Sleepless in Seattle and Partying in Phoenix?

Not really, I actually got a decent amount of sleep in Seattle, and maybe less so when I was in Phoenix (technically Tucson). But, I did party it up in both locals hanging out with both my immediate and extended family. Actually, come to think about it, the sleepless part of Seattle was probably the flight home (the third of four red eye flights that month). Anyway, after spending the weekend in Denver my next destination was Seattle.

Seattle was another first for me, and might I add that I really fell in love with the place. This was probably due to the fact that it is a beautiful place, but it sure helped that it didn't rain the three whole days I was in town. The weather was actually sunny and very pleasant (mid 70s). It really was the perfect weekend to visit, especially since the following day after I left it turned to cold and rainy. In fact, my cousin and her husband kept telling me how lucky I was that I came that weekend as the weather is hardly ever that nice, including the sky to be clear enough to see Mt. Rainer from the city. So, I consider myself very lucky.

Well, my first official day in the Seattle area (my cousin Kariah and her husband Jeremiah live in Tacoma), I spent the day hanging out at the mall since the two of them had to work. It may sound a little boring, but it was actually kind of nice. So the really touristing didn't occur until the next day. Saturday morning after a nice breakfast of pancakes, we headed off to Bremerton so we could take the ferry into the city. This is a great way to come visit the city if you are going for the first time. The ferry ride was about an hour long and offered some spectacular views of the city and the surrounding areas.

Waiting in line in the car to get on the ferry.

Jeremiah and Kariah on the ferry.

See what I mean about the views?

Seattle in the distance...

...getting closer.

After parking the car, we started walking around. We came across the city library, which my friend Mark told me was one of his favorite places in the city, so we decided to take a quick look.

Quite the interesting library. I loved the escalators.

On the tram heading over to the Space Needle.

We decided the best way to see the city was to take a Duck tour. This was a pretty fun way to see the city and learn a little bit about its history.

Riding the duck!

This was our driver, Roman Free. He was pretty entertaining.

Driving around the city...

...and in the water! If you know about Duck tours, the buses also go in the water. The Seattle Duck tour includes a "drive" around Lake Union.

That blue house is the one from the movie Sleepless in Seattle.

And you might have seen this park in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You when Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger are on the paddle boat and they decide to go paint balling.

After the Duck tour, we headed over to Pike's Place Market, but not before stopping to take some pictures, including the Space Needle in my sunglasses.

Pike's Place

Flying fish!

Brittany, all these pigs are for you.

The original Starbucks.

After walking around the market, we headed down to the piers.

This included a visit to the Ye Old Curiosity Shop, which includes some pretty interesting things indeed, including this mermaid. Real or fake? You decide.

Then before leaving the city, Kariah and Jeremiah took me up to a Kerry Park to check out the best views of the city skyline.

After the park, we headed back home, but not before stopping for dinner at CPK!

On Sunday, we went to church and had dinner and hung out before I had to head to the airport.

This is a random picture of their cat Hope trying to come into the bedroom where I was sleeping. Normally she goes in that room all the time, but because I was visiting and somewhat allergic to kitty cats, Hope was not aloud in to lay all over the bed. I just thought this picture was funny.

Thanks again Kariah and Jeremiah for a wonderful weekend!

Finally, with 3 weekend trips already under my belt, it was time to make the trip home to visit family and friends. My sister Kari decided to take that Friday off of work and the two of us spent Friday and most of Saturday in Tucson visiting Derek, Melanie and the kids. It was so great to see them again and to spend some time with those adorable kids. Seriously, the hardest part about living so far away is not being able to see my cute nieces and nephews all the time.

Anyway, so Friday after making the drive down from Phoenix, we all (minus Derek at work) went to visit the Tucson Zoo. This was Maeley's idea as she really wanted to see the polar bear.

Maeley and Chase in the car on the way to the zoo.

Maeley was our tour guide. When we paid the admission, they had maps of the zoo available with picture of all the animals. Maeley, being the bright kid she is, knew exactly how to read the map and make her way around to see the different animals. She even knew how to find the bathroom.

Maeley referring to her map.

My little buddy Chase and darling Zoe. She was so funny to watch as we went around to the animals as she would get to excited and start shaking and point at the animals. Such a funny kid.

Chase with the polar bear behind him (sort of).

Getting food to feed the ducks.

Melanie and Zoe.

The kids cute turtle pictures.

I had to include this funny picture of the giraffe. Maeley is helping to make one of those souvenir pennies.

Like I said, isn't she just adorable?

Trying to get a picture of me and my buddy.

And another attempt.

After an afternoon and the zoo, the kids grew rather sleepy in the car. I thought it was hilarious how Maeley fell asleep with her legs crossed like a little lady.

On the way back from the zoo, we picked up Derek from work and headed back to their place. After playing for a little bit, we decided to go to McDonald's for dinner so the kids go then enjoy the play place. The best part is Derek, Kari and I also played in the play place. I can't remember the last time I've been in one of those!

Derek and Chase.

The kids.

The "big" kids.

Coming down the slide.

After McDonald's, we went back home and Kari and I had a slumber party in the living room with the kids, while Derek and Melanie got to spend some alone time and actually go on a date. The sleeping arrangements that night were interesting (Chase sure moves around in his sleep a lot), but it sure was fun watching Kung Fu Panda and then playing around in our pajamas the next morning before conference came on.

Saturday was spent watching conference, playing at the park and eating pizza and buffalo wings, before Kari and I headed back to Gilbert. Of course, after all my trips it was this day that I decided to get a cold. We've determined that I'm allergic to Kari (not really, but it does seem like I'm sick anytime recently I've been around her).

I took this picture on the way home and had to share.


The rest of my weekend at home was nice just spending time with family, Sunday dinner at G Mom and G Dads, hanging out with my best friend Jessica, going to Pei Wei with Kari and Sister Peterson (running into my friend Devin there) and just getting to be with my mister (my dog Linus). Thanks for letting me come home and visit. Can't wait to come home for Christmas!

By the way Kari, the post you are requesting will come after I finishing catching up with my other adventures (now just my trip to Rhode Island as Halloween was blogged about out of order).