Obligatory front porch Back to School pics, in order of departure…
Avery and Jacob heading out on Section J of the PCT, 75 miles from Snoqualmie Pass to Stevens Pass. The moms tried not to worry too much. 
They finished in three days!
Layla lucked out and got the best teacher, Mr. Harper!
Kieron, Silas & Layla participated in another season of summer swim. Unfortunately, Kieron fractured his arm right before competition started and then we had our Europe trip, so his season was pretty short, but once we returned he got a few meets in. Layla and Silas made a lot of progress this season. It was fun watching all of them grow and improve.
Look at her butterfly form!
Kieron’s relay team, Matthew, Owen & Josh
Jonathan in the parents relay
It’s fine to be nine! Hard to believe it’s Layla’s last year in the single digits. At nine, she is sweet, thoughtful, precocious, upbeat and will try just about anything. She has a great sense of humor, is very observant, a hard worker and lots of fun to be around.
For Layla’s ninth birthday she requested a nautical themed party. I was more than happy to oblige and had so much fun putting the day together and celebrating with her friends. We lucked out and got gorgeous sunny weather! Happy birthday, Layla. We love you!
The sailboat regatta game was a hit! 
With Millie & Liv
Taking Krispy Kreme in for her class
Last night as an eight-year-old
Crepes for breakfast
Birthday dinner – sushi!
Our friends, the Smiths, visited from Singapore. Layla was so excited they could be with us on her birthday. We only missed Bjorn, who was away at college in the Netherlands.
Layla and Elina
We started off November with a number of fun events. First up was the Annual Wine Gala at The Club. We went with our friends, Darcey & Jody.
With Raechel, Darcey & Kat
Look who we ran into!
The very next night we went to the Young Life Banquet, again with Darcey & Jody, and again, Avery was working at the event!
The next week Darcey and I went to see Wicked at the Paramount.
Our construction is coming along
New load-bearing beam is installed!
Layla was in a production of The Nutcracker at the end of the month. She was in the Tarantella routine and she shined on stage!
Here’s what our family was up to in August. A walk on the North Lake Whatcom Trail.
The waterfall dried up, so we were able to climb up it. The boys loved it!
Playing chess downtown
This cradle once belonged to my childhood best friend, Aron, who passed away a few years ago. She was a few years older than me, so when she outgrew it, her mom passed it on to me. It’s been refurbished since then, but still always reminds me of her. I love seeing Layla play with it.
Layla playing Legos. Her brothers built her this home for her Lego animals. It’s so cute to see how she plays with the Legos differently. She definitely cares more about the people and animals than she does about he engineering!
Kennedy, Kambell, & Layla
Layla and Silas, watching Avery at sailing camp.
Layla & Clare, a tea party
Silas & Ethan, with trucks
Sprinkler fun!
Movie night at Caroline & Chad’s — The Greatest Showman
Walking to Swenson Park with the Maresca boys.
Ben & Layla
Silas was invited to a birthday party for a girl in his class
End of summer BBQ with the neighbors
Worst snow cone machine ever
At the pet shop
Target run
Our friends, Laura & Georgia, visited from Snoqualmie
I discovered a lizard on our living room floor. He ran under the couch…
…never to be seen again!
Floating the Bismarck
Feisty girl playing dress-up
Zonked out
The boys playing Dungeons & Dragons
