6/17 - 6/23 Nice visit in Auburn

We had a very nice time visiting in Auburn.  Monday, we were on our own because Tobin had work and Linda had grades to do and Zane was catching up on his sleep.  We went shopping at the mall and Willard got some new white tennis shoes and I found some good buy's on blouses at Burlington's.

That night we went to Zane's graduation party which included his graduating friends and family.  We had a good time visiting and meeting their friends.  We met the Holmes couple, which had recently moved into the ward and didn't know many people there so we had a good time visiting with them.

The next day, Tobin took us to the Underground Tour of Seattle.  It was fascinating!   It is amazing how they solved the problem of rebuilding the city after the fire.  They knew they needed to build it higher due to being to close to the ocean. The merchants couldn't wait 10 years for them to build the streets up so they came to a compromise.  They built their buildings and then the city built retaining walls around the blocks and built the roads.  So all of the store fronts you see now are really the second stories of the buildings. It was like a waffle with the blocks in the holes and the streets are the ridges.

Windows that were on the street level

He told us a very funny fact about the crappers.  Mr. Crapper, invented the flush toilet and of course the people in Seattle wanted to have this convenience available  to them so them build a sewer line of hollowed out logs that ran down the hill.

A Sewer Log

 When the tide was out the sewer ran down perfectly but when it came there was a lot of pressure going the other way.  If you flushed your crapper at high tide you would have a mess in the bathroom.  One would have to check the tides time to make sure they would avoid an unwanted shower.

A Bathroom underground.

 Our guide was really funny.  One of the more memorable jokes was the had their own version of Ladder day saints since the people would have to climb a ladder to get out up to the street, cross the street and the climb down to another store. Ha Ha.

Our guide at the end of the tour.

Tobin pointing out the Original Water Main.

The tallest building in the west for quite sometime.

That evening I went to see Bryce go to his first swim team lesson.  The children were asked to breast stroke a lap.  Bryce didn't have a clue as how to do it.  One of his teachers noticed he didn't have the right technique and she took him a side and showed him how to do the kick and from on he got it down.  I was impressed how fast he got it and improved 110%.
  

Bryce at the starting blocks

 Wednesday, we got to spend time again with Tobin.  He took us to the Lock's there in Seattle.  It was really neat to watch the boats come in at one level and then drop down and go out at a different level. We saw some very expensive sail boats and yachts. One was as far way as Hawaii.

Boats waiting for the water to lower.

Then we saw the fish that were climbing up stream. They work so hard to jump up stream.  I saw one smaller fish that would make the jump and then rested and would be carried back down.  It reminded me of life sometimes when I make the jump then rest and then I am right back where I was.  I just need to keep the energy up all the time.

Fish that are trying to make it up stream

Tobin and Willard watching the fish.

On our way home we stopped at the Kubota Garden. We saw the path and started to walk.  We didn't know about the Self-Guided Tour maps that were provided.  Well, we walked and walked.  We came upon a girl that asked if we knew where the exit was.  We told to go the way we just came from.  We continued to walk.  The garden was nice but the flowers were between blooming.  We did get our exercises that day.  We finally made it out just in time before it started to rain.

While we were out Tobin got a call from Linda informing him that she got the tenured position. We are so happy for her and it was certainly a blessing to them because of all the expenses that are occurring  right now.

When we got home Sheran and I went out to dinner and then went over to visit Summer and family.  Summer certainly has her hands full with Austin. He is so smart and very imaginative.   He literally was bouncing off the walls with excitement but we finally got him to direct his energy in making us a Lego's house.   He loves his Lego's.  Parker is such a sweet boy.  A yang to Austin's ying.

The table of Lego's that keep Austin occupied.

We had a great time and were so grateful that we got to spend time with all of our family. Willard was able to drive all the way in somewhat comfort and we arrived home with all things pretty well in order except my beautiful hanging plant died.  It guess it missed our loving care.

The next morning I got up to go to Curves and as I backed out something wasn't right.  I got out and checked and the right tire was flat. So I went out and started weeding and spent most of the morning weeding except when Hailey came over for her lesson.   Well,  my back froze up and I spent Saturday flat on my back.  Willard suggested,  I should use heat to relax the muscles but then this morning about 5 AM I decided to check the web to see if I was doing things right.  Well, I found that I should be icing it and then also not to lay around.  After, implementing  some changes and adding some pain relief medication,  my back is feeling much better. 

I have to add these pictures that were on Facebook that I thought were so cute. 

Amelia enjoying her ice cream cone.

Norah wide awake

Fourth generation of three sisters.