Ferry Ride and Mariner's Game

Yep, two posts in one day. Here I am just relaxing away today and I'm thinking that I should write up these posts while I'm not running around unpacking, buying groceries, cleaning and taking the kids to the dentist. Because, like it or not, in 1.5 days, I go home and the above mentioned tasks will be my priorities. With so much left to post about--now is the time!

Tomorrow marks seven years of marriage for Tadd and I. Rather than some fancy dinner we decided it would be fun to take the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle, have some clam chowder on the waterfront and then head to a Mariner's game. The Yankees are in town this weekend, making it even more fun. The kids and Mom and Dad came along. And Misser Anny and Miss Jennie met us there. So, while not a quiet and romantic evening, we still greatly enjoyed ourselves. The weather was just perfect for a ferry ride. We arrived early for the 4:15 sailing time, so while I waited in the car with a sleeping Ezra, the others walked up to Starbucks to get drink treats for the ride.

Miss Kine sipped away at her (MY!) passion tea lemonade. The ferry was quite crowded so we headed out to the back deck where the wind is much calmer and sat down to bask in the sun and enjoy the scenery. Both the Olympics and Rainier were showing off and pretty soon the Seattle skyline appeared.

It was very bright : )

After clam chowder and fish and chips at Ivar's, we walked to the game. Oh--for you locals, I'm sure you've heard that they found the old Ivar's billboard underwater in the bay. Guess what? They are honoring what it advertised. That means that kids under 12 eat free (normally the kid's meals are $4.99+). Also, a cup of chowder is only seventy five cents!
I am not taking time to edit (not that I ever do) so you'll have to zoom in on your own to see my very favorite baseball player of all time--Ken Griffey Jr. at bat. I was so excited that he came home! Yes, he may not be quite as dazzling to watch as we was back in the day, but he unites the team behind the scenes.
"Boooooooo A-Rod!"
A sleepy little girl rests with Daddy as the 9th inning opens. The Mariner's were down 2-1. They managed to keep the score the same during the top half of the inning. First batter up in the bottom--strike out. Second batter up--strike out (we're at the bottom of the order, in case you can't tell). Next batter they bring in Sweeny as a pinch hitter. He swings and....is inches short of a home run. But the ball is not caught and he makes it to second. Okay, we're still alive. The previous night the game went 14 innings before Ichiro batted in a runner to win the game. We don't want a repeat of 14 innings. Neither do we want to watch our boys go down to the Yankees on strike outs. Who is up next? Ahhh...back to the beginning of the order--it's Ichiro. And he's ticked. His last up he got a single and then was picked off in a close call at first. First swing--he smashes it into the center field stands. He and Sweeny score. Game over. Tears from Yankees fans in front of us. Lots of cheering from the crowd. We chose a good game! Whoo hoo!
We won! And it's loud!
Those are the pitchers walking off the field from the bull pen. See that pink back pack? All the rookies are required by the older pitchers to wear the pink back pack walking to and from the bullpen all season. That's a "rally cap" blocking the view on the right side.

And there is Ichiro coming in to score at home plate with the team gathered around to jump on him. Thanks for making our night complete, Ichiro!

Zoo Day

We took a trip to the zoo in our desperate attempt to fit everything into one small trip : ) We saw animals and pretty plants and marine mammals and fish. Mom and the kids took a camel ride (Not an approved activity for me). The kids played on the toys in the kids zone. It was fun. The end.

I have about 4 different pictures of Ezra in this shark's mouth starting at 9 months and going up to this year at 3.5.






Crocosimia (you'll have to check my spelling on that one)--one of my very favorite flowers.

That night I went to the airport and picked up some guy who claims to be the husband and father of our family. He hardly recognized us. We are now enjoying our time with him here. Thus, I'm not writing much. I'm sure you can fill in all the blanks! Go Dawgs!

