We headed over to Luther Burbank park on Mercer Island with our 4 kids and the Collins' 3 kids and Doug's dog. It was a great cook-out and sandcastle making tournament. Loving the summer sun!


Ryan would build them and Erika would stomp on them.


Marilynn loves Doug's dog Bailey - yes, I did say that she loves a dog. But, only this dog.


Taking a break from the waves.

My little bathing beauty!

Granny's House

We took the kids to my mom and dad's house this past weekend and they got a chance to see what it would be like to have 4 grandkids - ha! It was a great weekend of picking veggies and strawberries, going out in the boat, having a hot dog roast on the beach (no pictures of that unfortunately). Ken took the boys out camping on Friday and Saturday, and the girls got to take a boat ride out to the Lighthouse. Fun weekend. When it was all over, Ryan said "can I stay at Granny's house?"

Erika and her Granny hanging out by the pond. My mom is doing everything to stop her from jumping in.

Look - pea pods fresh from the garden!

Jake and Ryan loved hiking on the spit.

My parents took the girls and me on a boat ride out to the Lighthouse at the end of the Spit.

After touring the Lighthouse, we had a little picnic lunch right on the beach.

Me and my dad.

All of the kiddos splashing around in the "warm" tub.

Fourth of July

So, I'm a little late with this post (what else is new?), but here's some pictures from July 4th at Skye and Eric's house. Despite the typical Seattle rainy weather, it was a great party with tons of yummy food.



Skye's festival spread.

Erika and Selah swinging in the rain.

Marilynn and Ken waving for the camera.

Jake was quite the pusher!

No girl should have to wear rain boots on the 4th of July!

Jake and Ryan Take Over Seattle: Week 1

Both my mom and my mother-in-law have pointed out that I've been a lazy blogger lately. So, I'm getting back in the blogging action. And, I will have lots of interesting things to blog about this month since Ken and I have inherited two more kids for the month of July!

Jake and Ryan (our nephews) arrived from Texas last Sunday, and they've spent the week hiking, eating, slug hunting, eating, zoo going, swimming, and eating. Oh, and did I mention eating? It's been very cute watching the boys take care of their younger girl cousins. Erika insists that Ryan read her stories at night and Marilynn won't go anywhere without Jake. Adorable.

Here's some pictures from the past week:


Family picnic in the park!

Jake and Ryan just love to climb trees - there isn't a tree around that they won't attempt to climb.

Like peas and carrots!

Ryan reading Erika a bedtime story.

And, yes, they LOVE to pose for photographs - the exact opposite of Marilynn and Erika.

Snoqualmie Falls

Now I know where Erika gets her finger sucking habit from.