Sam's First Trip to the Pacific Northwest (Part 1)

Since a major political convention took over downtown Charlotte the first week of September, we decided it would be a great time to visit family in Seattle.  Joel was (amazingly) able to get 2 weeks of vacation, so off we went!  Our trip happened in several stages...

First - We went to Winston-Salem, where Sam and I stayed for a couple of days while Joel made a quick trip to DC and back.  My parents took great care of us and then took us to the airport on Saturday morning, when we flew from Greensboro to Chicago to Seattle.  Sam did great on the flights and charmed everyone we met.  Aside from a quick wardrobe change needed at the airport, everything went smoothly.

Second - We spent a week and a day with Joel's parents in Bellevue.  They were wonderful hosts, both to us and to the parade of family members who came to meet Sam.  He was quite the celebrity!

Great-Grandma Whalen 

Great-Grandpa Whalen 

 Grandma

Great Aunt Diana 

Great Uncle Keith 

Cousins Lauren and Christina 

Uncle Brian 

Daddy and Grandpa out to dinner 

Great-Grandma Hibbard 

Great-Grandpa Hibbard 

Aunt Melissa 

4 generations of Whalens 

We got to go hiking! 

Visiting Aunt Laura at her new house

It was a wonderful trip, and we're so thankful we got to see so many family members.  Sam did great at the grandparents' and adjusted to the time change pretty easily.  We're fortunate that he's so easy-going!  Next up, our trip to Boise...