Park day with Grandma

Grandma was here for her annual summer visit in July and we all had a great time.  Here are just a few pictures from a fun afternoon at Waverly Beach Park.

Julia is any grandma's dream right now.  She wants to color, do puzzles, try on grandma's coconut lotion, listen to stories. 

Tyler, while having none of Julia's desire for quiet moments found his way into Grandma's heart just the same.  Even though his favorite thing to do is play pirates, which looks as if he is winding up to slug you, he also is incredibly affectionate...his favorite part of Grandma was to stroke her arms and was a clear sign he was getting tired.

Camp Wibbly Island

Our annual camping trip on Whidbey Island (or as Julia says, "wibbly island").  Camp Walsh started with a trip to see the local alpacas and then back to Maro/Charlie's to set up the tents and play in the newly created treehouse.  Maro's brother, Richard was still building it as the kids were climbing up.

The weekend was so much fun...11 kids, 17 adults, 3 generations represented, 2 dogs, many alpacas, not enough smores.

Scones on a stick...a walsh camping breakfast tradition. 

Sydney (lindsay  mcdonald's daughter) and Julia are great friends.

Charlie and Bob...young friends and old friends alike made memories

All the kids LOVED Oli...he was an amazing big kid for all the little ones to look up to.  He played with them, had patience (even when they all woke him up by throwing pine cones on him), and didn't even  mind with two of them literally would barely leave his side.

My first trip to Disneyland

As soon as school ended, we took the opportunity to go to CA and visit my parents. And why not take Julia to Disneyland?  She loved it...but warning for all your parents out there - don't surprise a child with going to Disneyland as you get in the car to drive there.  We did and instead of the squeals we were expecting, we were met with 45 minutes of trepidation, fear and requests to go home.

But of course, once there, she was thrilled and equally as fun was having Daddy and Mommy all to herself.

Not many photos...we consciously made the decision to focus on 'being present' and taking mental snapshots. 

That cotton candy was as big as her head!

Julia dancing her way through Disneyland - she was in 7th heaven!

Dance Me Daddy

I'm never disappointed by how much fun the Kirkland Concert Series is - what a perfect way to spend a summer evening! We always see people we know, the kids dance and make friends and an easy picnic dinner is always nice.

I adore dancing with the kids and watching them dance and there is something so special catching other concert go'ers watching our children with a smile on their face. 

Next week I'll get a video of Tyler's dancing which is either turn, turn, turn or jump jump jump, fall down and grab his feet.  He's perfected those two moves.

More soccer pics

Julia played her final soccer game last week and once again made us proud.  I think she's ready for the 5-6 year old team.  She is speedy and has good ball control and after she makes a goal, she gets aggressive enough to get in there to do it again.

she's the smallest one out there :)

but maybe the quickest...

 Next is a series of Julia making a goal.  One of my favorite pics is her teammate jumping for joy as she made the goal. 

Sailing Away

Brett is an amazing father...no two ways about it.  He loves our kids so much and what a better combination of the kids together and sailing? 

We were almost about to call our sailing weekend off due to the weather but we were so happy we forged ahead.  The weather cooperated and we enjoyed a night in Anacortes and a night in Friday Harbor.  And Brett got to enjoy his Father's Day floating around the San Juans.

Napping on the rocking boat or napping in Daddy's arms.  Tough call.

Spending time in the garden

Weeks ago I got inspired to plant some flowers.  The inspiration took a deep hold and I was working every spare moment for 2 weeks to get plants in the ground and dig up plants that were no longer living.  

I'm proud to say that our pots are planted on the deck, window boxes done, veggie garden started.  Bulbs planted.  Sunflower seeds planted.

All in time for Julia and Tyler to start a gardening class that they complete today. 

Oli is happy because he loves basil and eats the plant to the stem.  Chocolate mint leaves being his second favorite and Julia's first.  Tyler's favorite are the strawberries.

Brett surprised me and his enjoyment of being able to pick all of our own lettuce every night for a salad.  Now, we just have to hope that the bunnies continue to stay away.

"Here Mom, I'm helping.  I'm collecting these as fast as you can put them in the ground, I'll be sure to remove them."

That was a fun game until.....Tyler saw the drain in which he loves to drop leaves and pebbles down and yup, sure enough.  If you turn the cute hand crafted sign just the right way, you can fit it down the drain for good.  Just look at that look on his face, I should have known he was up to no good.

Our nanny sent me this picture.  The story goes...our nanny was going to water the plants for me and Julia says, "I'll be right back to help"  And 5 minutes later she arrived completely changed, with a watering can that she has picked and placed a beautiful flower in and says, "I'm all dressed and ready to water plants now!"