Erika invades Seattle.1

My littlest sister Erika was out to visit us this past weekend!

Needless to say WE HAD A BLAST.

Joshua and I were so excited to show her around.

She's up for almost anything so we planned out a great weekend for her.

Plus we just feel totally blessed to be able to

spend so much uninterrupted quality time with her!

We had the best weather we've had all summer so we filled up

on outdoor activities and lots of iced coffee.

First off downtown:

Friday I took a half day off work and spent the day just her and I. We explored Pike Place Market, ate Ranier cherries, had a few odd interactions (strange men grabbing my sister's hand and me having to pull her away!)

We also rode the new ferris wheel that just opened on one of the piers downtown. It hangs you 30 feet over the water! Plus you get a really excellent view of the mountains and of the city.

Below is a delectable napoleon dessert with flaky layers and pudding, from a French bakery.
We be gettin fancy!

Last stop downtown was Westlake where all the shopping is. We wondered in and out and played among the blue painted trees

We had a mellow dinner, thai food with thai iced tea and slushies in the park. Finished off with a game of backgammon, which we tied- so cute!
But it was only mellow because the next 2 days were full of awesome!

O and we watched the Muppets movie and made chocolate raspberry noodles with cream anglaise, but I'll show that with a recipe later. YES I said chocolate raspberry NOODLES, we got them at the market. Joshua at a whole plateful of them.

... to be continued in part 2 and 3