About a year ago when my lil' sis found out she was expecting her baby, I was so excited for the idea to have such a fun reason to make the trip out to visit. Sophie and I made our way out the middle of September together. She was AMAZING on the flights, which I was so lucky!! I wrapped her to me and that helped a TON! She enjoyed seeing the new sights and meeting all kinds of new people. The smoke was thick when we arrived due to the fires. The smell and the sight was actually quite alarming!
We got settled in, had a nice dinner together and got a good nights rest. The next day we ventured up to Sarah's Alum, Washington State University to see the bear research center. It was fascinating!
Sophie looks like a little country girl!
Zooey and Sophie hangin' out together in the back seat :)
After touring the campus, we went to the fair. I have never gone to a fair to see the animals. I actually forgot that that could be the MAIN attraction. I am so out of it sometimes. Well, we went to the fair to ONLY see the animals. (My sis and bro-in-law are animal people.) We found this mama pig feeding her little piglets. Sophie thought that was great.
She was seeing real-life animals up close and personal for the first time!
Sunset over the wheat fields on the way back home. Beautiful.
Farmers. I LOVE seeing farmers.
The girlies hangin' out on the couch EARLY in the morning. I was up usually around 4:30/5:00 every morning because of the time difference. (3 hours earlier)
Old Public School house in Elk River, a old mining/logging community up in the mountains.
Giant Western Red Cedar. VERY VERY BIG!
Oh, man, is she ever cute sitting there?
A seemingly sideways view up the tree.
My sister, Sarah, her hubby, Benny and little Zooey.
After the little hike in the woods to see the Cedar, we were treated to some Huckleberry Ice Cream. The locals pick the berries in the mountains and bring them to the General Store and are paid for them. They use all the berries for various treats. It was SO yummy!
Sophie, what did you do this time?
Basically the view of the now, very small town.
Elk falls. The hike here was tiring!!
But, totally worth it! So GLAD for my wrap. It really saved us!
Me and Zo Zo!
Love her sweet, scrunchy face!
A view of the surrounding Clarkston/Lewiston area.
There were at my sister's "Dream Job". We took an nice nature walk and went inside to see these:
A moose.
An Elk.
Another view of the area where she lives. This was on the drive back from touring the Montessori in the area with my sister. She wanted my sisterly view on the school and we are excited for Zooey's hopeful future there!
That night we took a drive up to Benny's parents mountain. Yes. They own a mountain. Actually the biggest in the area too!
We stopped and saw and fed the cows. So fun for Sophie to see these in real life, hear their moo's and to see them eat. Hilarious!
My new home. Yea right!
A view from the top of the mountain, I think towards Montana.
...I think toward Oregon?
Me and my lil' sis.
The babies, without their momma's. So sad.
Picture time and Sophie is trying to talk Zooey into it.
Nope. Not having it.
Ok, maybe...
Look mom! I did it!
Zooey's new bestest cousin!
Cute little Sophie Bear.
Cuz for life.
I like her hat best!
Fuzzy pic, but the girls are 5 months apart and their feet are the SAME size!!
Sophie's attemp at tummy time. Lazy.
Bird watching on the Snake River.
Loving the walk, and the fresh air. The smoke is finally clearing a bit.
Time to say good bye! It's been real.
...and I missed my flight the next morning...but, we made it home safe. Thanks Sarah and Benny, we love you!
Love all the sweet cousin pictures at the end of the post.
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