July

Boy July, flew by!  Now we are half way through August.  They say as you grow older, time goes by faster.  We have stayed busy this summer, mostly sticking nearby.  Currently we broke a record of consecutive days without rain over 52 days (last time this happened was > 70 years).  We have just enjoyed being outside!!! But right now we are dealing with smokey conditions from fires in the BC area.  Hoping that the air will clear up soon - I can't even see the foothills it so bad.

Here we are at the local fire station pancake breakfast!  M has been looking forward to this since last year!  We are so fortunate to live near one of the stations (.25 miles away).  We pass by it daily - running, walking or driving by!  They are all so nice to jump out and say hello, share some stickers and hats (our collection is up to 3!)

Ambulance!

 The town holds a festival with vendors, rides and a foot race.  This year we all competed in it.  M and I were the first stroller group to cross the 5k line, and Todd came in afterwards. 

Picking blueberries!  We so enjoyed having blueberry crisp, blueberry pancakes and other blueberry treats last year, that we made sure to re stock our freezer stash!  This is what 10.5 pounds looks like!  And it only took us roughly 30 minutes!!!

We celebrated our fourth anniversary!  We spent the evening mini golfing and trying out the new Thai restaurant in town.

 Mikaela is turning into the new grocery shopper with her size cart!

Enjoying the lake and building sandcastles with friends one Friday.

 Enjoying the zoo with family!  While we were at work, quite a group went ( I think 10 in all) to the zoo.  They enjoyed seeing the new baby giraffe and all the other animals too.

M and her great grandparents

Chelan

Every year one of the most anticipated weeks is my time in Chelan.  It brings family together and memories are made.  Thanks to my grandparents, this has been a tradition that I have enjoyed my whole life.  This year was no difference.  Almost everyone got to be there at one point or another - even family from out of state.  This year we stayed at the city park and camped for the week.

My grandparents

The gang on the last day

 I think the saying goes - the cousins that give back rubs, stay together?!  Maybe we are a bit different or weird, but that's why we love each other!

 HEre are just a few pictures that highlight our trip!

Early morning boat crew

 My uncle brings his boat and we go skiing, tubing and floating out on the lake.  Everyone who tried got up on skiis!  Some on one ski, some wake boarding, some dropping skiis.  I was just excited that I got up - it's the only time that I try and I hadn't been in a few years.

Grandpa skiing at 77

Getting up on skiis

Inner tubing with the girls

 This trip was fun because everyone morning some would get up early and go out on the boat, some would run, some would walk, but we usually ended up at Starbucks for our morning coffees.

We also enjoyed some time at a winery - and enjoyed some snacks, company and the view looking down over the lake.

Winery time

Bush Family

Before the trip, Todd was going to have to go home on Sunday, but he was allowed to stay one extra day!  Look at how blue that lake is!?

Swimming with my girl

Todd got to enjoy some time fishing - and even caught something from the beach.

Getting his pole ready

Lucky Catch

Already looking forward to next years trip!

1st Camping trip

Our first camping trip this summer was in our backyard!  We had some friends over and enjoyed the outdoors.  we had a campfire, burgers and slept in our tent.  M was so excited to sleep in her new sleeping bag, that she put herself to bed on her own. 

Sunny Days

M and her boys

 These two are only 6 weeks apart - and we have their wedding pre-arranged.  I hope they don't mind when they get older.

Holding Hands

Ready for the tent

In her new sleeping bag

 My idea was that the dad's could sleep with the littles in the tent, and us moms would get a good nights sleep inside the house.  But instead our hubbies had different ideas.  All in all it was a lovely time. 

The Momma's

ChelanMan

 Some of us kicked off the annual Chelan summer trip with camping and racing!  I looked at the calendar and realized the Chelan man was happening the day prior to our vacation starting.

I convinced my brother in law to do the triathlon and I would do the half marathon.  The race was very well organized and well supported by the volunteers (with aid stations every mile).  With that being said - I will never do that particular distance again.  LOL.


My brother in law biked by me at mile 8 - with WAY too much enthusiasm and excitement.  He has way to much energy and thrives on being active.   He of course did AWESOME!!!

It was WAY TOO HOT.  The course while it winds around the lake (which is beautiful) wasn't enough to distract my mind.  I'm used to running a bit more 'crowded' races and people to help carry me on. 

 Mikaela got to ride a school bus to the start/finish line!  She was so excited and sang "Wheels on the Bus" and of course insisted in riding in the first seat! 


We also had a terrible experience the night before.  Camping right next to a family reunion that was a bit LOUD.  The last time on the clock that I saw was 1:30 AM (and we were getting up at 5:30 that morning).    But that bad night led into a really great night sleep the next.  We ended up staying at Campbell's Resort.  Stopping to see a friend, who scored us the LAST room and a sweet deal!!! 

 Not only did we get the last room, but it was ground level.  This is the view from the back door!  The boys made us breakfast, and then we went and played in the sand and swam in the lake waiting for the rest of our crew to arrive!

4th of July

Oh my!  It's the end of the month and I'm just getting to post about the beginning.  We had a busy month, but we will get to that later.  But here we are at the 4th of July.  

We enjoy traditions and this year was no different.  We woke up to sunshine! (Summer around here starts at the 5 of July ☺)  We particiapted in the footrace - Todd ran the 2.0 and I ran the 5.17 (I placed 3rd in my age group...)  

The Three of us

The group

 We then stayed for the Grand Parade - of logging trucks, tractors and horses. 

 Afterwards we went home to clean up.  Then headed to my aunt/uncles for pickleball tournament, BBQ and fireworks

Me and the cousins

Mikaela has been blessed with cute patriotic outfits.  She wore this the weekend prior, and I just couldn't decide which picture I liked the best.  She let me french braid her hair.  Her joy and enthusiasm were captured so well in these photos!