Summer Lovin'

I'm going to go ahead and call it...

Seattle, this might just be one of the best summer's you have handed us.

The weather has been so amazing, I've forgotten to look at the forecast to determine the evenings or weekends events because I know it's going to be good, awesome or near perfect.

{pleasepleaseplease don't let this post jinx anything}

 

What we've been summer lovin' lately:

 

PEPS potluck gatherings and spray parking afternoons.

 

 Deep talks with Britten

 

 

Skinned knees and story reading.

 

Backyard brunching.

 umm...when did you turn 6 little lady?!  Those gangly little legs...

 

...and catching up with this special friend. Our Aunt Kricky who we do a horrible job at keeping in touch with, but pick up right where we left off. Walla Walla love can do that to a friendship.



 

8 months old: watching this  one thrive like crazy after getting her heart fixed. Sitting, crawling, pulling herself up, eating...It's our own little miracle to witness daily. 

 

 

Gaswork Park picnic. Ivar's style.

 



 

 

 

Family hike. {okay, more like nature walk...but there was some elevation, a river, a look out point...I'm calling it a hike}



 

 

Putting babies to sleep all over our house. I never want to forget how tender she is with her dolls and how carefully she puts them each to bed, making sure everything is perfect for them. 

 

 

Sister time. Secrets, tickles, giggles...

 

 

 

These things are my most favorite any time of year.

 





4th of July Tradition.

 

 Growing up we didn't necessarily have any real 4th of July traditions.
We certainly always did something fun, watched the fireworks, had BBQ's...but it didn't have the same traditions associated with it as a certain most-wonderful-time-of-the-year holiday does.

 

 And I love tradition.

Family traditions.

I love the sameness. I love the anticipation of knowing something wonderful is going to happen again.

Which is probably one of the reasons why I love what these last 4 years or so have created for us on Samish Island for the 4th.

A new tradition.

 

I think we'll keep it.

 

Helping out with Auntie's

 

We went through a couple hundred thousand Poppers over the weekend.

 

 

 Small town parade and my little candy hoarder.

 

Little Miss Sensitive Ears.

 



 

Hanging with the boys.



A little nature discovery walk.

 



Family picture outtakes. (No I'm not pregnant...I think peplum shirts might be something I need to rethink)

 

 

Happy Birthday America.

We sure love celebrating all that you are. 

{Thankful}

Thankful.

 

It's the word I keep referring to when I discuss Madeleine's surgery with anyone.

When I tell them how amazingly she's been doing since then.

When she eats without sweating.

When she gets excited and eager for her bottles.

When she tells me with her eyes and her smile how happy she is that she is feeling so much better.

When I can literally see her energy levels increasing.

When I think about the multiple doctors, nurses, anesthesiologists and additional staff members who made our experience and our stay so comfortable.

 

 

Thankful doesn't even begin to describe it.

It's too small a word.

We are beyond thankful.

We are blessed.

And the many, many prayers for our girl were felt and heard.

 

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou.

Our God is good.

Our girl is well.