Kubota Gardens

We’ve been visiting Kubota Gardens every Fall for the last four years and we made our fifth annual trek out there last weekend.   I suppose I can’t really call it a “trek” since it’s only about 10 minutes from our house!  But being as car-averse as we are, it feels FAR.    And being there feels like you are so far away from the city – it’s hard to believe that you are still in Seattle.

This year as we walked along the familiar paths and over the red bridge, Jason and I both felt a little… melancholy?  nostalgic?   I’m not exactly sure.  Just aware of time passing, I guess.  We both remember coming for the first time with Gryffin in the stroller when I was pregnant with Isaiah.  And the three years after that.   I think we are more aware of the velocity of life when we go to the gardens because it looks and feels the same every time, even though an entire year and so much life has passed in the meantime.

Maybe the holidays have this affect on some people?    For me, it’s the gardens.  We usually rotate holidays between my family and Jason’s family so it’s different every year.  We’ve been in Denver, Seattle, Lodi, Mexico, Santa Barbara and a few other spots over the past 12+ years.  And for that reason, each Thanksgiving and Christmas feels a little different, a little new.  But the gardens are a constant.

Here are the photos from this year…

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Racing
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Right after this shot, Gryffin face-planted. It was pretty sad
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But he rallied.

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This one’s a little blurry but it completely captures the essence of Isaiah lately. Always jogging.
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And I particularly like this one because I’m in focus and it captures the way I feel looking on as the boys run and play.
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Isaiah must have jumped off this rock about 15 times.
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Working on their faces. This one’s scared.
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Mad.
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Excited.
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Surprised.
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Brothers.
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Buppy.
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The red bridge.
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We have a photo of me on this bridge with Isaiah in my belly. Love this one with him on the outside.
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This was Jason’s idea for a fun family portrait. Except I couldn’t execute it very well! Kid is heavy.
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Thanks to our friends, Jordan & Belinda, for attempting to capture this shot for us!
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Here’s another attempt at a family shot. Still no dice.
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This one is decidedly the most us. Thanks, Jordan!

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And a look back at some years past at Kubota…

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One baby on the outside and one on the inside.
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2009
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Wheely.
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2012