Stinkin Hot!

Kate: Mom, why are my armpits sweaty? Mom: It's stinkin hot.
No, she hasn't hit puberty yet. But our thermometer (in Kent) hit 105 degrees today! It's an all-time record high for the Seattle area. The hard part is that our house is 92 degrees (the highest I ever remember is 86). Luckily I've been working this week, so I've had AC much of the day. Paige has had a hard time sleeping.
As for now, we're hitting the gym, we'll actually be cooler there than at home!?
Why do people think Seattlites don't need AC???

Camp

It was a week of Boy Scout Day Camp, with an overnighter Friday night for Tyson. He came home with some great projects: a gumball machine (a popular one with the siblings- luckily I haven't found one in Paige's mouth yet), a leather wallet, and a wooden stepstool (something I've wanted for the kid's bathroom for years.
And Bradley and Kate went to Bible Camp at the local Methodist church. They had a great time making projects, singing, and playing games. It closed with a nice performance (a little more rock and roll than they are used to, but cute), and picnic lunch.
And as for Mom, I went shopping! I mostly just looked, but it was great to get out of the house a few times.
(Any one with photos of my children during these events, feel free to email them!)
Now we're off on vacation!!!

Festive Fourth

We began the day with the Stillwater Greens Annual Bike Parade. It was a beautiful morning (the warmest 4th of July in 37 years according to the weatherman).

Kate was the cutest girl on the block (according to me), with her festive costume. Thanks grandma, how perfect.

Paige was the luckiest girl on the block, getting to try a popsicle (for breakfast no less) at only 9 monthes old. She had been up for a few hours in the night with a few more teeth breaking through (she's up to 7 now), so I thought it might feel good on her gums. After she got of the shock of eating something cold, I couldn't get it away from her.

So much for a group shot. The kids were too busy enjoying their bikes, friends, treats and sparklers to pause long for a photo.

This is most of the 'basketball crew' of the neighborhood. They are out playing some kind of ball everyday (except Sunday) for as long as they can get away with.

After some yard work, we headed to a BBQ with friends. Then we took a family bike ride to the lake to check out the scene. It was a few miles each direction. The boys did great riding safely while the girls both took a nap. We listened to a few tunes and then headed back for the firework shows.
The kids love the cul-dec-sac 'hands on' fireworks. It was amazing display this year.
And fun to hang out with friends.

But I love the show over the lake from a distance. I just wish I could hear the music....I can't believe Paige could fall asleep with all of the 'bombs bursting in air'. It was certainly a fun-filled day.

Rides and Slides

Wednesday we hit Wild Waves for a full day of fun. We couldn't beat the $10.69/person discount through the local radio station (thanks to commuting for hearing about the deals!). We recuited a bunch of friends and had a great day. We even found free parking and brought our own food. We were there before it opened and stayed until closing.Kate loved all the rides. She's a girl after my own heart. She went on all the rides she could, and wanted to go on the rest, except the Wild Thing, of which she didn't want to go on because she said she would 'puke'.

Kate loved the kiddie waterslides.

Paige was a trooper, she just hung out all day with a brief swim in the wave pool.

The moms had to trade off watching the babies, while the others went sliding.

The boys loved the kiddie coaster, and everything else they could ride. I hardly saw Tyson all day, he was just nonstop.

Rick got some 'eye candy' outside of the candy shop after being asked to take a photo of some girls.

Summer Picks

For FHE this week we went cherry picking.

The kids loved doing it and we got to enjoy the fruits of our labors all week.

Summer in Seattle

The kids thought this was a pretty sweet Seattle summer sight. You just can't get away from the slugs around here.

A more classic summer photo. Kate and her favorite food, at the school carnival.

Hood Canal Haven

Rick spent four days canoeing almost 50 miles on the Hood Canal with the scouts. He did some warming up for the trip on Lake Meridian. Bradley and Tyler got to go for a ride.

His favorite parts were watching the groups of seals they paddled through and the bald eagles. He said the scenery was beautiful. He also enjoyed watching one of the scouts eat a live fish, and the adventure of camping on a small island that shrunk as the evening went on, and the tide came in (an unplanned destination).

The parts he didn't enjoy were not getting to canoe the first day due to high winds/waves, overeating, cut up feet from oyster shells, and a sunburt lip.

What a great trip, I'm jealous. I told him that if the women went, we'd spent less time eating and more time enjoying all of the little shops in the small towns along the way.