Chloe, Clara & Louis make music

Soccer

Chloe started soccer this month. She had never played before joining this team of 7 year old girls. She loves it. Today after her game I asked her, "Was that fun, playing out there?" She said, "No, it was awesome!!!!!"

Hallie

We went to Manito multiple times during Hallie's 24 hour visit to Spokane. My mom picked her up at the airport, we hung out for a day and night, and then they continued to Kettle Falls for a few more days. A neighbor was having a party with a live band (The Moops) and we enjoyed dancing to some classic rock and roll songs before one of our treks to Manito. The gardens are in full bloom right now; it's glorious. Hallie is my mom's college roommate and my godmother. It was a wonderful visit; she is a lovely person and it was great to introduce her to my kids and show her pieces of our life here in Spokane.

Free-wheelin'

We rode on the Ferry mid-trip

We took the Edmonds-Kingston ferry again this year and then drove out to Forks and down to Kalaloch. The kids love the ferry. Our weather this year was spectacular all around.

Louis did not want his picture to be taken; not so with Chlo! She poses for pictures.

Chapter 1: Friends

We began our trip in Seattle visiting old friends--and, yes, we are all beginning to look and act a little older! Eden *loves* Chloe. Eden is talking so much! Adorable.

Eden, Ana, Ken and Kim hosted us on one of Seattle's hottest days this year. Fortunately, we could stay cool in the fountain at Miller Center one block away! My sister and parents joined us for take out from my FAVORITE restaurant, Cedar's on Brooklyn Indian fare. Delicious!


Dress up in Kim's ballet and dance gear from years ago......



Ana and Chloe play so sweetly together, too.
Liam, Ethan, Amy and Josh took us to Lincoln Park for some cool time at the water. The drift wood is so neat there. The kids found a "fort" to make and add to and climb on.
Louis and Ethan are in their element building the fort.
Amy! So wonderful to catch up a bit!
Liam makes a band; Louis was on the drums, I think.
Kim! So wonderful to catch up a bit.
More dress up time.

These kids love each other so much. It's just awesome to see them pick up where they left off (often months before) and play like cousins. The adults enjoy their time together, too!!!!!

Chapter 2: Kalaloch & the ocean

We camped at Kalaloch for four nights. It was even better than last year, which didn't seem possible. This year we came prepared for chilly weather, so, of course, it was 95 degrees in Forks and in the 80's at Kalaloch. We had two very sunny days with beautiful sunsets and two grayer days with lots of sand play, walking, snoozing and relaxing. The kids were absolutely entertained the entire time; they didn't even bring out a single toy except their binoculars. The kelp (makes great jumpropes and whips), shells, rocks, sticks, sea otters, creek, sand, logs, driftwood and grandparents were all they needed to be very happy.

Chapter 3

And then Arden died.

When we left Kalaloch and returned to cell service land I retrieved an urgent message from Amy. I called her, but she didn't answer her phone. I called Josh and found out that our mutual friend Arden Balyeat had drowned earlier in the week. I was stunned. We were three hours from West Seattle still. We were planning to go to Amy's for a bbq reunion with Arden, Perry, Erika, Cori, Amy, and Julie. When we arrived in West Seattle the members of our moms group (founded in Spring 2002 when our first borns were infants) were at Amy's house. Arden's memorial was the next day. It was inexplicably horrific to realize the huge loss to Lucas (Arden's 7 year old son) and Jeff (Arden's husband) as well as to family and friends.

Arden and Lucas had been swimming in the Skykomish and were overpowered by the river. There was a lengthy struggle in the river and Arden eventually pushed Lucas toward the shore and he miraculously saved himself. She lost her air, took in too much water and drowned. It's just too sad. I will miss Arden. She was a beautiful, strong, funny, smart, amazing woman who loved Lucas fiercely.

Highlights from our vacation to Kettle Falls and much much more

A baby monarch with a crumpled wing. We put her on a larkspur for the evening in case she was unable to fly due to her defective wing.







Hummingbirds abound at Schott's. The flowers are beautiful again this year.
Mingo Mountain:

And then we headed to Dunn Mountain for the afternoon:
Elinor and Phillip invited us over to pick huckleberries on their property. Big, plump, purple and reddish delicious berries already!




Dotty the fawn:
Dotty the fawn lost her mother when she was a day old. My parents' neighbor Tim is hand raising her. She is so cute and only a few days old here.
Louis says Dotty is trying to suck his finger down her throat. I say that's karma for all the hundreds of hours baby Louis pacified himself by sucking on my finger! Many of you remember that phase of parenting for me.
Dotty's first solid food was fresh strawberries the kids fed her.
Swimming lessons went very well. Chloe learned to swim this year and Louis is so eager to learn, too. He is very comfortable with going underwater, paddles with his arms and does bunny hops off the bottom of the pool all while creating quite a large splash and thrash in the water. With a bit more practice he will be swimming, too. We are very proud of what they accomplished in only a few days of lessons.

The fireworks at Diamond M Ranch: