While camping in June I found out my Dad died. He had a heart attack. It was very unexpected and pretty much took over July and the rest of our summer. Here are the highlights from July.
Since we moved to Washington I have wanted to take the kids strawberry picking. We always miss the season. I found this farm about 40 mins from the house. They were super organized and so friendly.
We were assigned our own row, so nice
I got a little excited and maybe purchased a few too many strawberries:) I gave about half to my neighbor and made some strawberry jam with the rest
4th of July. We enjoyed it at home with my mom. Lighting off some sparklers
Mom having some fun too
Alexis snuggling with Daddy by the firepit
First fire of the season
Just love pictures of the kids sleeping
In one afternoon we saw two sets of mother deer with two babies each. Never gets old.
This picture sums up their relationship. They are such great siblings
Daddy finally gave in a gave the kids all his Lego's
Our garden has been amazing. This picture doesn't show really show how large these zucchini are...some weigh over 2 lbs:)
We held the Celebration of Life for my Dad on what would of been his 71st birthday, July 15th. To get to Arizona we had to take a ferry, park the car in long term parking, take a van to the airport, fly to Phoenix, take a bus to the rental car location, then drive two hours to Prescott. So it was a long day:) The kids did amazing.
Taking a short nap on the drive to Prescott...tired kids and Aunt
Found a Mexican restaurant for dinner on the first night.
Cole LOVES salt
The next day was Cole's 5th birthday. We got him a Batman shirt and some gifts to open in the hotel room
We took the kids to the pool at our hotel
He is such a boy...I mean what is he doing? :)
For dinner we picked up pizza and took it to Debbie's to celebrate Cole's birthday. He looks so old here
Enjoying some chocolate cake
Steve and his wife Donna with Debbie, Alexis and Allen. Steve and my dad have been friends since they were in elementary school. It was so nice to finally spend some time with them.
I don't have any pictures of the Celebration of Life...too hard. The following morning we met and my sister made French toast, our Dad's favorite.
We had a small Celebration of Life for the grandkids. They all said their favorite thing about Grandpa and then let a balloon go. (the balloons were biodegradable)
The following day we spent at the pool. This was my Dad's favorite thing to do. We were there for almost five hours. So beautiful and fun. Alexis was able to play with her cousins she had never met. They had so much fun she ended up sleeping at their house...her first sleepover.
Alexis and Addison
Quick lunch break with Grandma Debbie
This just looks so relaxing
Lunch before we fly home
We met Danielle on the coast to camp on the beach for two nights. Cole relaxing in bed
Relaxing by the fire
Enjoying s'mores
Our camping spot was right on the beach. There were a ton of kids so Alexis and Cole played on the beach all day and night.
Birthday gift from our neighbor Laura
Alexis and her best friend Addison chatting (Addison is currently living in Japan)
We got really into cooking on our firepit this summer. We made roasted Cesar salad. So yummy
Cedar smoked salmon
Took the kids to a park we had never been to...they loved this slide. They made some friends and just keep going down together
Cole was watching for something...just thought he looked so cute sitting there
We had a heat wave for a few days. The kids loved the pool
My mom had Alexis for a night and my sister took Cole...so we decided to take the RV and camp. We went floating down a river. It was so fun. This picture was us waiting for an Uber to pick us up from our camp ground. I was a little stressed.
We made it...so fun and relaxing
Danielle took Cole to the park
And the aquarium
Danielle really tired Cole out...when we started driving home he said I need to take a nap:)
July wasn't the month we thought it would be but we made the best of it. Thank you to all of the friends and family that reached out to us during this difficult time.
My Dad in 1977
