Happy 4th of July

We took our yearly trek to Camano Island to stay at the cabin with my family, for the 4th of July! A definite highlight was spending more time with our new baby nephew Jack (or Jax, as my sister is now sweet talking to him... we like our kids to have rhyming names). It was gorgeous weather, and we packed a lot of fun into a few days. The fireworks show was awesome as usual, and this was the first year we let the girls stay up as late as they wanted. They lasted until about 930 or 10pm, however I think the last hour was sustained by the sugar rush of unbridled and unmonitored s'mores consumption. More pictures & descriptions below. USA! USA! (for those of you around my kids enough to understand, yes all four of the older ones were chanting this regularly throughout the weekend)

We love our baby Jack, he is so cute and cuddly! There was constant bickering about who got to hold him next (myself being the loudest). Jess got some practice with my Ergo, it holds a swaddled newborn like an angel.

First smile capture on camera :)

 

Speaking of swaddling, here's a funny one of the girls (age 5 and 3) swaddled and "napping" together.

 Beach exploration resulted in many treasures.

I just can't handle myself, these little cousins are too cute in all their matching outfits (for which I am responsible).

 

Another new tradition: lemonade stand! The girls raised a whopping $9.08 selling cups of lemonade to their family & neighbors at the cabin. Marin was the best saleswoman I have ever seen. She would ask my mom "Nana, what's that neighbor's name sitting over there on her deck", followed by a loud and cheerful "Hellooooo Anna, we are over here selling juice, would you pleeeeeeease come and buy some?" Next was "Helloooooo there Sandy, we are having a lemonade stand, would you please come here and see?"... How people can resist this is beyond me. Madeline was the banker, carefully filing each coin and dollar away in the green jar. Go girls!



And last but not least, rides on the boat and crabbing! For the first time ever, we caught enough keepers to meet the limit. Maddie was laughing the entire boat ride saying "I'm not even scared! I can't believe it, this is fun and the boat is not even too loud!". Marin on the other hand - already trying (and succeeding) to drive the boat. Love my adventurous girls!