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Showing posts with label Wish you were here. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wish you were here. Show all posts
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Day 4
Day 4
Nebraska is a beautiful state, but it takes forever to cross! We saw so much corn that Sarah Elizabeth decided to order corn with her dinner. She was most disappointed it was frozen!
We did not get as far as we had hoped today. That’s ok, we will make it up in the coming days. We stopped in the town of Gothenburg. It was settled with Swedish immigrants. It was also one of the stops for the pony express. This was so cool to visit! The girls learned that a ride would ride 10 miles and change his horse multiple times to make the ride. Emily could not get over that the riders only had 2 minutes to change horse at each stop so he arrive on time! Her comment was I cannot even go to the rest stop in 2 minutes! I could never have been a pony express rider! ;0)
They had postcards stamped with the pony express seal and the stamp is canceled with the pony express seal. So we sent one to our selves and should be waiting on us when we arrive in Mountlake Terrace, Washington!
The kids continue to do great. They are really enjoying the trip. Emily loves the fact that we eat out every evening. Sarah Elizabeth has loved watching the sky and the surrounds. She has taken some beautiful pictures! Will upload those as soon as I find the cable!
Off to cowboy country, Wyoming!
Nebraska is a beautiful state, but it takes forever to cross! We saw so much corn that Sarah Elizabeth decided to order corn with her dinner. She was most disappointed it was frozen!
We did not get as far as we had hoped today. That’s ok, we will make it up in the coming days. We stopped in the town of Gothenburg. It was settled with Swedish immigrants. It was also one of the stops for the pony express. This was so cool to visit! The girls learned that a ride would ride 10 miles and change his horse multiple times to make the ride. Emily could not get over that the riders only had 2 minutes to change horse at each stop so he arrive on time! Her comment was I cannot even go to the rest stop in 2 minutes! I could never have been a pony express rider! ;0)
They had postcards stamped with the pony express seal and the stamp is canceled with the pony express seal. So we sent one to our selves and should be waiting on us when we arrive in Mountlake Terrace, Washington!
The kids continue to do great. They are really enjoying the trip. Emily loves the fact that we eat out every evening. Sarah Elizabeth has loved watching the sky and the surrounds. She has taken some beautiful pictures! Will upload those as soon as I find the cable!
Off to cowboy country, Wyoming!
Days 2 and 3
Day 2
Day two found us standing beside the mighty Mississippi River bank gazing at the Freedom Arch in St. Louis, Mo. We found out the hard way traveling with a trailer makes for parking VERY difficult. We had to park miles away and walk. Poor Joseph did not fair very well with all the walking and had to sit quite frequently. This made our journey walking to the Arch from the van to take about an hour. After getting stuck in the elevator on the waterfront in Seattle, Emily is now terrified of elevators. She has never really liked heights so thoughts of the elevators ride to the top made her ready to throw up. By the time we parked, walked, sat and admired the Arch the last trip up the Arch for the day was sold out, much to Emily’s relief. I on the other hand was quite disappointed. Jeff and I were going to take turns taking the kids up the arch so that Emily would not feel left out. There is a movie about the Arch as well as Lewis and Clark but that too was sold out.
So, we went outside and talked about how Hurricane Ike had made a huge impact on the Midwest. At breakfast we met a very nice gentleman who worked for Allstate. He shared with us that he had been working in Houston but was called to work in the Evansville, Indiana area due to flooding and wind damage. All of which were results of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. When we arrived in St. Louis we found the riverfront road to be covered in icky slimy green mud. Part of the street was still covered in water and the statue at the riverfront was partly submerged. In the couple of hours we were there, we could actually see that the water had dropped several feet. The casino’s were using water cannon’s to clean off the sidewalks and entrances in hopes of being ready to open for business the next day.
We spoke with one of the guys working who told us that the area had been closed for more than a week and a half due to the high river~ thanks to Ike and that since spring the water had been at flood stage more 90 days. Emily was so taken aback how instead of the river being a good thing that it could also bring such destruction.
