4th of July in Seattle

My mom and dad planned a fun little trip to Seattle over the weekend of the 4th this year. We were only there two days, but we packed in a lot of fun activities. The best part of the trip was getting there and back. We took the train (the Amtrak train, as I like to tell people) and the scenery from the train is awesome. I had fun meeting people on the train, watching movies, wandering around and just looking out the window. It was well worth it to go without our own car for a few days.

We also got to see my aunt Carrrie, who lives in the Seattle area. She was gracious enough to drive us around while there and we had a ton of fun celebrating the holiday with her. We decided to take the ferry to Bainbridge Island, hang out for a few hours there and then hop back on the ferry just before the firework display began at 10:00. Unfortunately, the show we were expecting to see got cancelled, which would have allowed to us have a great view of some fireworks, but we did see some off in the distance. Overall, it was a great time and we are happy with the way our 4th of July activities turned out.

Here's a photo of Me, Dad and Aunt Carrie on the ferry just about to head to Bainbridge Island from Seattle.

Our family just as we docked at the island.

We enjoyed some live music while hanging out in the downtown of Bainbridge Island. I had a blast dancing and playing with my balloons.

The next day we took the Monorail from downtown Seattle, where our hotel was, to the Space Needle. It runs above the city streets and is a pretty short ride, but I thought it was fun. If you ever ride it, sit up front for the best view!

Dad and me being silly on the Monorail. I'm wearing the shirt my Aunt Carrie and Uncle Mike got for me when they last visited Hawaii. Pretty cool, huh?

I also had some fun playing in the big fountain by the Key Arena. I got a little scared when the water shot out at me getting me all wet, but I told Mom and Dad I'd like to go back again someday anyway.

I was brave enough to go up and touch the center of the fountain!


After that, Carrie met up with us and we went to Snoqualmie to see a train museum. Just my luck... more trains! We got to check out all sorts of old trains and various cars up close, which I loved.


Check out this HUGE log on an old log car!

We took a walk that passed by a bunch of old trains that were partially disintegrated. It was fun seeing them all up close, especially the old steam engines.

Last but not least, we stopped off at Snoqualmie Falls. It was super busy, but we thought it was definitely worth stopping for, especially since it was only a mile from the train museum. :)


Hope you all had a happy 4th of July!

Thomas Day Out

As part of my birthday gift from Mom and Dad, I got tickets to Thomas Day Out. I have been talking about seeing Thomas ever since my birthday and was thrilled when the day finally arrived. I went with Mom and Nana, Kate, Sara and Grandma Jill. We went on a night when hardly any other kids were there and basically had the run of the place. Of course, I was totally thrilled when Thomas pulled up and it was time to climb aboard. Here are a few photos from our fun day.

On the shuttle bus to the train station. :)

Here we are with the balloon guy. I had him make me a yellow dinosaur.

I got to meet Sir Topham Hatt too!


I also got a Harold tattoo!

There was a petting zoo with all sorts of cute animals.

We had a ton of fun on the bouncy house.

The highlight of my day was meeting Thomas! The sun was so bright in our eyes, it was hard to look at the camera.

And here we are on the train, ready to go!


We got these cool 3D glasses and wore them much of the trip.

What a fun outing it was. I keep asking Mom to ride on Thomas again and she says we can go the next time he comes to town (next year). Yay! Can't wait!

Outdoor Adventures in the NW

My Oma, or Grandma Dyk, came to visit this past week and because the NW is just beautiful this time of year, we did a few fun activities outdoors. On Father's Day we drove down to Silver Falls and spent the morning and early afternoon there enjoying the awesome park and scenery. The drive (we took different routes to and from) was amazing and overall we had a great time.

I had fun playing behind the waterfall. It was like a little cave back there!

Here we all are behind the falls.

And here's one of just the falls. There are a total of 10 waterfalls in the park. We just saw the main one at the south falls.

Mom made stuffed peppers and strawberry shortcake (Dad's favorites) for dinner and we relaxed and watched a movie together before heading to bed. Love you, Dad! You are the best!


Then on Tuesday we went out to Timothy Lake. Timothy Lake is very close to Mt. Hood and is just a wonderful sight to see (if you ever come out this way). I had a blast playing in the water and checking out the park/campground. We hope to go back again someday and camp overnight.

I am glad we had some sand toys for me to play with, but I sure wish I had brought my river shoes with me so I could get in and have some real fun.


Look at this huge log! It took awhile for me to climb up onto it. Of course, I would not let Mom or Grandma help me at all.

We found a picnic table right next to the lake where we had the best view while eating our lunch.


Thanks for coming to visit Oma Dyk! We love you and can't wait to see you again!

Three Year Pictures

Mom did much better this year getting my pictures taken close to my birthday. We went to the Academy in downtown Vancouver to take them. Thank you, Susanne, for the photoshop actions. Mom thought they were fun and easy to use!

Turning Three

I had a fun party to celebrate my birthday, but then I had a lot of fun on my actual birthday too. Mom and I went to Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver with Kate and Sara and had lunch at a cute little gelato/panini shop.



On the evening of my birthday I went to Chevy's with Nana, Papa, Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary. I got a free meal (with ice cream) and a sombrero to take home. It was a super fun day!

At Chevy's




Here are a few photos to show how I've grown in the last three years.

Here I am as a newborn.


At One.


At Two.


At Three (more 3 year photos coming soon).


Mom and Dad are pretty proud of the accomplishments I've made this year. I sleep great in my big boy bed and have recently become toilet trained, just to name a few. Here's hoping this coming year is even better than the last!

My Favorite Time of Year

I love spring in the NW because we live in such a beautiful place and when it's not raining I get to go outside and enjoy my surroundings. Here are a few photos of my recent outdoor activities.

A couple weeks back a bunch of us got together for a bbq at the Salsigs and they had a slip n' slide set up in the backyard for us kids to play on. I LOVED it!




I got a little cold, so every once in awhile I'd wrap up in a towel with Dad to get warm.


I also went to the zoo with Kate and had a great time. We caught the bird show and even though we have had a zoo membership this past year and thus have gone lots, I never seem to catch the bird show. It was a lot of fun seeing those big birds up close!
Here is a photo of Kate and I waiting for the bird show to start.

Mom and Me hanging out by the elephants.

I think Nana has an old picture of Mom on this goat statue when she was about my age.


This week I went out to to visit my friend, Meadow. She lives right on the Sandy River and basically has a "beach" for a backyard. I couldn't wait to go play in the sand and have been asking for weeks to "go to the beach at Meadow's." We had a blast getting all dirty and wet.

We had fun throwing sand in this little pool of warmer water we found next to the river.

Then we decided we'd go in it and that was fun too!

After we got all cleaned up using her outdoor warm water faucet, we had lunch and played some more inside. It was fun playing peek-a-boo in a big box she had that we both fit in. What a fun day!

Most of all, I love riding my tricycle outside. I got a scooter for my birthday and I'm sure I'll enjoy riding it more and more as I get used to it, but for now my trike is the thing I enjoy most in life (that and trains).

Here I am on my scooter.

After about 5 minutes on my scooter the other day, I asked for my trike. :)