Week Three: Uncle Marko's Cabin, Sha-Raazi and Alki

We had the best time going to Uncle Marko's new place out near Hood Canal. We took the ferry from West Seattle and got to show Uncle Nick the real Northwest experience.

 He made mimosas for everyone just after we arrived. This is the host-with-the-most.

 The view of Maggie Lake (surprisingly, 75 feet deep in the center)

 Uncle Marko has the best set-up possible! He has a dock fixed to a line that goes to the center of the lake so you can pull yourself out to the middle, (along with the HUGE floatie/kiddie pool/beer holder) then you can use the pedal/paddle boat to come back (to get more beer or snacks, in the guys' case).

 Margarete was impressed with 2 year old Norah sitting quietly and eating her fishy crackers. =)

 Honorary grandparents of Norah - Margarete and Siegi

 Norah, out on the dock, in the center of the lake (yes, this made me a little nervous seeing as how there were no life-jackets, but she did great)

 When we get back, we hope this will be the place we can "summer". =) Everyone needs a place to "summer". Uncle Marko says he's more than happy to let Norah 'grow up here' in summertime so we might take him up on that.

 And the next day, we got to visit Auntie Shaunna and Uncle Raazi one more time before we had to go. Shaunna and I have been friends for 23 of our 29 years! They're expecting their first baby girl and I was so overjoyed to see her this beautiful and pregnant! (And it was very hard to say goodbye again)

 Gorgeous Mommy and Daddy - (ok, we call them, "Sha-Raazi"

BBQ at Nancy's House for Richard's Birthday (one of my most loyal blog followers!) =)

 LOVED THIS! Julie gave the girls an Irish jig dancing lesson. I love how they're all mid-move in this shot.
And finally uploaded the video!

The next day, at Alki, we happened upon this huge Native American Tribal Canoe landing. Apparently, tribes from Alaska, Canada, and down through Washington were all canoeing and arrived here at the exact hour that we happened to be at Alki. It was really beautiful to watch because they did a Native ceremony before being 'allowed' on land (after some of them have canoed from Alaska! Obviously, they've had many stops along the way, but still).