Miniatures Playing Miniature

While in WA, I thought we should go miniature golfing again. Grandma was out because she was resting up. Grandpa is usually too busy for trivial pursuits, and Tim and Miranda were not in the mood. Add to that Tyler, who normally would have come, but was actually working away from home. (He put in a LOT of hours on his 'vacation.')

That left me and the girls, but I really like playing with the girls, so out we went. It was a lovely day that turned a tiny bit chilly at the end, but other than that...perfect playing weather.

Last time we did the easiest course. This time the kids opted for the most difficult. Several times someone would complain that it was really hard and I would remind them...yes, yes it is. You chose the hardest one.

But we still had a great time and everyone did a fantastic job. Pearl still has trouble holding the club correctly, but that didn't slow her down much.

Because it was just me, I felt extra pressure to take pictures. Consequently, we have lots of pictures, including more selfies than I have ever taken in one place. Some of our extra picture taking was while everyone took turns going to the bathroom. (Why go all at once when you can wait for someone to come back before you decide you need to go?)

Pearl was a little sad to lose her ball at the end. She did not want to give it back, but I told her we would take a picture of her with it.

At the end, we all got our ribbons. (Sadly, no trophies for us. Some day.) Scroll down to see the standings. Enjoy our day at the miniature golf course.

Hanging with the Neilsens

Going to Washington now means getting to see good friends who moved there. Last time we visited, the Neilsen's lived right in Seattle proper, but they recently moved to the burbs. They have a sweet house in a lovely neighborhood. I'm so happy for them. (Lots more space than their apartment.)

In their city, it feels like everything was built in the middle of a forest. Right next door, there is a pond of sorts and at night you can hear the frogs croaking away. I do miss the atmosphere of Washington.

The Neilsen's were so nice to let us stay with them for a day and a half. We played, played, played. There were epic sand castles.

Exotic dancing.

These two. (Bee keepers? Princesses?)

Ice Cream tasting.

Sharks under a parachute. (SAVE HER LIFEGUARD ROBYN!!)

Beanbag tossing.

And nice walks in the neighborhood.

Camille fed us excellent food the entire time, which is no small feat considering our numbers. In the evening, we read scriptures and tucked all the kids in one room. Sleepover at the Neilsen's.

The next morning, we went to the park for a bit. It is always good to work off some energy. Ivory naturally climbed to the highest point she could find.

Pearl got trapped in a spiderweb, but didn't seem to mind.

This spinny thing was too fun. Once they got spinning, they would throw the ball and hope someone could catch it, but often the ball went in unexpected directions.

I declined riding. As you already know, we had had enough puking for one trip. But look at all the cuteness in one place. I love this group.

Camille and I took the littles on the swings. Pearl had already tried running under the moving swing and learned that acceleration and mass win hands down against a small Pearl. She liked riding in the swing much more than being flattened under it.

The teeter totter was fun. Pearl and I together couldn't bring Tyler up.

So you can imagine the success Pearl had by herself.

It was such a delightful time with the Neilsen's that we were sad to leave. Cannon and Carter were as cute as ever. Camille and Eric are always the best. Thank you guys for letting us share your home.

Driving home we got a glimpse of the Space Needle. It wasn't on our list this time around, but we'll get there someday with the family. I am happy to avoid the crowds and traffic in Seattle.

There was one morning that I took my mother to a doctor's appointment in Seattle. I had to call my own personal GPS (Tyler) to get me there. I really don't like the streets and confusion. It is probably safe to say that I am not a big city gal. Then again, I'm not a farm girl either. Something in between is just right.

Crackalicious

Decorating and cracking with my family in Washington is one of my favorite things to do. Grandma went all out this time. Before we even arrived, she had three eggs ready for each person. We usually only do two, but she wanted to make sure that we had extra in case there was premature cracking.

Because we had more eggs, most people decorated three, although we limited two entries per person to the decorating contest. Let's look at all these amazing eggs.

I love Miranda's 'Butter'fly.

Grandma does a really good job on the sea eggs. She has done them before.

Look at all the detail.

The kids were stunned when I made a Sponge Bob egg. They couldn't understand why, because I HATE Sponge Bob. "Exactly," I said. It will be the only egg I will be happy to see crack. (I made another Baymax for Miss Daisy.)

Daisy is getting pretty creative on her eggs.

Ivory's Christmas Tree egg was one of my favorite.

Robyn made some fun eggs. Her Shuttle 115 was very interesting. I wish you could see it rotating. In a lower picture, look for the flames at the end.

Her Mickey egg had two sides. Cute.

Grandpa's eggs were classic Grandpa. I liked the fortune cookie egg the most. Can you see that it says, 'YOU WILL ENTER THIS EGG IN A CRACKING CONTEST' Ha.

Tyler's eggs were looking good, although he shamelessly stole the dot idea from June.

Here are Tim's eggs. Cregg was also on the top of my list of favorites.

Pearl did a great job on her creations. Rainbow Mix she made at preschool and brought all the way to Washington.

June's Speckled Flowers was so detailed, it took her forever to finish it. But it turned out really well.

That is a lot of great eggs. It always makes it hard to vote.

Sadly, I can't quite remember who all came in what place. I remember Tim made the top 8 at least.

I remember Robyn and Miranda scored somewhere in there and got a prize. June came in third I believe.

Grandma's eggs always do well. She placed second.

And although I did not see it coming, my GO WILD! egg came in first. I was truly surprised. I look sneaky in this picture but only because first place were Cadbury Mini Eggs - my fav. Don't worry, I shared with everyone. (Because if I don't, I will eat them ALL!)

Time to crack all our beauties. Everyone knows the drill.

No corral this time around. (I didn't want to haul it to WA. So we were watching the edges.)

Come on Grandpa! Cregg is tough competition.

Here's a good action shot. Look at those eggs go.

Cregg actually was doing very well. He was cracking eggs right and left.

But he had a weakness.

LOVE.

Love Sick took him out and gave Tyler the championship title. (That is twice in one year. I object.)

That wraps up our egg cracking for the year. As always, it has been a blast. Thanks for watching.