Seattle trip 1st day

I've been wanting to post on our trip to Seattle for a week now, but it's going to take forever. So... I'm going to post by day. I know the anticipation of each day will be almost unbearable for you, so I'll try to hurry.
First of all, we're thinking of you Aunt Kathy! Feel better!
Personally, I was so excited to have my girls with me in my hometown. I couldn't wait to show them all around, and be tourists with them. I always get a little nostalgic when in Washington, but I know that can't be helped because it is so gorgeous there. Anyway, you must always start a trip there with food from Ivar's, so luckily our awesome friends the Gunnells were willing to meet us in Seattle and eat lunch. Unbeknownst to them, all the Bjorn's were game,even Nekell with her 2 week old baby Peter! So we all went downtown. Here we are at the wharf eating Ivar's. Could this be any better? Thanks Chris and Tanya for coming!!

While Jim and I were talking with Chris and Tanya, my mom and dad had the girls out feeding those mangy seagulls. It was actually quite funny. Those stupid birds are so overfed, and so over fighting over food, you practically have to force food down their gullets just to entertain the kids. I'm sure this bird was thinking "D@*&%, it's my turn again! I just had to go, where's Vinny, it's his turn! Shoot, I need a smoke break!"

After the great food, (I ate a huge bowl of clam chowder, and a full basket of fish and fries.) It was just slightly too much! It set me off on an epic eating episode the whole weekend. But hey, that's what vacations are for! Anyway, we walked up the wharf looking at the fun shops, of coarse showing the girls the mermaid and chocolate slugs. After that, we walked up to Pikes Place market, which Jim kept calling Pike's Peak market. I only mention that because it really got on my nerves. That was so fun, of coarse we saw the flying fish and all the gorgeous flowers that were dirt cheap. I'd forgotten what it's like living somewhere with color. The only colors we have here in CO is beige. (it seems) The colors were so vibrant, of everything you saw! So here are the girls holding these amazing flowers for $4!


We wandered around Pikes Place market for awhile, here I am trying a chocolate covered twinkie. It would have been awesome if it hadn't been made 2 months ago.

Here is my brother Andy and I with Gavin (this pic is revenge for my 70's man hair picture at the reunion)

So anyway, after wandering in Seattle for a few hours, we headed to Ikea for a record breaking quick browse, then home to Andy's for dinner. On the way home, Nekell, Marylyn and I stopped for pizza, and while there we accidentally picked a fight with a brace face 15 year old who wouldn't break $100. When she so rudely said she couldn't take anything over a $20, we demanded to know where it says they couldn't take it. She, (with a seriously bad attitude,)pointed out at least 3 signs stating the store couldn't take bills larger than $20. After all this, she had the nerve to fight with us about the chicken wings. Some people's kids are so freakin rude. So after going home, eating, and realizing we needed more, Marylyn and I sent Andy and Jim to get more because we were sure we wouldn't be welcome back there.
And that's the first day, combined with playing with Annika, Analiese, Gavin, Peter and Aniva. Whew!