Swim Salmon, Swim!

Isabella refused to turn around.
You gotta keep a close eye on those fish!

One afternoon we went to the Rocky Reach Dam and got to watch the salmon swim upriver to spawn.

Oh, Suburbia!

I love New York City, I really do. But it was so so nice to sleep in a quiet land, play on clean grass and sidewalks, and have a backyard to throw the kids out in. How dreamy! ...sigh...

Hiking

Isabella, Gillian, and Silas

We went for a great hike to the top of a waterfall in the Wenatchee National Forest. I loved how beautiful it was and the fresh clean air!

Getting aquanted

When we first arrived to Seattle my oldest brother picked us up from the airport and we stayed with them for the first night in Issaquah. I haven't seen their kids since I was 8 months prego, so it was great to see them (but I'm bummed because I forgot to take photos!). Josie, who is 10, had a hard time going to school in the morning. Isabella loved her and would laugh at everything she did.

Then my sister picked us up and we drove 2.5 hours to her town, Wenatchee, WA. (A very beautiful drive!) We had not seen her and her family since last Christmas. Isabella and Gillian are only 6 months apart and got along wonderfully!

Have Toddler, Will Travel

I was so very nervous about traveling with Isabella on our last "free" trip (before she turns 2). She's such a demanding busybody lately. Fortunately everything went fabulously. We got a seat next to an empty seat (so she had her own) all the way to Seattle and then we sat in first class all the way back. (Oh, how I love first class!) She napped well en route, watched shows on the iPod, flirted with the passengers behind us, ran up and down the aisle (making all the grandmas smile and wave...so cute) and was overall well behaved. The last half hour she was always a little antsy, but aren't we all?!

Above are a few items I picked up before traveling that were fantastic at keeping her in her seat and happy. I highly recommend them when travelling with a toddler. The "Doodle Pro" was the favorite. I swear I traced her hands and feet for at least 30 minutes non stop; and then drew a "ig ish" (big fish, said in a deep voice with arms raised high) over and over again for another 30 minutes. The "Lace and Trace" was great too. Her attention didn't last as long on it, but when she was doing it she was so focused; I could actually get some reading done myself. And the crayons I think she'll grow into. She used them, but not too much. The thing I love about them is they are triangles, so they don't roll away! Perfect for travel!