Sucia Island Adventure!

We have been looking forward to resuming boat camping and our trips to the San Juans for quite awhile. Last year we were not able to go as Eben had no time off of work and was stationed in California, Reed was an infant, and on top of that we moved. So we were so excited to getting back out to the islands. Turns out, Reed loves the boat and is right at home on it.

 After setting up camp, we spent the afternoon on Shallow Bay's best sandy beach.

 After dinner, we trekked across the isthmus to watch sunset.

 Friday morning we went hiking out to Ewing Cove. It was a hike we had never done before but now Edison and Charlotte are big enough for the 4 mile round trip hike and Reed is small enough to still be in the backpack. The madronas and views were inspiring.

 

Ewing Cove was peaceful and relaxing.

 This is a view from our campsite out to Mount Baker, framed by a madrona.

 The kids loved playing in the kayak that afternoon.

 Matt and Lisa joined us Saturday morning and we all went for a hike on the north side of the island out to Lawson Bluffs. They were amazing and the water was a brilliant turquoise blue.

 The trail ends at this point of land that juts out into the harbor, forming Shallow Bay's narrow entrance. The soft sandstone erodes easily with the waves and wind creating these really interesting rock formations.

 Back at the beach, Charlotte, Edison and Lisa built this cool sandcastle.

 We packed up Sunday morning and headed to Bellingham for Floyd and Edison's birthday party. It was a wonderful trip, though with Reed at one-and-a-half, not exactly relaxing. We might need to reconsider future camping trips for this summer.

 Eben loved having the new four-wheel drive Durango - he could pull the boat out at the beach on Lummi when the boat ramp was too shallow to work.

School's Out! Summer Begins!

One of my favorite days of our school year: Caen Laida. It is our Moving Forward Assembly and we celebrate the graduating seniors and look ahead to the year to come. This year I had all four of my former ASB Presidents come back for the event: Ethan, Ben, David and Skylar. So wonderful!

It was hard to say goodbye to the class of 2015, especially Mara and Andre.

Charlotte "graduated" pre-school this week. Her school had a very nice picnic that night and Charlotte got her face painted for the first time.

   

On Friday, school let out and we headed straight to the cabin after Eben got back from Alaska that night.

 

We went hiking to Twin Lakes Saturday morning. It was 2 miles on an old logging road and then half a mile more on a trail through the woods. There were tons of butterflies and wildflowers along the way. Not to mention - there were two bears! One we saw from the car and the other was on the trail on our way out. We made a lot of racket and scared it away. It was pretty exciting.

 

 

This was the east end of the Twin Lakes - a nice stop for lunch. After lunch, we explored a little ways along the south shore and found an awesome swimming beach with super soft sand and it wasn't even very chilly. 

 

 

 Afterwards, we went back to the cabin and spent the rest of the afternoon in the swimming hole on the Wenatchee River by our house. The kids (and Eben) had fun jumping off the big rock.

 

 On Sunday we left the cabin and drove up the dirt road through Mill Valley which goes through the back side of Stevens Pass. It was an amazing ride up - very bony. We wanted to get up to the ridge line and then hike a mile and a half out to Lake Susan Jane, but the road got too rough. We ended up parking at the big bend on the Outer Limits Run, then walked up and had lunch overlooking the valley where we are usually skiing.

 Finally, as it was Father's Day - we headed back home and spent the evening with my dad at the Civic Club. Take out Thai food completed a wonderful day and it was a great way to celebrate these two wonderful fathers.

JUNE - Boating, Prom, Edison's First Report

June is full of events both big and little. They've really pooped Reed out.

Edison gave his first report ever - the topic was Army Ants and he worked on his poster for several weeks after a trip to the library to check out books. He met every target on the requirement list and earned smiley faces in all categories.

It has been hot and dry here in Seattle - lawns are turning brown and it feels like mid-summer. Perfect weather for the boat, though, and it is so easy to just put right in at the Civic Club for an afternoon on Lake Washington.

Charlotte and Edison swam off the boat near St. Edwards State Park.

Charlotte's breaststroke kick is really great - swim lessons are paying off!

 

On Saturday, I attended a retirement party for three amazing colleagues: English teachers Andy Barker and Cate Archipley and librarian, Kate Pankiewicz. As a new teacher 10 years ago, they took me in and made me feel like family. They are so much a part of our school it will be hard to imagine Shorecrest without them. The party was lovely and it was great catching up with colleagues like Maija outside of work!

Saturday night was Senior Prom at the Woodland Park Zoo. It was a fun location and the weather was amazing. Also on the plus side - the seniors behaved themselves nicely and showed up looking absolutely beautiful.

Sunday we spent the day around the house and in the back yard. Reed is big enough for Edison's old helmet. I think he likes wearing it just to be like the big kids.

Nana took Charlotte out for a special birthday shopping trip and lunch. Charlotte was a very wise shopper who contemplated all options before selecting a: stuffed pterodon, Lego dog park set, Frozen fan, and Rescue Bots Blades doll.

 

Edison and Zach attended Anna's birthday party  at Richmond Beach park. It was hilarious how the boys stayed with boys and girls stayed with girls. But I've seen them all working together in the classroom, so I guess they must get over it when there is work to be done.

On Monday we hosted Heidi, Max and Maggie for dinner. The kids had a blast playing Hide and Seek. Edison and Charlotte both really look up to Heidi's kids, so it was cool to see them learning from Max and Maggie.