Jonathan and I celebrated fifteen years of marriage this summer. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long already. We went to The Oyster Bar for dinner.
We had a beautiful view. The smoke is kind of like a natural filter.
Earlier in the day we went downtown to Waypoint Park
Holding up the acid ball with my little lady
Some pics to commemorate the day
Without sunglasses
My brother and his family came to visit at the beginning of August. We had beautiful weather, no smoke, and played on the water as much as we could!
It’s in her blood. Nicole, a natural at the helm.
The honeymoon is over for Layla and she’s tired of sailing!
We ran out of gas right after we took the sails down. We were so close to shore though, it didn’t make sense to put them back up. Out came the paddle!
Kayaking duo, Manivanh & Nicole
Jonathan took the Avery’s for a tour of the lake on the little aluminum boat
We picked up another sailboat that weekend, a cute little Sabot for the boys to putter around in.
Dinner at Bellingham’s newest brewery, Twin Sisters
Another day on the Sabot. I love these pics of the kids!
Just me, my boy, and a boat
This pic just makes me laugh! Layla looks so fierce!
“There is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” – Kenneth Grahame, The Wind and the Willows
The adults
Before heading out for sailing camp
Here is the rest of what we were up to in July:
On the North Lake Whatcom Trail with Kayden & Eli
Sleepy selfie with my little girl
Ice cream on the deck
Jonathan and his team did an axe throwing team building activity while he was in Salt Lake City. He came in an impressive 2nd.
Layla tired out on a walk, so Bjorn gave her a lift
And so did I
Dr. King
They came home with their faces painted at the end of camp
At Boundary
At the Silver Beach playground
I did a little painting project in the basement
When the lake is too far… cooling off on the deck
Dance party
Layla is fearless on the playgrounds. Ladders and two-story slides don’t intimidate this girl a bit.
At Waypoint Park
Layla loves Maui & Whidbey
Showing Grammy his ants
Found these two in the workshop one afternoon. Glad they’re being safe!
At the Pride parade.
Silas checking out the old RV at Nana’s barn before both were sold
Nana took Silas to OMSI. Here’s one of the robots they saw.
Back to Waypoint Park
Microwave s’mores
Avery, the smoothie chef
Layla checking out Avery’s ants
Root beers with Henry (they thought it was so funny to turn the bottles around).
Fishing
More fishing
This girl loves corn on the cob!
Relaxin’
When she plays Duplo, she’s all about the animals!
She can go in the field now!
Smiley girl
At one of our favorite parks in Snoqualmie
Our family was split up this Fourth of July. Avery and Layla were at home with us, Silas was in Neskowin with Nana, and Kieron was in Eastern Washington with Grammy, Papa, and the Avery’s of Pullman.
Avery loved the bottled root beer!
We hung out at the house early in the day
Then went to the beach
Doing fireworks and bottle rockets at the beach
The watermelon monster
Layla got sleepy, so I took her home shortly after this. Avery and Jonathan stayed up doing fireworks with the neighbors.
Here’s Silas at the Oregon coast with Nana
And here’s Kieron & Andrew in downtown Pullman
Here’s what we were up to in between end-of-the-school-year activities, birthday celebrations, and camping trips. Grammy and Papa came for a visit and brought their brand new kittens, Maui & Whidbey, with them.
Papa was opening a bottle of wine when Avery sprang up and said, “Papa, can I open that? I’ve never used the cork screw on my pocket knife before!” Papa was happy to oblige.
Voila!
Kitten hunting (their heads are to the left of Layla).
“Can I carry that?!”
Our butterflies hatched! Time to release them!
Picnic at the beach 
Avery taking Layla for a paddle
That’s Layla throwing a fit on the way back up the hill. In case you’re wondering, I ended up carrying her.
Avery became very interested in ants toward the end of the school year, and decided he wanted to start his own colony. We told him he could, he’d just need to figure out what he needed and purchase supplies. Here is his supply list:
And here he is constructing the habitat with his brothers
It’s ready for The Queen to move in!
One weekend day Jonathan and I divided and conquered, so I took Silas & Kieron to the Sehome Arboretum for a little hike
Then we walked around the Western campus for a while
These two had a great time, and I think they really bonded on this little adventure
We’ve been working on potty training
Playing with Matchbox cars
Mother/daughter selfie
It’s warming up, so we are taking the aluminum boat out more.
On this particular day the boys were excited to find a dead fish.
Some sailing…
Yoga with my girl
Jonathan and Avery, out for a paddle together
Checking out the new Waypoint Park
Look who woke up from her nap while we were working in the yard!
Jonathan and me, out at the Silver Beach Elementary auction
Caroline and the kids came for a visit over Layla’s birthday. Here are the littles at lunch the following day.
Kieron and Silas, playing with Layla’s makeup kit.
Silas reading to Layla
Practicing riding her new bike!
She wasn’t too happy when Avery demonstrated.
