Sun kissed nose.

Safety first.

Because there is nothing worse than falling asleep in the car and having your head toss around.

Buckle it up, buttercup!

Bridge Jumpin'

Jackson was invited to jump off a bridge.  I know what you're thinking.......

 If someone tells you to jump off the bridge would you do it?!

YUP!

Truthfully, I've always kinda known he would be the one to say yes.

And, because he was doubted by Avary, he had his friends mom video the jumps.

Smart kid.  This isn't his first rodeo.

Olalla Bridge

Avary's Turn!

"When can I go to work with you?"

That's what I've been asked about 37 times since Griffen came home bragging about his time at the distillery.  Well, my dear, today is your lucky day!  

Don't you worry, it wasn't all work and no play.  During down time, Kendall and Avary built their own distillery with the boxes we were taking bottles from.  

Waiting patiently to begin......

And she's off!

Just a "Kick in the Grass" soccer tournament

Avary had her first experience 'playing for real' with her new club.  They played in a two day, three game tournament.  While they lost two and tied one, they played their little hearts out.

It was so fun seeing them all out there again.

Avary and Kate were the team captains.

That just means they call heads or tails.  ;)

Avary and Kate in their own little world!

 Oh, these two.

Her Game On face.

I love this.

Love it.

Tacoma swim meet

For this meet, Avary got a ride with a friend.  So this is what I know.

She got to sit on the diving board while she was in-between events.

And, she did great.  

Again.

So thankful for the 'village' that helps me get my people where they need/want to be.

Sounders Camp Meet and Greet!

For the past two summers the boys have participated in the Seattle Sounders summer camp program.  It was HOT!  I mean HOT this year!  Last year they came home daily wet with blue lips from the cold.

It was a week full of all day soccer playing and hanging out with buddies new and not so new.

One of the many perks of the camp is meeting a player.

This year it was Jalil Anibaba.  

Griffen got his t-shirt signed......

and Jackson, his cleats.

His BRAND NEW CLEATS!  

We'll talk about that later........

What Child Labor Laws?

When duty calls, you answer.  

Griffen had the chance to join me at work last week.  Jackson and Avary were off doing their things while Griffen was left being the last man standing, with me, on the bottling line.  His job was to rinse the bottles and place them on the assembly line to feed them through to be filled with Vodka for Trader Joe's.  He did awesome!

He even got to meet Austin Jenckes, who appeared on The Voice.  He is one of our customers and occasionally stops by when in town.

Hudson, Austin and Griffen.

Papa.

A little tribute to my 'larger than life' Papa my dad wrote.

Nana, dad, uncle Phil and Papa.

Sydney Palmer Bartlett

Retired general contractor Syd Bartlett passed away in Sacramento on July 16th at the age of 90. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of sixty-seven years, Marge, his two sons Rick and Dan (Kim), his daughter-in-law Kathie, eightgrandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son Phil and grandson Matt.

Those who knew him in business regarded Syd as the consummate professional - at all times ethical, fair-minded, and unwavering in his commitment to his clients and his craft. He was respected by his competitors and beloved by those whose labors brought his jobs to life. The many ways in which he touched those around him can best be measured by the many friendships that grew from the work he loved. In every regard, he was seen as someone worth knowing.

In June of 1947, Syd took the hand of Marjorie Albright in marriage, embarking on a journey through life that transcended highs and lows and incalculable loss to grow into something precious and permanent - a union unbroken even by his passing. Syd’s final conscious act was to blow a kiss to Marge - their love defined without a word being spoken.  

To his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, “Papa” was the rock on which we stood. By his example, he showed us how to be strong and kind, firm and forgiving, and always true to ourselves and our word. In his not-so-serious times, he enjoyed teasing anyone and everyone and especially savored those occasions when someone responded with a well-placed shot across his bow. As a grandfather and great-grandfather, Syd loved taking in all the hubbub and chaos that surrounded him. His family and his work were his life and he embraced both with untiring devotion. Until the very end, he was never truly satisfied that he’d seen enough, done enough, or lived enough. Lesser men would have settled for less.

