Home again, home again, jiggety jig...that is what my mom always says after coming home from vacation.  We got to spend five days in Mt. Vernon, WA last week with my sister, Amy.  We landed in Seattle around 3 p.m., to sunshine and 46 degrees.  Sunshine is pretty rare in the spring so we felt real lucky...

until we traveled about 10 miles north...then we hit a winter wonderland. 

I called up to my sister's and she thought I was joking because it was beautiful where she lived. And, once we got there (after traveling 40 miles in 2 hours) she was right.  It was beautiful.  Caleb, however had a hard time waking up and it didn't even faze him that a suitcase fell on him while asleep...

The reason I wanted to go to Seattle in the spring was because of their annual Tulip Festival up where my sister lives.  It is absolutely amazing, the acres of tulips in all colors.  So, Saturday, we headed out for the street fair.  And it was cold.  It had spit snow that morning, but cleared up, and as we were finishing up at the fair, Amy looks ahead and says " Hail in three seconds."  It was hysterical.  It hailed for 25 minutes, and once again, it looked like a winter wonderland.  But that was nothing compared to waking up Sunday morning and hearing my nephew, Zachary, say "There is at least 2 inches on the ground." 

It snowed all night and was still snowing Sunday morning.  And I am talking big snowflakes.  So, my kids, who haven't seen a good snow in  a long time, got dressed and played in the snow.  They said it was the first time they had snow like this in April. (Did I mention we were in Nashville during an earthquake before we flew out?)

Two hours later, the snow was gone, the sun came out, Danielle drove up, and we went to the tulip fields. 

I don't know how to even describe the tulips.  I am sure Smallworld would have a poem, but all I have is pictures....

Aside from the highlight of the tulips, we had a great time as a family, especially just spending time with my sister and her family.  this was one of the best times I have had with Amy in a long time. 

Tuesday, Mike, Caleb, Scott, and Zachary got to go back down to Seattle for a Mariners game.  It was a fun night for the boys, and the girls got to stay up and watch Enchanted.

Wednesday came to soon, with tears and goodbyes, but what memories I have of this time together!

Our trip home was LONG to say the least.  We got caught in a storm in Dallas, and couldn't take off because of a tornado warning. (note the weather theme of this trip)  We sat on the plane for 3 1/2 hours before taking off.  We landed in Nashville at 4 a.m. Knoxville time, and drove up to our house at 6:45 a.m.  But, hey, we saw the sunrise!  And now, time to catch up on our sleep...

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Comments

Apr. 26, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by SmallWorld

Those tulips are AMAZING!!!

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Apr. 28, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by sadie423

The tulips are beautiful! We went to a wildflower farm in TX once, but it wasn't nearly as nice as those flowers

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Apr. 29, 2008 - Hi from Kathy P - your husband's co-worker's wife

Posted by Anonymous

Hi: My husband (Mark P.) works with your husband. He told me about your blog tonight so I was checking it out. I have one too. but have no time to keep up with it. We have 8 children with one married - we have adopted several times - now your husband will remember who we are . . . .

Loved those pics to Seattle - I am from Oregon and Mark is from Idaho

Kathy P.

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Apr. 29, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I forgot to leave my email address: chatkat@bellsouth.net

Kathy P

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Apr. 30, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Suzanne

What gorgeous snow and tulips! I can't believe that my 8 yo dd recognized your kiddos after nearly a year since seeing them for ONE time. :)

Thanks for sharing all of your weather-related adventures and photos to go with them. The tulips remind me of the ones I saw in Holland as a seven or eight yo. (My dad was stationed in Germany at the time.)

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Jun. 26, 2008 - You didn't need a poem!

Posted by QueenoftheHill

Those photos say it all. I can't believe how beautiful it is there. Why have I never been to the tulip festival -- or even heard of it? The King is from Washington, after all. Men!

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