Washington Apple Country

This week we went on a trip to Washington apple country and had a great time. After a beautiful drive through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, our first destination was Leavenworth. For our California readers, this is Washington's Solvang, except it's a Bavarian Village rather than Danish. It was miserably hot, so we didn't spend much time in town before we headed for a park along the Wenatchee river.

Leavenworth....

Waterfront Park....

An unplanned stop at the Aplets and Cotlet factory. I love those little overly-sweet candies....

Our final destination was Stutzman Ranch in Wenatchee....

We were really excited to visit a U-pick apple orchard. It was something I had done with my family as a kid and I wanted to bring Ryan. When we arrived at Stutzman Ranch, we were greeted by the owners, Floyd and Betsy Stutzman. It was obvious they were very busy handling a pear harvest and sales at their fruit stand, but they generously gave us a tour of their ranch and answered a hundred of my questions.

They warned us that the apples were a few weeks away from being ripe, but we couldn't resist and picked about a dozen anyways. They weren't very sweet, so I'll have to use them in a pie. Fortunately, they also had plenty of deliciously ripe pears, nectarines and peaches to pick....

We expected to just get apples, but we got so much more. There were a variety of fruits, a bunch of farm animals (goats, chickens, and a pig), and really nice farmers. Plus, they have a large pneumatic pumpkin cannon that they'll start firing in October. This will definitely be a new family tradition!

Here are just a few reasons to visit a U-pick farm:
(1) Best fruit available (ripe, fresh, no bruises)
(2) Saves money (apples & pears were only $.50/lb.)
(3) Helps out a family-owned farmer
(4) It's fun to pick your own fruit
(5) No annoying stickers to remove from the fruit

Ryan update

Ryan is almost 14 months old. He weighs 24 lbs and is 32" tall.
He's transitioning from 2 naps to 1 nap per day.
He has 11 teeth (the one on the lower right hasn't popped out yet)
He all of a sudden started refusing a pacifier and he hasn't used one in over a week.

Ryan is so much more fun now that he's really communicating. He consistently signs for "milk", "eat" and "more". He'll shake his head to do "no". He'll snort and point at any dog he sees. He'll twist at the torso and point to the TV whenever he wants to watch the Wiggles.
He understands when we say "dance", "dog", "high-5", "jump", "head", and "ear". See for yourself....

His stacking skills have improved....

He's climbing up and down on the couch. He's trying to climb up the dining room chairs. I'm expecting to see him standing on top of the table any day now....

Woodland Park Zoo

We took Ryan to the zoo for the first time yesterday. We got there at the perfect time and were second in line to feed the giraffes. For an additional $5 per person, we were each given a leafy branch to feed them with. Ryan was a bit afraid, but so was I. Their tongues were huge!

Ryan wanted to climb into the animal cages....

Feeding the birds....

Seattle Danskin Triathlon 2010

Brooke and her mom did the Seattle Danskin Triathlon together for the third time. For only training for a month, they did relatively well. They beat their first Danskin time, but not their second.
(Can you spot them in the photo below?)

Bremerton Ferry

On Thursday, we took the 1 hr long ferry ride to Bremerton. The destination wasn't important; we just wanted to take a ferry anywhere. The views from the ferry are great, and at only $7 per adults (round trip) and kids free, the value is unbeatable....




Priority #1: Once on board, get a hot chocolate in the galley....







Ryan's molars are coming in, so he's drooling more than ever....

Photo Booth

Brooke and I used to visit the same photo booth at least once per year when we lived in Seattle. There's been a seven year gap, but now that we're back, we'll need to restart the tradition....

Rediscovering Seattle

We've been very busy since returning to Seattle and haven't had time to post. We're finally settling into a routine so hopefully we'll be posting more often. In the meantime, here's a summary of some of our activities thus far.

Our first week back in Seattle we visited Pike Place Market and had lunch at Matt's in the Market.....

Playing at Gymboree. Of course Ryan refused to join in the group activity....

Climbing the water tower at Volunteer Park for the great views of Mt Rainier and the Seattle skyline....

Overeating at the Bite of Seattle.

We had a piroshky, coconut shrimp, lemonade, corned beef slider, fried mac & cheese, and strawberry shortcake....

Ballard Locks and the fish ladder.
By the way, Ryan is still not wearing normal shoes. He will only wear Robeez slippers.

Hanging out with Auntie R, who was in Seattle on business.
We had a couple nice dinners, one on Pier 70, the location of our wedding. It got pretty cold once the sun had set, so the waiters brought out blankets....

Ryan's first haircut....

Brooke's parents got Ryan a highchair for his birthday. Thank goodness, because we were so tired of chasing after Ryan with his food....

Our day at the Seattle Art Museum began with a nice lunch at a sidewalk cafe. The two main museum exhibits were (1) Kurt Cobain-themed art and (2) art by Andy Warhol. At the Warhol exhibit, visitors were encouraged to have their photos taken in a photo booth and then attach one on the wall.....

The remaining 3 photos from the photo booth....

I heard that another child from our birthing class was stacking blocks at the age of 11 months and I've had "stacking envy" ever since. At 13 months, Ryan has started to become interested in stacking blocks. He's not very good at it yet, but I'm excited that he's trying....

Ryan in the play area of Bellevue Square Mall....