Syd was a member of Rotary International for nearly fifty years,a call to service inspired by his father. Honored as a Paul Harris Fellow, Syd was also presented with The Quiet Rotarian award on two occasions for his work in service to others “without fanfare or desire for credit.”

No memorial will be held at this time.

That feeling you get when someone is watching you.

Yup. I got that today. 

Avarys 2nd swim meet.

Parenting is tough.  Not saying 'I told you so' is even more tough.  Avary went into this swim meet wanting it all.  ALL.  Her goal was to do all 6 events AND get all 1st place ribbons.  Not even the 12 year olds do 6 events.  That's a lot of swimming.  Good news is that she met her goal of events, bad news, if you will, she got slower and slower as the day went on.  I could see the look of disappointment in her eyes, but knew she was learning a great lesson.  Tough on a mommys heart, but also proud that she did today all on her own.  She swam her determined heart out.  She got in the pool every single time her event was called.  She high-fived friends as they competed for the same 1st place spot.  She made me SO proud.

Quick pep talk from daddy during lunch.  He's a swimmer.  He knows the swimmer language.  I do not.  I am there for moral support and sunscreen application.  And, occasionally the tightening of the goggles.

She's amazing.  

Amazing Grace.

Update:

2 - 1st place

2 - 2nd place

2 - 3rd place

Maybe 6 events isn't too many. 

I told you so. 

Nothing says 'you're old' like being the parent of a teenager.

Hold on tight, Jackson is 13.  How did this happen?  It seems like yesterday that we were waiting for him to be born.  He was due on July 2nd, but made us wait an extra two weeks.  Even now, there are days that we sit and wait for him.  That's just how it is.  We all know and love that about him.

We began the day by driving to Krispy Kreme to get the birthday boy his breakfast of choice.  Then sat by the pool for the afternoon with friends.   Dinner was at our favorite hibachi style restaurant and followed by picking up friends to stay the night and frozen yogurt instead of a cake.   

It's hard to get a photo of this one.  He is either 'not in the mood' or just too quick.  Either way, we wish him an amazing 13th Birthday.  

He is how our role as parents all began.  

Perfection.

Found this beauty on my walk this morning.

Hydrangeas take me back to my childhood.  My grandma and grandpa had an amazing Hydrangea plant in their front yard.  I would cut basketball size blooms to take home.  Now, as an adult, I can't grow one of these plants to save my life.  So, I walk the neighborhood full of envy.

When life gives you lemons, make AND sell lemonade.

My lemons were tired, cranky, bored kids.  

This kept them busy for a couple hours.

Update: 4 hours of fun and $14.33 in sales. They were even able to pay back their supplier for product.  ;)

64,207 people in the stands

That includes the 5 of us plus

the 4 additional children that we were responsible for.  

Stressful at times, but so fun!

Craig surprised the kids with 10 tickets to see the Seattle Sounders play the Portland Timbers, their biggest rivals.  With this month being our families 'Christmas in July', we decided to let the kids bring a friend or two.  It worked out great.

Evalyn and Avary ready for kick off!

Brayden and Griffen. 

This was Braydens first Seattle Sounders game live!

He was SO excited!

Adam, Ryan and Jackson.

This was Adams first time to Seattle and to a Sounders game.

Talk about pressure to make sure he and Brayden had a good time.

The sunset during the game.  Not bad, huh?

And here they are!  All smiles after the game.

Mission accomplished.

Driving in my car beep, beep!

Craig and Griffen got up early yesterday and drove to Redmond, WA to visit a car show called Exotics at Redmond Towne Center.  It was a parking lot full of yup, you guessed it, exotic cars. 

He loves fancy cars.

Lucky dog, lucky dog, I'm a lucky dog!

Today was a big day for Ally.  She not only got to go on her first back of the truck ride,

she got to go swimming!

Avary has been asking for-ev-er if Ally knew how to swim.  I told her we would find out during a time that Craig was with us, just in case.........

She was NOT interested. 

 G & A had to coax her with a ball.

She eventually did prove that she could, then quickly headed back to shore.

With disgust.

Avary and her crabs........

At one point she just stood still.  

Didn't budge.

The beach we went to had a giant tree swing.

Fun times!

"take me home, please."

Oh my gawd.  

I'm sounding like my mom.  

My dog doesn't talk.