A good day.

Today we woke up, picked up some running boards for our Land Cruiser in Seattle- for FREE :) Yay.
John got frustrated because we "got lost" on the way, for me it was fun to explore! I just love Seattle, my little city, the skyline makes me smile and the people make me want sit on a bench and observe city life for the day...like a creeper. On a bench or something.  I like the old buildings, I like the busy people rushing around, as well as the not so busy people playing guitar on the street corner with a marijana bandana, I like the sailboats and the fancy condos, I like the modern art and smell of the Puget Sound.

While we were lost we drove past the Fremont Troll and that thing just makes me pretend I am artistic and can fully appreciate it- though I probably can't.  I do have a great imagination though- and I am all about trolls living under bridges- so I said "hi." (In a very quiet, don't bother John who is lost sort of way.)

Then, we went to Alki Beach in Seattle.  We walked a mile on the board walk, danced in the waves, dug a really deep hole, then chased the waves some more. I love the beach. This was probably my favorite part of the summer so far.

Then, we went to Dick's Drive-In. I haven't been there in about 10 years, though it was a favorite in high school (yes, I am old, apparently.) The first time I went they were celebrating their 50th anniversary and this time it was their 60th- that was kinda cool.  Dick's Drive-In is similar to In-N-Out but...well, better and more original and more Seattle than California.  It was so fun to go with John and my kids and was a total stroll down memory lane.

Then, we got home- put the kids in bed for a nap and made chocolate banana milk shakes. The baby and I liked that.

Dinner, Taco Soup, is in the crockpot (aren't those always the best days?)

For family night tonight we are painting wooden cars and going to the library, then head on over the park.

Guess what? This is basically my last week of classes until January!  I am so excited I could throw my computer against the wall and yell "Good riddance, online classes!" but then I wouldn't have a computer, and online classes would still exist because the internet doesn't live exclusively in my computer. Also, I wouldn't be able to play Candy Crush.
Sad, my pictures are on the other laptop- I will post some soon, PROMISE! (Soon being relative of course!) (Update: pictures below!)
Another side note- yesterday at church there were like three new babies- like two/three weeks old kind of new babies- and I just wanted to run up and beg to hold the sweet little things, but I refrained because I have only been to this congregation like twice and am a complete stranger. BUT in two months I get to snuggle my heart's content and I just can't wait. (I hope that wasn't gloating- not my intention, I just have to tell someone I am excited!)

Here are so pictures from our walk and the beach:

This is one of my favorites, it just captures a moment for me!

Building Sandcastles.

Oh, let me just walk down these stairs to my utter DEATH.

Our family of four and half.

This house was buried between all these high rise apartments and it had the most beautiful flowers.

He loves his Dad.

I love this picture. My little ocean-dancer.

Our hole was SO deep!

And a couple videos for my sake- I love capturing their little personalities, they change so fast.

And then some pictures from the park:

And that's a wrap!

Cougar Mountain Trails

Just a mile from our apartment in Newcastle, there are all these old mining trails.  It is absolutely breathtaking.  All the trails ranging from about a mile to three mile loops, without a ton of incline so the kids (who am I kidding...so I) could handle them pretty well.  We'd go hike these a couple time a week and it was so relaxing.  As soon as we would start on a trail, it was like we were in fantasy world, so much green! I loved it.

Me and Baby trailing at the end of the pack, always! 

Happiest without shoes on!

We took a ton of videos and hope to some day learn how to put them all together to music. Until then, I at least want one on here, so I can remember the mannerisms the kids have.  They are just so little!

Oh, it was just so convenient and beautiful, it is what I miss most about living in Seattle, so glad we were able to find our oasis from the city.

Another Weekend, Another Beach.

We met the Wilcox family when we were both newlyweds.  Kassandra and I served in the primary together at church and Cameron and John were soon bound for life as they discovered their mutual love for Dodge trucks and fishing. Boys are funny that way. They have been great friends ever since and despite living apart for four years, they still talk often. The Wilcoxes were part of a group of friends we had while we lived at Park Place in Rexburg- that was one of the funnest groups and I just hold all those friends in a special place in my heart. When the boys would go play paint ball on Saturdays, I remember going to Kassie's house and watching BBC Jane Austen renditions. Such fun memories.

We were so excited for our internship in Washington because we knew we would be able to see this awesome family.

They lived closer the the Canadian border so we journeyed up there for a weekend getaway.

Our girls clicked, which was so fun since the last time we saw each other, they were just babes.

We got to see there new house (!) and had a barbecue and played games.  The boys went fishing and talked about cars and the outdoors.

One day, we went to one of their favorite beaches close by. I'll hand it to them, it was gorgeous.  There was this half mile or so hike down to the actual beach. It was like a jungle, as soon as you got on the path, the sunlight almost completely disappeared!

 There were berries along the way that we snacked on. Every time we saw a bridge, the girls would stomp and give salutations to the troll that lived under the bridge.

 It was so cold, but so beautiful on the actual beach.  It was like this little oasis hidden from the world.  It was fun looking for life under all the rocks.  We found crabs among other creepy crawly things that Johnny and Caity found fascinating while I squirmed.  It was just a lot of fun exploring though. We went clam digging and star fish hunting, played in the sand, and had a picnic. 

The Wilcox family setting up our picnic- they were awesome hosts! 

Star fish!

Isn't it gorgeous??

Mom! I found clam shells! She clutched those shells for the rest of the summer!

Clam diggin'!

Cute family.

It was such a fun reunion and was a total highlight of our summer. Hopefully there won't be so much time in between our next get together!