A Bite of Seattle

For several years I was running Ragnar during the Bite of Seattle.  But, since I'm not doing much running these days, I decided to take the kids to see Dad at work.  Aunt Maren met us there.  The kids love going to the Seattle Center because of the wading pool and the fountain.  We didn't get there until around 5:00 or so, so we didn't spend as much time as they wanted to in the wading pool, but they still loved every minute of the water.  I was a smart mommy and brought a change of clothing and towels so that we could enjoy some food and chatting after that.  

We also got free balloon animals.  We stayed a little too long though, Ben got tired and when I wouldn't let him go in the bouncy house he popped his balloon sword on our way out of the festival.  (This is the reason I haven't done this kind of thing with my kids in the past...)

Wading pool fun!

All finished with her All American foot long corn dog.

Libby finished hers too, even after eating some gyoza and spring rolls. 

Ben did not finish his corn dog.  Not even close.  

Derek and Libby basking in the sun.  It was perfect temperature for those who weren't wearing kevlar.  

More playtime at the Center.  We need to go back when there is not a festival going on.

We forgot to get a pic with Aunt Maren.  But it was so fun to see her and spend time with her!
We also got to see and chat with Uncle Mike who was working with Derek.  It was a good night.

The way back to the car was the best though.  I had parked pretty far away because I found a free street parking spot.  We walked back by a different route.  I gave Ben a piggy back and the whole time he kept saying, "I don't recognize any of these buildings!  We are not going the right way!  You don't know how to get back to the car!"  It was so funny.  Then, at the car he started potty dancing like crazy.  So I made him go on in the grass next to the car before we drove him.  I love parenting boys!

Two Proud Libby Moments

Last night at dinner Libby told me, "I just want to be wealthy enough that my kids can get a good education and I can go to the spa once or twice a week."  My kind of goal. 

Today at lunch she and Sarah were making predictions about "The Taming of the Shrew."  (Libby chose Shakespeare for her research project and we have been listening to kid friendly versions of the plays in the car). Their discussion turned into Libby explaining that she thinks going after Bianca is probably like going to hell. Nice and easy. But Katerina, she would be lots of work. But worth it. Like getting into heaven. It is heaven seeing my kids learn and become awesome people. That's the best!!

Decatur Adventure

I can't remember the last time we took a family vacation.  Just the 5 of us.  And with no other goal than to spend time together.  We finally did it.  And it was awesome.
I asked my well traveled clients where we should go, and one of them offered us her vacation home on Decatur Island.  It was so perfect.  Relaxing, rambling over the island, watching the mist on the water, the sunsets, playing Sorry, working on puzzles, doing art projects, sacrament meeting in the home of the caretaker via phone connection to Lopez Island.  It was serene, beautiful, perfect.

Libby studied the NW tribes in her class this year.  She was so excited to see this totem pole!

Kathy, my client and our fabulous tour guide, and the Decatur Northwest ferry.  It was a great 45 minute ride out from Anacortes.  

The whole family together.  Libby constantly making faces these days.  

Candid picture on the boat deck.  So beautiful.  

The view on the top deck.  2 very handsome dudes. 

The view from "Sheep Hill" a serious hike from our place.  

On that first hike, the girls really wanted to see the ram of the sheep herd.  And, we did!  Both of them!

Apparently Derek is a champion (scout camp) rower.  We attempted a race.  He certainly beat me.  I can't go straight to save my life.  But it was pretty fun.  

I brought an art project for us to do every day.  Derek thought this was a silly idea until he realized that this was his nap time.  Then he fully embraced our art endeavors.  We did pipe cleaner art, rubbings, and then painted with watercolors.  

Sisters, in vibrant colors.

I loved how this tree was growing out amid these rocks.  Determination!

We got in some strength training along with our walking.  We walked about 7 miles each day (and these were some major hills!).  That was a lot for little Ben legs.  But he did it!

