Bellevue Stream Team

 We've got a new family hobby!  Matt signed up to be a salmon watcher for the city of Bellevue and Anna and I get to join in on the fun!  Apparently it happens that in the fall, there are (likely on rare occasions) salmon swimming upstream in the little creek that runs between our house and church.  Twice a week we get to sit on the bridge and look for salmon.  Matt has to then report our findings (or lack thereof).  Our first watch was tonight and we actually saw something swimming upstream.  It wasn't salmon or trout, but it was something!

The best part of being on the Stream Team--we get to wear these super cool glasses!

F-A-M Puyallup Fair

Our adventure today took us to the Puyallup Fair.  It was a little chilly and drizzly, but we had a great time!

Anna had a blast on a couple of the rides.  She's getting quite brave.

We went through several of the barns to check out the animals.  The bunnies ranked pretty high among the favorites.  Tonight Anna told Matt she'd like to have an animal--a bunny.  She'd name it Emily.

We were very impressed with the large pumpkins!

Several people mentioned that we needed to try the scones at the fair.  We did and loved them!  It was a wonderful day walking around, taking in the sights, enjoying the fair, and spending family time together!  I love Mondays!!

They're Everywhere!

These are the spiders we encounter outside--on the car, the flowers, the swings, the bridge.....

And these are the ones that we sometimes find INSIDE the house!
 

Family Adventure Monday---Top Pot and Bellevue Botanical Garden

We had several around-the-house details we needed to attend to this morning (something we try NOT to do on Mondays), so we didn't head out until around noon today.  It was lunchtime, but we really wanted to try out a place recommended by several people.  Top Pot is a coffee/donut shop!

This is what we had for lunch!  Yum!

After lunch, we headed over to the Bellevue Botanical Garden.  We walked along several of the trails in the different areas of the garden.  It was really beautiful.  It must be amazing in the spring!  Anna was very intrigued by this slug on the path. 

We saw some beautiful fuschias at the garden!  After our outing, we spent the evening with another household group from church!  We enjoyed a delicious salmon dinner and great fellowship! 

1st Day of Preschool

Anna had her first day of preschool today!  We were all very excited.  Today was a little introduction to school.  We only went for about an hour and we were able to stay with Anna.  She got to meet her teacher and a few of her classmates (the others had gone earlier in the morning). 

The teacher had several stations set up around the classroom.  Anna did some painting, drawing, play doh activities, and started on a beaded necklace before the teacher called all the kids together to read a story.  Anna had an awesome time!  Her homework for tonight is to find 5 of her favorite things (that need to fit into a brown paper lunch bag) to bring to school tomorrow.  It will help the teacher get to know Anna better.

We celebrated with lunch at Anna's favorite restaurant--Red Robin!

Anna's Second Haircut

Anna was really excited that before school started she was going to get her hair cut.  Of course, the exciting part was being able to get her hair braided and sprayed with glitter after the cut!  We washed her hair before the haircut.

She got to sit in the pink car chair and was given a box of toys to play with during the cut.  It didn't hurt that they had cartoons playing on small TV screens around the shop.

She was very excited to get her hair french-braided, too!  I was watching very carefully--maybe I'll be able to do it at home sometime.

While her hair was being braided, I was talking to Anna.  I forget what I said, but remember her comment:  "Mommy, can you move?  I can't see the TV."

Still watching cartoons!  She looked so cute!  I'm not sure the glitter shows up too well, but it was fun while it lasted. 

 Even though I'm anxious to see her hair down, we're hoping that her hair doesn't get too messed up while she's sleeping tonight.  Tomorrow is the big day!  Now that I'm all caught up (almost 3 hours and a half a box of tissues later), be sure to check tomorrow's post! 

Family Adventure Monday--Labor Day--Party

Our Monday today was a little out of the ordinary.  We planned to check out a new restaurant (had a coupon) for breakfast, but when we got there noticed that they were only open for breakfast on the weekends.  Fortunately, there was a little french bakery very nearby, so we went there.  We spent some time at a local mall, stopped by Target to get Anna some new school shoes (she's outgrown most of her shoes and some clothes since we've moved!), then headed home.  We were invited to a church household get-together for the afternoon and needed to make a dessert.  Anna was a great helper.

Her very important job was licking the bowl!  We had a great time at the party!

Family Adventure Monday--Marymoor Park

Several people from church recommended that we go to Marymoor Park sometime.  We decided last week was the time to go.  We drove around the park--it's huge!  Our first stop was the playground.  After we tore Anna away from that area, we checked out the gardens and the rock climbing wall.  Anna loves to climb, but this was one big rock wall.  Several people climbing with ropes and all the rest of the appropriate gear for such an adventure.

Fortunately right next to the rock wall was another play area.

Very near the play area was the velodrome.  It was pretty cool.  We watched the beginnings of the last Monday night race of the season.  We headed to Ooba's for dinner--mexican food!  While we weren't initially too impressed with the park, we quickly decided it was a place that needed further exploration!  Maybe next time we head over there we'll bring our bikes!

An Outing with New Friends

A couple of moms and their kids from church invited Anna and me to join them on an end-of-summer outing about a week ago.  We joined them at Remlinger Farms.  Anna was very ready to get out of the house and play with some kids.  She made some new, good friends.

This farm wasn't just about animals.  In fact, I think we spent the least amount of time in the petting zoo part of the farm.  The weather was a bit chilly and wet, but we had such a good time.  The girls got a ride in a canoe.

There were tons of things to climb on!

We enjoyed a little show after lunch.

Anna loved the climbing wall!

They had a hay-bale maze.  It was just the right size for Anna.

Anna LOVED the rides at the farm.  She showed little fear and wanted to try just about everything.  The rides were kid-sized and very fun.  Anna was a little hesitant to ride the roller coaster, so wanted me to go with her.  It was fun, but I was glad we only had time to do that once!

Anna also loved having her picture taken at nearly all the little cut-outs around the farm!  Kind of funny since she has a hard time remembering to look at the camera AND smile at the same time for her pictures!

Blackberries

There is a creek running along the property between us and the church.  In the fall, we get to watch salmon swim upstream.  Right now, unless it rains really hard, it's quite a shallow creek.

We cross this bridge to get to church.  The other day after work, Matt came home and wanted to gather some blackberries that are growing along the creek. 

Anna did a pretty good job berry picking along this little path.  She didn't have to reach in too far to get them.  Matt did most of the picking.

We're hoping to pick more soon and then Matt wants to make some jam!

Family Adventure Monday--Woodland Park Zoo

Our second Family Adventure Monday was spent at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.  It was huge and we loved it!  This was the first zoo we went to where Matt's seen an elephant (Anna and I saw some in Phoenix in January). 

Seeing 2 bald eagles was my favorite part of the zoo.

Matt loved the jaguar!  And Anna's favorite thing...

...getting her face painted!

Lots of people have been recommending restaurants to us.  We're excited to try them out!  After we were done at the zoo, we ate at Dick's--hamburgers, fries, and milkshakes!  Yummy!  (Yes, our California friends--it did remind us of In-N-Out--only they took no special orders and I don't think they have a secret menu!)