Camping wasn't a total disaster this year.  It was a good time.  Shane fished (of course).   The boys and I played and went on very early morning hikes (why don't my kids ever sleep in?).  I even got in a little run.  Miracle of all miracles.  Tayler slept in Grandma and Grandpa's camper.  I don't blame her for that.  At all.

 Morning hike.  Singing in the forest. 

 My favorite picture ever, I think. 

 JUMP!

 The elusive T-bird. 

 Grandma and Linc in the shadows.

 Dirt Playing

PJ time and s'mores around the campfire. 

More Beach Time....

We live in the PNW so beach time isn't really "beach time" but it is fun and there is sand (sometimes) and the little boys don't know any difference.  Tayler, however, does know the difference and often prefers to stay home, hang out with her friends, go to drivers ed., etc.

 Linc's fishing pole made of pipe cleaners (that is a tiny orange bait fish at the end). 

 Casting just like Dad....

Love this kids swoop-y hair.

 Lincoln fishing with his decrepit little pole. 

 Shane actually caught a (small) fish while we were hanging out with him. 

This is rarely what these boys look like.  Usually they are fighting and crying.  But when I'm not looking or they are at school they LOVE on each other. 

Fishing

There was a lot of fishing that happened this summer.  Shane has found a new favorite hobby...and is slightly obsessed.  I work a lot of the summer so on those days our day looked something like:  Shane wakes up and goes fishing at 4am. Boys get up at 6am we go for a short run while the teenager (Tayler) continues to sleep.  Shane gets home by 8:45 so that I can leave for work.  We high five as I walk out the door.  Work work work, come home for lunch, get everyone lunch, go back to work...work work work.  I get home at 3.  Shane leaves to go back out fishing shortly there after. Or, maybe waits until dusk...depends on the day and when he thinks the best time will be.  On days when I did not work the schedule is about the same.  A lot of my friends ask me if all the fishing is annoying to me...I am thrilled with his new found hobby 99% of the time.  The other 1%?  Somtimes, I just want to go for a run by myself with no double jogger (THE WORST) and no whiny riders (Also the worst).  

There will probably be several more posts dedicated to fishing because sometimes the whiny stroller riders and I would pop over to see Shane/Dad after our run in the morning or after their nap in the afternoon if we didn't have anything else to do and the boys were starting to get restless.  Which, is everyday.   Tayler is in very few pictures because she is a teenager and prefers to sleep.  Also, she does have her very own pair of waders and did fish with her Dad several times but I did not make it out to take pictures during those times.

Love Birds

These two friends are so funny.  We were watching a movie (Frozen) to give the parents a break on Camano Island. During a little bit of a scary part Calder (with no instruction or encouragment from anyone) wrapped Sienna up in a hug.  They stayed exactly like this for the next 30 minutes and Calder kept his arm behind her back for the duration.  Meanwhile, Lincoln fell asleep while sitting beside the two cuddlers.  These two are hilarous.  On Thanksgiving this year Calder was napping when Sienna got to our house so Sienna came upstairs with me to wake Calder up. Sienna climbed up on the bed and kissed Calder on the cheek to wake him up.  Calder, smiled with blurry eyed confusion and then leaned in and said in the sweetest voice ever, "Hiiiii Sienna" and gave her another sweet kiss.  On the mouth....sorry Alan (Sienna's Dad) I apologize for my son.

First Day of School!

 

Tayler:  Sophmore year.  

Calder: Pre-K

Lincoln: Preschool

I thought these pictures were so cute for some reason.  Tayler has been rocking Sophmore year.  She is a hard worker.  I remember being excited and exhausted after the first days of school all my high school years.  We thought and thought about what to do with the boys this year.  Nanny?  Daycare? Preschool?  We finally decided after hemming and hawing and thinking and touring all sorts of different schools, daycares, etc. that Calder really was ready for pre-K and lincoln would do better in a preschool than a daycare.  We loved having a nanny for the last two years but at times it was hard (if she was sick, for example).  Calder has been flourishing in Pre-K.  He has picked up a few bad habits from his friends  but that is all part of growing up.  Lincoln had a hard time the first few days (weeks) but has adjusted well and loves his teacher and is excited to go to school every single day.    

Camano Island and the 4th of July

A friend pointed out that I had not put anything on here in a while.  I figured I better start jotting down our memories in this little space again.

This summer we went to Camano Island with some friends.  There were a lot of kids (6 under 4) and two teenagers.  It was a packed house....and really fun.  Perfect, beautiful weather.

 

My new favorite photo of the boys and girls (all photos by Kara because I am really responsible and did not bring my camera battery charger)

The wynne family came over for the 4th of July.  We had a really fun day just hanging out, eating, holding baby Lorelei and playing outside.

Shane bought a bunch of sparklers and pop-its for the boys. 

Arianna Mae

Our second trip to Spokane was when Arianna Mae was (finally) born.  Poor Aunt Caitlin was pregnant forever.  We made the decision that we could swing a really quick trip over approximately 15 minutes before we left the house.  Honestly.  It was awesome.  I threw one change of clothes in a bag for everyone and forgot my camera.  So, I have only a couple of phone pictures and one I stole (thanks nick and caitlin!).  Arianna was (is) the sweetest baby.  She was tiny.  I cannot remember my babies being that small.  We cannot wait to go see her again. 

 Simchuk Cousins (Lincoln 2, Calder 4, Tayler 15, Arianna 3 days, Madalin 7)

 Shane taking pictures...me trying to make a baby happy who CLEARLY wanted her mom or dad.

Picture I stole, shamelessly, from facebook.  She is DARLING.