Olympic Peninsula

Hello from the West side!

We are currently enjoying the rain, wind, brisk, cool weather, oh yes, and each other's company! Really, it has been nice to get away and spend some time with the girls.

The trip over was nice and actually very relaxing. We drove to Seattle, took the ferry across to Bainbridge Island and drove up north to Port Townsend. The ferry ride broke up what could have been a long drive. The girls both slept on the way over to Seattle and they enjoyed walking around on the ferry before having to get back in the car for another hour long drive or so.

Our condo is really nice inside. It is the first one that we have been to (of Worldmark's) that is a townhouse and actually has 5 floors! Sounds huge for a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, but it really isn't that big, there just isn't much on each floor. When you walk in, the main floor is just a landing and a laundry room. If you go downstairs, there is a huge master bedroom and bath with a balcony. Back to the main floor, if you go up one set of stairs, you have the main living room and kitchen as well as another balcony. Up one more set of stairs and you have a landing and a bathroom, up the final set of stairs and you have a little sitting area with a couch and then another large bedroom.

*Now mom, I know you are reading this and saying, "Are you watching the girls carefully on the stairs?" and "You aren't letting them go out on the balcony are you?" and "Can you hear the girls if they are crying in their room all the way upstairs when you are all the way downstairs?" etc. Let's just say that I promise you the girls are safe here. And let's also say that it is a good thing you aren't here, because anyone that knows you, knows that you would probably be having panic attacks by now! :-)

The girls take naps in their playpens which they cannot get out of which means they can't fall down the stairs. It is quiet up there since it is far enough away from our loud Yahtzee games. And yes, we have had to move a couch to block the stairs so that Jocelyn stays on the main living room floor when she is playing.

Anyway, yesterday we went to the Olympic Game Farm. This is a drive-through farm that has animals that were once trained to be in Disney movies. This was really cool, because as you drive through, you put your windows down and can feed the animals bread right from your window. You are not allowed to get out of your car and they strongly advise you to keep moving when you are around the Bison because they are a bit more aggressive and can damage your car. Oh, and don't feed the Zebras because they bite! So, am I supposed to trust the other animals? Sam laughed at me a bit, because I had my window up a lot! These animals were huge and could very easily climb into my car! Oh man, am I taking after my mom? The girls were able to get out at the end to enjoy a little petting zoo. Jenna was more excited about the hand sanitizer that was provided than the goats or bunnies though. Typical of her! Jocelyn liked being able to run free.

We then went on a short but sweet hike in the rain forest. I took Jocelyn in my backpack since she weighs less, but the downfall is, she crys more! :-) She was actually very overdue for a nap and the bouncing of my every step was not allowing her to fall asleep. Every time I stopped to enjoy the scenery (or more importantly, catch a breath) she would start up. I went back to the car after we reached the top of the waterfall to give her a bottle and Sam let Jenna get out of the pack and walk on her own. She really did great and even got her own walking stick!

Today, Jenna went down to the dock with daddy to do some crabbing while I stayed with Jocelyn during her nap. They just came back with a crab that we are going to cook up for lunch. Hopefully they get some more that we can bring home for later!

The four of us

At Marymere Falls

Jenna is the master hiker

Lake Cresent had beautiful water!

I am feeding a Yak some bread. Could it be any farther in my car?

The calm Zebras (that might bite!)

Look at how smeared the window is from the Bison. You can even see how many there are all around our car by looking through the side rear-view mirror.

Jenna at the petting zoo

Jocelyn at the petting zoo

Jocelyn going down the slide with a big smile, still sporting her mohawk!

Now that's a hamburger!

And Sam is loving it!

Jocelyn is kinda crabby at lunch

So is Genevieve

The ferry ride over

Jenna was a little apprehensive at first to get too close to the side but then she decided that she could do it by herself.

Oh, how sweet! Mommy with her girls!