Lake Cushman

We spent the weekend camping on a beautiful lake in the Olympic Mountains. We went with the usual crowd and had a blast!

Dirty kids having fun.

Lucas and Joshua

Megan and Maddy

Frances and Dylan in the boat with Madison swimming to catch them.

Amy and Michele

Dad's and kids

Mommy and Baby

Little tree climber

Sammi and Lucas

Going for a paddle on the kayak

What a great way to round out the month - such a relaxing weekend on the lake. I can't believe July is just about over! It's been a very busy month. My parents came up for a week, Randy and I had our 10 year anniversary, and I'm going to start my own business as a Pampered Chef Consultant! I guess August will be just as busy! Lets hope!

4th of July Weekend

We spent the holiday in Seattle, at the 30th Annual Naturalization Ceremony, where our friend Susan became a United States Citizen. It was a beautiful day and the Ceremony was very educational. We took the ferry over and then the Monorail to the Seattle Center where the ceremony was held. Afterward, we took the kids to the Seattle Aquarium, then back on the ferry home. The kids were beat by the end of the day - plus, Lucas had just spent a full week at day camp, so he started his day off tired. Therefore, fireworks were done on the 5th (and a few on the 3rd).

Baby and a sparkler

 

Lucas was hanging out with Joshua, so he was no where to be found.

Susan is the one in the middle wearing light pink.

A Native American Story Teller

We were there for a good three hours - the kids did really well - Frances entertaining herself by running in circles.

Sammi, Lucas, and Josh watching from above

 

Frances at the aquarium

 

Watching the fish

Back at the house - our two baby bunnies - and Frances

Happy 5th of July!

The rest of the long weekend was spent at a birthday party and hanging out at horseshoe lake while Randy stayed home and refinished the deck - it looks beautiful! Now we're ready for a party!

La Wis Wis

We spent the weekend at La Wis Wis Campground, located in the lovely Gifford Pinchot National Forest, right next door to Mount Rainier National Park. It was an absolutely beautiful place, and unfortunately, it rained all weekend, but we still managed to have a great time.  

All the kids as we started our walk down to the Blue Hole.

The Miller's, minus Doug

The Diener's

The Heitzmann's

The Burbank's

Climbing the big drift log

Beautiful Maddy - the only one willing to pose for a picture.

Looking toward the "Blue Hole"

Favorite past time - filling pockets with rocks and throwing them in the river.

building rock cairns

looking back toward the campground

The "Blue Hole"

Some sort of Goldfinch - only with a red head!

Ours and the Heitzmann's camp site

The Miller's and Diener's site - where we spent campfire time - Randy and Scott MacGyvered the tarp over the fire.

Maddy and Frances

Us

Lucas and Dylan having fun in the giant rain puddle

The hike up to Purcell Falls

Not much of a falls, but still beautiful.

We need to come back to this place again sometime when it's not raining. There was so much to do, and so many places to explore - However, it was a great time, as usual, hanging with our friends.

California

The kids and I spent this last week in sunny California. We flew down to help my parents with their classroom liquidation sale - the big event that finally put my mom's preschool to rest. Most everything is officially gone! Time to move into full retirement! Way to go Mom and Dad!

Ready to go!

Spending time in the pool

Yes, I'm having fun

We worked hard for 4 days getting everything ready - This was day 2. The sale was a great success!

Sunday, after the yard sale, we had a big family reunion at my cousins house in Sacramento. Lots of family and lots of fun. Frances really took off in the pool learning how to swim with her water wings!

Playing in the pool

splashing around

She also loved the little pool :)



Cousins

Last day in Merced - hanging out by the pool having dinner.

Heading home - we sure missed Daddy!

It was a great week of purging stuff, swimming, and hanging with family. Can't wait to see what the "Classroom" eventually turns into!