Blake Island Friends and Little Ones Weekend

The problem with setting up a big island trip on any given weekend is that sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate. After a foggy and cool morning, the rest of Saturday was a steady improvement. We were in one boat with Matt and Lisa running alongside in their Whaler.

 Pete and Eben steering us straight.

 The "lounge" with Lisa, Matt, Eben, and Chris with the kids in Nana's kayak. We were doing a trial run to use it is a dinghy to help anchor the Whaler.

 Dinosaur hands! We found this sandy beach on the NW tip of Blake Island while on a ramble. The kids' wading quickly devolved into wet clothes and a naked stroller ride back to camp.

 Yes - this is our group spot - living large!

 We picked Blake as the spot since it is a stone's throw to the city and Pete and Jennie were uncertain how Alton would do camping. We were all excited that Alton proved himself to be a laid back and easygoing camper.

 A bit of swimming in the boat basin. Since starting swim lessons, Edison is eager to get in the water.

 Basking in the sunshine with Lisa.

 With Dillon, making a pretend campfire.

 With my number one little guy.

 Little sand monster.

 Megan and Chris tried their hand at family camping on this trip. It is definitely a lot of work for them with one-year-old Liam running around everywhere. Note Megan guarding the water in the shot above. But they were troopers and have reported having a good time.

 When camping with this many friends it is actually possible to grab a moment or two with each other while the kids frolic under the watchful eye of a friend.

 This lovely beachfront campsite was perfect.... until about 4:00 in the morning when a front blew in and the winds kicked up to about 30 mph. All of our tents were leaning like crazy in the wind. We all huddled in our tents and hoped it would stop by morning, but it didn't.

 Thanks to Eben for dragging our kitchen to a shelter on the island so we could have a pleasant breakfast.

 Double thanks to Eben for building a fire and cooking, too!

 As a bit of rain started to fall, we decided it best to break camp and head back. It was a rough trip back with a giant rogue wave straight out of our river rafting days. We felt a bit like refugees escaping to a more promising land, but we made it safely back to West Seattle in about thirty minutes. Hopefully we can make this an annual trip!

Summer Days

This summer every weekend has been a trip to the Islands and during the weekdays, Eben works long hours while Charlotte, Edison and I are left to make our own fun. We have been going on long walks to the library...

 Edison is figuring out his new bike....

 Assisted by dad...

 While Charlotte plays bubbles. She has entered a phase of wanting to carry around all of her stuffed animals everywhere and pretending she is caring for them.

 We have had long summer night dinners with friends. Meg and Chris hosted an amazing dinner for us a couple weeks ago. Edison and Dillon are getting along famously...

 The kids had their own table with yummy summer treats and a lovely view of the Everett harbor.

 We spent a wonderful morning with Natasha, the darling Lenin and the daring Ronin at Mill Creek Elementary.

 

Finding treasures on the ballfield.

Edison has been going to swim lessons every afternoon this summer and is now very comfortable with head bobs and blowing bubbles.

 

 He is working on his back float.

 The Children's Museum is a great spot on rainy days. We had fun building a scooter with Grace and Amy.

 We are looking forward to many more busy summer days.

Clark Island

We spent a pleasant weekend at Clark Island State Park, just east of Orcas Island.

 Camping is on the east side and features a pebble beach and amazing views of Mount Baker.

 Eben brought some of his work friends along. They used the upturned kayak as a paddleboard. Nice job, Eben!

 This baby seal hung around all afternoon and evening before his mom came by for him. Whaler, Daycare?

 Ahhhhhhhh - views of Mount Baker.

 The work friends....

 Dinosaur hands at sunset on the sandy west side of the island.

 Had to enhance this photo to get rid of shadows.

 Mount Baker and our Whaler at sunrise.

 A little overexposed from the nighttime camera settings, Charlotte tries her hand at walking on the pebbles.

 Wow - it was HOT at about 9 AM. Eben took a few buddies back to Lummi after breakfast. Then came back for us. We hauled out the boat. But then, Eben realized he left his cell phone under the picnic table.... d'oh! And had to re-launch the boat and go after it while I stayed with the kids at the boat ramp. Luckily all they wanted to do was to watch a video on the DVD player while in their carseats.

Summer Fun

Chasing Canadian Geese in Cherry Park.

 Hanging out in yard.

 Writing....

 Swinging.

 Climbing.

 We met up with Ashely, Colin and Pierce at the Forest Park Petting Zoo. Charlotte just jumped right in and touched all the animals.

 Her favorite was this pygmy goat - with long ears.

 We watched the horses...

 Then went to Baja Fresh for lunch. It was Colin's birthday and he picked. It was my first time there - loved it! Happy birthday, Colin!

 Edison also started swim lessons this week. The first day was rough. But by the end, he was looking forward to the next lesson and not wanting to get out of the pool. He is definitely comfortable in the water, just needs to work on technique and be okay with new teachers every now and then.

Edison's Birthday and New Bike

Edison picked Olive Garden for dinner and Chuck E. Cheese for playing on his birthday. He was a trooper: did his shots that morning and first day of swim lessons (pretty hesitant about it). But he hung in there and had a fun birthday night.

 His favorite ride at Chuck E. Cheese is Bob the Builder.

 His special Busy Town Cake.

 His big boy bike - he was very happy! We were relieved - never sure how a present like that is going to go over.

 Making pizza for dinner.

 Birthday with Grand Dada. He gave Edison the blinking light shoes and Edison is in love with them.

 Eben wanted Edison's bike to match his. So they took it apart and repainted it.

 Charlotte looked on...

 The final product: one happy kid and a cool red and black bike. He has taken to it really well, wants to ride it every day, all the time. So that is really cool to see.

 Daddy likes it too!