4th of July Camping part 1

We went camping for the 4th of July weekend. This was our first time camping on a major holiday. A group of our friends went last year and we decided to go along this year! There were 7 families total. 14 adults and 21 kids! We stayed for 3 nights (also a first for us with the kiddos!) at a KOA in Long Beach, WA. It took us about 3 hours to drive there. We put the Yukon DVD player to good use. :) It was pretty warm that weekend which made it hard to take naps and we all stuck to the shade a lot. There was plenty of sightseeing to do! Our family kept pretty busy. 

We drove up on Thursday evening. Friday morning we went hiking at Cape Disappointment State Park. We hiked a little over a mile to a lighthouse. This was one that you couldn't go in but still fun to look around! It was fun to watch the boats and ships coming in to the Columbia River Bar. The kids thought it was fun to learn a little bit about the water and that we could see Oregon from where we were! Then we had to hike the 1.2 miles back to the car. The kids (and I!) were really tired!! Dia was even brave enough to pee in a bush because there were no bathrooms around! True camper right there!

Giant tree roots!

The coast guard has a station right by where we were and the lighthouse once had old canons next to it from wartime. We weren't sure what this structure's purpose was at one point, we were guessing to store weapons? Canons? 

Opal must have really like camping because I don't think we've even gotten so many pictures of her smiling!

There was a coast guard guy inside this building watching all of the boats coming and going through what he said they called "Big Eyes". It was a huge telescope. We learned what a bar was and that they can be dangerous! His job was to make sure all the boats made it safely and called it in if there was trouble.

June Wrap up

Last post for June! Geez, we have a lot of pictures!

The waterfall (Victor Falls) by our house is really pretty. Not sure that I will ever be brave enough to walk to the bottom and get in the water but it sure is pretty from the top!

Johnny is doing really well reading and is even trying to spell and write things on his own!

Daniel had the opportunity to go to the U.S. Open and walk the course the day before it actually started. Rough day of work.

He loves to climb! Whenever we find parks with rock walls he climbs all the way to the top and back down again several times!

Addie's primary wanted pictures of all the children with their families in front of the Temple. We were busy the Saturday that they went as primary group so we took our own trip up! As you can see from the pictures it was bright! We went on a Monday night (the Temple is closed on Mondays but you can still walk around the grounds). We packed a picnic dinner to eat after we walked around. We were unsure of whether or not we were allowed to eat it there on the grounds. We noticed another family just sitting down with their food so we decided to try it. About 5 minutes later (right after Opal threw up all over me!) the security guard came over and said we were not supposed to eat there! He was so nice though and said we could stay as long as we didn't tell anyone that he let us eat on the Temple grounds. 

Opal has been our worst teether. She gets really cranky, slobbery and she throws up! It's so weird because she will throw up then carry on with what she was doing. She isn't feverish or sick. So sad. And gross.

I hate snakes. I am terrified of them. Even the little ones. The kids came running inside one day saying they saw a snake over by where they play on the side of the house. I asked them if they were sure it was a snake. I was thinking it has to be something else, we can't have snakes right here! Sure enough, there was a small/mediumish black and yellow snake on our side of the fence! Yikes! So gross. I haven't seen it since, I hope it found somewhere else to hang out!

Addie hates to wash/comb/blow dry/brush her hair. She has been dying to cut it for a few months. She was waiting until after ballet was over and we didn't have to put it in a bun anymore. I decided to just take Johnny in for a trim too since we couldn't seem to find the time to do it at home!

Her before and after! She loves it short! Just like her mom. :)

So handsome with his faux hawk. He even had me buy him his own styling gel so he could do it himself. 

Mud Mountain Dam

This summer we've been trying to get out more and explore more of Washington. Some people told us about Mud Mountain Dam and we were up for a hike so we packed some lunches and headed off! The kids did really well even though it was hot! The total distance we walked was only about 1 mile but it was steep and a bit of a climb! It's always fun to read the signs and find the history behind these places. So many historical places right in our back yard!

There is a park not far from the parking lot where we ate our lunch and played on the play structure. I made Daniel push the kids in the sun while I took pictures from the shade of a tree. I love how my kids take up all of the swings! :)

Visit with family wrap up!

The time my family was here went by so fast! We kept busy with 5 little kids! We visited the waterfall by our house, went out to eat and of course went to Ikea!! Here are the rest of the pictures!

We did our annual pedicures for her birthday!! My sister left the baby with my mom and the 3 of us went!

This was the picture the professional photographer took.

One day we drove to the Ballard Locks and walked around. At first the kids were super antsy because the boats weren't moving and they thought nothing was happening. After a little while we saw the water rise and fall and we got to watch a lot of different boats go through! Afterwards we were all starving so we went to the little restaurant right next door. The service was Awful!! It took forever and we ended up getting home way later than we planned!

Saturday morning we went to a Junk in the Trunk sale. It was really hot and everyone was melting! We did find some fun things to buy. I even found some things by husband would not let me buy. ;) By lunchtime all the kids (and Daniel) were ready to go and needed to cool off!

Last picture before I dropped Melanie and Garrisyn at the airport!

My mom stayed for a few extra days after my sister left. We took a trip to Northwest Trek to see the animals! It is a bit expensive to get in but I feel like it is worth it because you actually get to see animals! Sometimes at the zoo you can't find them or they are always sleeping. At Northwest Trek we always get to see plenty of awake, lively animals!

Trying to keep Opal entertained and seated on my lap on the tram ride! Lots and lots of snacks!

Our last stop before heading to the airport was lunch at Rainforest Cafe! I was a little worried that the kids would be scared of the animals and all of the sounds but they actually really liked it. They have been asking if we can go again! Daniel was able to meet us there for a quick lunch before he had to head back to work!

Dia is still talking about Aunt Melanie and Garrisyn visiting! She is always asking if we took them to the airport and saying things like, "Mom, remember when Aunt Melanie and Grandma were here and we...". Then she says some random memory from the 2 weeks. We love having visitors and it is always quiet when they leave!

Father's Day

Father's Day was pretty low key, like usual. My sister and niece left Saturday night so Sunday we were able to celebrate with my mom here. Since no one was in preschool or public school this year, there were no hand made papers or frames. I don't know if Daniel was happy for that or not. We did pick up some cool belt buckles at the Junk in your Trunk sale the day before. :)

Oreos are his favorite!

Mini cheesecakes for dessert!!

Happy Father's Day!!