When we went out on boating early in the season we couldn’t help but notice all the lily pads boaters had with them this year. They looked like an awful lot of fun, not to mention a great way to add some square footage to our little boat. We kept a look out for one and it paid off. We got the last one in stock at the Issaquah Costco (which also happened to be a much better deal than buying elsewhere). When I called and found out they had one left I raced to the store. I felt like I’d won big when I rolled it out of the warehouse. That afternoon we packed up the kids and took them to Lake Sammamish to try it out. We all agree it was a great find, and just as fun as it looked!

Frankie’s pizza for dinner

“Let’s roll this sucker out!”

Avery signed up for a rowing camp on Lake Sammamish this summer. Naturally, Jonathan and I decided to make a day of it and go paddle boarding during the camp. It was a fun way to kill a few hours, plus we got a close up view of the kids on the water. I think Avery had a fun introduction, and who knows, maybe he’ll consider crew in college?

Jonathan showing Avery how it’s done on the erg

Time for us to wait for the rowers

Here they come!

Dad, watching Avery’s form

We celebrated Father’s Day this year on Lake Washington. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time relaxing in the sunshine together.

Lots of boats out for Father’s Day

Aaaahhhh! A lake monster!

Opening cards back at the house

There were some funny things written by the kids in this little book

Here are a few more pics from Layla’s spring season of soccer. She had a great a great time, scored lots of goals and had fun with her friends. We were very proud of what a team player she was.

With Maggie

Our baby girl turned five this summer. After so long as parents it’s hard to believe we are finally through all those dizzying years of car seats, booster seats, step stools and preschool. Diapers are already a distant memory and in a couple of months Layla will start kindergarten and learn to read. This birthday felt big indeed.

At five, Layla is sweet, fierce and tenacious. She’s a girly-girl with a spunky, goofy side – which I suppose is what we expected given she’s got three big brothers to keep up with. Layla loves animals, dolls, Barbies, horses and unicorns, dressing up, dancing, singing, drawing, playing school, swimming, playing outside and her family. She wants to be a gymnastics teacher or a school bus driver when she grows up and we are sure she will do anything she puts her mind to. We love you, Layla Blythe. Happy 5th Birthday!

What five-year-old girl doesn’t want a Frozen themed party these days? We had a royal celebration at our house, complete with a visit from Elsa herself. The girls were entranced!

Elsa!

Storytime

Face painting

With Clare, aka Cinderella

Maggie Rose, aka Moana

Harper, aka Cinderella

Clare, Georgia, Brittan, Layla, Elsa, Maggie, Harper and Maggie Rose

The moms – Laura, Lindsey, Elsa, Caroline, Megan & Jeunai

Last bedtime as a four-year-old

Birthday Princess

A babydoll from Nana

Birthday photo shoot

Opening presents with her brothers after school

I got this angel on my 5th birthday and passed it on to Layla

Kisses for everyone

More party pics

We still had the helmets from when the boys were little. We sort of recreated the pic of them holding Layla as a baby in their helmets.

Pinata time

Grammy brought some of her old dolly things for Layla

Unfortunately, the Seattle American Girl store was a Covid casualty, one I didn’t find out about until I was looking to take her to the store to make her own doll. It closed the March before her birthday! So we did the next best thing and designed one online, but at that point it wouldn’t arrive until after her birthday. Angelina, arrived a week late, but better late than never. Layla was so excited to open the box up and see her!

They have the same skin, hair, and eyes, and Layla chose her outfit and accessories.

Another sleeping babe pic