We just returned from two and a half weeks in the Pacific Northwest, visiting family and friends.  It was Jonah’s second time flying, but the first time that he had any clue what was going on. This is now the face he makes when he’s asked to smile for a picture. :)

He even got to play some toddler games on Dad’s iPod, which made him very happy during the long flight.

When we arrived, we went to stay with Jonah’s Gran and Grandad. They were so happy to see their grandson for the first time since he was two months old, and had gotten many things together so that he would have a fun time while he was there. Jonah got to play a lot with Uncle Larry, too, and they became good buddies.

Jonah was a big fan of the cat, and it seemed like almost everyone we visited on this trip had a cat, so he was pretty excited about that.

Uncle Larry filled and refilled this dump truck hundreds of times so that Jonah could keep dumping it out.  “Jonah play a funny game with Uncle Larry and keep dumping out that truck. Uncle Larry says, ‘Oh, no, Jonah!'”

We visited with Uncle Johnny, Aunt Karen, and cousin Riley, too. Jonah was very happy to see so many instruments and sang some songs for his relatives. Riley played music with him, and Jonah paid very close attention (notice the tongue of concentration).

He got to check out Riley’s fiddle.

Riley also shared many of his toys that he enjoyed when he was little. They played a little game of catch together.

We all had a great time hanging out in their yard.

The first weekend, we went to the Seattle Zoo. Jonah loved seeing all the animals and had a lot to say about them. He made people laugh when he said, “I want to go down there in the water with those hippos!” It was a cool and kind of rainy day, and most of the animals were right out where we could get a great look at them. Jonah got to see giraffes, gorillas, elephants, and even a grizzly bear swimming right up to him on the other side of the glass. The bear made him a little bit nervous, though. :)

Uncle Larry helped him get a better look at the penguins.

And kept him awake with truck books on the ride home.

Jonah got to touch starfish at the aquarium. He really liked starfish on this trip!

Then we went down the street to feed seagulls, something Sean remembers doing as a kid. Jonah was a little nervous…

Another day, we drove through Fremont and stopped to see the troll under the bridge.

Then we walked a few blocks to Dusty Strings, an instrument store where Sean worked many years ago. Jonah was in heaven with all the guitars and ukuleles. He did a lot of strumming while we were there, and was very gentle with everything he tried.

We took a short boat ride over to West Seattle and back. Jonah can point out the Space Needle in the skyline but mostly wanted to climb up and down the stairs on the boat and in and out of chairs. He’s pretty pleased with his improved climbing skills lately.

Right down the street from the boat dock, the firefighters were washing one of their trucks.  Jonah, of course, wanted to go check it out.  They gave him a little fire hat and let him sit in the driver’s seat.

(We don’t have Internet at home right now, so parts 2 and 3 of the trip will be posted sometime in the next few days…)