Summer Vacation Part 1 - Olympia, Renton, Seattle

On Friday, August 1st we headed out on our annual summer vacation. About 20 minutes into our vacation, near the Clark County Fairgrounds, I was pulled over by a police officer for speeding for the first time in my life (13 years of driving without being pulled over. Not to say I haven't deserved it)! The officer gruffly asked my why I was speeding (I won't say how fast) and I meekly replied, "lead foot". I think he was trying not to laugh at the very pregnant mom in the mini-van with the very red face. He decided he wasn't cranky enough to give a pregnant and embarrassed mom her very first ticket ever and let me off with a stern warning. Whew! What a way to start vacation!
Friday night we made it to Olympia to spend the night with Mike's Uncle John and Aunt Marion. We visited the new Cabella's store with Aunt Marion that evening and were so impressed with all the animal displays. The kids thought it was even better than the zoo as none of the animals could move or hide! Thanks Uncle John and Aunt Marion for your hospitality!
Saturday afternoon we packed up and left for Renton, WA where Mike's Uncle Jack and Aunt Elaine (pictured above) live. John and Marion and Mike's brother, Tim, also met us there for a barbecue before the guys took off to the Mariner's game. Weston had a great time at the game despite the horrible loss by the Mariner's. :( Apparently, Weston was able to stuff an entire cotton candy in his mouth in about 2 minutes which entertained the other fans sitting nearby. He still had a blue mouth when they got back to Renton at 10:30 pm.
At about midnight on Saturday we heard the phone ring and Uncle Jack informed us that Mike's cousin, Jeff, and his wife, Tawsha, were at the hospital in labor with their first baby. About 5 hours later Tawsha gave birth to Colton James Connell and Jack and Elaine became grandparents! Were weren't able to visit the new baby before leaving town due to heavy traffic and Jeff and Tawsha being so exhausted from a night labor and delivery. Hopefully we'll get to meet him soon!

Here's Uncle Tim and Grace in front of Jack and Elaine's home. They have quite the view from their patio which overlooks the lake in Renton! Tim treated us to lunch at Red Robin on Sunday before we left to head back to Gresham. We also managed to fit in some Cold Stone ice cream after lunch. Hey, we're on vacation!

Mike and Tim thought this Trans Am was so funny. They were certain the driver of the car had a mullet and a mesh cut-off shirt. It was in the parking lot near Red Robin and the driver didn't show up so we'll never know. Too bad!

Mike informed me we will one day own a car like this. I informed him we will not pay money for such a car.