a lot of fun to shoot around the different guns even though I didn't shoot all of them. Some of the guys including Clayton were really good at shooting the clay pigeons. I tried to shoot a couple but didn't even get close. Steve inherited a .22 rifle and has already gone out with his buddies to shoot it since he's been home.

Shooting :)

Tuesday: Craig, Curtis, Steve, and I stayed at the cabin overnight while the rest of the family went home Monday night (some of them had school, work, etc.) We had some breakfast then went out on the boat the majority of the day. I went on the tube by myself and got thrown off a ton because Steve was driving. He would go slow and then cruise in another direction which caused me to fly off the tube. Having the tube to myself was a lot easier though because I could switch handles and positions when he turned. I loved how every time I fell off the tube I would go across the water in a different way. One time I skidded across the water, another I hit my head really hard and thought I was done for, and others just get really big wedgies or almost be pantless haha :) The day was so much fun and we went back to the house just in time for dinner.

Out on the lake :) Steve (top left & bottom right), Clayton (top right), Jarrett/Bryson/Me (bottom left)

Wednesday: Steve and I have really been wanting to go to a Mariner's game while we're in Washington and we found a really good deal on Craigslist. We got Terrace Club seats, VIP parking, and some concession credit with our tickets. We picked up the tickets that morning from a nice lady and spent the rest of the day in Seattle. I really love Seattle!!! Part of it the food, part of it Pike's Place Market, and part of it the shopping. It's so pretty and has so many pretty views. You can see the Space Needle from so far away and from so many parts of the city. That night we went to the Mariner's game vs. Boston Red Sox. It was a lot of fun and I now have officially been to 3 Major League Stadiums (Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals, and now Seattle Mariner's).

Out in Seattle :) A little bit of downtown and Gas Works Park

At the Mariner's game :)

Thursday: Steve and I went to the Seattle temple that morning/afternoon. I have never done an endowment session in this temple but have been to my roommate's sealing in this temple. This now brings my temple endowment count to 4 (Salt Lake, Idaho Falls, Rexburg, and Seattle). That night was Christy's baby shower (Steve's sister). She is supposed to be due November 4th and it will be exciting to have a nephew on Steve's side. It will be her first baby and we all are excited for her.

Friday: We went and had an eye exam done for Steve (well overdue). He's been complaining a lot lately about his eyesight and the doctor said that he needs to wear glasses all the time. He said that if Steve were to go in and do a driver's test he would fail the eye exam section. I didn't know his eyesight was that bad. We actually just got glasses this past weekend and they are so expensive. It was about $200 not including the exam portion. That night we went to a Snohomish vs. Glacier Peak high school football game. They are rival teams that live in the same town and it was a great game. Glacier Peak ended up winning! Steve used to go to Snohomish high school and now his siblings actually live in the Glacier Peak boundaries and go to that school.

Saturday: Today was the big day for Craig's Graduation Party from the Marine's. He's worked a lot over the past few months to get to this point was an accomplishment. We prepared all day by cleaning, cutting food, and setting up. The party was a lot of fun and a lot of people ended up coming to support him. The party consisted of luau food, badmitten, a bonfire, and movies after.

Sunday: We left at 8am that morning to head back to Rexburg. I started school the day after we got back and already have 1 week and 1 day done :)

The trip was so much fun for Steve and I. We always love seeing family. I wish I could see my family more in Wisconsin but they live so far away. Mom, I promise next time we visit we'll make up for it and stay longer than a few days. I love all of my family wherever they are!