PEPS Camping Trip 2014!

We did it! We've been plotting a PEPS camping trip and this year we finally made it happen! We have so much fun with these guys, we are hoping that this is the first of a new annual tradition! This year we had 4 two year old and 2 one year olds...yikes!

Our first stop was at Grandma and Grandpa's. We enjoyed Grandpa's delicious breakfast, stocked up on firewood, and Lily even got to help Grandma with some gardening!

Then, with fixed up chairs and a carload of firewood, we hit the road for La Conner! We figured for our first PEPS group outing, we would take everyone to our favorite (familiar!) campground. Not too far from home in case we needed to bail...ha! We got to the campground just in time to set up before the rain started. It rained on and off all Friday. We had to cook at the family center, and huddle under one tree to enjoy an adult-only campfire. I was getting really nervous that it was going to rain the entire weekend! Also, this is right where Lily ate it on the gravel while running away from Jason, and sported a shiner for the rest of the weekend. Yikes!

High tide! Too high to even walk out to Lone Tree. Also, two big bald eagles perched right at the top!

A quick break in the rain allowed us for a quick trip to the beach on our first night.

 Luckily we woke up the next day to cloudy, but fairy dry, skies. We ate Campurritos, played in the meadow, took over the playground and the toys another family brought, napped, and after a burst of rain, the sun broke through just in time for a trip to the beach! The Shafers arrived (they made a day trip only) just in time to play and play and play.

Ring Around the Rosie!

A shot of all 4 two year olds!

 We decided the kids needed to at least experience a small campfire and s'mores! Mostly, the kids wouldn't get close enough to the fire to actually roast anything (too hot), and Lily had no interest in eating the s'more once it was cooked. Maybe next year!

 After the kids went to sleep, we actually got to enjoy a dry campfire with all of the (sleepover) adults! For at least a short time anyway.
The next morning: The night was a little rough while the kiddos took turns waking up and crying. By Sunday morning, we are ready for baths and our own beds. We had fun packing up and eating Karen's delicious banana pancakes.

Matching outfits! Lily loves her new Superman shirt.

E's adorable dance moves!

Can't wait until next year!

Picnic at the Locks

A few weekends ago we met our friend Sara and her baby at The Locks in Ballard. It was a gorgeous Seattle evening and we loved being outside. Lily loved watching the boats (though she did not like the alarm on the locks!), and we actually got to see fish in the viewing area!

 We had our picnic in this meadow...

 ...and I was super happy because Lily was climbing in the trees and playing in the wood! You go, girl! Get dirty!

Even the babies got to have a playdate! Only a few months between these guys.

 

Portland Adventures!

We had a great time in Portland this weekend! It was nice to get a break from the marathon of June at school and see tons of friends and family!

We hit the road after setting up First Grade Camp. Lily was a great traveler! She sang, read books, and played the whole way to Vancouver. We are hopeful for our road trips that we have planned this summer!

We pulled into Vancouver super late, and got to wake up the next morning to play with this guy and catch up with Elissa and Cole.

It was a slumber party! Marika was in town, too!

We headed out to check out the Strawberry Festival that Elissa found. The girls hopped right into this cow train...and it took off for a LONG ride with my baby!! Luckily her big cousin took good care of her.

Riding the cow train off into the sunset...

Good news...Lily finally road a pony! ("NOT pony, mommy. Horsie!" ~Lily). Last summer she refused, so we were super excited that she did it AND loved it!

This hay ride never actually went anywhere, but we still had fun (tractor problems!).

What a sweet family of three these guys are now!

Luckily we got wristbands for the girls to do unlimited activities, because they went down this giant slide about 98576987 times. Lily even climbed all the way up and slid all the way down by herself! She is such a daredevil baby!

The girls bounced and bounced in the bouncy house, and then we ate Strawberry Shortcake, bought Father's Day apple pie, said goodbye to our friends and headed for Grandma and Grandpa's for a nap. We loved having lots of time to spend with G&G and Aunt Mary. Since plan are being made to sell the big house, this might have been our last sleepover with tons of Brehms piled in the attic!

Of course, we had to have monkey cake for breakfast. At least we had plenty of monkeys!

Cooper was "helping" too.

We spent some time enjoying Grandpa's gardens.

Lily's moves.

We will all miss the squirrel and bird entertainment at the big window!

Finally, we got to go celebrate Elie's graduation from Oregon State at a super fun party. We even got to tour her new condo. Congrats Elie!!