Sunday, May 24, 2009

Camp Green Cove

Call it a "staycation" or a cop-out, either way it turned out to be a total blast! Rather than mustering up the effort & energy to head off on a Memorial Day outing, we decided to "camp" at home in the back yard with our friends the Barrettes. The weather was perfect, and the required level of effort was even more perfect (that is, practically zero), and the fun factor was best of all.
We spent much of the afternoon down at the beach across from our house.

Annie trying out the ropeswing!

Caroline, Margaret & Peter crossing the creek from the other side back to our beach. This is the first year we've been brave enough to cross, and this weekend was the first time the kids had swam across.

Allie, the Barrette's aging dog, thoroughly enjoyed herself too! First time in ages she's gotten to fetch sticks in the water.

Peter out in the kayak by himself. Quite the adventurer...

Margaret & Peter hauling the kayak back home. I LOVE that the kids can actually help with this now :-)

Jeff and Jeff sneaking a couple of marshmallows.

Annie, Maggie (neighbor friend from up the street), Caroline and Margaret.

Jeff and Margaret chillin' out at the campfire.

Margaret and the kids fading out as the campfire blazed on. It was quite a late night--the second late night in a row for most of us, which made for some VERY TIRED campers the next day. At least we adults got to sleep in a real bed (except for brave Jeff B. who stayed in the tend with the kiddos).

Enough energy for one more kayak ride on Sunday morning before we broke camp.

Kind of made us really appreciate how great we have it right here at home...

Sunday, May 17, 2009

M & M's adventures

While Jeff and Caroline were gone for the weekend, Margaret and Mom ("M&M") had a wonderful time together at home. Besides having a tea party on the lawn and baking cookies for our company Saturday night, we went on a beautiful hike today over in the Olympic National Park. It really felt like summer!

At the Staircase Campground before setting off on the hike

At our lunch spot on a big rock outcropping overlooking the Skokomish River

Margaret had fun taking lots of nature pictures--here's one of her neatest ones

Resting on a bed of moss

Enjoying the thrill of the heights

Playing in a sand bar

Caroline & Jeff's Father/Daughter campout

This weekend was Caroline's turn to take Daddy camping at one of the Father/Daughter camping trips offered by the Girl Scouts. They had a jam-packed event with all kinds of activities and fun.
Posing in front of the lake at Camp McLeod on the Kitsap Peninsula (somewhere outside of Belfair)

Carving her walking stick (or something...)

Finishing up her "wishing boat"

Knotting a water bottle holder

Bulls Eye! Well, not quite, but she hit the target on her first ever archery lesson!

Canoeing on the lake with Dad

Caroline and Jeff got to share a bunkbed in a YURT (along with a few other father/daughter duos)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Our California Adventure...

What a truly wonderful long weekend we had in California! The combination of lovely sunny weather and the fun and excitement of the American Girl store and Disneyland made for a perfect get-a-way. Here are a few of the highlight shots...

ON OUR WAY!


Kicking back in the hotel on the first night, after a good swim at the pool.


Taking the girls (all 4 of them!) for a morning walk to breakfast


Waiting for the American Girl Store to open--oooooohhhh the anticipation


After the dolls' salon appointment, where Margaret and Caroline learned several new tricks for how to "do" doll hair.


Preparing for the photo shoot at the American Girl photo studio



Mother's Day lunch at the American Girl Cafe (Does this make me a Grandma?)





Checking out the scene outside California Adventure on our first night in Anaheim


Strolling through Downtown Disney



Caroline and Jeff cruising through Autopia


Margaret took her driving responsibilities very seriously, while Jeff just wondered why Disney hasn't converted the ride into a fleet of electric vehicles...


The victory pose after conquering Splash Mountain. Margaret liked it a bit more than Caroline--can you tell?


The Girls and The Fairy Godmother


Sisters holding hands at It's A Small World... Does it get any better than this?


Margaret enjoying a ride on the horse-drawn trolley down Main Street


Preparing for the 3-D Toy Story Midway Arcade ride. What a blast!


Caroline got invited to play the piano at a cafe on Main Street--she performed her recital piece from memory and did a wonderful job in front of the whole cafe crowd!


The END!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Miscellaneous happenings...

Last week Margaret's third grade class got to perform the "May Pole" dance at school.


Margaret with some of her girlfriends after the performance.


Caroline at the fountain downtown after the Procession of the Species.


Margaret and Caroline enjoying some quality spa time, complete with cucumber treatments for their eyes (whatever that's supposed to do...)