Washintgon 2009 Part 1

Alex, Misty(my sister) and I left one day after we returned from Iowa to visit family in Washington.

Misty kept teasing Alex about having the window seat, but as you can 

see from the picture Alex had the window seat!

Alex was a super traveler!  We arrived and met my Uncle David and then went to my Dad's cousin, Magrethe, where we were warmly welcomed with the
smells of delicious Danish Food!  Yummy!

We were not there long before we realized Alex was a little stir crazy and despite the wonderful traveler he was, he was ready for some exercise and was a little lost with out his siblings to entertain him so we made an impromptu trip to the park before dinner.

 

Don't you just love his Popeye look?  That is pretty much what he does in the 

sun and always has for as long as I can remember.   We returned from our park trip to enjoy a wonderful dinner.  It has been a while since either of us had enjoyed a home cooked Danish meal.  Alex was a true Dane and ate everything off his plate quickly!

The next morning we made our way to Vashon Island by ferry and Alex met his Uncle Terry for the first time.  This is only the 3rd time I've been face to face with Terry.  He is my half brother, (we share the same dad) only I didn't find out about him until I was 18.  We visited for awhile and Alex explored his 2 plus acres on his little island.

Terry showed us his amazing tile work

and  showed Alex one of his masks.
Yup, Alex thought Terry was pretty cool!

 

Unfortunately my dad never new Terry but it is quite amazing to see some of the similarities between the two of them. There is something about Terry that is comforting.  I see a lot of the Hansen family in him, but I do believe he looks more like my Uncle Ron than my dad.  

We went to lunch at the Hardware Cafe and then went and explored the island. 

It was so great to have some one on one time with Alex.  

He is such an amazing boy!

After we explored, we went back to Terry's and said our goodbyes and took a few more pictures.

 

All three times, I have hated goodbye.  It feels like we are just getting to know each other and then BAAM it is time to go and another 5 years passes before we meet up again.

We made our way to the ferry where we managed to  brake one of the islands 

ten commandments and butted in line 

(Long story.  Nothing mean.  Just happened.)

But, by doing so, we got our water front pictures-