Last wonderful days of Summer....

Beautiful Lake Quinault.

Bethany and Emily returned for this last two weeks of summer! We have loved having them home safe and sound. Bethany had a wonderful time in Jerusalem for the summer. We have loved seeing her photos and hearing her stories. Emily had a great time living in Bethany's apartment at Victoria Place and attending Summer term at BYU. We took a quick 2 day vacation on the Olympic Peninsula and saw some beautiful northwest country...Lake Quinault, Kalaloch Beach, Forks (Twilight Zone), Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge...then home again. We covered over 350 miles and did the Olympic Peninsula Loop--watching movies along the way and listening to music in the car. Here's a few pictures of our adventure--

We loved hanging out in the rustic lobby, playing the old piano, the huge chess set and sitting by the fire.

Yummy Chocolate Moose at the Roosevelt Dining room.

We took a short hike to this amazing tree

KALALOCH: We stopped here for just an hour or so and I wished we had more time at this pretty beach. Next time we do this trip I want to stay at the cabins overlooking the ocean! The kids had an adventure climbing over the logs in the water...

Katie's fall gave us all a good laugh..

They made it!!

On to FORKS, Washington: We entered the land of Vampires and the Twilight zone. It is amazing to see how Stephanie Meyer's books have turned this sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere into a bustling tourist spot. We visited the Dazzled by Twilight store and purchased some piano music for Katie.

FINAL STOP: HURRICANE RIDGE near Port Angeles. This is truly an amazing place! From the views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, Straight of Juan de Fuca, Canada, and the wild life. Here are a few pics and a retake of our favorite kids picture from 5 years ago.

These two pictures were taken in the same spot at Hurricane Ridge....2004

and 2009!