P.S. My pirating skills are not up to par for this day and age. I can't seem to get the Mutton Bustin' video from my friend's facebook account to my blog. But we did post a link to it on our facebook account. So, if you want to see it and you are not already our facebook "friend" our name is Tadd.BrookeGiesbrecht.

I'm Sorry, But It Must Be Said!

Can anyone tell me which NFL defense shut down their opponents during the first week of play? There was only one team with that accomplishment. I can help you rule out a few teams. For instance, it wasn't San Diego...nor was it the Steelers. And it certainly wasn't Denver (Okay, I think I've covered all of my in-laws which was my goal in this post, hehe). Hmmm....who was it? Anyone? Anyone?

Yes, yes, I know I may have just guaranteed my team a loss this Sunday, however, that's the daring of smack. You have to be brave enough to say it!

Around the Harbor

Yes, they are under an umbrella--but they are hiding from the sun--NOT the rain!

I'm starting to feel a little bit like the Chatty Housewife with all these boating posts : ) Just kidding, Chatty--I LOVE all your boating posts, especially when I'm landlocked in Idaho! So, Saturday it was a gorgeous September day in the greater Seattle area. I know that Seattle always has the reputation of rain, but sometimes the sun is out. And this summer the sun was here a lot, I hear. September is often the best month of the year. We decided to hop in the pick up and take the boat and some yummy snacks and head down to the boat launch. We put in not far from Mom and Dad's house and headed out to enjoy the day. We cruised around for 4 hours basking in sunshine and floating on water that looked like glass between tides. We saw lots of harbor seals (no pictures, I didn't bring the zoom lens) and LOTS of other boaters. I also took a bazillion pictures of very cool waterfront houses.


The above home is the one I'd like, please?
This is B & S's beach house. I used to babysit their curly haired urchins who are now all grown up.

We boated by so many places that hold strong memories for me and my family--I saw the homes of many high school friends and some current meeting friends. I saw the Amazing Grace Bed and Breakfast owned by a friends' parents. We went by the shore (pictured above) where Tadd got down on one knee at sunset and proposed : ) We passed the dock where Jacob asked Emily to be his wife. We cruised by the island where our wedding took place (but we didn't actually go into Echo Bay, so no pictures). Even better than seeing all the sights was drinking in the smell of salt. About five minutes into the voyage I drank in my first taste and felt home flood over me. I miss the smell of salt in the air--we didn't have that in Snoqualmie and we certainly don't have it in Idaho.

The Mountain was out in all her glory. Because it has rained so little lately the Olympics were too smoggy to get a decent picture. There are many nights at sunset when I love them even more than The Mountain, I have to say.
Ezra napped for two hours on the boat. Caroline lay down beside him and chilled for a while. She mostly sat beside me and took in the sights.
After a couple hours of cruising we headed into the Harbor.

And we found Uncle Heffay who decided to join us after watching University of Washington beat University of Idaho. Yep, that's correct, I said that UW won a football game! Locker's back, Baby.
This guy made a descent right over our heads...

And landed.

Going back out of the Harbor and into the Narrows meant it was time to bundle up--the air is significantly colder out in the open water.
Mountain and my favorite boy. Once he woke up he had so much fun. He especially loved it when Grandpa drove fast over waves and made the boat catch air. He rode up front with Grandma and was laughing so hard I don't think he took a breath the whole time.
A few pictures of this piece of engineering. This is the first time I've been under the bridge since the second one was constructed.


Once we got back into Wollochet Bay area Caroline decided she wanted to take a ride on the tube. Uncle Heff kindly offered to take her. You have to know that the water is 54 degrees year round to understand just how kind that was of him.
What? I'm not cold, I'm not cold, I'm not cold!

You go girl!
Ezra stayed in the boat and decided to be the flag waver.
After boating in salt water, of course, clean up is required. Ezra and Caroline helped Grandpa with that job while Grandma and I worked on wild caught Coho with fresh corn on the cob. Yummy!


What a day!