We were going to surprise the kids and take them on a helicopter ride around the city but because of the Cardinals baseball game the airspace around the city was restricted. Grrrrrr!
We almost made it to our goal driving but called it quits about 2 hours shy.
Our motel was a hoot! The room was big enough for two beds and 13 inch TV! Hey, the beds were clean and the room was quiet.
Day 3
A very long day is now behind us. We drove across Mo. And then up to Iowa and over to Nebraska. The weather was beautiful. The children could not get over all the corn they saw and how flat was the land.
Sarah Elizabeth got really excited a couple of times because she saw wind turbines. The were beautiful and massively HUGE!
Sarah Elizabeth had the foresight to pack Joseph’s kick ball. It certain has come in handy. At rest stops we pull it out and have the kids play to stretch their muscles and get rid of some of their energy. I must brag on how wonderfully behaved they have been and such troopers with the long hours of driving.
At one of our stops we ran into a family driving from Washington. They used a different route but gave us hope that we too could make it in three more days! :o)
Tomorrow we finish Nebraska and hope to make it across most of Wyoming
Day two found us standing beside the mighty Mississippi River bank gazing at the Freedom Arch in St. Louis, Mo. We found out the hard way traveling with a trailer makes for parking VERY difficult. We had to park miles away and walk. Poor Joseph did not fair very well with all the walking and had to sit quite frequently. This made our journey walking to the Arch from the van to take about an hour. After getting stuck in the elevator on the waterfront in Seattle, Emily is now terrified of elevators. She has never really liked heights so thoughts of the elevators ride to the top made her ready to throw up. By the time we parked, walked, sat and admired the Arch the last trip up the Arch for the day was sold out, much to Emily’s relief. I on the other hand was quite disappointed. Jeff and I were going to take turns taking the kids up the arch so that Emily would not feel left out. There is a movie about the Arch as well as Lewis and Clark but that too was sold out.
So, we went outside and talked about how Hurricane Ike had made a huge impact on the Midwest. At breakfast we met a very nice gentleman who worked for Allstate. He shared with us that he had been working in Houston but was called to work in the Evansville, Indiana area due to flooding and wind damage. All of which were results of the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. When we arrived in St. Louis we found the riverfront road to be covered in icky slimy green mud. Part of the street was still covered in water and the statue at the riverfront was partly submerged. In the couple of hours we were there, we could actually see that the water had dropped several feet. The casino’s were using water cannon’s to clean off the sidewalks and entrances in hopes of being ready to open for business the next day.
We spoke with one of the guys working who told us that the area had been closed for more than a week and a half due to the high river~ thanks to Ike and that since spring the water had been at flood stage more 90 days. Emily was so taken aback how instead of the river being a good thing that it could also bring such destruction.
We were going to surprise the kids and take them on a helicopter ride around the city but because of the Cardinals baseball game the airspace around the city was restricted. Grrrrrr!
We almost made it to our goal driving but called it quits about 2 hours shy.
Our motel was a hoot! The room was big enough for two beds and 13 inch TV! Hey, the beds were clean and the room was quiet.
Day 3
A very long day is now behind us. We drove across Mo. And then up to Iowa and over to Nebraska. The weather was beautiful. The children could not get over all the corn they saw and how flat was the land.
Sarah Elizabeth got really excited a couple of times because she saw wind turbines. The were beautiful and massively HUGE!
Sarah Elizabeth had the foresight to pack Joseph’s kick ball. It certain has come in handy. At rest stops we pull it out and have the kids play to stretch their muscles and get rid of some of their energy. I must brag on how wonderfully behaved they have been and such troopers with the long hours of driving.
At one of our stops we ran into a family driving from Washington. They used a different route but gave us hope that we too could make it in three more days! :o)
Tomorrow we finish Nebraska and hope to make it across most of Wyoming
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Go west young man, go west!
