Driving up to Ned and Jan's rustic log house nestled among the cedar trees and overlooking the quiet river valley brought back a flood of memories. We used to come down to the farm for Sunday morning meeting once a month and it seemed like we almost always stayed for lunch and then helped with the chores afterward. We kids would warm ourselves by the stove and enjoy the smell of fresh buttermilk biscuits and drive toy tractors on the rug while the adults visited into the evening. Often, we would stay for supper too. I can't think of a more cozy house, nor a more friendly couple who made it a home. I think I was seven years old when I was there last.
Of course, many things had changed in the years, including the addition of a cute little log cabin adjacent to the main house. Ned and Jan's son lived in the cabin for a few years before moving over to the farm, so now it serves as a very capable guest house. Kenrick and Anthony enjoyed making use of it for the night.
What hasn't changed is Jan's amazing eye for landscaping. I thought her cedar-stump fountain was fascinating.
One of my fondest memories was looking down over the kitchen from the loft that Ned had built in the hallway behind it. Anya tries it out for herself.
The loft attracts kids like bees to honey. Anthony and Paxton were no exception.
You can't go visit the farm without, well, putting on your boots and going out to take a look at the critters. The kids check out some curious calves.
Paxton gets a picture with the stuffed monkey from his kindergarten class. 'Bruley' traveled with us and shared his experiences with the class after we got back.
The whole crew, before heading up to Seattle the next morning.
Ned and Jan. Thanks again for making us feel at home.
Poor little Anya spent most of the weekend running a fever. She seemed to be getting better by Monday, but then started feeling icky again after we got to Sally's. She'd recovered again by Wednesday morning, but looked pretty pitiful while it lasted.
On Wednesday morning we took the kids up to the top of the Seattle's Space Needle. It was a nice day to do it. Looking to the north over the Sound.
And south, over downtown Seattle with Mt. Rainier barely visible in the background.
The iconic landmark.
Next up: a short drive over the pass to Suncadia Resort to meet the rest of Mom's family for Thanksgiving.
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