Wednesday, July 09, 2008

The War on the Rez 2008


We decided to take a few days and escape our regularly scheduled lives.  We hopped in the car (masterfully packed using my excellent Tetras skills...) and drove up to Bellingham, Washington for a few days.  We got to spend time with my brother, Owen and his wife Melinda and also my sister Sariah, her husband Randy and their beautiful daughter Cora.  And of course, my parents, Owen and Janet.    It was wonderful and much too short!

We were privy to the most awesome fireworks display I have EVER seen.  My uncle Mike and aunt Cynthia came up for the day and evening, bringing some really cool fireworks and then my parent's neighbors (two brothers) had a dueling fireworks display that went on for hours.  I am not talking about little ground flowers or fountains, I am talking about mortars that shoot into the sky and light up the world like Baghdad.  It was seriously amazing.  

This is a picture of my dad up on the balcony of the studio shooting one of his guns (blanks, of course) to add to the festive BOOMS.


We had an impromptu spoon carving event.  It started with Melinda and Owen looking around some shops in Fairhaven (an older and kind of kitchy area of Bellingham).  They went into a shop called Artwood.  They had some hand carved spoons for sale but wanted an arm and a leg for them.  Owen suggested that they could just carve their own spoons and so they came back to the house and the spoon carving extravaganza began.  Everyone wanted in on the action.  Here is a photo of Randy and Melinda working on spoons.  I will have to take a photo of the spoon my dad for me.  It's a bowl of soup spoon.  Ben made a really cool spork.  Have spork, will travel!


We got to spend some time with our wonderful friends, David & Rachel and their little brood of rascals - Isaac, Millie and Aaron.  That was a blast and we were sorry to leave them and also not to be able to spend more time with them.  Here is a picture of Millie, Uly, Gar and Isaac in the water at Mukilteo beach.  We ate at Ivar's, right next to the ferry and then walked over to the beach and let the kids play. 


We went to Boulevard Park for a neat event called Paddle to Lummi.  American Indian tribes all over the coast paddle their canoes to the park and have a celebration.  It was really fun to hear some stories and see dancing.  Then afterwards we went to a local ice creamery called Mallards and partook of delicious ice cream.  I had a two scoop cone with lavender and lime.  It was delicious, as usual.


We took the boys down to the Lummi Island Ferry dock and went fishing for a little while.  They are still too young for that kind of thing but they had a lot of fun anyway.  Ben was sad that he didn't get to really go fishing but we just were out of time.  We need to plan a day where he can really go fishing and catch "real" fish next time we are up there.  Unfortunately crabbing was closed in Whatcom County so we couldn't throw in our pot either.



I had a great time taking a ton of photos.  I went to burn disk copies for everyone before we left, but I took way too many photos so I am going to burn copies on DVDs and mail them.
  

All in all we had a blast and are looking forward to seeing Grandmamom and Grandad Walker again in September, in Moab, at the Walker Reunion.


11 comments:

Cutzi said...

Wow Jessica! What a fun-filled weekend you all had! I knew someone dancing at Boulevard that day and wanted to go down but we didn't make it. Was it good? Was it raining? I loved seeing all the pictures of your family too - too bad Olea wasn't there, huh?

Janet said...

Hey girl, your photography is great!!! Momshots is working.
And we sure did have fun...I'm still resting!

kristina said...

oh my gosh, that last shot is precious! I love all these photos! and I am so glad that you got to spend time with the family!! we want to go next time!!

Rachel J. said...

I really enjoyed this post, Jess. I can see that your way with words has really developed more. I can certainly say the same for your photo skillz. What a great keepsake you have going here with this blog. You can look back on these posts years from now and always have an awesome log of family memories. I am so glad you had a great time. I just love the PacNW lifestyle. Your parents home and way-of-life is like that of quintessential Washingtonians.
The last shot of the boys is precious. Love the pants too. he he.

Katie said...

How fun to go home, Jess! I bet it's so special to share all those Walker traditions with your kids.. Cora is too cute with that blond blond hair! I think that's the first time I've seen her. I'm glad that you guys had a nice get-a-way. The picture of Ben made me want to cry because I miss him so much!!! :)

Valentina Stier said...

Hey, I want to go too! Not one person looked like they were sweating! Love, Val

Ken Mixon said...

That sounded like the most fun day ever! Good for you guys for making time for your family.

Trena said...

I just love your family Jessica. Seeing pictures of your parents makes me miss them so much! What a fun vacation. I bet the boys had a ton of fun with all the fireworks and excitement.

Isaac Jueschke said...

Hey guys, it’s Isaac! I’m sixteen now and living in bend Oregon. I was just wanting to say hello! And how are ya doing?

Let me know!

Jessica Stier said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jessica Stier said...


Hi, Isaac! I’d love to catch up with you. If you see this, please send me an email with your email address. Jessicastier@gmail.com