Camping Out

There is a fire pit next to our cabin, so every once in a while we grill our dinner outside and then have smores for dessert. We also brought our tent and the girls have been enjoying camping out! Here are some pictures of Ryan and his bushy island beard, hee, hee. And the girls reading books by the fire in their pajamas. Gotta love it!

Our 12th Anniversary

So, this year we didn't have a babysitters for our anniversary-but we managed alright. I hung some sheets in the gazebo outside and we had a candlelight dinner, romantic music and all. (After we put the kiddos to bed) Here are a few pictures:

Just Chillin......

Whenever there is sun- which we have truly learned to appreciate, we spend the day outside! On Saturday, the little town here had a parade to celebrate the sun! On the island they hardly get sun, there is so much rain and cloudiness! They live for sunny summer days! It is so beautiful here-but so much more beautiful when the sun is shining and you can be outdoors! In the mornings and evenings it is about 40 degrees, and I think we have had a high of 70 degrees, maybe?

More girls and Papa's work

WILL WE EVER BE ABLE TO RETURN TO "LIFE AS USUAL?"

Hmmm.....

I'm not sure!

Here's a fun video!

SO, one of the great things about this summer, is that Ryan works across the driveway. He is building a rec building for my sister's in-laws, and we get to stay on their property while he is working! It truly is a sweet set-up. Here's Ryan's website with pictures of his work if you want to check it out: http://yeshacarpentry.shutterfly.com

BUT what is really cool about it is that the girls have gotten to spend some special time with their Papa. Zoe and Rhema both help him on the job and have little work tool belts they wear! Zoe woke up one morning all dressed and ready to go help her Papa. She had her work belt on and she kept saying when is he going to wake up so we can go work? Here is a fun video of the girls and their Papa! Enjoy!

Miscellaneous Fun Stuff

The second week we were here, my sister Jill and her family came to visit! We had a fire outside the cabin and

yummy smores!

That's my nephew, Simeon, with chocolate all over his face.

Zoe, Rhema and Simeon went hot tubbing.

Saturday there was an annual animal parade in town. The main town on Orcas Island is about a 25 minute drive from us. Zoe and Rhema entered Jacob, and walked him in the parade. He won a blue ribbon for "Friendliest Dog." There were lots of other animals, chickens, goats, sheep, sea monkeys, hermit crabs, cats, bunny rabbits and more. One of the bunny rabbits was TWENTY POUNDS! One of the goats had people walking with signs that read, "Bossy for Mayor!" It was so much fun! East Sound, which is the main town here, also had something called"One Bite" and you could buy tickets to sample all the yummy food from various restaraunts. Mmmmmm.....very yummy!

Last, but not least, here is a picture of my sweet Day playing in her make shift sandbox!

Orcas Island Creatures

We discovered a peacock on our property, right by the girls' cabin. Zoe named him "Australia." We have also found giant slugs, a bat, and Rhema really likes the worms we have been finding in the garden!

Our Summer Home!

The first pic is of the girls cabin. Yup they sleep in their own cabin! It is a very small walking distance from ours! I have a monitor set up, so I can hear everything!!



These next two pics are of the main cabin. There is a wrap-a-round deck and a hot tub. We have a wood stove that keeps us warm at night. It is still pretty cold here.

There is a small pond on the property, with a small boat. Ryan has taken the girls on the boat a few times. Zoe caught a fish! But I didn't get a picture of the fish... the picture next to the pond is a small storage building on the property. There are lots of little buildings, a green house, a gnome house, an outhouse, and other misc. little buildings. Very, very enchanting !

Washington Bound!

So, even though Rhema did get a little bored in the car....(that's her chewing gum on her face) we did make it to my sister's house in Seattle! We got to stay for a couple of days. Seattle is so beautiful this time of year! There are so many beautiful flowers everywhere! Ryan got to visit Bungie Studios, the people who made the video game Halo. Then we went on a date to Pike Place Market, were we saw the first ever Starbucks, sampled lots of yummy food and split an iced pumpkin muffin, mmmmm so yummy! We also got to spend some great time with my nephews, Simeon and Caleb! (and my sister and her husband too of course!)