Seattle Children's Museum

Since RJ has been such a trooper during this trip, I decided we would go to the Children's Museum in Seattle so he could do whatever he wanted for the morning. It was a pretty fun museum and we lasted 1.5 hours before the meltdown began.

All these toys and he chooses to make up his own game by standing in and trying to get out of the basket for the toys.

Space Needle outside the Children's Museum

Tacoma, WA

Since the airport is half way to Tacoma, RJ and I decided to go on a little adventure after dropping Courtney off at the airport. Plus, Doug didn't get back from DC until later that night, so we needed to do something to make the day go faster.

First stop: Botanic Gardens

RJ loved playing with the "sensitive plant" that closed when you touched it.

This was nice, but was pretty much the whole place...not nearly as impressive as the guidebook talked it up to be (or maybe I'm just spoiled with the US Botanic Garden).

They did give us fish food for free so RJ could feed the fish in the koi pond. This was well worth the $3 admission fee as it entertained RJ for at least 20 minutes.

Second stop: We went to walk around the park and discovered a splash pad.

Since I forgot his swim gear, I just stripped RJ down to his desperately needing to be changed diaper. He didn't really like the unpredictability of the water (or was it the little girl who kept grabbing his cheeks and saying, "oh, you're such a cute baby") so we didn't stay long, which was good since I also did not come prepared with sunscreen.
Third stop: Nature reserve area
I didn't know what to expect here, but was pleasantly surprised to find the Discovery Pond - a child friendly nature discovery area.

In the building, we found turtles...

and puzzles!

Fourth stop: Chihuly Glass Bridge outside the Tacoma Glass Museum (which we skipped because I was exhausted!)

Fifth stop: Union Station

More Chihuly art (notice the obsessive theme here?) inside Union Station

Outside Union Station
Sixth stop: Starbucks...to get us home awake!

Courtney Visits

Courtney came to visit for a few days. We saw a lot and RJ was very tolerant of going along with our adventures.
Day 1: Seattle

An airplane on a train!

Olympic Sculpture Park

The view from the top of the Space Needle and me trying not to freak out. When it started swaying, we decided it was time to leave.

Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum

The Garden room - My FAVORITE room. I could have stayed here all day!

Space Needle behind glass building with Chihuly flowers

Marge Simpson

Look closely - you can see Courtney and I and the Space Needle in the reflection of the glass.
Day 2: Anacortes, Whidbey Island, Lake Washington

RJ riding the knight in Anacortes.

Deception Pass - entering Whidbey Island

RJ and I on the ferry back to Mukilteo.

Courtney and RJ at the beach near our house on Lake Washington.
Day 3: Bainbridge Island, Bloedel Reserve, Theo Chocolate, Kerry Park

Another ferry - Seattle to Bainbridge Island

Courtney entertaining RJ on the ferry.
Bloedel Reserve

RJ excited to be on a trail and out of his stroller.

This barn was the perfect background for pictures...If you are wondering why I posted so many, I actually did narrow it down. :)

RJ squatting because that is what I was doing as I was trying to get his picture.

Dream house at Bloedel Reserve

The backyard - view of Puget Sound.

RJ posing in a tree.

View of Mount Rainier on ferry ride home.

Delicious, over-priced chocolate!

View from Kerry Park, Seattle.