August, 2011 (Year in Review continued)

August was a great month.  Here were some of the highlights, in chronological order:

1. Fun summer days
2. Auntie Amy's visit and camping in the North Cascades
3. The Retuers visit Seattle
4. Nonna & Grandpa visit Seattle

Fun Summer Days
It was a great summer. We got so much outside time, playing in the water, walking, enjoying and soaking up the sun.  Eliana still loves the water, the beach and the park and I delighted watching her enjoy in all these fun activities.

 Watching the salmon at the Locks

 Katherine hug!

 Look, Mommy, I can put your sunglasses on!

 At day with Mom at Seward Park beach along Lake Washington

 After work play time at Ella Bailey; this is one of Eliana's favorites - merry go round on her belly

Ready for school! 

 Our dog lover

 At the Jolly Roger for some happy hour

 I can read the menu, too!

 This was quite the memory.  Eliana kept looking in at her swimming pool and even though she was dressed, she wanted to go in.  Well, she leaned so far over the edge that she fell in....and wasn't too happy about it.  I couldn't help myself and got this shot.

 Gasworks park watching the sea planes

 Going down the big slide at Ella Bailey

Blurry, but such a cute rosy cheek picture 

 Stacking blocks

 Will Redman and Elle Belle 

 Wading pool at Green Lake

 Discovery Beach with Lily Schlameus and Katherine Newman

 Ali surprised me one day and kidnapped Elle Belle so I could get a few things done.  It was such a treat.  I picked up Paseo sandwiches on my way to pick Eliana up from the Schlameus house and Ali sent me this picture and the one below of her sleeping.  Thank you!

 Passed out with Ali 

Auntie Amy's Visit & Camping in the North Cascades
This is our 3rd year now making our annual trip to the North Cascades to hike Cascade Pass. It is one of Washington's gems and amazing that you can do this hike in one day and see all of the glaciers that you can.  This year we got to show Amy the amazing scenery and she was able to come camping with us.  We also got the Newmans to meet us at our camp spot on Saturday.  And, like every year, we made our annual stop at Cascadia Farms for blueberry picking; one of the highlights every year for me.  What a great weekend.

Playing in Auntie Amy's rental car is fun!

 The Cascade River, a few hundred yards from our camp spot

 Eliana loved showing Auntie Amy how she could throw rocks in the river

Our family

 All set for the hike up to Cascade Pass.  Elle Belle did great minus the pinching episode when I was carrying her.  Lucky for Dad, that just meant he had to wear the backpack:)

 The hikers and the sleeper

Lunch stop at the pass.  However, this was not such a relaxing lunch with cliffs on all sides. We had to take turns playing defense and making sure our little Pumpkin did not roll off the side of the mountain. 

 Looking east off the pass; view down into Stehekin

 Our late summer left more snow on the trail than usual, but it was no problem for our mountain man dad...

This is what I live for every summer; it is breath-taking paradise to be up there

 Awake and thirsty

 With Mommy

 With Auntie Amy

 The Newmans arrived and we return from the hike in time for happy hour along the river

Katherine, Amy and Elle Belle 

 Casey (and baby Daniel in utero), Robert & Katherine Newman

 Nate, Erin, Eliana and Amy

 This should be a Bugle ad somewhere

 BBQ and Mac-n-cheese for dinner....but somehow the sauce lids got mixed up and the regular was actually the spicy.  We figured this out when Eliana started crying after she took a bite.  

 Katherine exploring

 Auntie Amy and Elle Belle before bed

 Blueberry picking time!  

 Elle Belle loved exploring the blueberry bushes and snacking along the way

 We got 12 lbs this year!  They were beautiful and almost the size of grapes; so huge and so tasty!

 I love my Auntie Amy

The Reuters visit Seattle
One of my dear friends from growing up, Jill, lives in Spokane and a couple times every year we are lucky to either see them in Seattle or Spokane.  This year, my Hoopfest team stayed with her, Jason and Henry during our tournament in Spokane.  Then, we were lucky to have them visit Seattle.  Eliana and Henry loved playing together and exploring Seattle.  So fun to have our kids together!  And, Jill was such a trooper as she was 8 months pregnant:)

Ready for a day at the zoo

They loved the grizzly bear exhibit, especially the otter sculptures. 

 Playing at Karen's place.  

 Backyard swimming time 

Jill & Jason at Discovery beach

 Our family: Dad, Eliana and Mom

 Old friends

 Jason & Henry

 Jill, Henry, Eliana and Erin

 The Reuters

 Are there salmon down there?  At the Locks

 "Goodbye Henry"

We spent our last night at a new Asian fusion restaurant in Fremont; perfect outdoor seating and a great way to end a nice visit.



Nonna & Grandpa's Visit