Settle In, This Is A Long One!

What a weekend! Relatives on both sides were tearing up the pavement. The direction varied but safe to say we covered all points of the compass. First to move were my big sis, Mary Alice, and Maris, traveling south to Puyallup and then north to Seattle. More about them later. Next came part of the Raines family from the west side, Mom, Cindy and Charlie. Once I had the three of them settled in with MaryEleanor, I headed west. Before I hit the freeway, ME's sister Julie and her husband Ron arrived, traveling south from Wenatchee. With a boatload of Raines' watching over ME, I was on a mission to do some serious celebrating in Seattle.

Mary Alice and Maris set us up at a hotel on First Hill, commonly known in Seattle as pill hill because several hospitals reside there. Paul ripped down south from Bellingham and met me at the hotel. Caitlin and Dayton followed along shortly, traveling all of the way from Capital Hill, on foot. By mid afternoon, we declared the celebration of Paul's 21st birthday under way. OMG! Mary Alice and Maris went way above and beyond what any of us expected. First, the room. Paul and I were treated to a massive suite which gave you the feeling of being on the bridge of an ocean liner. The food and beverages were outstanding. At some point during the afternoon, my spunky niece Sarah and her very cool friend arrived and quickly added to the fun.

At some point, we all headed back up to Capital Hill to the Coastal Kitchen for an excellent dinner, again courtesy of the Grobins. Earlier in the day, they had dropped a cake by the restaurant, giving us yet another opportunity to embarrass Paul. Paul's official, first night out and he was never asked for ID! What an awesome evening.

This morning was spent having coffee with Paul, Mary Alice and Maris. Paul and I walked up to Caitlin/Dayton's home for a quick visit before heading out. It will be very difficult to top what happened in Seattle this weekend. Our mutual goal is to try, soon!

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, MaryEleanor enjoyed many hours with her family. Not to be outdone, another Raines, ME's younger sis Polly and Steve Milholland decided they needed a break from life in Lewiston, ID and popped over this afternoon. I left them with ME around 4P. ME had a crowd in her room so I slipped out to get a few things done at the W4Ranch. Polly and Steve will spend the night, along with most of the day tomorrow in Yakivegas.

What about MaryEleanor? She's stronger than ever.

Driving back from Seattle this afternoon, another song popped into my pea brain. Without googling it, I cannot remember the actual title but it begins "teach your children well......". This is what MaryEleanor and I experienced this weekend.

Thank you everyone who made this an awesome weekend for ME and I.