I say Summer
Daze because our summer has almost been that - a daze. We've had no defining moments, vacations, or even weather. It's just been a really nice relaxing summer. The rain has mostly stayed away, Andy and I got away for a couple of overnighters, and our big backyard continues to fulfill it's purpose of keeping the girls well entertained.
And now we're getting ready to head back to school. Ailey starts 2nd grade next Wednesday and Marin and Silje go back to preschool the following week. Surprisingly, I'm not one of those moms who is desperate for summer to be over. Perhaps I can thank the "daze" for that, that summer didn't tire us all out but actually let us sit back and enjoy life for a couple months.
So now ... I'm going to inundate you with pictures of our lazy summer. The only kind of order they are in is chronological. Be ready. (And remember, I DID spare you hundreds of photos!)
The girls and I took to a hiking trail in Mukilteo one day...
They all got a camera and put them to good use. (I've spared you those images, but really they were all quite good.) Here they are photographing the greenery.
And here eachother.
Silje can never quite get away from her Collecting. She really IS quite good at picking out some interesting things.
We checked out this banana slug on the way in and on the way out. The girls were so surprised with how far he had actually moved!
Resting by the library after our hike.
At the zoo, and the hippos were actually on their feet! We couldn't remember ever seeing them anywhere other than in the water or rolled out on the dirt. Those legs were definitely worth a picture.
We walked on the ferry one day with friends and went over to the beach. It was a warm day and nice to get in the water! (Silje went in a little too far at one point - she just can't seem to keep her feet under her even when she's running toward the ocean - but we dried her shirt out on a log before heading home.)
On the way back, with Corban and Caeley.
Ailey took a couple of horseback riding lessons. She loved every part of it!
Ailey also got to go to Girl Scout day camp. She LOVED IT from day one and is still asking to go back next summer.
We went to see the new Pixar movie "Brave" with cousin Luke. We snuck in their ice cream dessert and they all loved the movie. (Me too. And it was kind of refreshing to see a Disney Princess
not fall in love with the Prince in the end. :))
We had a camp-out evening one night, with bonfire and s'mores. And the tent went up for Ailey to sleep in for a few warm nights. Andy and I each took turns staying out there with her. Ailey loved it. I was strongly reminded of why I don't like sleeping on the ground.
Mmm ... s'mores.
Silje with her handful of marshmallow.
The girls had a sleepover at Gma Linda and Gpa Mark's while cousins Luke and Sam were staying there too. It's a good thing the house and yard are both big, because that had to have been a crazy household!
The girls made their own bonfire out of sticks one day and enjoyed lunch in front of it. Very creative, I thought.
We went to the zoo one day with my sister's family and my parents. I stayed home sick (darn cough is still holding on) but I understand they had a great time!
Friend Heidi and her husband and daughter came for dinner one night. Kjirsten is absolutely adorable - and it was kind of nice to see how far from age 2 we are now!
We went to pick blueberries one day. The girls did great and didn't even eat them all. The berries are still in our freezer waiting for an opportunity to make a crisp!
Little Amy ... oh, who am I kidding. 21-year-old Amy came for dinner while she was visiting from Oregon. It was fun to see how the girls still treated her like it
hasn't been almost two years since seeing her!
My friends Debbie, Jen and I became Holly's Cheerleaders for a couple of months. Holly is the 3 1/2 year old daughter of some friends - she was born with a severe form of skeletal dysplasia, was not supposed to survive her birth, and continues to educate doctors and her community on just what the will to survive can look like. We raised enough money to sponsor two holes at the 3rd annual Go Holly Golf tournament last weekend - collecting from people at her church, preschool and the elementary school where her older siblings go.
We were very proud. :) If you want to know more about Holly feel free to check out the website:
http://www.gohollygolf.com/
Andy and his golf "fivesome".
We took our last zoo trip of the summer a couple of days ago. It's always a fun one - since the girls know they get to go on the carousel, eat cotton candy, and buy a souvenir from the store on this day I never have to listen to those questions the rest of the year. :)
Now we're heading back into school, getting to the bus on time, homework, Girl Scouts ... and hopefully a little more summer weather. Happy End of Summer everyone!