For the last three weeks we have been blessed with opportunity to go back to West Virginia. Our stay was longer thatn planned. Our new transmission had to be repaired and jeff's Mom took ill following major surgery. As Pastor Bill said in church this morning, God has a reason for where you were yesterday, were you are today and where life may lead you tommorrow.
We have loved spending time with all our friends while we were here. To be honest I think it helped recharge our spirits to face the future, what ever that may be whike we are in Seattle.
So tomorrow with a very stuffed U Haul we are driving west.
Destination: Washington State
I hope you will join us on this amazing journey. One does not get the opportunity to drive cross country and see this great country we call home. I will upload pictures as oftern as I can. sarah Elizabeth has been given a digital camera to also document our journey. I hope you enjoy following us as we head back to our pacific northwest home.
We have loved spending time with all our friends while we were here. To be honest I think it helped recharge our spirits to face the future, what ever that may be whike we are in Seattle.
So tomorrow with a very stuffed U Haul we are driving west.
Destination: Washington State
I hope you will join us on this amazing journey. One does not get the opportunity to drive cross country and see this great country we call home. I will upload pictures as oftern as I can. sarah Elizabeth has been given a digital camera to also document our journey. I hope you enjoy following us as we head back to our pacific northwest home.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Father's Day
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Sunday, June 15, 2008
Quack, Quack!
Ahoy there me mates!
What a grand day we had on Saturday, June 14Th. The RMH celebrated Father's Day, a day early by arranging for the DUCK vehicles to come to the house, pick up families and take us on a ride to Lake Union and IN Lake Union!
What a great time we had. The weather was picture perfect. It actually felt like summer for a change. Everyone has been calling this month Junuary because it has been so very unseasonably cold.
Our driver was insane and played great music and it was choreographed to some serious staging of costumes and gags on his part. The kids had a great time, Jeff did not get motion sickness and Joseph was completely worn out by the time we got back.
The RMH foundation threw a huge BBQ when we arrived back at the house. Oh did I mention the woods behind our house caught on fire just before we left on the DUCK? We thought they were giving new meaning to the word huge BBQ! Joseph and all the kids were so excited. There were firetrucks, police cars, ambulances, EMT trucks and just about every other emergency vehicle here when the DUCK vehicles rolled up. And here we though the we not scheduled to visit to RMH until Wednesday!
Hope you enjoy the pictures. Don't forget to stop over at www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephsprouse for more details of Joseph and the girls!
What a grand day we had on Saturday, June 14Th. The RMH celebrated Father's Day, a day early by arranging for the DUCK vehicles to come to the house, pick up families and take us on a ride to Lake Union and IN Lake Union!
What a great time we had. The weather was picture perfect. It actually felt like summer for a change. Everyone has been calling this month Junuary because it has been so very unseasonably cold.
Our driver was insane and played great music and it was choreographed to some serious staging of costumes and gags on his part. The kids had a great time, Jeff did not get motion sickness and Joseph was completely worn out by the time we got back.
The RMH foundation threw a huge BBQ when we arrived back at the house. Oh did I mention the woods behind our house caught on fire just before we left on the DUCK? We thought they were giving new meaning to the word huge BBQ! Joseph and all the kids were so excited. There were firetrucks, police cars, ambulances, EMT trucks and just about every other emergency vehicle here when the DUCK vehicles rolled up. And here we though the we not scheduled to visit to RMH until Wednesday!
Hope you enjoy the pictures. Don't forget to stop over at www.caringbridge.org/visit/josephsprouse for more details of Joseph and the girls!
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Friday, June 13, 2008
Mariners Game
Our first week was so jam packed with activities, the Seattle Mariners Game was one of them. The night was miserable. It was cold, major down pour and we were so thankful that the stadium roof was retractable and we were in covered seats! Thankfully Janet brought a blanket so we could snuggle together and keep warm. Jeff sat with Barbara, Janet sat with friends from work and the kids and I sat together.
