Vancouver and Seattle

We left Oregon and drove up to Vancouver, British Columbia.  We went to sacrament meeting there.  We were disappointed we didn't get to hear any strong Canadian accents during testimony meeting.  Then we went to a little hike that crosses a wobble suspension bridge.  It was so pretty, but raining, so the ground was all muddy. Ruby loved it and even stepped in the glacial river and didn't mind the wet feet the rest of the way.  But Danny was worried about his nice white tennis shoes getting ruined. From there we drove over to Kitsilano Beach.  It had a fun playground and a volleyball tournament going on.  By then the sun was out.  The kids loved the playground and throwing rocks in the ocean.  Ruby loved to get dirty again and rolled around in the wet, rocky sand.

The second day in Canada we took the ferry to Vancouver Island and then the bus to Butchart Gardens.  It was sunny again and a little warm. The gardens were gorgeous.  I was so glad we made the trip out there to see it.  The kids got a little whiney after walking around for too long. But we got ice cream cones and that helped. Ruby walked almost the entire time.  It's awesome to not have to travel with a stroller. Then we went to the Butterfly Garden nearby.  The kids liked that more.  We had a really great Butterfly garden near us in Georgia that we loved to go to with Danny and Rachel, but this one was pretty good too.  Then we caught the bus back to the ferry.

 

 

Next we went to Seattle to stay with Grandma Monte and Grandpa Gene.  They were so nice to let us take over their apartment.  We went to see the Locks and the fish ladder. There were scientists there that day catching the salmon and putting trackers in them.  It was fun to watch. We ate fish and chips nearby and then went to Pike Street Market.  It was a little too crowded for the kids to like it much.  But they got to see some fish thrown and we checked out a few shops. That day was Grandpa Gene's actual birthday and they took us out to their favorite local pizza place. The next day we went to the Seattle aquarium.  And then over to a fun park near Renton.  And then to Ikea where we met some of Bob's mission companions and had dinner.  We loved getting to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa. And the kids loved using their pool and gym and basketball court.

 Pike street market

 One of the highlights was when Grandma bought everyone a treat at the market next to her apartment.

Ruby sat on Grandaddy's lap and did his hair.  I don't think she's ever watched anyone else do that.  His hair is just irresistible to little girls.

 at the locks

 Seattle Aquarium by the seals outside

Ikea