Raspberries!

Hooray!  Raspberry season is here!  Our first u-pick of the season was a blast and we took home 16 pounds of delicious raspberries.  It's hard to take home less than that with so many good pickers.  And only $1.50/pound.  I'll be picking more next week...you can never have too many when you make jam and cobblers and freeze them and eat them by the handful.  Berry season is the best!

Fun Things

Nana gave Ethan a new book.  Two in one with around 1000 pages.  He read it in less than two days and loved it.  He kept saying how good it was and how "Nana just sure really must know what I like."  There is no way to keep this kid with enough books!

 The ward party was a fun potluck and movie.  The kids enjoyed watching Cars.

 Oliver got a new backpack for preschool.  I wasn't planning on getting him one, but he saw it at the store and tried it on and fell in love.  And Cooper was saying, "Oh look!  It fits him perfectly!"  And he was wearing it being so cute...it was only $9.

 Can't believe he's going to be in preschool this fall.  He's grown up a lot lately.  It's really fun.  And yes, I'm excited.

 In the meantime, he enjoys being the king this summer.  :)

 And look how cute my sour cherry tree looks!  I gotta get picking!!!

Little Fish

Cooper finished his second set of swim lessons this week.  He made a lot of progress.  He's really not a fan of putting his face in the water and he really really doesn't like water in his eyes, but he was brave and eventually would go all the way under!  More lessons in August with lots of fun swimming in Utah in July!

I Could Get Used to This

Saturday evening we went to Todd's coworker's house for a BBQ.  Yep, his backyard is the ocean!  The weather was perfect and the view was stunning.  We had such a good time visiting and watching the ocean.  The kids got their feet wet and had the best time.  Our summer has sure been lovely so far.

My Girls

I feel really blessed to have these two ladies in my life.  We had so much fun celebrating Tricia's birthday.  So glad my birthday is coming up so we have another excuse to go out again soon!  Not that we need an excuse though... :)

Blaine

On Day 2 of our Collins fun, we took our friends to Blaine.  But not before picking fresh strawberries!  How could we pass up that?!  I think that alone had Missy thinking she might not be living in the right part of the country. :)

Blaine was as lovely as ever.  The kids wore their swimsuits despite it not being the hottest day on the books.  Madeline and Cooper had a grand time out in the ocean.

 It's really weird how far out the water stays shallow

 Meanwhile, Ethan and Michael wondered down the rocky beach skipping stones and talking.  I liked watching them do their own thing.  And the other kids had a blast catching crabs.  The tiny crabs are under every rock.  There are hundreds and thousands!

 Can you see Madeline and Cooper?  Like I said, it stays shallow for a crazy huge distance!  They could probably walk over to Canada.

 Ollie had fun getting his feet wet too!

This cute bunch of kids really makes me happy.

After a good long day of fun, we said goodbye.  The Collins took their adventure into Canada and we went home.  Happy and sunburned and covered in mosquito bites from the evening before.  Every time they itch, I'm reminded of the delightful two days we had with old friends.  It was so comfortable and happy.  It seemed like the perfect way to kick off summer!

Friends!

This bunch of friends is pure happiness!  We were so thrilled that our best friends from our Utah days made their way to visit us in their RV!  Two years later and it felt like we've never been apart.  We had fun talking into the night and playing at Whatcom Falls Park.  Running through the sprinklers and eating ice cream.

Random Wonderful Things

This tree!!!

 I love when the little boys play together.  Even though it's a huge mess every time!

 Ethan ready for camping!

 Can you see Madeline???

 Cooper is a climber too!

 haha - awesome mohawk!  Someone needs a hair cut...

 Last night we had an epic family water balloon fight.  Cooper has been hoping and waiting and wanting this for a long time.  It was SO FUN.  I'm really grateful we've got Cooper in the family keeping things fun!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to my wonderful husband.  These kiddos are so blessed to have the absolute best dad.  

 And look what awesome present they gave him (I'm still chuckling)

We had the best afternoon at Grandpa and Nana's house with Todd's grandparents visiting from Utah. Lots of good food and fun conversation, walks, and naps.  We even tried this interesting beverage:

 Look at all those incredible men and boys

 Four Generations.  My life is surrounded by awesome fathers.

Happy Father's Day to my Dad too.  Best Father the world ever saw.  xoxo