My last day in Seattle

The Seattle Temple was the 19th temple in service. I was able to go and do baptisms with Joe, who was so great to take me there and then to the airport. It had been a couple of years since I did baptisms. There was such an incredible feeling there!! Because there weren't too many patrons, they confirmed us there at the font. I had never done that before....I loved it!! There was a family that came from Juno who joined us. Later, I was able to do an endowment session. The Celestial room reminded me a lot of the Provo Temple. I was so grateful to be able to go, and to partake of the blessings there. What a great way to end the trip!!

The grounds were absolutely gorgeous!! I loved all of the trees, and the flowers.....they had gardens along the front, that you could walk along the pathways....

Day 3....Seattle

I had no idea that there were so many islands there. Ashley took me to one of her favorite islands by ferry....Bainsbridge. It was such a beautful island full of quaint shops, fabulous restaurants, and gorgeous scenery....




This is a place that was recommended to us by a local....The Pub....


We ate out on the patio. What a fantastic view!!



We also had an amazing view of the Seattle skyline....

Day 2....Seattle

The second day that I was there, Ashley and I went to Pikes Market Place....which was one of my favorite things to go to!! Talk about fantastic produce, flying fish, and fresh flowers in abundance. I absolutely loved it!!

Pics of the fresh flowers, peonies....



A man making balloon hats....


Yummy....



One of the things Pikes Place is famous for....throwing the fish around to eachother....



We went to a place that makes cheese. We tried flagship....fantastic!! This is a pic of us with them making their own cheese in the background....


Then Ashley dropped me off, and I was able to meet up with a my friend Joe. We went to the Aquarium....





We also did the Underground tour of Old Seattle, but I left my camera in the car =0( The day ended up with a Mariners game. How much fun is that!?! It was my first Major League baseball game. The Mariners beat the Padres 4 to 3, with 3 home runs!! Thanks to Ashley and Wendell, I have some great pics!!






Ken Griffey Jr. #24, designated hitter....





Ichiro Suzuki #51, right fielder and an amazing hitter!!

My first day in Seattle!!

I was able to go to Seattle and stay with an old roommate, Ashley, from my first year in Ricks College. We hadn't seen each other since her mission farewell in 2000, so it was so great to see her again, and to meet her husband Wendel. They live in Covington.

I had everything perfectly planned, however, we all know how that works out.....my car rental fell through!?! But Ashley was a complete saint, and was able to pick me up.

Here is a pic from the plane of Mt. Rainier.....absolutely beautiful!! I feel in love with Washington right then and there....look at those trees!!



After Ashley picked me up, we went to Dash Point beach...










My mom asked me to get a pic of a lighthouse....this is what we found....



Doesn't it look so nautical!? Sorry mom, but at least I tried...

Ever since I saw Seven Pounds, I just can't look at jelly fish the same way. This is out there, where these people were swimming.....

The sprinkler system

My dad broke his leg not too long ago....and the doctor gave strict orders to not put any weight on it. That is asking for quite a lot for a man that spends all of the daylight hours working with water. So, Stephanie, Jeff and Kevin planned to put in a sprinkler system to help my parents out with their yard. Yes, and even I helped out ;0) It was quite the undertaking, due to the rainy weather. How fickle are we to be upset when we need the water so badly....but everything was pretty much finished by Monday.

Fishing in Idaho

The kids with their trophy catches....


My dad has a friend who has a private pond.....I tell ya what. There is nothing like casting in your line, and waiting for only a few minutes only to feel your line jerk!! Now that is what I call fishing!! ;0) It was so much fun to see the kids yell with excitement, and then squirm away when the fish came a little bit too close....

Stephanie, Jenna and Mom....


Aimee and Alyssa waiting patiently....


Jared....


Adam and Ben....being a little bit curious....do they dare to touch it?


Jacob, Beth, and Kevin....


Everyone enjoyed the fantastic trout that was cooked on the grill by yours truly and Kevin....many asking for seconds and even thirds!!


Us, silly?! Nah.....