Lyra in Birch Bay (07/24/10 - 08/10/10)

On July 24, Lyra and her dad took the 5pm flight from Houston to Seattle. The flight was nearly 4 hours, and with the time change, they didn't land in Seattle until 11pm. Who knew Seattle was so far away?  It was past Lyra's bedtime and the tray table wasn't an especially good mattress, but she only cried for a few minutes.  So brave!  For most of the flight she dozed on Daddy's lap.  Why was Lyra flying to Seattle?  To meet her Seattle relatives and her Lexington cousins Sara and Jose, and of course to spend some quality time with her Opa and Nana.

Lyra and Sara

Opa, Dad, Uncle Greg (holding Lyra) and a blurry Jose

There's so much to do at Birch Bay!  Picking raspberries, for instance.  Did you know that Whatcom County was the raspberry capital of the world?  Lyra was excited to try out her cousin's backpack and see the view from Daddy's back. But after 5 minutes of picking, she got hungry, and then fell asleep in the car. When she woke up, 10 pounds of delicious raspberries were waiting for her.

The Kelty pack -- it's like a screened in porch, with a view.

Two minutes in: Lyra's tummy is already starting to grumble.

A poor substitute for lunch.  Who runs this place anyway?

It was a trip of many important firsts for Lyra. First ice cream, first salmon (salmon caught by her Nana and Grandpa Jerry!), first time playing ball...

Opa, Nana, and Lyra at Molly Moon's in Wallingford.

"Slow and baby bouncy -- duh!"

Lyra is not a trained seal, but she plays one on tv.

Lyra also went to Vancouver for dim sum at Mommy's new favorite restaurant Fisherman's Terrace, in Richmond's Aberdeen Centre. Sadly, Lyra was too young for shellfish and for deep-fried food, so she didn't eat much.  She sat patiently in the high chair, looking plaintively at Nana, Daddy and Mommy, who were so busy eating they barely noticed her.  Hey!  Cute baby over here!

Do you see what I have to put up with?

Lyra and her Opa also spent a lot of quality time together, often catching up on the latest sports and stock market news.

It's always relaxing on Opa's lap.

Okay, almost always.

Lyra also got to meet her Aunt Trina and cousin Asher, visiting all the way from Marin County. 

Trina and Lyra, wearing her adorable handmade blackberry hat.  Handmade by Trina!

Lyra, heading back to the shtetl.

More relatives!  Lyra also had a very special visit from her Seattle cousins, Juleah and Brigida

Sara, Juleah, Brigida (holding Lyra)

Four Generations of Swansons

Top row: Ronni, Grandpa Jerry, Nana.  Second row: Mommy.  Third row: Daddy, Uncle Greg, Opa.  Front row: Lyra, Jose, Sara. 

Most days at Birch Bay began and ended on Lyra's favorite blanket.

Lyra, Jose Xavier, and Sara Alejandra.

Sara, Lyra, and Daddy

Lyra and Mommy.

They say all good things must come to an end.  But why?  Why?

Lyra waiting at Sea-Tac airport for her flight home. Bye, Birch Bay!  See you next year!

Lyra giving one last look back -- you know, for the fans.