We're Back

Over the weekend we took a very quick road trip to Seattle. My sister Toni who works at the downtown Portland Marriot Hotel on the waterfront got us a sweet deal on our hotel. It was so cute when we pulled in, Zander said "Is Attle here?" It took me a while, but I figured out that he was wondering when he was going to see Attle (Seattle)!!! So cute (I think he is still confused.)

After checking in I got all cleaned up and changed the kids into some fresh clothes. We had plans to meet my mom's uncle and cousins for dinner. It has been many many years since I had been to Uncle Rob's house (I think maybe Jr. high or younger). My Grandpa, who passed away about 7 years ago, lived in Tacoma, so whenever we came up to visit, we always spent time there.

We had a wonderful visit over dinner. My mom's cousins Rod and Anita joined us as well. Melinda, another cousin, was a super hostess and she even whipped up scrambled eggs as requested by the kids. After dinner Melinda brought out Lefse (a yummy Norwegian dessert), ice cream and caramel filled waffle cookies our family in Amsterdam sent over. They were a favorite for sure.

I'm not sure how much the kids will remember our time with family, but it was so great getting everyone acquainted. I really enjoyed hearing all the family stories and learning more about the times when they lived in Japan as missionaries. Wished we could have stayed longer, but the kids were getting tired and it was past time for bed.

In the morning after breakfast we drove all of about 2 minutes to IKEA! I hadn't been to IKEA for a few years and was so excited to go. We are getting a store in Portland near the airport, but it won't open until summer. IKEA is so much fun, but it is a huge store, so it takes a long time to see everything. I dropped the kids off at the play land for free childcare up to an hour. We rushed around picking up things along the way. I was mostly interested in storage boxes for my scrapbook room, but was excited to get a few things for the playroom as well. I got these leaf canopies for a reading area and this treasure box to store dress up stuff in. I also got some nifty kitchen utensils and storage jars. Dan got some ideas for furniture for the basement project too. Soon the kids were hungry so we left in search of a restaurant. We found an Asian buffet and had a late lunch/dinner and then got back in the car for the 3 hour drive home.