Y'all ready for this?

I've got the summer blues tonight so I figured what better way to relive the summer than to blog about it? This is going to be a long one...

Summer started early for us this year - we actually had summer temps in Seattle BEFORE the 4th of July, now that's a first! We took full advantage of the warmth by heading down to the fountain park in Ballard in the evenings. Cool fountains + yummy picnic = happy people!


We took our annual trip to Boise for the 4th of July again this year. My sister and her family were there as well. We always have the best time - lots of trips to the pool, the neighborhood parade and drinks/stories on the patio after the kids are in bed!

Next was a fantastic overnight trip to Whidbey Island for Leah's bachelorette party. Sous and the kids stayed home for that one of course! It was so nice to see all of my friends for more than just an evening - wish we could do it more often.

Summer just wouldn't be summer without Golden Gardens. We took full advantage of the beach right outside our front door (well, practically!). As we were driving home one night with a gorgeous sunset at our backs we remarked at how lucky we were to live a 5 minute drive from such a scenic place.

Backyard pool, bbqs with friends, beach club with the Cho-Thompsons - need I say more?

Milestone - no more high chair/booster seat! Nathan and Jill now have their own little table in the dining room and they love it. We also love it...for the most part. I must admit there are times when I wish I could strap them both in at meal times to prevent them from getting up before they are finished eating! (Nice binkies, huh?)

Ahhh, my birthday. Thanks to Sous, it was one to remember. Lincoln Park, a beautiful evening, friends, family, Uli's sausages and Sugar Rush cupcakes. That's what having an August birthday is all about!

Another annual trip was taken this year - Lake Chelan with the Sousley side of the family. As always we had a wonderful time and even partook in a few new traditions this year - walks to Starbucks every morning (What else can you do at 5:15 in the morning? Nathan's sleeping schedule was a bit off...), Saturday evening at the winery with live music and breakfast on Sunday morning at Blueberry Hill. Proof that life with little ones is getting easier? Ok, let's not go that far. Next year I vow to get pics of everyone, not just the kids!

(Look closely and you'll see the winery dog - Nathan loved him!)
About 5 minutes out of town on the way home - THIS is how much fun they had!!

Jill turns 4! She is everything that 4 is supposed to be and more! The day was spent with her pal Frankie - Barbies, pinata, pool and Red Robin for dinner.

And one last milestone as the summer comes to an end - Jill moved up from the Tree Frog room to the Sea Dragon room at Small Faces! She was so excited on her first day that she could hardly sit still. Her favorite part of her new classroom is the "loft." It is a wooden structure with an office set up and the best part is that the kids get to rotate napping up there! She is so excited for her turn. One more year at Small Faces and then it's off to kindergarten next September!
Summer re-lived. Whew, that was a good one. :)