Seattle in July (aka: Heaven on Earth).

We woke up bright and early on the 4th of July to skip our ward's annual pancake breakfast and bike parade to instead drive 8 hours to Seattle.  Tim's younger brother lives in the area, and our sister-in-law (married to Tim's other brother - they live in the Boston area) is from there, so we sneakily found a way to turn a long weekend trip into a family reunion of sorts.  Tim's parents and sister (and family) came up from California, too, so it truly was everybody - which never happens.

If you've never been to Seattle during the summer - don't ever do it... you will fall completely in love with the splendor of the place, move your entire family there only to discover that the other 9 months of the year require umbrellas up the wazoo and countless bottles of Prozac.  But July through September just might make it worth it - it's truly something out of a magazine.  Temperatures in the 70's, lakes, rivers and waterfalls around every corner, stunning mountain ranges, delicious food... truly, Washington has it all.

It was a quick trip, just enough time to spend a day in the city and a day in the sticks.  We hit up the Museum of Flight, Pike Place Market, the Aquarium, lunch at Seattle-famous Ivar's, Snoqualmie Falls, a hike to Twin Falls, Boehm's Chocolates, a fun visit with aunt Joanne's parents, and a dip or two in the hotel swimming pool.  Best of all, we got to spend time with those we love and see so seldom.

                                            Thanks Egberts for making it all happen.