Before the game we went to this great spot over in Ballard called Scooter's Grill for dinner. They had the BEST milkshakes in the world. Every flavor imagined and were hand made. The burgers were grilled with any kind of fixings and hand cut french fries. Can you say yum! I wish that all the pictures I took at the stadium turned out but this is when my new camera malfunctioned and delted more than 50 pictures.
We had a great time. None of use had ever been to a major league game before so that made this even more fun. Enjoy the pictures.
Before the game we went to this great spot over in Ballard called Scooter's Grill for dinner. They had the BEST milkshakes in the world. Every flavor imagined and were hand made. The burgers were grilled with any kind of fixings and hand cut french fries. Can you say yum! I wish that all the pictures I took at the stadium turned out but this is when my new camera malfunctioned and delted more than 50 pictures.
We had a great time. None of use had ever been to a major league game before so that made this even more fun. Enjoy the pictures.
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Thursday, June 12, 2008
Woodland Park Zoo
What a great was had by all! We were dog tired by the time the day ended. It was down right cold when the day started, about 45 degrees. It never really went above 50degress all day and it was cloudy. Kept the crowd down.
The highlight of the day came when the children got to feed the giraffes. We love the giraffes and to get to feed them, WOW! Joseph has never shown and interest before, but this time after watching the girls, he ran up to the feed stand and did it too! I loved it. He lost intrest when he finished and found out that he could not pet them. :0)
My camera malfunctioned and I lost the pictures of the baby gorilla that was born about a month ago. She was cuddling with her Momma right beside the viewing window. Joseph very gently and quietly got right up against the glass and said, "Aw, look at the sleeping baby". The penguins are gone because they are getting new digs. The new attraction is the flamingo's. It is so funny to see these birds in such a cool climate. You know they are wondering what the heck they did to get an assignment here!
Hope you enjoy the pictures. It was hard to select which pictures to use since between Sarah and I we took nearly 200! I think 100 of them were the giraffes.
The highlight of the day came when the children got to feed the giraffes. We love the giraffes and to get to feed them, WOW! Joseph has never shown and interest before, but this time after watching the girls, he ran up to the feed stand and did it too! I loved it. He lost intrest when he finished and found out that he could not pet them. :0)
My camera malfunctioned and I lost the pictures of the baby gorilla that was born about a month ago. She was cuddling with her Momma right beside the viewing window. Joseph very gently and quietly got right up against the glass and said, "Aw, look at the sleeping baby". The penguins are gone because they are getting new digs. The new attraction is the flamingo's. It is so funny to see these birds in such a cool climate. You know they are wondering what the heck they did to get an assignment here!
Hope you enjoy the pictures. It was hard to select which pictures to use since between Sarah and I we took nearly 200! I think 100 of them were the giraffes.
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Saturday, May 31, 2008
Welcome to Seattle!
After flying by grandma's farm, flight delays, and being totally exhausted, WE MADE IT! Our room has a beautiful view, we have seen a few friendly faces of families that were here back in late March. I love how the children feel totally at "home" here. They know all the nooks and crannies of the house. We are on the third floor which we like best. There is a extra den and the library is just a few doors down. We are in the first of two kitchens which we like best as well.
I cannot not get over just how exhausted I am. I feel like I could sleep for a couple of days. Joseph is caught between the two time zones. He is not going to sleep until around 8-9pm but he is getting up at 6am, arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggg!
Today we went to the aquarium with Neil, his new wife Lilly (who we had not yet met and she is darling!)and Smelly! I do not know what the kids were more excited about seeing Smelly and Neil or going to the Aquarium!
The afternoon was wonderful! Since Neil is a volunteer at the aquarium he was able to get some things out of the touch tanks for Joseph to feel. HE was not too crazy about it but he did touch them! He did not seem to mind the sea star so much. We went through fish tanks and it was great to have our own personal guide! Joseph and Neil were inseperable! They are crazy for each other and Neil is just a big kid. Lilly and Emily bonded very well as did Sarah but Emily and Lilly hung out more together which was wonderful. Barbara and Sarah hung out together and Jeff and I were able to find a minute or to for us. As per usual Joseph flipped out with the seals!
