Wednesday, September 7, 2022

August 2022

 August...


This summer was the summer of yard renovation.  We dug up or front planter, added black barrier paper and new bushes. Then we added the cedar. 

Carter's birthday party at Chuck e Cheese. Carter and Alexis

Cole just loved this game and played with any kid he could find

Alexis won 5 or 6 of these balls

Cole enjoying a game.  The last time he was here was three years ago and he couldn't play any games.  This party he was off and running by himself

Alexis and Carter showing off their win

Cole got a few too

What will we do with all these balls?

Art in the park

Making stepping stones for our garden



They made a key chain


After the park summer fun with Carter and Elianna 





One of my favorite pictures


Ferry ride to our next camping trip

Our favorite Mexican restaurant on Whidbey Island

Enjoying a hike at Fort Ebey


We found this painted rock. Took a picture and left it. Big step for Alexis.  We usually need to keep every rock we find or there are a lot of tears


We camped for the first time at Fort Ebey.  Great camping spot.  We were able to use our hammock. 


What is camping without s'mores


They enjoyed playing outside,  it was great

Sleeping 

I hope he never changes. Cole is so funny and so comfortable in himself--his shoes are on backwards but he is fine:)

Playing in the ocean at Deception Pass


Fort Ebey camping spot

Bulk Kelp

We took the kids kayaking on a guided tour of Bowman Bay.  I just love this view of Cole. We were on the water for 2 1/2 hours and he paddled the entire time.


Allen and Alexis...and of course the bulk kelp




It was just so beautiful


Taking it all in 



Playing in the RV

We found this little cove on our favorite beach.  It was so fun we took the kids there two days in a row

They just loved running back and forth





Then they decided to build a wall to keep the water out.

Our annual trip to Toppins.  Not the best picture but we wanted to remember the frozen yogurt.

Alexis being silly

We were near a military base so they play Taps--we also hear this at home. So they stood and paid their respects

Fun with bubbles


Pancake breakfast. Daddy makes the best camping pancakes

It rained one afternoon so we got in bed and watched a movie



Checked and the wall was still standing

Nighttime fun


View from the ferry...front row


Alexis being her cute self
This summer we finally put up the final panels to our deck.  It required some additional design work so they drain correctly. So glad it is off our to do list

Kids washing Nana's car

Painting fun

This does not look comfortable:)

Cole really likes taking pictures of the sun setting



Both kids started soccer. She is my mini me

Camping in Sol Duc





The kids love taking pictures. Thought this was a pretty one of the sky




We took a 0.8 mile (one way) hike to see a waterfall.  Took us an hour to get there because of all the pictures the kids wanted me to take







The falls were worth it










We needed to access the internet for Allen's work.  The closest place with WIFI was Forks.  This was the town used in the Twilight story line.  We stopped at the visitors center and while Allen worked the kids and I visited the Logging Museum, took a small hike and learned about all the places from the Twilight movie.

Bella's truck from the movie

The logging or timber museum had a scavenger hunt for kids to keep them interested. This was an old hair curling device.



Entering the Indian reservation

Beach where Bella and Jacob jumped off the rocks



Playing in the water



The forest ranger told us the Salmon run had started (Female salmon swim upstream to lay their eggs and then the females die)

They had to jump up two levels to continue up the river.  



Do you see the fish?  It is jumping



There is a fish on the bottom right


Sol Duc is known for their natural springs.  The kids didn't love the smell but the water felt nice

Dinner after soaking in the mineral springs

Hike of old growth trees







Playing with glow in the dark sticks

We hosted the PTA Board and kids at our house for lunch to plan this school year.  Having fun with water toys


We read 50 hours this summer. So proud of the kids. We enjoyed reading to each other and listening to books.

You know you are an adult when you are excited to paint and plant flowers in your mailbox

Getting ready for back to school night

We had such a great summer. We are so thankful to all the friends and family that visited us.  We are also so blessed to be able to camp and see so much of our state.