Day trip to Mt St Helens

We met John & Stephanie's fam at Mt. St. Helens for the day! Too bad there are like five visitor centers, leading us on a teeny goose chase to find eachother. At least we live in the era of cell phones, otherwise we would have been out of luck. We explored the Johnston Ridge Observatory, did a tiny baby hike, and then enjoyed lunch together at the local diner. I give them props, they win the award for most miles driven in a day, and youngest child toted along! It was fun to see a national monument, my first time there :)

Cousins!

Trying on the antlers

Watching the Mt St Helens movie

The big ones

Helens selfie!

The little ones

Fourth of July 2016

Happy Birthday 'Merica! Another gathering at Camano Island, this time with a bit less sunny weather, a bit more adventuring (i.e. tenting in the backyard), a bit less boating (my poor Dad! the boat flipped its wig and got stuck going crazy in reverse out  in the water, flooding it almost completely before getting it back to shore - good things the kids were still on the dock), but many of the same awesome traditions kept alive: wagon rides down the hill, baseball in the yard, a hike for the brothers-in-law, 4th of July parade, millions of fireworks thanks to  Pyro Dad/Uncle Kyle, yummy food, beach exploration, gardening, and lots and lots of selfies.

The one sunny day - gorgeous!!

Auntie time

Allllll the ear protection

Nana's garden

Grandpa's campfire

Regular occurrence (I like a challenge)

This one doesn't make me try so hard!

See!

Don't break Grandpa's boat!!
(regular hollers from the two mothers)

Miss America herself

Playing baseball

Matching faces (his new fave expression: shock and awe)

My family

Coffee break ;)

The fully furnished room at the summit!

Brosquitos in Law