Labor Day Last Minute Getaway - Day 2

Day 2 we woke up to what else but rain! We decided that we still wanted to go exploring so we headed west about 30 minutes to Lake Crescent. This is a beautiful lake nestled in the Olympic Forest, the water in the lake is a cool blue/green and Ryan tells me that it is crystal clear on a sunny day. Although it was raining Ryan wanted to check out a hike in the area. So he, Luke, Grant and Calvin we off. I stayed in the car with Kate who was sleeping and with Dallin who thought it would be more fun to play his gameboy then brave the wet weather! About a hour later I got a call from Ryan saying to meet him over at the Lake Crescent Lodge for lunch. So were headed to an old rustic lodge right on the lake and had a warm lunch. After lunch we decided to head back home and gear up for the busy up coming week with school starting. It was such a fun and way to fast end of the summer getaway!

Dad and Luke ready for a hike

Luke was lucky enough to ride in the backpack to keep him warm and dry!

Ryan, Luke, Grant and Calvin on the trail

Waterfall

Cool trees

My boys the tree huggers!!

Labor Day Last Minute Getaway - Day 1

We decided last minute to take a Labor Weekend getaway to the Olympic National Park. We took the ferry from Edmonds over to Kingston and then headed to Port Angeles, WA. For you Twilight fans out there this is the city where Bella and Edward have their first date and eat at Bella Italia. Anyway, we weren't there to do the Twilight tour....come on we had small children with us!! We stayed at this great hotel called the Olypmic Lodge. It had a outdoor heated pool and hot tub that the boys were thrilled to swim in. The first day we headed south to a beautiful place called Hurricane Ridge, 5,240 feet! The actual drive up to Hurricane Ridge was about 40 minutes of super twisty road even though it was only 17 miles from Port Angeles! Thank goodness I was driving otherwise I don't think I would of made it. Once to the top we were able to hike around the beautiful ridge. It was loaded with wildlife and beautiful scenery, just gorgeous! The kids had a great time trying to find wildlife and talking about how cool it would be to see a bear!! We told them that really it wouldn't be that cool and they still insisted that it would be cool! The air was a cool 49 degrees and a bit breezy but the sight of the clouds being whisked in and out by the wind was amazing. Such a beautiful day!

One of many deer

Kate just cruising. She is super independent!

So beautiful how the sun is shining through the clouds.

Cal up close with the wildlife

Amazing views!

Momma and baby

Happy Kate and Daddy

Peek-a-boo

Blue Grouse

Funny Luke

Cute little chipmunk

Cool trees and stumps

Bunny that Calvin spotted

Momma and her boys

I Love To See The Temple

Last weekend while we were in Vancouver we went to the Vancouver, B.C. Temple Open House. We were able to go on the first day that it was opened to the public and it was such an amazing experience to share with my little family. Ryan made the comment afterwards that this would be the last time that we would all be in the temple together as a family until Kate gets married.....thats 20+ years down the road. So this was really a great experience to be together in the Lords House. It was BEAUTIFUL! I loved all the wonderful colors used in the temple and its peacefulness and the wonderful spirit that dwelled there testifying of the truthfulness of temples. I really feel blessed to have a knowledge and a testimony of the temple. I know that it is here so that families can be united and sealed eternally. I am thankful for the temple.

It was so bright that some if us had a hard time keeping our eyes opened!!

Kate looking pretty in front of the beautiful flowers on the temple grounds!

Cannon Beach, OR

A couple weeks ago we had a great family trip to Cannon Beach, Oregon. It's about a 4 1/2 hour drive from our house, just long enough when traveling with 5 little ones in the van and being asked the same question every 10 minutes, "Are we there yet?"!!!!!! Ryan found this great place to stay, The Ocean Lodge. It was beautiful and perfectly located right on the beach. We had fun playing on the beach building sand castles, flying kite, exploring Haystack Rock, and just being together!

The view from our patio

Ryan and Luke flying a kite!

Beautiful Haystack Rock

Luke, Calvin and Dallin watching a pelican that was hanging out on the beach

Luke

Playing in the water

Our hotel - The Ocean Lodge

Building "Mt. Hammond" on the beach

Kate taking a snooze in the hotel room and looking so cute!

Luke and the beautiful sunset

Grant exploring around Haystack Rock at night

Our family at Haystack Rock

Dad and daughter

At the top of The Column in Astoria, OR on our way home

Dallin

The view from top of The Column in Astoria, so beautiful!

The Column in Astoria.......164 steps to the top!!

Great Wolf Lodge

A couple weeks ago we had the chance to go to Great Wolf Lodge with Ryan's family. It's this really cool hotel that has an indoor waterpark and is super kid friendly! The boys had so much fun being with their cousins and enjoyed every minute that we were there. They are still talking about how much fun it was and making plans to visit again!!   

Calvin, Grant and Dallin

This is the view of the water park from the hotel lobby.

The Hammond cousins

The dads and the kids

Grant and his cousin Bailey