Around Seattle in 7 days with the Kimbles!

To get a better idea of what a fun visit to Seattle might look like in your near future...read on.

We had the pleasure to show Andrea's parents around the Seattle area. It was so much fun running around to be sure they got in the full experience!

We started with a grand tour around Mt. Rainier National Park on Sunday.
Here we are at the base of a roadside waterfall...just one of many.


Dad and Andrea, checking out the Longmire Historic Visitor Center.


A mountain range in the distance.


A beautiful waterfall falling down into a pool of fresh, glacial water.


Paradise Inn just re-opened after 3 years of being closed for renovations. This was our first time in this beautiful old Inn.
Dad was taking a rest on the lower level.


Mom and Dad Kimble. Notice all the snow that was still there!!


On our drive around the mountain, the clouds finally parted and we got a peek of the mountain in all it's glory. Breathtaking...


And of course, what's a visit to Seattle without a (long) stop at Pike Place Market!? Mom, Dad and Andrea spent quite a while at the market, shopping, looking out along the Sound, and watching the Pike Place Fish Market throw fish around!


My Mom had not been to Seattle since the 1962 World's Fair, but she could remember parts of Seattle Center, including the Monorail and the Space Needle.


Brooke and Dad on the Monorail.


Mom and Andrea enjoying the ride, too!


We had to make a point of 'Ride the Ducks' tour while they were here!
Here's Andrea looking like a duck.


Mom and Andrea on the duck boat.
The tour consisited of 60 minutes on land tour...


...and 30 minutes in Lake Union! Yes!...this vehicle floats!


You may recognize this floating home from 'Sleepless in Seattle.' This little home on Lake Union was recently up for sale for $2.5 million!


We spent our last full day walking around Old Pioneer Square before we went to see the Mariners take on the Nationals.


It was so fun having my parents out for a visit! They were such troopers putting up with the cold weather we were having that week...we hit record lows...it was terrible. But they kept smiling and moving from one thing to the next!


Can you believe it! The silver structure behind gasping Brooke is a public restroom! This thing features an automatic door and talking voices. Let's hope the door doesn't open while you're...you know....


Brooke did a great job balancing a full week of work and running around with the in-laws.


My mom, the fire fighter! (now you know where I get my weirdness from)


On the flight home from Seattle back to Ohio, my mom grabbed this great shot above Mt. Rainier. This is one of the greatest shots of the mountain anyone could ask for.

Mom and Dad:
Thanks for taking the time to come out to Seattle to visit us! We truly had a great time seeing you, catching up, and taking you around to all our favorite sights. We look forward to more visits in the future....believe us, there is so much more left to see of this part of the country, you won't be bored. Although you may want to consider coming in August or September when it's sunny and a warm 75 degrees everyday!
Love you both!

St. Patty's Day in Chicago

As soon as Andrea heard of Brooke's business trip to Chicago, she decided to tag along:) Not only to check out the city a little more, but to spend time with her friend, Liz, and her brother and sister-in-law!

Welcome to Chicago!
[our self portrait]

How cool is it that there is a giant mirror bean in downtown? It kept us amused for quite a while.

We stayed right across the street from the John Hancock Building (definitely one of the coolest of the tallest, if you ask us.)


So what better time than the evening to check out the glow of the city? We headed up to the John Hancock Observatory late Thursday night.


Welcome to the flat midwest...where the lights go on...and on...
[observed from the John Hancock Observatory]


...and on...until you hit Lake Michigan. Then complete darkness hits.
[observed from the John Hancock Observatory]


We were able to get out and check out the city a little. The Art Institute of Chicago was a great visit (thanks Doan!) where we spent most of our time in the Thorne Miniature Rooms exhibit.


Art Museums rock.


Andrea's brother, Steve, and his wife, Maura live in Chicago, so we were able to stay with them after Brooke's conference. In the meanwhile, we had to get from downtown Chicago to their home in Wicker Park via public transit...which included multiple blocks of walking through downtown streets with our rolling luggage.


The 'El' (train) is a popular way of transportation around the city.


Cruising by a hundred miles an hour.


One thing we do miss about the Midwest/East Coast are the beautiful old buildings.
[pictured above is the Chicago Tribune Building]


Holy Crap! Do you see this stuff? They dye the Chicago River neon-nuclear-powerplant green!
[to our environmentally conscious friends: do not worry. whatever they use to dye the river does not hurt any being. thanks for asking]


Andrea and Steve sporting their green flare.


We grabbed Chicago style pizza at Giordano's, and couldn't resist the green beer to wash it down. The pizza was excellent and the beer smooth.
[Andrea, Brooke, Steve, Maura]


Yay!...Andrea loves St. Patrick's Day! Especially since she gets to wear her Blarney Boppers!


Brooke...I know it's only noon, but it's time to stop drinking for the day.


Steve and Maura made sure we got in plenty of tourist activities...so we made the walk down to Navy Pier to check it out. It was sweet!


We took some time to view the Stained Glass Museum located in Navy Pier.
This was a favorite.


We had seen enough buildings and walked enough miles, so we decided to sit down and relax a little. We met up with some of Steve and Maura's friends at an Irish Pub, where we spent the rest of our afternoon/evening/night drinking Guinness and green beer, talking, and laughing.

Steve loved watching his green bow tie light up.


Andrea and Maura...Irish sisters:)


St. Patty's Day fun!


The bar suddenly got cooler as soon as these guys showed up! They rocked that place, it was great.

Overall, it was a great trip to Chicago! The buildings were huge, the bustle was fast, but the time with Steve and Maura was much needed. Thanks, you two, for putting us up and showing us around! Can't wait for your visit out to Seattle this summer!

Now...let's get back to the mountains....

Christmas at the Kimble's

Our first stop while back in Ohio was in Maumee at Mom & Dad Kimble's house. It was great that everyone was home at once as we invaded every room of their home! We shared plenty of laughter and fun, and Brooke and Maura were finally able to share in the 'Waterbabies' fun (has anyone else heard of this movie?)

we present... the kimbles:

bryan, steve, mom & dad k, andrea, and brooke.

enjoying the massive christmas tree!

mom k and andrea!

andrea and brother bryan

maura and steve.

what could be in this humongous box?!

uh....thanks. a memory card!

ice road truckers!

nothing says 'michigan' like an engineer in

a hard hat!

mom & dad k, andrea, and brooke.

uncle dan , aunt terri, and cousin munchie stopped by for christmas eve dinner!

munchie and andrea.