It was a great day had by all. The sun came out around 5:30 after a day of hit and miss light rain. We all headed over to the Lockspot Cafe for awesome clam chowder, fish and fries. Poor Jeff was about to pass out after he got a full tummy. One last fun stop on the way home was to Joseph's favorite spot the Seattle Troll. HE loves it!
Tomorrow it is off to the zoo!
Will post pictures as soon as I can. I killed our laptop before we moved. I was lucky enough to be able to borrow one for the RMH but it is not allowing me to upload pictures and make posts to Joseph's caringbridge
I cannot not get over just how exhausted I am. I feel like I could sleep for a couple of days. Joseph is caught between the two time zones. He is not going to sleep until around 8-9pm but he is getting up at 6am, arrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggg!
Today we went to the aquarium with Neil, his new wife Lilly (who we had not yet met and she is darling!)and Smelly! I do not know what the kids were more excited about seeing Smelly and Neil or going to the Aquarium!
The afternoon was wonderful! Since Neil is a volunteer at the aquarium he was able to get some things out of the touch tanks for Joseph to feel. HE was not too crazy about it but he did touch them! He did not seem to mind the sea star so much. We went through fish tanks and it was great to have our own personal guide! Joseph and Neil were inseperable! They are crazy for each other and Neil is just a big kid. Lilly and Emily bonded very well as did Sarah but Emily and Lilly hung out more together which was wonderful. Barbara and Sarah hung out together and Jeff and I were able to find a minute or to for us. As per usual Joseph flipped out with the seals!
It was a great day had by all. The sun came out around 5:30 after a day of hit and miss light rain. We all headed over to the Lockspot Cafe for awesome clam chowder, fish and fries. Poor Jeff was about to pass out after he got a full tummy. One last fun stop on the way home was to Joseph's favorite spot the Seattle Troll. HE loves it!
Tomorrow it is off to the zoo!
Will post pictures as soon as I can. I killed our laptop before we moved. I was lucky enough to be able to borrow one for the RMH but it is not allowing me to upload pictures and make posts to Joseph's caringbridge
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Happy 19th Birthday Heather!
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I cannot believe that my baby girl will turn 19 on April 25Th. We celebrated her birthday a week early because Trevor (her beau) is taking her to North Carolina. We had a fun evening. Jennifer ( a dear friend) and her beau Orion as well as our neighbors from across the street David and Barbara came for dinner and carrot cake. We put 19 candles on the cake and let me tell you...there was some serious heat being put out. I was worried we would need a fire extinguisher to help her blow them out! ;0)
Saturday, March 29, 2008
My all time FAVORITE PLACE in the whole wide world!
The view from Kerry Park is stunning. It is one of the best places to view the beautiful emerald city. If it is a very clear day and Mt. Rainer can be seen, bonus!
Whidbey Island
Where are we? We hit a major detour due to an accident but driver Jan knows her game. I do not think there is anywhere she does not know about or how to get there!
Driving across Whidbey Island was long! But again the views were beautiful. I threw this last picture in from Deception pass because I ran out of room int he entry! We crossed this bridge before we got to the beach.
Deception Pass
"Oh gorgeous. Wish you were here" Meg Ryan said in the movie French Kiss. I think that applies here as well. This was a stunning area that offered camping with an amazing view. I took lots of pictures of fauna that I look forward to identifying with the help of the girls. Who said you cannot home school on your vacation!
Lunch by the Puget Sound
It was a very crisp day but we did not want to miss the chance to have a picnic by the Sound. The tide was out and Sarah was about to die to get in the water.......can you say hypothermia?
The cranes and heron's were searching for lunch. Was this not a beautiful place to stop for lunch?
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