Busy Days

I know, I've been a real slacker with the blog lately. But summer days just seem to be so busy.

We had a hot streak last week that permanently scarred many Seattle-ites. It was 107 in Bothell!!!

We also said goodbye to Jules and Michelle, as they returned to NYC. It's always so hard to say goodbye knowing we only get to see them one week per year!

But it was a great visit!

Here are the little munchkins in the bath.

Jules is at the age of discovery. When he looks at things you can just see the wheels in his mind turning trying to figure out how everything works.

He was also famous for some very quotable quotes!

Such as: "Do I look suspicious?"

And my personal favorite: "I love you bigger than New Jersey"

Good Day Sunshine

We are having a wonderful visit with Michelle and Jules!

3 cheers for cousins!

mmmm, camping

This weekend was filled with summer fun . . . sans Ellie.

One of the best parts of living in Seattle is fact that the wilderness is so close. It only took 1.5 hours to get to this beautiful campsite on the Mountain Loop Highway.

This group of friends is so much fun. And the icing on the cake . . .

The men do the cooking! Yep, on Saturday night they made steak, corn and baked beans for dinner. Then the girls were treated to a delicious breakfast on Sunday morning . . . an egg and sausage scramble with fried potatoes and bacon . . . mmmm.

Can you believe it?? The guys did ALL the cooking??

They ROCK!

Note the VW Westfalia in the backgroud (I know it hard to look past the 2 gorgeous women) but that camper is Drew's new focus. And since he's pretty good at convincing me about such things, I'm sure he will get his wish eventually.

My sister and nephew are coming to visit tomorrow!!!! So many cute pics of Ellie and Jules will be posted soon.

Ellie-speak

Ellie's words are coming in a gush lately. She seems to be adding at least one new word a day!!

Here is a sample

Snapshots

The camera mystery is solved . . . it was in the diaper bag ;) Oops

So here are a few pics from the last few weeks

Drew captured this pensive look as we waited for the ferry in Vancouver last week.

Great shot Drewby!!

I love taking Ellie to Campbell River. Even though I never lived there . . . it is my childhood place. My cousins and I used to play for hours on these beaches and run in the sprinkler in Auntie M and Nani's backyard. It's so sweet to see Ellie enjoying these same spaces.

I am always amazed when we have good weather while on vacation in the Northwest. I remember many summers where we sat staring longingly across the street to the beach, while the rain poured. I even remember one Easter in Campbell River when it SNOWED!!

We took advantage of the hot sun by having a family wiener roast on the beach.

Here is my cousin, Justin, taking Ellie for a cool dip in the ocean.

More cousin love. Shauna had never even met Ellie!

Today, we headed to Seattle and played at Madrona Beach on Lake Washington. Drew put Ellie in her floating toy from last year and she loved it.

I wouldn't even put my toe in the water because there is too much milfoil (plant life) in Lake WA but Ellie, just like Drew, couldn't get enough.

What a wonderful summer we are having!!

Well, except for the frequent tantrums from our near 2 year old! More on that this week.

Uh-Oh

My camera is MIA and I'm pretty sure I forgot it in Canada.

Last weekend, we headed up to Campbell River for our yearly summer visit. We lucked out with the weather and got to spend every day at the beach!

Here are a few pics from a few weeks ago. Ellie absolutely LOVES corn on the cob.

The b.i.g question . . . is she an 'around the cob' eater or does she embrace the 'typewriter' style like her mama?

hmmmmm . . .

And the answer is :

Wherever her mouth happens to hit the cob.

We'll call it the 'random nibble' technique

Friends

Ellie is seeming to really enjoy being with her friends lately. Can't wait till preschool starts again in the fall.

At their last playdate, Ellie and Rowan seemed to really notice eachother. They share everything . . . including snacks, drinks and . . .

kisses! Could they be any cuter?