Our Big Boy

This was a big day for our youngest boy, who is sure growing up fast. He graduated from his Sunday School Kindergarten class and will now join the big kids "on the other side" of Treasureland.

He also joined cub scouts and is part of the Tigers Den. We had a pack meeting with a pot luck, and here is Ethan having desert, his favorite part of the meal, maybe even favorite part of the whole meeting. Doesn't he look good in his uniform?

Family Outing

With Shawn being gone for a week on his trip and then working five 12 hr shifts, it was nice to have a nice relaxing day were we could enjoy each other while surrounded by beautiful views.

WELCOME BACK

It was a looong week! We missed Shawn very much as he went on a week long kayaking trip to Nootka Island, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. I think the hardest part was not even be able to talk to him, since he was out of cell phone reach. He had a good time with lots of adventures to tell. Be on the look out for some great pictures. For now we are just so glad to have you home, you make it complete again!

We Did the Fair

Going to the Fair has never been one of my favorites, so it's no surprise that my kids had only a faint memory, if one at all, of their Fair experience. Last time we went was 5 years ago, and that was only a brief visit. Since Shawn was away for a week on a kayaking trip; you would really have to work hard to convince him to go; I decided to take the kids for a day at the Fair. It was the perfect day as far as weather was concerned, overcast with a nice breeze, so at least we did not have a heat stroke incident like poor Isabelle. We admired all the Lego creations and some other collections, the swords were a real hit with the boys. We went on the Ferris wheel and all the other spiny, shaky rides. We shot the clowns and got a coll prize (that broke the next day). We admired all the animals, watched the agility dog test and of course, ate some good fair food.

We all got home exhausted and with many memories to last us for another 5 years. Mission accomplished!!>

Next Stop . . .

. . . the Olympics. Ethan just participated in his first swim meet. He swam the 25 free style event and he finished it without stopping or touching the bottom!! Quite an accomplishment for a little guy who started taking instructions just a month ago. Christian also got another swim meet under his belt with many first and second place finishes. We went home that day to watch the Olympics and cheer Michael Phelps as he got his first gold medal on the 400m IM! The boys watched it with a different perspective having just finished their swim.

Summer Days

The other day as we were enjoying a lazy afternoon at the pool, Nolan and his friend Ethan Fields ask us if they could go down to the little creek and do some fishing. Sure, but I thought to myself how much fishing could they do in ankle deep water with only some string and on rusty hook?? Of course I should have learned by know never to underestimate boys and their creativity and perseverance, they caught 5 different fish!! I could not think of a better way for a boy to spend a summer afternoon. Then again, watching a bunch of boys run around the woods with their sticks, builduing forts and trying to catch each other , is a close second as far as how summer days should be spent.

Now if you ask me, I would say that one of the best ways to spend a nice summer afternoon is going on a hike on the North Cascades. This is a glimpse of the trail to Tomyhoy Lake.

Close Encounters

Another highlight of our trip to the Olympic Peninsula was a visit to the Olympic Game Farm. We saw some wild animals at only an arm's length away, Shawn had to drive off the road to avoid a yak that was coming straight for our car . . .

Ethan got licked by an elk (fortunately the car window was between them) . . .

. . . and I was fast enough to close my window before I got kissed by a buffalo, yikes!!

TAKE A VOTE

While hiking on the Dungeness Spit among many pretty and unsual rocks, we decided to hold a contest for the most interesting rock. We all collected some neat rocks and picked our best one for the contest at dinner time. Cast your vote and we will find out if your pick was the same as our family's.

Let's call these rocks (clockwise from bottom left): yellow, triple decker, green, big white and little sandwich. We are waiting for your opinion.

We Conquered the Spit

The Dungeness Spit is a natural wonder! The main arm of the Spit is said to be the longest natural spit in the world, over 6 miles long. We set out to hike up to the lighthouse, at 5.5 miles. After an endless stretch of sand and an abundance of wildlife, we made it! Our boys are real troopers! I have to say that we told them there was a juicy burger waiting for them at Frugals Burger (recommended by our friend Conne), for those that made it without complaining. At about the last mile, Ethan asked me if he could tell me something, "my feet really, really, really hurt". I completely sympathized with him, and that only classified as an information, not a complaint, so of course, he savoured a nice burger at dinner.

No end in sight!!

This is a huge flock of Caspian terns that take refuge and nest on the Spit.

A Dungeness Crab on the Dungeness Spit, imagine that!

That little splash in the ocean is one of many seals that were playing in the water.

Still smiling at end of our hike, and guess what was the first thing they did when we got back to the campsite? Ride their bikes! Always some energy left.

What Rain Shadow?

We picked a new spot to camp last week. We have always wanted to return to the Olympic Peninsula and explore it some more. I happened upon a travel brochure and read about the Dungeness Recreation Area, located close to Sequim, WA. Sequim boast to be in the "rain shadow", which means considerably less rain than anywhere else in Western Washington (17 inches per year). Well, guess what? We got one of those inches! Here we are, having a fire and roasting s'mores under some rain, can you tell we adjusted well to life in the Pacific Northwest?Fortunately, it only lasted for the evening we arrived there and had sun the next few days.

Christian and Nolan putting their pocket knifes to good use by helping me prepare dinner

Ethan building his own fire. all three boys are mastering this skill quite well, thanks to their father.

Sail Away

Christian has been having fun and being challenged as well, as he learns how to sail. He is attending a summer camp put on by WWU down on Lakewood, which is just down the road, close enough for him to walk to. How great is that? I get a break form my chauffeur role.

At the end of his first week he took us all for a spin around. It was amazing to watch Christian as he explained the whole thing to his father and took charge of the little boat making it dance on the water. We all enjoyed it very much and hope to spend more afternoons sailing away!!

Walking on Clouds

We were still on firm ground, but we were definitely walking among the clouds. Ann, her son Christian, Nolan and I set off to hike Goat Mountain. It was a great hike, but for the first time on my "hiking career", we were not rewarded with majestic views, instead, we had the clouds right on our faces. Nolan, being the good sport that he is, did not get damped by this and is ready for the next hike. Still, we had a good time, good exercise and the most delicious lunch (even an ordinary sandwich tastes superb after a steady 2hr climb).

This was our view . . .

. . . this is what is behind those clouds, as seen by Shawn last summer.

With no mountains to photoghraph, I enjoyed the beauty in the smaller things, like these colorful flowers.

Fun on the Island

Going to Grandma and Grandpa's place is a must every summer. Playing croquet with grandpa has become a tradition, but we are not talking plain and simple croquet, this one has special rules, or rather, forget all the rules and let's make our own, like trying to hit your opponent's ball as far as possible! I always knew that the boys loved it, but seeing Ethan imitate his grandpa down to very last move and sounds, really sealed it, it is a big hit! Playing rumikub with Grandma is also becoming a tradition, and of course, unlimited scrambled eggs for b-fast and unlimited cookies for desert has always been received with much delight.

Our big find on the beach. It now sits adorning grandpas garden.

There were so many sand dollars we could not count them, let alone hold them.

Dipping fresh rhubarb from the garden in a bowl of sugar, what a great summer treat.

And to top of all of the fun times, the boys got to sleep outside under a full moon. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma for gifting the boys with some great memories.