A Weekend in Walla Walla

A couple weeks ago we got to go to Walla Walla for my niece Ashlyn's baptism.  As we were sitting there waiting for it to start, it dawned on me, I was baptized in that same font!

We got to stay the whole weekend so we had time to do other fun things too.  My brother-in-law's co-worker took us out on the river in his boat.

Ryleigh was excited to go out until the boat started up.  She covered her ears and said, "I don't like it, I don't like it.  I want to go back."  Devin got her calmed down enough that they didn't have to bring her back.  There was no way she was going to get on the tube though.  Devin and Uncle Rick took a turn and then Ashlyn was quick to volunteer to go next.  Blake wasn't sure he was ready for it yet.  He wanted to wait until he got used to the water.  He gave in though and had a great time.

So great that he came along on the next ride too.  Bailey had a blast on the boat! 

I so think we need a boat.  It is so much fun.  Look at me go! 

Blake did awesome.  He lasted forever back there. 

Aunt Nicole even braved it! 

Bailey was too little to go on the tube, but she wanted to jump off the back of the boat and play in the river with Uncle Rick.  She was shivering bad but didn't want to get back in the boat.

We also went to Whitman Mission.  Devin likes to look at things under glass, according to Aunt Nicole, so she thought he would enjoy it.

We walked around the Whitman's Settlement and read about or listened to a narration about the history.  There were stones marking out the perimeter of where the buildings were.  The map showed where Dr. Whitman died after he was shot.  Bailey is showing us that spot

and Ryleigh is showing us where Narcissa Whitman died.  She was shot inside and then died right outside the house.

Aunt Nicole, Blake and Devin hiked up the hill to the memorial and the grave site where they buried everyone that died that day while I took the rest of the kids inside the nice air conditioned museum.

It was fun to learn more about the Whitmans.  The thing I found most interesting was that they were warned by the Indians that if they didn't leave, something bad was going to happen.  They didn't want to return home and be looked at as failures so they decided to stay.  Guess they didn't think the "something bad" was going to be death.

Thanks for letting us visit, Aunt Nicole!  Can't wait until next time.