Upon returning from our trip, we were excited to have Hannah here from Utah. She had actually already been here for eight days staying with Kent and Natalie's family. We were able to spend four days with her before she had to go back.
We tell everyone that we have goats literally right in our back yard. It's true! Hannah loved them, and she and Ella named them all and fed them leaves which they loved.
One of the favorite things the girls did together was go to the Alpaca Farm. We all had a great time together!
They were first shown items that could be made out of the alpaca fur. Of course, now they are both asking for these stuffed animals that are seriously the softest little animals you have ever felt!
We then went outside to meet the alpacas--every one of them had a name! So many beautiful colors!
These animals are not pets, but farm animals, and the owners let us know they are not to be touched. But, they are definitely well-taken care of and really quite spoiled.
The owner let the girls spray the alpaca bellies and legs to help them cool off. You could definitely not spray higher than their bellies, and she reminded the girls every time they even got an inch higher! But the girls had great fun, and the animals all came to get their turn at the water.
Even the ones on the other side of the fence came to remind us to come over there, too!
These animals are sprayed four or five times a day when it is hot like it's been.
And then what did they do after they were cooled off with the water--roll around in the dirt! But, the owner assured us, because they don't have lanolin in their fun, it slides right off.
The owner then took the girls into the shearing bar where they got to feel the sheared fur. It is seriously the softest!
She then explained that they have two guard dogs who take care of the alpacas at night while they sleep so that they can be warned of any animal intruders who might hurt them or if any of them start having a baby at night. She told of three such occurrences when they were warned by the dogs and were able to rescue the alpacas. The dogs were asleep in the daytime, so the girls didn't get to see them.
We really want to thank the owners of Sage Bluff Alpacas for the wonderful tour we enjoyed. The girls learned so much and had such a great time!
A couple of weeks later, Kent and Natalie invited us to Suncadia Resort--a beautiful place in the mountains about half way between Sunnyside and Seattle. The scenery is beautiful there.
The sunsets are "ridiculous," as Jory Anderson (friend of Kent and Natalie's) calls them!
And the food is divine. You get to look out at the mountains right from the restaurant windows!
It is a thousand steps down to that river. Many people use that as their daily workout!
Big easy chairs to look out at the scenery, too! 
And of course, a beautiful golf course!
Ethan and Ella rented a two-person kayak.
They were actually very good at maneuvering it!
Then Natalie decided she wanted a ride in it, so George said he would like to go!
This is what it looked like while the two were paddling!
They had a great time until it was time to get out . . .
It took about ten minutes to get George out without tipping the boat over. It reminded me when George was trying to get off the camel at the Great Wall! It was quite a spectacle! I actually filmed a little video, but can't get it on blogger, but it is hysterical!
Ella and her mom looked a little more coordinated at this!
Such a great time! Thanks so much Kent and Natalie for inviting us for such a fun activity! It was really a great get-away!
More July Activities to follow!
