The First Two Days in WA

So, we’re starting our month in WA – and the first two days have been really fun.  We spent yesterday settling in to my (Lisa’s) parents’ house and resting a bit from the long drive (nine hours with kids, including a nursing infant) the afternoon/evening/night prior.

For lunch we headed over to Andrew and Amy’s house.  Andrew is Matthew’s brother and is on some R&R from his post overseas with the Army.  It was so great to be able to time our visits to overlap and see him for the first time since before we left for DRC!  We had a traditional St. Patrick’s Day meal – Matthew had been brining the brisket for two weeks and it was so delicious!  We hung out a little bit before I took the kiddos home to give the brothers some time together.

This morning I spoke at our Tacoma church’s ladies Bible study, sharing updates about what we’re doing and how it’s going – such a fun group of ladies with great questions!  We picked up Matthew and then headed for a chilly afternoon at the zoo with some very good friends.

I thought some photos might be fun, and it’s been awhile, so here ya go!

Uncle Andrew and Auntie Amy with the newest nephew, Axel

Levi & Amelia had their first turn at a gaming system at Uncle Andrew’s

Duck Duck Goose

Duck Duck Goose gone awry

They’re clearly having a terrible time

Daddies (good friend, Colin, and Matthew) and their kiddos observing the puffin feeding

Levi liked the walrus

Three monkeys

A little blurry, but you get the idea: Tiger.

Axel liked the zoo, too, from the carrier

The classic shark mouth picture is a must at the Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

THROWBACK!  Finn & Levi in the shark’s mouth, about six months old

Arlo, Amelia, Levi, & Finn saying goodbye to the zoo