Roadtrip 2012 - Visiting with Connie and Russ...

After saying goodbye to everyone in Vancouver, WA, we continued north to Bonney Lake, to visit with Connie and Russ.

Lee had worked with Connie at Northwest Airlines for many years, and they have kept in touch all this time.  We had visited with Connie three years ago on our last road trip, but we had not met Russ  as he was working in North Carolina at that time.

But, Russ has since retired so we were able to spend a wonderful day with them and finally meet him!  We had a wonderful time!  Their house is right on Lake Tapp, so we were able to take advantage of lots of lakeside recreation - a boat ride around the lake, sitting on the deck enjoying the water-skiers on the lake, a wonderful lakeside fire in the fire pit and a little paddle   in the paddle boat!  It's just like being on vacation!

We were enjoying visiting so much that we only took one picture!

Thanks, dear friends, for your hospitality!  We so enjoyed the time we spent with you, and it won't be three years before we see you again!  

 

Pat and Connie paddle-boating on Lake Tapp

 

Road trip 2012 - Visiting with Vickie Joyce and her family

On our way up to Bellingham and Aldergrove, we stopped in Vancouver, WA to visit with Vickie Joyce, her daughter Erin and her family and son Ken and his family, as well as Vickie's sister, Lee!  

Vickie had two new grandchildren since we visited three years ago, and we hadn't seen her sister in decades, so it was a great reunion!

Erin fixed a wonderful dinner and it was great to just hang out and visit and play with the kids.  It was a wonderful way to start our trip!  Thanks, everyone!  It was great to see you and we won't wait three years to do it again.

 This is Kendall!  Ken and Lauren's daughter.  She's nearly 6 months old and the newest member of the family.  She is just adorable, and was happy to wear her sunglasses

 

 And this is Reed Thomas!  Erin and Troy's son, who is just over a year old.  He's a very friendly, happy little guy - just adorable!

 And he loves to eat!  We were amazed at how much that child can eat!

 Pat and Kendall - we were in the shade so the sunglasses came off

 Vickie's sister Lee and Kendall

 Lee and Kaitlin.  Kaitlin calls her "cwazy Aunt Lee"

 Ken and Kendall

 Erin and Reed with a nighttime bottle

 Vickie and Lee at Vickie's new condo

Vickie and Pat

Vickie's kids were 18 months and 3 years old when we met.  It is so special that we can pick up our friendship as though all of these intervening years never happened!  Good friends!!