Lola's Annual Visit

Lola just left us today after a busy and fun filled, nine day visit.  We arranged for her to fly in on Friday, June 24th, which was our first official day of summer since Lia got out of school the day before.  Like every year, we planned an outing every morning before nap time and an evening outing for dinner on some of the days, too.  We saw and did a lot, but had a great time.  Unfortunately, Ron had to go to Spokane for a work conference for four of the days while his mom was here, but we carried on without him and were grateful when he returned home.  Although I did not take pictures of everything we did, here is a brief summary of some of our adventures!

 On Saturday, June 25th, we headed downtown to visit our weekly Farmer's Market that Lola loves.  We enjoyed perusing the vendor's booths, buying some fresh produce, and eating lunch.  Here is the gang taking a break to eat some lunch.

After much debate, Lola finally agreed to cut Lia's hair to her shoulders on Monday, June 27th, after a morning shopping run to Kohls and lunch at Applebees.  Since we only cut Lia's hair once a year, I was grateful for the many inches that she cut off.  Check off all of her hair on the floor!

Tuesday, June 28th, was a big day for us.  We were up and out of the house before 9 a.m. to drive up to the American Girl Doll store in Lynnwood.  Lola let Lia pick out a few items of her choice which was an absolute treat for her.  Here are the two girls posing in front of the new Wellie Wishers doll display that includes an adorable playhouse that the kids loved playing in.  Please note that Logan is hiding in the house while I took this picture as he refused to come out and pose with his sisters.  Oh dear.

Lola also treated one of Lia's dolls to a session at the hair salon.  Luckily, Lia brought Caroline (in addition to McKenna) who has very difficult hair to brush and style.  Since I am the only one allowed to comb and style Caroline's hair, I was very grateful to have someone else do it for once since it takes me over an hour each time I sit down to work on it!  Here is Lia watching her doll get all pretty while sitting in a salon chair with a cape on!

After our trip to the American Girl Doll Store, we came back down to Issaquah where we spent the rest of the day.  I dropped Ella and Lola off at my parent's house for a nap and then took Logan and Lia out to the lake for a wonderful afternoon of playing in the water and the sun.  My cousin's family was visiting from Utah so we had fun visiting with them.  Here is Lia playing with my cousin's 14-year old daughter, Ali.   

Lia and Ali floating in the tubes.

My parents came down to the lake with Lola and Ella for a picnic dinner and some more swim time.  Here is Lola eating with Lia and Ali.

Logan stumbled across some old, children's books in the cabin and had grandpa read one to him.  I just couldn't resist taking this priceless picture.

After Ella jumped into my arms in the water several times after dinner, she got a little chilled and went to grandma's arms for some warming up.  Here she is with both of her grandmas.

On Wednesday, June 29th, we headed out to Dash Point to take Lola to our favorite, local beach on the Puget Sound.  She treated us to a KFC picnic lunch before we left Puyallup.  Although it stayed cloudy all morning long, we had a great time playing on this favorite beach of ours.  Here are my three kiddos swinging in our favorite swing set.  I just love how all three of them can be swinging at the same time.

Silly Ella insisted on putting on her swimsuit although the sun never showed its face the entire time we were there.  Here are all three of the kiddos playing in the sand.

Logan working hard to fill up his bucket with sand.

We wandered down to the shore and found a washed up jelly fish on the rocks.  After dragging it out of the water to show it to the kids, I threw it back in.  Here are the girls watching it float away.

Enjoying our delicious lunch under the covered pavilion. 

Lola and her grandkiddos.

The kids and Lola posing next to the Dash Point sign.

Logan got his haircut later that same day and was NOT happy about it!  

Although he has never minded getting his haircut before, he was not a happy camper for some unexplained reason.

With Ron back home, we headed out early on the morning of Thursday, June 30th, to downtown Seattle to take the kids to the Seattle Aquarium.  We have not taken the kids into Seattle for a long time, so it was fun to set out on this adventure together.  Here are the kids looking at the water and the ferris wheel on our walk to the aquarium.

Mama and the kiddos posing by the fountain on the waterfront.

We had told Logan in advance that there was going to be an octopus at the aquarium and he kept on asking about it the day before and on the drive up to Seattle...and it did not disappoint!  It was huge and totally swimming around its tank instead of hiding in some dark corner.  The kids loved it!

Logan, Lia, and Ella checking it out up close.

The girls standing under the super cool jelly fish tank.

A picture of the jellies up close.

I love these two pictures because it totally sums up Ella's relationship with her siblings.  While trying to pose in the jelly fish cut out board, Logan tried to push his head in with her...

before Lia's smotherd her with a kiss!  Look at Ella's face in this picture!

Ron and the kids in the "petting" area.

Lia touching a starfish.

The girls seeing how they measure up to a sixgill shark.

We took advantage of the free face painting offered at the aquarium.  

An up close of the Dory on Lia's cheek.

Papa and Ella looking at the beautiful, tropical fish tank.

Ella decided afterwards to get a whale painted on her face.  I couldn't believe how still she sat the entire time.

And then finally Logan decided to follow his sisters with an orca whale on his arm.

The kids looking at the giant tank of sharks.

Ella and Lia watching the seals swim by!

After the aquarium, we headed down the waterfront to Ivars' for some fish and chips for lunch.

Ella and I eating lunch.

On Saturday evening, July 2nd, we hosted Lola's brother and wife and their granddaughter for a Filipino feast that Lola spent many hours working on.  We ate outside and spent a wonderful evening with them.  Here is the gang around the table after we had finished eating.

Lia then treated us to a little piano recital in the living room after dinner and baths.  Here she is playing with Aunt Pat at her side.  

This morning we said goodbye to Lola before she left to the airport to catch her plane.  Since we were heading to church at the same time, the kiddos were dressed in their Sunday best and took a few pictures with her.  Ella and Lia were even wearing some darling outfits that she had bought for them.  

Lola giving Lia and Logan a final hug.

Lola giving Ella one last hug!

Good bye, Lola.  Thank you for the wonderful week!