Labor Day Weekend

Before we even knew each other, Dan and I spent Labor Day weekend camping at the Gorge for three nights with friends to see the Dave Matthews Band in concert. We then camped together when we were in college, and now do not camp and have scaled down our nights at the concert to one! I do miss the days of being with our friends the whole weekend, camping, cooking out, swimming, and soaking up every ounce of the last days of summer, but I can honestly say I do not miss the port-a-potties, no shower for three days, and enjoy sleeping on a mattress after the concert rather than in a field with thousands of strangers!

This year, Dan and I had a date night at the Gorge seeing Dave, but stayed in Ellensburg at Grandpa Jack and Grandma Linda's house. We went to the Ellensburg Rodeo Fair and Parade (Dan is very proud to have grown up in Ellensburg...home of the third largest rodeo in the US) and made it to town in time to celebrate Grandma Linda's 65th birthday with dessert!

"This is the house that Jack built"...literally!

 Walking around with Grandma Linda

 Visiting Dead Horse Pond. This is the pond in Dan's backyard where they grew up canoeing across and skating on. Grandpa Jack recently added the "Kissing Bench"

 So of course, we had to share a little smooch on the kissing bench!

 The Beach Cabin. Recently updated with a wood burning stove where Lola pretended to make us eggs with pepper and pepperoni.

 Linda's garden.

Dan is very proud of the wall that he built :)

 Throwing rocks into water - one of Lola's favorite things to do!

 Carrots from Grandma Linda's garden.

 At the fair. Lola was very interested in this goat, but I believe it was because of the boy who was talking to her.

 Auntie Beca and Teal went with us to the fair. Lola warmed up to the animals (and Teal) by the end of the day.

 The Ellensburg Rodeo Parade.

The Ellensburg High School Marching Band.

 The Yamaha Jack's Float! Auntie Beca rode in the back and Lola was sure she was the prettiest girl that she saw in the parade.

 Post-parade meal at Grandpa Jack's favorite Mexican restaurant in town.

Date Night

Dave Matthews at the Gorge.

 Back at home, we spent Monday with Nana on her last day of summer before she went back to school. Went for a walk through Manito Park and headed back to pick flowers in her yard and make a bouquet.