Summer 2024

 Can't believe how fast summer went this year.  Here are the highlights.

July

This summer I tried to be organized and set up a text chain with all of the kids friends Mom's.  Just letting people know where we were going to be.  We met at Island Park to look for hidden glass art.  It was a summer idea created by one of the museums.  We didn't find any.  But had fun playing on the park equipment, play in the water and roll down some grass hills.

Cole

Our neighbor met us with her twin grandson's.

James and Alexis were having a hard time finding something fun to do :)

So we all moved on to the grass hill

Two bunnies in our yard

4th of July.  We met friends at Wildcat Lake.  Alexis and Eliana are in the Kayak

Cole and I were in one of the Kayaks

Cole and Carter having fun

Watermelon at the lake--the best

So beautiful

We can do this in one trip

After the lake our friends came over.  Kids are playing in the yard

Sparklers

S'mores and friends

The next day our neighbors invited us over.  The kids played with water and we enjoyed a glass of wine

Alexis watched Rowen

Our neighbor and friend Laura made this quilt for Alexis. They picked out the colors together and the pattern.

This was one of my Mother's Day gifts. Alexis was out the day her class made these.  So she was able to make it at home.  I love it.

Snuggles

Father's Day gifts

The kids handprints on Shrinky dink paper made into a key chain

What?  I am in your way?

Our favorite summer activity is to go to Blueberry Park for the activities.  This day we learned about bees.  Cole and his friend James

Crafting at the park

Alexis was able to spend time with her friend Kennedie.  Her family is living in Egypt for two years but came home for a month this summer. 

Picking blueberries

Alexis made this stuffed animal for her friend Kennedie's birthday

A co-worker nominated Allen for this Navy award.  It is for going above and beyond to help those who served are are entering the work force.  It was so touching to be recognized.  

Our July bookclub at my place

Just looking cute

Berry picking with our friends...we picked raspberries and strawberries

Quick stop for lunch

Now on to the Big Game Farm and feeding the animals

The boys were in one car with Allen...being silly

Enjoying ice cream after

Then we all came over for a BBQ

Cole's 8th birthday!  Some gifts from family

Cake with family

VBS Camp at church

Cole made a new friend Brixton

Last day of camp

Allen and Alexis made this Lego pirate ship...with no instructions

Alexis is very creative. She made it look like she stuck a toothpick in her hand

We had the King's over for dinner.  Nicole was Alexis's kindergarten teacher and Cole's second grade teacher. So fun to socialize with them.

Dancing Brush for Kennedie's birthday

The kids were able to go alone to our beach with their walkie talkies. They cleaned up a lot of glass

Barnes and Noble's had a reading challenge for the summer. Read 8 books and get a free book.  Getting our free book!

Another day at Blueberry park.  Making stepping stones

Alexis and Jada

Cole doing a craft

Learning about ladybugs

Picking Blackberries and making new friends

Letting lady bugs go in our garden

Girl's night and sleep over

Cinderella at the Forest Theater

BBQ at our place after the play.  Nana and Penelope

The kids lining up to ask us if they could all sleep over

Play date with friends who returned to Washington after four years in Japan

Theater Camp.  Dress up day

What do you want to be when you grow up?  Alexis:  Police Officer, Cole:  You Tuber 

August

Beautiful sunrise

Theater Camp--Chalk fights

Alexis out front at camp

Cole

Alexis had a speaking part in the short camp play

Great job!!

Jada and Alexis playing with make-up

Spray park with friends

Enjoying some ice cream

Playing with lanterns in the backyard

yay, zucchini from our garden

Do I look like Dad? :)

Soccer Camp

Dressing up as Mario

Love how much they like to play together

Helping Mom in the kitchen

Enjoying the view and some wine

Watching friends in the Wizard of Oz

Lego Camp

Pictures of all of their creations at camp

Putting our names on the library column for summer reading

We did it...we read 100 hours each this summer.  

On our way to California

Helping Grandma with her garden

Wine tasting with friends..love this 

There was a wedding at the property so we drank wine, had a great view and listed to mariachi music

Coloring with Grandma

Visiting Alice & David at their hotel on the water

Chef David cooked Salmon for us...yummy

The kids were able to swim in the hotel pool

Alexis being helpful and pouring wine for Alice

Beautiful sunset

Checkers with Grandma

We went to a birthday dinner with Grandma and Grandpa to celebrate both kids birthdays

Wine Tasting

The kids having fun while we wine taste :)

Family Dinner

Wine tasting again :)

No trip to California is complete without strawberries

The Kitsap Fair

Max is always finding the sun

Getting ready for back to school night

End of summer library party with foam

Carter playing with Max

We had such a fun summer.  We are back to school.  Post more in September.