Where the Heck is Puyallup?

Summer went too darn fast. I didn't get around to blogging about any of our seasonal activities prior to the end of last month, at which time my brain was reduced to mush due to Becky's passing...

Let's revisit a happier time, back in June. A couple of days after school let out for the summer, the kids and I hitched rides with Ryan's mom (Shirley) and sister (Bethany) and made our way to Puyallup, Washington. There were two vehicles necessary to hold all of us. Bethany's two little boys came, along with Shirley's sister, and we couldn't forget cousin Malory (who is Cora's age).

The point of this trip was to visit Ryan's other sister (Jackie) and her family. They have 2 kids, Ethan and Tomi. Poor Ryan had to work most of the days we planned on being gone, so he couldn't join us.

The trip lasted about 7 days. That was a long time for 5 adults and 8 kids to be under one roof, but we still managed to have some fun.


One day we went to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma. It was great!

Look at all the groovy sea creatures. They've always been fascinating to me.


A starfish checking out its own reflection.


Sea horses are so cool.


The little boys and Jane shark-watching.



So scary!



I wonder what was going through Oliver's mind.











The aquarium part was neato. Then we wandered around the zoo.


The penguins were darling as usual.




I know peacocks have a reputation for being nonchalant, but I just couldn't help but worry that it could potentially decide to go berserk as I tried to get the perfect picture.

That's Cora to the right of the bird. I like how Jane's braids are mid-swing.



There were several peacocks strolling around. I'd never seen more than one at a time, so it was pretty cool to see a bunch all at once.


They had two awesome elephants. One was inside the shelter, so I couldn't get a decent picture of him.

There were no giraffes... =(






The tigers playing.











We loved the seals! We thought it was funny that this one was reclining so close to the edge of the rock. We kept waiting for it to lose its balance. It was probably watching and waiting for one of us to lose our balance. Who knows.



I wanted to offer it a pillow. That can't be comfortable to fall asleep like that!



So stinking cute.







There were some really peculiar trees there. They looked like something out of a Dr. Seuss book.




Cute little otter.



Below is the most interesting animal I saw all day.

...wearing the mother of all patchwork pants! And a toddler-sized, hooded sweater for a hat.

I think it's safe to bet he was the most comfortable creature in the entire zoo.


Cora and Tomi.


Lemur pile!




Goo goo g'joob!

Walruses are so... huge... but I think they're neat to see.


No post of mine is complete without a shout-out to flowers. =)

These rhododendrons made me want to live in Washington. Or at least take scenic pictures of Washington. The word 'rhododendron' takes me right back to my high school horticulture class.

Pretty girls and flowers.

That's it for the zoo!

One of the other days, we went to downtown Tacoma. I had never been there before and I was in awe over the abundance of amazing architecture there! I had no idea what a treat I was in for.

We went to the Children's Museum of Tacoma first. It's essentially just a series of fun play areas for kids.
There was an adorable market area.



I liked the colorful wall art.



Oliver and Royce digging in the "dirt".









They had big, foam building blocks.

(Side note- Shirley helped the girls tie-dye shirts a day earlier. One of the times I was hiding upstairs with Oliver while he napped.)



Meep-meep!

Those PVC pipes could be rearranged on this magnetic wall.





Malory, Tomi and Cora having a grand old time.



After we got done at the "museum", we went over to my favorite part of that day: the glass bridge. It's a bridge bedecked with Chihuly glass. Somehow I wasn't formerly familiar with it. I was blown away (no pun intended) when I saw it all!

Oops, first a couple of pictures of the boys...


Oliver and Ethan playing with the balloon we got at the Farmer's Market downtown.


These sculptures were unreal! I was so impressed!



The girls trying to decide on faves.


The bridge is adjacent to the train station.


That cone is part of the glass museum, which we didn't get to go into. =(

So incredible!

We got to see a few really long trains pass under the bridge. The boys were thrilled!




Choo-chooooooooooooooooooooooooo!



I love the clouds and the lines in this picture.



The ceiling was stuffed with gorgeous pieces of glass. I loved it!



Absolutely beautiful!



I am definitely a fan of this art!





I walked over by the museum and saw loads of sailboats.


Another awesome bridge in the distance.


Another view of this.



That was about it for downtown Tacoma. It was a serious feast for my eyes! I want to go back.


During our time in Puyallup, we went to this park that is similar to Boise's greenbelt. Except this place was even prettier, and extra foresty.


Hmmm, this tree looked interesting...
















What a picturesque walking path! I hated to leave it.



When we weren't out sightseeing, we spent time at Jackie and Eric's letting the kids play.

Oliver loved all of Ethan's super hero costumes!

I loved the French-cut Batman suit!

Awww...
This was a rare moment when Royce wasn't crying about something Oliver supposedly did.


All the heroes watching a movie.



One more cute bum shot. Ha!

It was a fun trip overall. We ate, we played, we watched movies, went to cool places (including IKEA, which I have no pictures of), relaxed, etc., etc... By the end, we were all ready to go home to Boise and let the summer unfold.