The last time we got to see Ryley on a regular basis he looked like this (seen here smashing ice):
Well he sure has grown up!
We were lucky enough to have him come visit and spend the night. We hardly ever get to see him because he (and the rest of his family of course) lived in Alaska and now Georgia. Plus when he did come to visit we lived in Texas so we didn’t get to see him. Well, we are home now and he his back visiting his dad for the summer. So we got to have him spend the night! The kids have been super excited about him coming all week, counting down the sleeps until he arrives. We haven’t seen him since…gosh…Ashley and Greg’s wedding in 2008. Because we have been having such warm, dry, sunny weather we headed down to Picnic Point, had a picnic and then played on the beach. Wesley was especially excited to see his big cousin.
The kids were really excited to see him (especially Wesley who loves hanging out with his older friends and cousins).
Here are some pictures from our beach trip, click them to enlarge. We waded in the Sound, rolled over logs and rocks (but didn’t find much because it was high tide), made a sand castle and generally had some goofy fun. The kids did not want to leave. When we got home they all had to have a shower to de-sand themselves from head-to-toe.
We really had a good time and I hope we get the chance to hang out with him again this Summer before he goes back to Georgia. It has been way too long! We have lots more pictures of Ryley on Flickr.
Tags: Beach, Jillian, picnic point, Ryley, Wesley
Is much colder than it is in Texas!!! It was in the 50′s for the whole day. We were lucky here in the Lynnwood/Edmonds area – no rain! Not everyone was so lucky.
Until 4pm – we did nothing. It was a nice and relaxing day.
Then we went out and did a couple of fireworks. Wesley and Jillian both shot off a gun, we did a couple of crackling balls and the tank.
Her gun really shot out the streamers.
Watching the tank.
It did not move...
Then we had several hours before we needed to leave to watch the big firework show in Edmonds. We did not bring our camera. But I did a search on Flickr and found George Bentley’s great photos from the show.
We did manage to get a family picture in before we left for the show. The kids thought it was cool that we were all wearing red shirts.
We got back from the fireworks show a little before 11pm. It was time to shoot off the fireworks that Aunt Dri picked out for the kids.
1st one.
Wesley and Jillian were so funny watching the fireworks. Their expressions are great!
They did a lot of running around in with excitement.
ground flower
They tried many different "views".
This is the last picture of Jillian happy.
Then she got cold and wanted to be done.
His excitement just grew with each firework!
Sparkler time.
All of the ones we shot off were very tame. None of them whisled or made very much noise. I guess the firework people knew what they were doing – Adrianne picked out a little backpack filled with fireworks for the kids – and they were very calm fireworks.
Then we had one last firework. It shot out the bottom and tipped over and started shooting at us. One hit Wesley in the leg and then a couple shot out at us. We all ran and got out of the way. Luckily Wesley was wearing pants. He was not hurt and is pants have a small singe on them. Wesley thought it was scary and cool at the same time. He kept saying how fast he was and got out of the way. It was pretty cute.
The one that caused all the problems.
Next year should be very fun. I can only imagine how excited Wesley will be next year. And maybe Jillian will try a sparkler too. This year she would not go near them.
Tags: 4th of July, Amber, Fireworks, Fourth of July, Holiday, Jillian, Joshua, Wesley
We spent our kid free day on Saturday hiking. We went to Boulder River Trail near Darrington, WA. We would have never attempted this 8.5 mile hike with the kiddos. It has been over a year since Joshua and I have hiked alone. It was so nice to get out on the beautiful northwest trails again.
Redmond was enjoying every single smell along the way!
About 1.25 miles up the trail is where the beautiful twin waterfalls are located.
The next 3.5 miles of the trail lead to a campground. Along the way we saw so many huge banana slugs, a few garter snakes, a mouse, a chipmunk and a few birds.
Wesley would have been in slug heaven!
Not only do you have amazing trees, plants and rocks to look at – since the trail follows the river you get to see it often, but you hear it almost the whole time you are hiking.
I am a slow hiker…I did not make it to the end. We had to get to Adrianne’s birthday party. So at the 2 hour mark, even though I knew I was almost at the end, I turned around. I took the backpack and the camera and started the hike back to the car. Joshua wanted to get the end (and I wanted him to also) so he and Redmond would run ahead for 10 minutes and hopefully the would get to the end. They did. They only had to run for 4 minutes. They got to the campsite area and then ran back to catch up with me. Our hike back went well. It always seems faster when you are going back.
No kids to take pictures of so...
I have to include these pictures of Redmond. Good thing he was on leash the whole time. He would find a smell and just want to GO to find it.
Well, after a deceptively titled blog post, we are excited to read about the arrival of Ian and Julie’s newest kiddo Bennett Nash Hunter. Callahan’s little brother “entered the world on Thursday, July 1 at 2:03 p.m. and is 8 lbs. 13 ounces & 21 inches of pure perfection.” More from their blog, here.
Congratulations to the entire family! I hope we’ll see you guys in July.