Celebrating the End of Summer

As August is winding down, we tried to squeeze as much last-minute summer fun as possible into our last few days of vacation.  Luckily we had good friends ready to enjoy the long days with us.  Here are some pictures from a afternoon at Cornwall's water park and a Thursday night concert at Elizabeth Park with the Hinderman's.  We're so glad to have fun friends to play with!

Ms. Jada - love those legs! 

Luna & Jada at the Water Park

On our way to Cornwall Park

All ready to go!

Marcus & Luna dancing at a concert at Elizabeth Park

First Day of School

Luna just finished her first week at her new daycare/preschool.  We are so happy with her new school and Luna has been super excited to go all week (it might have something to do with her buddy Marcus going to the same school).  She was too cute this week as we got ready to go we had to get a picture to capture her excitement.  Sure makes life easier when your kid loves where she spends her days!

Nap time

Luna's willingness to nap is right up there with eating anything green.  This summer, we instituted "quiet time" in the hopes that she might continue the nap routine.  We have approximately 50% success rate with quiet time turning into nap time.  Today, however, Luna decided to unload every last stuffed toy she could find onto her bed before falling asleep.  Here's how Brian and I found her after things got quiet in her room....

Whistler with the Larson/Pahl/Flanagan Crew

We got to spend a few days up in Whistler with Oma, Grandpa, Auntie Emily & Hugo.  It was  a great "end of summer" get-a-way full of good food, playing in the "hot pool" (Luna's term for a hot tub), hiking and hanging out.  The weather was outstanding and the views spectacular both in the village and on the drive up and back. We had a great time hanging out with the family and enjoying some final days of freedom.

Luna working her Sudoku on the ride up

Loving the wind blowing through her hair

Blowing bubbles with Grandpa

Luna was so excited to get to hold her cousin Hugo.  He didn't seem to mind too much himself....

We're breeding readers around here.  Gracie was very into the book "Hug"

Trying to get a family portrait before our hike at Joffre Lake Provincial Park

Our happy hiker

Luna did an amazing job climbing up and over rocks and roots.  In fact she preferred the routes with the most obstacles!

Water break

Loving her Oma

Gracie (4+ months) & Hugo (2 months) hanging out in the condo.  Almost the same size (~10 oz difference!)

Luna was not excited to have her picture taken with Mommy & Gracie in the village

Gracie & Oma

BumGenius babies

Oma with the grandbabes

Reading Madeline with Grandpa

Bye-bye Tail! Gracie's first haircut

Luna went in for a haircut this week and we decided to have Gracie's "tail" taken off.  Only 4 months old and getting her first hair cut!

Pre-cut tail in full form

Brittany taking care of the tail

McCall, Idaho

We made our annual trip to McCall to visit Cathy & Donny again this year.  Brian and I weren't sure how the girls would do with the 10 hour car ride and were a bit nervous scheduling the trip, however both girls were amazing troopers.  We left Bellingham at 3:30 in the morning and were able to get about half the driving done before Luna was ready to get out and run around.  A few more stops and we rolled into McCall before dinner time. As usual we had an amazing time catching up and hanging out and had to leave sooner then we would have liked.  Luna loved showing off her new water skills any chance she got in the lake and enjoyed spotting different wildlife at Cathy & Donny's place.  Gracie finally figured out what to do with her other arm and began rolling over completely.   We are already looking forward to visiting again next year!

Riding high in the back pack while we took a quick walk around town

Luna loves her some ICE CREAM!

Preparing for our fist dip in Payette Lake

2 thumbs up!

Gracie wasn't as excited about the water as Luna

Swinging with Cathy while big sister played in the lake

Luna loved the float toys that Cathy brought

Love them cheeks!

The daily visit to Freddy the Frog

Freddy

Brian & I in kayaks; Luna in her new pink floaty toy

Luna wanted a chance to try out the kayak also

Lots of water play

Gracie happily hanging out on shore

Getting ready for nap time with Cathy

Cracking each other up after Gracie rolled over all the way

Luna reading Mercy Watson for the 1 millionth time

Gracie was a sleeping superstar in the car