Shell collecting.  Very important endeavor.  Now, what to do with all those shells?  Another art project?

King of the Hill

Princess of the Hill

About to get VERY VERY cold.  Lake swimming. I didn't think they would actually get in (I sure didn't!) but they did, and had fun.  We definitely went back for hot cocoa!

In the water with daddy.  

I finished the puzzle I brought.  Then I attempted another puzzle.  It kicked my trash.  It was only 550 pieces, but all these seashells, like 50% orange.  Derek finally just put it away.  I was relieved.  

On the last afternoon we discovered Pirate's Cove.  It was great.  It was the rockiest beach, but fun for the kids. Libby and Ben climbed up this ladder high enough to see some crab parts and yellow jackets in the crow's nest.  They didn't venture onto it.  

Sarah playing on the pirate ship.  

We traveled around a bit by golf cart.  It was really fun.  Ben kept calling it the "go cart."  Then, like clockwork Sarah would say, "It's a GOLF CART, not a go cart!"  Like 14 times a day.  This was when we were all loaded up for home.  

Since we ate a pretty healthy and totally homecooked diet all week, we splurged on the way home.  The "Best Rootbeer float in WA" said one review of the Fidalgo Drive In.  Not sure if it was the very best, but it was certainly the biggest I've ever seen.  Libby wanted one by herself.  We made her share it with Mom and Dad and we still didn't finish it!
  

Ahhhh.  It was hard to come home.  But, the best part of coming home is that realization that while we are sad to leave, we are actually happy to come home.  We are so blessed to have a great life, a challenging but fun routine, and another chance to get away later this summer.

Happy 4th of July (on the 11th...)

This is the first year in a few years that we have been home on the 4th of July.  We had friends come into town to stay with us.  So, I got super excited and decorated!  The kids helped me paint the stars hanging below.  I got the idea to add the scrapbook paper to the pendants below from the internet, as well as the fun food ideas.  It was a busy and fun weekend.

Blast off!

I bought these stars with wedding gift cards about 13 years ago at Christmas time.  But they are perfect for 4th of July.  

I didn't get enough pictures of the cute family that stayed with us over the 4th.  Andrew and Melissa Judd.  Andrew was one of Derek's best buddies when I met Derek.  Right after that Andrew left on his mission.  They now have 2 kids, Adela (pictured) and an almost 5 month old.  They were fun to have around.  And, boy did it make us appreciate the joy of having OLDER kids.  

Firework pancakes on the 4th. 

Rain at the Everett parade.  But as soon as the parade was about the get underway, it stopped.  So, we had a chilly, but dry 4th after that.  The kids were so mad.  They wanted to leave the parade and wouldn't let me get a picture.  

We finished the 4th with a BBQ with some friends from the ward to celebrate a 50th birthday!
 (For someone who doesn't look like she could possibly be 50!)

The birthday girl gave out these fun sunglasses.

Dance Recital 2016

This year we only had one dancer in the house.  I was still taking a break due to hip pain.

But, Sarah did us proud.  And at the last minute, I ended up doing a couple of silly numbers in the recital.  It was really a fun weekend.  

This year's theme was Cruise Ship.  Sarah danced to La Bamba.  She nailed her dance!  She is so good a remembering her choreography.  She is excited that next year she won't have to do tap, though, since her recital dances several years in a row have been tap. 

Libby volunteered at the dress rehearsal and the Friday night show.

Sarah and her teacher, Miss Gina.

I helped take tickets and welcome people to the show in this lovely sailor dress.

Kisses from the dancers.

One of my skits was in this sundress.  It was all my kids' favorite part because in the end of the skit, a frustrated man who has been trying to set up a deck chair finally gives up and takes the chair vacated by another guy (who left the stage with 2 lovely ladies in sundresses).  When he goes to sit down on it, it collapses.  Super funny.  

Sarah's favorite part was that her two teachers came to see her show.