Blueberry picking at Sauvies

I had never been berry picking before. It was so much fun! I think it is definetely a type-A activity: fast, detailed, rewarding and you get to chat the whole time. We'll have berries all winter long. It might be different strawberry picking (you must have to stoop over the whole time?) But the blueberry bushes are just the right height for everyone and loaded with goodness. Bella Farms is completely organic (next to Krugers)

Poppy and Juliet sharing secrets

Andy & Poppy

Joe and Frida

Juliet loved it -- I would hire her in a heartbeat

Ruby Cate & Dada

Leaving island life behind...

After 8 ferry rides in 4 days the girls are tuckered out and we're back on the road to P-Town. A great trip.

Lucky to have a sister...

It has been so amazing to see their relationship grow. They are really starting to play and help each other. It is wild to see how fast Ruby is to pick up on something Juliet is doing (good or bad). Microseconds!

Mama's treasure -- my very first heart shaped rock!

View from kitchen -- weather is about to change.

Even got a some sunshine to play in.

Having fun on the Sound

They had no idea how many critters there were to discover...and capture...and whoops -- there goes a leg. Awww.

Hammie Joes goofing around

One of Ruby Girl's favorite sentences is " Jujubee funny". Juliet loves to make her little sister laugh.

Happy Birthday Big Bro!

Looking hot at 42! :)Andrea, Dad and the ladies.
Ruby Cate sizes up Papa Frank
Shelbie and Jess all grown up. xoxo

Visit with the Mulrine's

Juliet was so excited to get to visit with her "girl" cousins. That is alllll she could talk about before during and after our visit. Both Shelbie and Jessie are already taller than Derek and me...Ethan too, only 3 more nephews to give noogies to (you know who you are!)

A little lunch on the 8th tee -- thanks Dad and Andrea for hosting.

And thanks Auntie Minnie for all the great treats! :)

Loving our view

Our Vashon Cottage

We rented a sweet little beach cottage on Vashon for the 4th. It was right on the water and looked out over West Seattle. You could watch the ferries come and go and hear their horns at night along with the crashing waves...good to be home.

Juliet was simple incredible. It was 112 steps down and UP to the cottage and she walked/hiked the entire way her self everytime. Very proud of her!

So lush and beautiful...many different types of ferns, foxglove and hostas



Our favorite view...

What a way to start the VK!

Very lucky to see some dear friends at the start of vacation. So strange that I had to travel back to Tacoma to do so!Da boys kicking it in the hood. Andy's place looks GREAT!
I could hug Melly forever...miss my girl.

Girls Girls Girls -- and Gavin

The kiddos had a great visit together at Uncle Wallas. Poppy sahred all her dresses and we wished we could have stayed longer.

Gavin is such a good sport -- he is seriously outnumbered. Need to get the Arnold's over here to even the score. :)
Ruby loved playing dressup with the big girls. At one point we found her running around, naked with only a gold medal around her neck. Classic Ruby.

Zagone-zone

We were lucky to get some time to BBQ with Tim and Jess that same weekend. Their yard is just lovely -- they worked so hard and it turned out beautiful!

Tim sizing up the situation. 33 and 39 inches to be exact. :) They loooove Tim.

One - count it - one nice weekend in June...

We finally broke out the pool for it's first use this season...what happened to June? Felt like April this year. Derek is the master of keeping the girls entertained -- what that boy can dream up with a simple pool noodle. Amazing! :)

Hanging with my girlies; I'm one lucky Mama!