Pacific Northwest Trip 2026- part 2

It is tradition when we are in Washington to visit Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Sometimes it's just a few of us. Sometimes it's the whole family.

This year, Grandma, Grandpa, all my kids, and I headed there. We enjoyed the wooded area.

Nichole got some awesome pictures. We left the birding camera with Jeremy so he could get some pictures in California.

I got some juggling pictures and videos.

My in-laws let us continue on to the looooong boardwalk without them. We saw some snakes along the way.

When we got to the boardwalk, Lucky wasn't feeling the best so he and I headed back to the parking lot while Nichole, Jr., Jr. Jr., and Jet continued on to the end and back.

Nichole was happy to inform me that the bald eagle from last time we made the trip was hanging out at its usual spot. 

When Lucky and I got back to the van and explained the situation to my in-laws, we got him some food and he took a nap while I started a book I needed to read for another online book club.

Lucky felt better after his nap.

Nichole took so many good pictures of so many things. I really had to limit what to put on this post. 

When she and the other boys got back, we ate lunch, chilled for a while, then headed out. Jet fell asleep on the short drive.

After Nisqually, we went to visit more in-laws: Jeremy's brother, sister-in-law, with their kids. Jeremy's sister came with one of her kids that day as well. More family time!

Jeremy's brother's family has ducks and a couple of geese. Jet had fun feeding the ducks last time we visited. This time, he did so again (and helped collect eggs) and this time he got to feed the geese. 

One of the geese is very protective of the other goose and will chase away ducks. It, however, got so comfortable with Jet that at one point, Jet was sitting on a blanket and the goose waddled up to him while making contented noises then sat right next to Jet so Jet could pet him.

So cute.

I had a good time chatting with family.   

Nature and family. I love them.

Pacific Northwest Trip 2026- part 1

Road Trip!

The kids and I went on a trip to the Pacific Northwest. Jeremy had two fairs in California with a week in between so he wasn't able to come with us like our wonderful PNW vacation we took two years ago. That was awesome.

I'm not complaining about this trip, though (except for missing Jeremy). I LOVE family and getting to visit them.

We started out on Wednesday June 17, heading to Western Washington. We got a later start than I wanted to so I didn't think I'd do any juggling videos or pictures. You know I like to juggle in different places.

However, we stopped at a rest area and I rested for a bit (it's a long drive) then got my videos and pics.

When we got to Washington, my in-laws had prepared food with veggies in it for Eat Your Vegetables Day. They like helping us celebrate. We also ate carrots on the drive.

Since it was also Apple Strudel Day...

My in-laws are great.

The night we got there, I stayed up til laaaate chatting with my mother-in-law. I love it. We had lots of other chats as well during our trip.
Have I mentioned my in-laws are great? 

 

Jet brought his bat wings on our trip. He wanted to scare Grandpa because at home he'd been playing a game with Jeremy. "Is it a giant bat or just Jet?"

I love family time.  

What?

 

Nature's Cool, Man

 

Nature Photography Day

June 15 was Nature Photography Day so I took the good camera down to the Provo River and got some pictures of the June suckers. 

It's been a few years since any of us specifically went to see them even though we know the Provo River Delta was specifically made to help those fish.

While I was there, I made sure to get some juggling pics and videos. 

 I also took pictures of birds.

The cliff swallows and house sparrows were nesting under the same bridge. The sparrows were probably using the swallow nests.

 

Later I stopped by the Orem Library and helped take down the balloon triceratops skeleton and pick up the framing materials for it. It was definitely time. 

I had a good chat with the librarian who was taking it down as we worked together. She is also a birder. A few of the librarians at Orem Library are birders. I love it. It makes me smile, which is appropriate since June 15 was Smile Power Day.

You know what also makes people smile? Balloons. 

 

Family Picture

I feel like it makes a difference when you get a photo of the whole family looking at the camera and smiling. It doesn't always happen.

 

Celebrating 20 Years of Fablehaven

I have made no secret that we are fans of Brandon Mull and especially the Fablehaven series. From listening to audiobooks on trips to Halloween costumes to recipes (you know I love my Fablehaven cookbook) and even book reports, we love to celebrate Brandon Mull and Fablehaven.

Last Monday, some of us were able to celebrate at an event at Provo City Library for the new illustrated edition of Fablehaven. Brandon Dorman, who did the original covers for the Fablehaven series, did the full color illustrations for this book. It was great to hear him and Brandon Mull talking about it, as well as hearing a little update on how things are going with the Fablehaven film. Yes, they're making a film!

We got our new book signed, got a commemorative pin to go with it, enjoyed seeing artwork by Brandon Dorman, and enjoyed activities and games while we were not in the signing line. We got a Fablehaven activity book and chocolate milk to drink. If you don't know what "Drink the Milk" means, read the book.

I'm glad we went to this. Thanks to all who put work into this event. My kids couldn't stop reading the illustrated edition that night.