Tacoma, Ahoy!

I left the 102 degree weather in Boise on Thursday and came home to 65 degrees and cloudy. ahhhhhh. We had a great time, the girls got to play with all their Aunts and Hambelton side cousins as my sister and her family were visiting from New Jersey. The funeral was really nice, it was great to remember all the wonderful things about my Grandma. Here is a family photo taken at the family dinner before the viewing for my Grandma. Here is Odessa with some cousins

The first thing I noticed when I got home was how nice and organized the place was and how within 30 minutes, the girls had gotten toys and stuff all over. I felt sorry for Stephen, living the bachelor's life for a week with few messes to clean up and then coming home to chaos Thursday night. Thank goodness I made some good dinners those nights I got back or maybe he would have been sorry we came home! ha ha
Friday we celebrated the 4th of July with our friends Krishna and Hillary and their friends at a BBQ at their house. Here is a picture of Krishna and their 2 month old, Keiran

After the BBQ we headed over to a member of our Church's house who has an incredible view of Elliot Bay and Queen Anne hill. So we were able to watch both the Elliott Bay fireworks and the Lake Union fireworks over the hill. Fireworks on the water are always dramatic, it was fun. Ada bit it on the asphalt as the kids were playing and has some good lip scabs and a couple tiny chips in her teeth to show for it. What is it with my kids? Good thing the dentist was there to consult with.
Saturday we drove south to Tacoma where we attended the Tall Ships of Tacoma Festival. Stephen really likes boats. Here is a definiton from Wikipedia for those of us who don't know anything about it. "A tall ship is a large traditionally rigged sailing vessel. Popular modern tall ship rigs include topsail schooners, brigantines, brigs and barques." Basically we went to go see a lot of big ships with lots of sails. When they did put up their sails and sail around, it was really beautiful. We got to tour the U.S.C.G Barque EAGLE.

The first picture is of the boat from where we were in line to tour it, the second is the girls doing a pirate "arghhh" with a shot of the rigging, the third is a picture of a picture of what it looks like with all it's sails- pretty, no?

The US took this boat from Germany after WW II as a war prize and supposedly Hitler himself used the boat during the war. All the US Coast Guard cadets at the academy take training tours on the sailing boat because it teaches them the importance of wind and currents that will help them when they are in smaller, engine operated boats. We had a lot of fun looking at boats, booths and the pirate inspired Renaissance type entertainment.
I'm excited to start another new chapter here as the girls and I explore more and I find more grocery bargains! Now that I am an official card carrying Costco member, things are really going to heat up!! ha ha