Building an Ark: August 2011

Wax on, wax off. . .

Peyton has been taking karate for 6 months or so now.

He started as an after school activity and really liked it--

so in order to go any further he needed to continue at the Community Center.

He has a wonderful Sensei--Sensei Dulce (a 70 ish y.o. Hawaiian man) who is great with kids.

Peyton just tested for his yellow belt on Saturday--

And PASSED!!

He was so excited!

Peyton ready for his yellow belt exam.

Peyton waits for his yellow belt test--He's the only blonde in the line :)

Whidbey Island

Martine and the kids were up on Whidbey Island for a soccer camp.

So when we returned from Hawaii they invited Hilary and I and the kids up for the night.

We stayed in the old Officer's Quarters at Fort Casey.

Rode a ferry, which Hilary and the kids hadn't done before.

Ate delicious Halibut and Chips.

Had deer in the front yard that you could get pretty close to.

Went shopping.

Ate hot dogs (even Hilary).

Went on a pirate ship.

Ate ice cream.

Explored Fort Casey.

Coupeville, WA

Collecting shells on the beach with Caprielle.

Both Addison and Kamri are big collectors!!

Pirate ship--Coupeville, WA

Evidently one of the ships was used in Pirates of the Caribbean.

Peyton and Addison outside the Officer Quarters at Fort Casey Inn, Whidbey Island (courtesy of Martine) where we stayed the night

Peyton chasing deer outside our room at the Fort Casey Inn :)

Aloha!!

Aloha!!

I had a surprise trip to Hawaii this summer.

My brother and his wife were over there working this summer and before they came home find it for e they were wanting to get family picture but couldn't find anything very affordable over there. I teased that they could fly me over and I could do it for cheaper than anyone in Hawaii :)

A few days later I got a phone call and a proposition:

I fly to Kauai

take family pictures of my brother's family

and a few other families that were there working as well

then help my sister in law

fly back to Seattle with the two kids

where she would spend a few days with us

then send her on her way to Utah.

Flight paid for :)

I was all for it. . .

. . .but I did need to check with Joe.

someone needed to stay with the kids :)

He was all for it!!

What a wonderful husband!

I was off to Hawaii!

Waimea canyon, Kauai, Hawaii--the Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Poipu beach with my cute niece and nephew!

This was my favorite beach--but it was busy!

Tunnel beach--Ever seen Soul Surfer?

This is the area that the shark attack happened.

I didn't go surfing:)

Beautiful blue sky, blue water and lovely sand!

But I did miss my kids and Joe!!
Addison did not do well any time we face timed. She would cry for an hour after wanting me to come home. (She is a bit of a momma's girl)

We decided we would have to bring the kids back--when they were older.
When Peyton was 13 and Addison was 10--hopefully that will work :)

I had a lovely time. . .

eating Hawaiian Shave Ice
sitting in the sun
having fresh mango and papaya
getting a sunburn
finding delicious Macademia Nut Hershey kisses--the flags say Aloha :)
spending time with Kamri and Nixon who I don't get to see enough
chatting and catching up with Hilary
watching my brother do a mini triatholon--and getting a tiny bit worried
watching Soul Surfer
eating yummy fish tacos
finding the best flip flops--I LOVE flip flops!
taking family pictures of 4 cute families
seeing waterfalls
and canyons
and green
and blue

Heavenly!!
(minus my family)

We love visitors!

Our friends from Utah were in Portland visiting family and so since they were so close they came up to visit for a day.

We went to Seattle to do a few tourist activities--Seattle Center, Pacific Science Center, Pike Place Market.

Pike Place Market--Seattle with the Bakkedahls

Balloon art at the Seattle Center

Flowers, bears, monkeys, ligth sabers. . .

Bakkedahls at the Pacific Science Center

Seattle Temple

Peyton, Maggie, and Addison

Look who got glasses!

Peyton did not do well on his eye test at his 7 yo well child check :)

Also we started noticing that he was squinting a lot while looking at things and standing SO close to the television.

So off to the eye doctor we went. He is slightly nearsighted.

The opthmalogist said we could go either way. He would be fine without glasses at this point or we could get them and of course he would be able to see better.

Because Peyton was so excited to get glasses, we did. He picked them out after looking at many pairs. I gave my opinion but he chose the ones he wanted.

Doesn't he look great?