San Juan Islands & a 50th Anniversary!

We are getting closer to being caught up on the blog!  Just a few months behind now :).  The highlight of August was definitely Jeff's parents 50th wedding anniversary celebration in Seattle and the San Juan Islands.  Thanks again to Jeff's parents for spoiling us so much. They paid for everything on the trip for us and it was incredible to celebrate with everyone.  50 years ago Jeff's parents got married and took their honeymoon up to Seattle during the World's fair when the Space Needle was being built.  So the plan was to go back 50 years later with all of their 8 kids and spend a week together to celebrate.  The big plus is that we got to all leave our kids behind and spend some quality time hanging out.  It was a blast!  It was so fun hanging out with such good people and making many memories. I also loved being able to learn so much about his family's past and his parents dating/early married years.  Here are some of the highlights, although we took way too many pictures.

Julie and Jared (flying in from Sydney, Australia) and us were the first to fly into Seattle so we decided to explore the city while everyone was flying in.  Us at Kerry Park overlooking Seattle

Of course...Julie and I found a cupcake shop.  Cupcakes?  Yes...please!

                                                                        Some of the girls...

                                                                      San Juan Islands

 We went on a Whale watching tour in the San Juan Islands and it was cool to see Orca whales in the wild.

We were lucky to see lots of Orcas 

 We stayed at a lodge in the San Juan Islands (islands above Seattle next to Canada) and it was cool taking day trips from here to explore all the islands.  We ate some meals out and cooked "Schill family" meals some of the nights which included chicken pillows (my favorite) and  fat jacks.

                                         Me and Angela...such pretty flowers on the islands

Lavender Farm

 Jeff's parents went to dinner on top of the Space Needle 50 years ago on their honeymoon so we thought we would surprise them by doing it again with all of their children.  It was such a cool restaurant with great views of the city as it rotates.

                                                                       The Happy Couple

It was fun that the whole town was celebrating 50 years as well!

                                                         Pikes Place Market in Seattle

 So I have to share this funny story about these doughnuts.  We had heard good things about this doughnut place in Pikes Place and saw a huge line. So, we thought they must be good, and stood in line.  Just as we were getting to the front of the line, we saw this lady working there that had a tank top on and she reached over these doughnuts and revealed a big hairy armpit dangling over the doughnuts.  You should have seen the look on both of our faces...it was hilarious.  We just froze and knew what each other were thinking...meanwhile Jeff grabbed me and said, "Abort! Abort!", but we were the next in line and this big hairy hippie guy was yelling at us, "How many ya want?!" Too late! Gotta love the unique people of Seattle :)

                                                                  The bubblegum wall

We had beautiful weather all week.  It was a perfect time. We called it our "babymoon" since it will be the last trip alone before we add another little one to the family! Thanks again Mom and Dad Schill.  Happy Anniversary, and may the next 50 be even better!