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.
