Apologies in advance for all the selfie’s in this post. And lots of Photo credit to Meredith.  If the pic is good, it’s probably hers. I know this post isn’t going to do our girls’ trip justice.  We had so much fun.  We were all so sad when Jill moved her family to Seattle after just two short years in CO.  It made things a little easier when we planned a trip to see her just 7 weeks after her move. And it sweetened the deal that Allison B came with us.After her move to CO Springs we have missed her so. Their friend Polly came with us as well and it was fun to get to know her.  Halle and Sadie were pretty disappointed not to get a reunion, but we will try to get them together later this year 🙂

Jill was the absolute perfect hostess.  We arrived at her home to a basket full of treats and water in our bedroom.  Everything was set up beautifully and I know a lot of time went in to planning all the fun details of our trip.
We got right to sightseeing.  After dropping our stuff we headed straight back to Seattle.  First stop: Chihuly Garden and Glass.  Meredith and I were in heaven!  We both love Dave Chihuly and this museum did not disappoint.  I could have stayed all day.

I love this one of Jill and I.  We look like such sophisticated art critics 🙂

The Space Needle is right next door, but we decided to hop on the monorail and go to Pikes Place Market first to make sure we had enough time to spend there before it closed.  I drove. 🙂

We all loved looking at all the beautiful flowers, fun artisan stalls, and some generally weird Seattle things.  We found “Texas Sized” donuts and Allison B bought me one for my birthday.  Is she a good friend or what?

Next we were off to the gum wall.  It was completely scraped off not to long ago.  But it is definitely back in action.  Meredith had brought us some strawberry watermelon Bubble Yum thinking it would make nice bright red gum for pictures.  It actually turned a kind of camo green.  Oh well.  We still had a great time trying to blow big bubbles.

We stopped by Beecher’s Handmade cheese to watch them stir the big vats of cheese and to eat some samples.  YUM.  This cheese was amazing.  That’s not the last we saw of Beechers this trip.

Then it was back on the Monorail to the Space Needle.  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  I love cities from the sky!

Meredith thought I should buy this hat so I could match my boys. Josh the Pikachu, Blake the Angry Bird, and Tara the Space Needle.  LOL!

That night most people were pretty tired from our early morning flight (We were in Seattle at 8:30am!) But Meredith and I stayed up late chatting the night away.  I love that girl!

The next morning we headed to Whidby Island, making some scenic stops along the way.  The first was at Sharp Cove.  Pacific North West beaches have such a unique beauty.  It was freezing but I love the rocky coast.

Then it was on to Deception Pass.  This place was incredible!  We took a little hike down to a beach to get some better views of the bridge.

Lunch time!  We ate THE BEST FISH TACOS I’VE EVER HAD at the Shrimp Shack.  mmmm….I’d go here again in an instant.  It was perfection.

We ended the day at the darling little town of Langly.  We shopped in the cute stores and then we took a very windy Ferry back to reality 🙂

Dinner was at Jill’s favorite taco dive near her house–El Taco Maestro.  Again-AMAZING.  I started out with two tacos because I wasn’t very hungry.  Tacos were $1.35.  But I was soon standing back in line for more.  Absolutely delicious.  Meredith and I are now on a quest to find tacos that good in Denver.

Jill, Meredith, Ashton and I stayed up and watched Twilight.  Because all the trees and scenery was reminding us of when we were in love with Twilight.  And, because Ashton had never seen it.

On our third and final day we went for a beautiful hike to Snoqulamie Falls.  WOW.  Washington is so green.  And has so many mossy trees.  I love mossy trees.  The hike was just about a mile and the Falls were beautiful.

We had an early birthday lunch at a delicious place in the ski town.  I feel so darn lucky to have been blessed with such amazing women in my life.  I learn so much from them always.

I’d been hankering to go to Dahlia and get a slice of coconut creme pie.  So, that was our last stop before the airport.  I give the pie a solid GOOD. But, I don’t think I’d go out of my way to get it again.
 Allison R had been so excited to get Beecher’s mac and cheese at the airport and I admit, even after sampling their delicious cheese I was skeptical that mac and cheese could be as good as she was telling us.  But she turned me into a beliver!  I would definitely go out of my way to eat that again!  We flew home without any trouble and were safe and sound in our beds late that night.  It was such a fun trip and so good for my soul to talk, laugh, cry, eat amazing food and explore beautiful places.  Until next time, Seattle!