Days 23- 28

Day 23 – June 29  Prepared cheese and crackers, potato chips and onion dip, fruit, and lemonade for visit with Cindy’s family.  Cindy, Pat, and Aaron stayed for 3 hours, but Brendan had to leave early for a graduation party and Ali, Cameron, and Ian went to Costco with Grandma.  Had such a nice visit with my bestie and her family. The time just flew by. I really miss her. We just relaxed the rest of the evening, reading magazines, folding laundry, and helping my mom find flights from LAS-SEA. I'm often glad that I got my first degree in Travel and Transportation. Within the space of a couple of hours I helped her coordinate her free flight from TPA-LAS-TPA with the last leg of her flights to SEA and back, got a rental car reserved, and a hotel in LAS booked. Too bad it wouldn't be the same time that we were there, but happy that her injuries were healing nicely and she felt well enough to take the trip after all.

 Grandpa (and the boys) having fun with the Kubota.

 My BFF, Cindy

 Visiting wtih the Leonard's (minus Brendan)

Grandpa's toy

Day 24   June 30

Relaxing day for the kids. Teresea and I prepared dinner for good friends, Ron and Sally. We had a nice visit.

Day 25 - July 1

To Renton, Issaquah, and Buckley to see Shashi Kulkarni, Hansi, and Mt. Rainier.

 A beautiful (rare) day when Mt. Rainier can be seen clearly. It was 90 degrees in the city,                        and 78 degrees at the mountain. Amazing.

 My brother, Hansi.

 In front of Hansi's home at Rainier School.

 A black bear was in the roadway as we were turned a corner, driving up the mountain. It was just feet from our van. After fumbling for my camera, just got a hint of black fur between the trees as it scurried up the hillside to hide.

 A sweet, but injured fawn on the side of the road going up to Mt. Rainier.

Having fun in the snow (in shorts and short sleeves!)

Patches of snow (and bees) everywhere.

*What a time for my camera battery to die! And, I left the charger in Olympia, so had to use Ali's camera for the rest of the pictures here and the next day in Seattle. I'm counting on her to post these photos so that I can add them to this blog.

Day 26- July 2

Downtown Seattle with Shashi (monorail ride from the Seattle Center, Pike Place Market, Waterfront, Westlake Center). Lunch at Ivar's Seafood on Pier 54 and shopping, then a snack in the food court at Westlake. An absolute beautiful day. We drove back to Olympia after bringing Shashi home (with huge portions of Masala Dosa compliments of Shashi from the food court; yum!).

*

Day 27- July 3

Ali and I went shopping at the Grocery Outlet and Jay’s Market. Later that day Ed and I went to an early Fourth of July celebration at Jan and Carlton's beautiful home. They had a huge barbecue and the band she helps manage performed.

       Beautiful view of Auburn from Jan and Carlton's backyard.

 Disappointed that Mt. Rainier did not come out more clear in this photo. It was actually visible.

What a great fireworks show. Too bad the mosquitoes were out in full force and the temperature dropped. Many of us had to watch from inside.

Day 28   July 4 

Spent most of the day preparing the camper and van for our return trip home, doing laundry, and packing suitcases. That evening we celebrated Grandma's belated birthday & Grandpa's upcoming birthday. We can't believe our time here is already over.

The "boys" having more fun.