Madeline/Dad date to Seattle

Madeline chose her special Daddy for an overnight date this summer. She had very specific ideas of what she wanted their adventure to be! A train ride to Seattle, and all the touristy Seattle things for the two days together.They had an amazing whirlwind of activity, and she may have even outlasted her ol' Dad in energy and stamina being on their feet all day. Because they took the train, and didn't have a car, they walked everywhere once arriving in downtown Seattle. So lots of walking, and LOTS of sight seeing! The full list included the aforementioned train ride (complete with a few games of Cribbage), then a ferry trip to Bainbridge Island, the big Ferris Wheel, Pike Place Market, Duck Tour (really cool tour around town, Chitty-Chitty-Bang-Bang style where the bus turns into a boat), treats at the very first Starbucks, crepes, pizza and lunch at the top of the Space Needle. The staff surprised her with a special "dry ice" dessert since it was her first time visiting the sights of the city. They stayed in a historic Moore Hotel right downtown, built in 1907. Can I be Madeline for a day, please? I grew up near Seattle and haven't done most of those things... (although my High School Prom was in the Space Needle, so there's that)... :) Happy father/daughter bonding!

Happy 20th high school reunions to us!

Both of us had our 20th high school reunions this year. Woo hoo, we feel old and fabulous! We missed mine because we were in a tropical paradise instead, but we did make it to Kyle's. Lots of fun meeting old buddies of his, I even hugged a stranger (thinking I knew her)! Nothing like your wife stealing your thunder (that is, if your thunder is embarrassing yourself)... Anything to help out :) Happy 20th to all our  high school friends, near and far!

Gettin' out of the house

Some days you just need to get the kids out of the house... After a long week away from them, we wanted to take the kids somewhere and just hang out together :) Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery is always a fun and casual trip, when the weather is good. A few quarters for fish food is all you need to keep this crew of kids happy... (And lunch at McMenamins Edgefield on the way home, is all you need to keep the parents happy...)

Waitin' for a table :)

Corrigan Party of Six!

And on a different day, another outing to Noble Woods... Sweet to see the kids taking care of each other... Walking arm in arm, holding hands, helping each other across the creek. If only all the days were like this :) But for this day, I will enjoy it (and take pictures).

The three amigos

While the cat's away, the mice will... PLAY WITH THE GRANDPARENTS!

So, as I mentioned before, our awesome trip to Hawaii was only made possible by the four amazing grandparents. I am astonished that they even had time to take any pictures, they were so busy making fun memories! But I'm super happy to share the pictures we have here, so the kids can remember all the special moments they had with grandparents and family visiting them.

Swimming with Grandpa!

Picnic with Aunt Nancy

Climbing with Nana

Enchanted Forest with the cousins

Picnic under the trampoline

Zoo with the cousins