Summer part 6

 This summer we spent a lot of time doing water activities.   It was nice that we had access to lakes, boats, and boards.   We loved paddle boarding and Amelia got really good at it.  It is something we can do in Singapore as well.

On Lake Washington with cousins. 

My sister got a paddle board this summer that we used a ton.  Amelia started to be a show-off. 

We spent a couple days with the "god-family" in Moses Lake.  

More showing off.

These two!  Brett made a comment that I agreed with, "We are domed when they are teenagers!"  

Summer part 5

We were lucky to have my cousin Kaitlin in town at the same time we were.  It had been a couple years since we last saw her.  It was so much fun to have her hang with us and a great reason to play tourist ourselves.  I hope it becomes an annual summer tradition.

The kids have a book in Singapore about a dog that gets lost in Seattle: Larry gets lost in Seattle.  The story is set throughout Seattle and the kids have memorized a lot of the places.  We decided it was time to see some in person and set out on an adventure.

We didn't find every scene and we added some new ones, but it was great fun.  Katie R was our guide and made the most of the four hours we had.   We also snuck in Red Mill Burgers for lunch.

It was a good day!

At the Ballard Locks

Pike Place Market

Gum wall.  Katie bought the kids a pack of gum.  Man did they have fun chewing and placing.  YUCK!

Pure Northwest.  My favorite food.  Earlier that week my dad and Uncle Paul went to the market and got us crab for dinner.  Probably the best Dungeness I have ever had. 

Kaitlin loved seeing the first Starbucks.  However, the line was way too long to go inside and order.  I am still on lookout for the Seattle Starbucks mug. 

Fremont Troll.  I have never seen this before and it was pretty cool.  It was probably Amelia and Liam's favorite stop.  I also didn't mind the side trip to Fremont Brewery for an IPA.

Summet part 4

As summer tends to do, it went fast.  June turned to July and half our trip was almost over.  The weather continued to amaze us and we ate up all the daylight possible.

However, with good, there also comes bad.  The beautiful Mercury La Sable that we were buying from my grandmother found its end.  Parked outside my parents house, a drunk driver totaled it while 3x over the legal alcohol limit.  The good thing was nothing was hurt except our mode of transportation for the rest of our stay.

We then experienced Americana at its best by celebrating 4th of July with neighborhood parades, BBQs, and fireworks...with only one burn and 4 lawn fires.

The car after the wreck.  It was pushed into the neighbor's yard. 

My sister's neighborhood has an annual 4th parade.

Cold treats.

The White clan with Derek's new dog, Ludo. 

BBQ buddies. 

Onto another year...

SAS just released this year's promotional video.  It has us getting pumped for the start of school next week.

Summer part 3

This summer, my goal was to spend longer time periods in Bellingham and Kirkland.  It helped reduce the time we had in the car, save $$, and let kids get somewhat into a routine and not always be on the move.   It also allowed me time to relax, instead of always packing and organizing.

During the longer time in Bellingham, Wade was able to join us.  As a family, we were able to see and go to some of our favorite Whatcom County places.   Wade and I also left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa and met friends in Cresent Bar.  It was so much fun and I hope they make it an annual  event with us getting invited.    

Teddy Bear Cove. Once a nudest beach, but now just a place to see the sea life.  

I ate at my favorite taco truck a number of times.  Probably one of the main reasons I put on so much summer weight this year. 

Liam lived outside.  He would board, ride bikes, or play in the dirt for hours. 

I took this picture at 10:30 at night.  I had forgotten about how light it stays in the NW.   We would lose track of time daily and end up staying up way too late. 

Another reason for the summer weight was good, cheap drinks!

A family that tie dyes together....These are now Amelia and Liam's favorite outfits.

Chuck-E-Cheese is a summer favorite.  Loved that it is where our Singapore friend decided to have her Bday party.  

Summer part 2

My family rented a house on Wapato Point, Chelan.  It was a great week of paddle boarding and condensed family time.  I have decided Wapato is one of my happy places.   Someday, when I am rich, I will be owning a vacation home there:).

First time fishing. 

All of us have become pretty good on paddle boards.  Love it!

Cousin dress-up fun. 

It is so hard to wait your turn....for the jet-ski. Uncle Derek said she was scary with how fast she wanted to go.  

Liam's turn, but WAY slower.

Summer part 1

Oops, I did it again.  I never posted to the blog over the summer.  Eights weeks has gone by and now it's time to catch up.  I have decided this year to split the post into parts.  Otherwise, it would be pages and pages of pictures taken during our adventures.

This summer was a little longer and seemed to be more packed.  All of the activities making great memories.  We did the I-5 shuffle between Kirkland and Bellingham, with a couple side trips to the East side of Washington.  With the awesome weather and people, it was a summer for the books.

It wouldn't be summer if we didn't start it with some berry picking.  This season the berries where early, so we got a chance to pick and eat them all. 

Amelia is growing up WAY too fast.  Grandma and I took her to get her ears pierced.  She was a champ and has been very responsible in the care since. 

It was so fun to have Singapore friends summering in WA this year.   We got to show them what it means to be "cowboy/girl".

Liam fell right back into the cowboy lifestyle.   He LOVES it!!

Amelia is becoming a very confident rider.  She has the need for speed.