The Wetzell Hotel!

This week we had our first set of guests stay for more than a weekend and I hope they didn't get sick of us! My parents were GREAT guests! I hope they didn't mind how busy we were. I think that the Wetzell Hotel Shuttle brought them to every attraction possible in the Pacific Northwest:)!
We started in Seattle on a very chilly July morning.


We headed up to Mt.Baker to find Artist Point. This was a first for Ben and I too!






We parked and walked down a muddy, wet, snowy path to Picture Lake-Amazing! We had great views of Mt.Shuksan.





Once we started walking up to Artist Point we could look in every direction and see an amzing snow covered peak!It was truly one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen.







We walked downtown Lynden, which just has a lot of cute shops. It is an extremely Dutch community so we had to get pictures in front of the big windmill! Mom and dad also thought the big hanging baskets were so great, so we HAD to take some pictures:)!




Another great part of the week was heading to Vancouver to see Tom. He was an excellent tour guide showing all of us the most beautiful parts of the city. Mom and dad really liked Vancouver, it is such a neat place to go. Tom also brought us to a restaurant called Waterstreet Cafe it was truly some of the best food we had ever had.





We had beautiful weather all week so one day we wanted to head to a beach. We traveled to Birch Bay. It was definitely not sandy white beaches like on Florida or even like the sand around our MN lakes, but we still managed to have a lot of fun. And like my dad said, "God couldn't make all the beaches the same or it wouldn't be fun to see all of them."





This was dad's find of the day! :)

In between all the busyness, we did manage to enjoy some yummy fresh fish! Mmmmm


On their last day with us we spent our time at all the beautiful areas of Bellingham. We took them to Whatcom Falls, Lake Padden, Chuckanut Drive and finished back at Fairhaven, which is my favorite area of Bellingham.




Then they were off to Victoria for the week! Victoria is supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in the world and so far it sounds like they are really enjoying it. I am fortunate enough to get to meet up with them tomorro and Ben will head there this weekend!
We love you and miss you all!!
"We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name." Psalm 33:20-21

MN Vacation!

Now, most people could never fathom taking their summer trip to good ol' Minnesota. Ben and I on the other hand, couldn't wait to get there! Our summer in WA has been unusually cold so getting to MN to be with our family and enjoy 80 degree weather seemed more than wonderful to us! Our trip was filled with Ben being in 2 weddings, one in Chicago, the other in New Jersey and in between those weddings we wanted to spend as much time as possible with our families. It was so wonderful seeing the Carrs and so many others at the wedding!

We spent the 4th of July at the cabin with the Wetzell Clan! We had so much fun!


The boys had fun using a new rope swing at the lake...I think they were the oldest ones there by about 15 years! :)



Then we headed to be with the Wolf's! The kids were so excited to see Ben!



The moths by Emily and Mark's pool were unbelievable. They were everywhere. The girls were catching them like crazy...I think the moth population decreased by 75% once all the little ones got there:)




I was able to help Emily get ready for Gabrielle's Beach Themed Birthday Party. We had so much fun making the sunglasses cake and getting everything organized.



Our time at home was so great but much too short of course. I can say that it was one of the best vacations I have ever had. I enjoyed all of our family time so much and can't wait to get home again.







Fortunately we don't have to wait to long to see family because my mom and dad are flying in on Saturday to stay with us for a week and then they are heading to beautiful Victoria, B.C. And Tom is in Vancouver for business this week so he is coming down tonight!

We miss everyone already and pray that you continue to enjoy your warm summer! :)

"Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart." Psalm 97:11