Bellingham and Other Fun Updates

This past weekend we went on a trip to Bellingham, Washington, to visit Grandpapski Esaak.  Mike and I haven't been back in a few years and this was Luke's first trip to the Pac Northwest.  We were so excited to get back to the beautiful scenery - especially in the fall - and for everyone to see Luke!

Luke has been on a few flights already, but none longer than an hour or so (to Iowa).  So the flight out West was uncharted territory.  We packed some toys, lots of bottles and crossed our fingers that Little Man would behave.  We had a super early flight so as soon as he woke up at 5:45 am, we had a quick diaper change and hopped in a cab!

He was a trooper.  Slept for a little *tiny* bit, but most of the flight to Seattle he was a good boy who made lots of friends!

Looking out the window with Daddy

We were coming in to land and Bubba got a view of this:

Mt. Baker

He was mesmerized by the mountains and clouds.

After a quick connection at Sea-Tac and a short flight to Bellingham, we headed out for lunch and then back to Grandpapski's for some rest.  The next day we lounged around a bit in the morning.  We were on Pacific time so Luke was up around his normal time at 5:45 am Central.  That is 3:45 am Pacific.  Yikes.  Luckily he's a happy kid in the morning so we had fun playing.

In the afternoon, we went out for some Mexican.  Luke wasn't sure what he wanted to eat, so he perused the menu.

Then he danced on the table for a bit.

We had a nice lunch and Bubba got to make a mess with his own fruit plate.

Do you see all the toys in front of him?  Can you tell we were doing anything to appease so we could eat?!

That night we got to see some friends of Grandpapski's that we were excited for Luke to meet.  Craig and MaryAnn from across the street and Mark from just down the road.  With the time change, we did our best to keep Bubs up as long as possible, but he was starting to be a bear around 5:00 (which is already bedtime for him at home).  He stayed up long enough to say hello and then it was off to bath time and bed.  After he went to bed, we had a nice time chatting and catching up with everyone.

On Saturday, we planned to head out in the morning since Luke was getting up so early.  We drove to Semiahmoo which is just about 45 minutes from Bellingham but viewing distance from Canada.  The drive is gorgeous, although I will admit that Luke and I did not see one minute of it.  We were both catching flies about 2 minutes after leaving home.  We had lunch at Semiahmoo Resort - what a beautiful place!

I wish you could see the background here...it was overlooking Semiahmoo Bay on the Pudget Sound Shoreline.

Canada

This video is pretty funny...Luke is happily playing at the table and then at the very end you get a surprise.  Just a glimpse into the crazy playtime these two have.  :-)

Afterwards, we went back into Bellingham to walk around at the Farmer's Market.  Luke was grouchy, but we had to stop to get this picture of a gord as big as his head....or is it the other way around?!

We also made some time to stop in to a few baby stores....and I made the best purchase in quite some time!!  FOOTBALL BABYLEGS!  Even Dad loved them!  We also came away with an argyle pair.  Cute, cute, cute!  And a very timely purchase as you'll see towards the end of this post.....

By 5 pm, Luke was pret-ty crabby and we were in desperate need of him taking a nap.  So we bundled up and went for a walk around Lake Louise (just down the road from Grandpapski's house).  We thought Luke would be out like a light as soon as I started walking with him in the carrier.  He proved he can outlast us any day...he stayed awake for the entire walk around this lake:

His face has TIRED written all over it.

The next day we were up early and packed our things to head out.  Sometime over the weekend, Luke decided he looooves strangers and wants them to hold him.  So on our flight home, a poor Gramma sitting next to us got to hold him for nearly half the flight!  Every time he would look at her, he'd put on a big 'ol smile, hold out his arms and nose dive towards her.  Luckily she loved it.  Even the puke and slobber.  He did this with everyone!  I wasn't so thrilled that some stranger was holding my baby as we were bouncing all around on our approach to land, but I am infinitely happy that I have a boy who is outgoing and loves people.  He made more friends than enemies on our flights and I think that's an accomplishment at 6 months!

Luke's best friend on the flight.  :-)

It was great to get out West again and thank-you Grandpapski - it was so nice to see you!!

Now last, but certainly not least....WE HAVE A CRAWLER!  More videos to come as soon as I can upload them to YouTube.