Trip to Tacoma!

Last month we welcomed into the Schow family the newest member of the next generation. Landon Reed Schow was born on May 20, 2009 to Shane and Jennica, and this past weekend was his baby blessing in Tacoma, Washington. My ever generous parents used thier air miles to fly me down there to meet up with them and Shane's family. It was seriously such a fun trip! I hadn't seen any of Shane's family since last August, so the kids had changed so much. Ian is almost 6, Kelsey just turned 4, and Kaden is almost 3. Last time they took awhile to warm up to me, but this time was the complete opposite and I loved it. From the moment I opened the van door, the kids were chattering excitedly telling me all their news. It was so cute! I had a great time just hanging out and playing with the kids, and visiting with Shane and Jennica. We sure don't get to see them enough! Mom and Dad got there a few hours after I did and we had a yummy barbeque and spent the evening eating and playing with the kids in the backyard.

Kelsey and I (doesn't she have the prettiest red lips!)

Haha! Kaden can't reach the door handle so he stands outside and yells until someone let him in!

This is the kids' best funny faces. Kelsey had obviously had a little spill...

Backyard BBQ! L-R : Mom, Kelsey, Kaden, Jennica, Shane, Dad and Ian

My favorite picture: I love the chaos of Kels attacking Dad, and Dad choking Ian! Hilarious.

On Saturday we took the ferry over to Anderson Island. We explored the shoreline for 'treasures' and found washed up jelly fish, seashells, sand crabs, barnacles rocks and tons more. The kids were so excited about everything. We also enjoyed wading in the water (even though it was pretty cold - like Waterton water) and sitting in the sun.

Entertaining the kids until it was time to leave for the ferry ride.

These first few minutes on the ferry was probably the only time the kids stood still

Real starfish on the pillars by the ferry. They were huge! I didn't even know there are purple ones!

We went out for dinner at a really cool restaurant called, 'The Rainforest Cafe' and the kids were over the moon. The whole restaurant is decorated like you're under a canopy of rainforest with all the vegetation, flowers, fake (moving) animals, and stars peeking through. There's even the occasional lightning and thunderstorm with "rain". It was awesome and the food was great. Since it would be Jennica's birthday a couple days later, we had them come out singing with a sparkler dessert, and then we all shared. When we got back to our hotel, we took the kids swimming and then they enjoyed a "hot tub-bubble bath" back in the room since the real hot tub was out of service.

On Sunday we hung out for a couple hours at Shane and Jennica's, then headed over to the church for 1 'o clock sacrament. After church we went over to Jennica's parents house and had lunch a visited for a couple hours. I had to catch a bus back to the airport just before 7pm, and then I flew home to Edmonton at 9:30pm. It made for a late night of travelling, but I had a good book and the trip went by quick. It was a fabulous little mini vacation, and I'm so glad I was able to go and spend time with my family. I missed having Nick there with me, and it would have been great if Jill would have been able to come after all, but hopefully next time!

Shane & Jennica's family after the blessing

Mom & Dad before church (aren't they cute...)

Outside Shane & Jennica's house

Baby Landon and Grandma Schow (isn't she beautiful!)