Kingston

 Yesterday we spent the day in Kingston with Nana & Pa. There were starfish all over and Kevin caught a couple in the net for the kids to look at. 

 They were huge!

 Getting ready to put him back in.

 "fishing" They didn't catch anything, weird.

 The captains

 Dingy ride with dad

 Ben drove for a little bit and naturally he took it VERY seriously!

 Another starfish, this one was caught mid meal and he was eating some mussels. Pretty cool to watch. 

 We put him back too, no harm was done so no one needs to call peta;)

 Carsie Poo hanging on the dock with Nana

Me and my gang

We walked up to the Farmer's Market and the kids all got shaved ice. 

They were a huge mess but so fun on the hot day.

 Love love love these two girlies!

 We had a little bbq on the dock, fun minus all the kids melting down right as dinner was ready. 

 The dingy is a fun place to play. 

 The video games on the ferry ride home. 

 Ben thought he was really playing and kept talking about how fast he was going. 

 These crazies had fun wrestling and being crazy on the ferry. 

 As we were leaving the ferry terminal we saw this. Made us laugh. Looking forward to 2005 to buy this...really, they just haven't had a chance to change this sign in the last 7 years?!?

New Leo

Lauren has been saving her money to buy a new leo (apparently that's what all the gymnasts call leotards) and was super excited to finally buy one on Thursday. She started "real" gymnastics this week and is so excited!

Baby Jodie

I'm babysitting my friends baby a couple days a week this year and we are all so in love with her. She's hands down the most mellow easy going baby I've ever met. Lauren is especially smitten and is quite mad that she can't stay home from school on the days I have her. As soon as she gets off the bus she hurries to "help" me babysit:) Sadie has also been coming over to help, they are really cute with her.

Seward Park

On Labor Day we met Nana & Pa at Seward Park. It was a hot sunny day and everyone was having lots of fun enjoying the end of summer!

Seattle with Nana & Pa

 Nana & Pa have their boat moored in Seattle for a few nights so Ben & I met up with them this morning at the Great Wheel. 

 Ben was feeling pretty special being the only kid and getting all the attention to himself! 

 He was a little nervous at first to ride but then got excited and was ready to go. 

I, however, am not as brave so I stayed on the ground:) 

 Getting ready to go!

 It's so pretty- looks great down on the waterfront. 

 There they are- car number 9. I would know because this ride is about 25 minutes long and I watched it go around and around. They took pictures while on the ride of the "chicken" they saw below. I later found out the "chicken" was me. Ha Ha!

 They did it and give it three thumbs up!

 Then we went up to Pike Place and Ben got fresh donuts which he loved! 

 Ben hasn't been to Pike's since he was a baby so it was fun for him to see the flying fish, he thought it was pretty cool. Of course Ben wanted to know how the fisherman kill the fish. He's always the one to ask a funny question like that. 

 The view from the marina- not too shabby. Nana & Pa's boat is the one right in the middle, pretty great  place to spend a few nights! 

Thanks for a fun morning Nana & Pa. 

And shhhh...lets not tell Lauren about all the fun we're having while she's in school all day:) 

Traxx

 Yesterday Kevin & I took Ben to Traxx since it was his first day at home without Lauren. Figured we needed to do something fun with just him! 

 He was really excited. On the car ride there he kept saying, "Thanks for taking me here" even though he didn't really even know where he was going since he'd never been there. But he knew it had to be cool since we told him he'd be driving a Lightning McQueen car!

 In true Ben fashion he was so excited but was trying to hide it. He does this funny thing when he's excited and he gets really serious but has this smirk of a smile. It's like he tries to control his excitement, it makes us laugh. 

He did 2 racing sessions and was in heaven. LOVED IT! He took it so so seriously, it was like he was really on the road and had to drive his best. We've already decided this is where his 5 year old birthday will be- it was so perfect for him! 

First Day of 1st grade!

 Today is Lauren's first day of 1st grade! 

 Lauren and her friend Ella are wearing the same outfit today and so excited about it! I was so bummed I couldn't get a picture of them together but I didn't make it to school in time!

 Her backpack is almost as big as her! She insisted on a "big kid" backpack this year. 

 She was a little nervous this morning because she only has 1 friend in her class. I'm pretty sure by the end of the week she'll be friends with everyone- the girl is a social butterfly! 

 At the bus stop with Sadie! 

 Getting ready to go

So long! 

I can hardly wait for 3:30 to roll around so I can hear all about her day. It's going to be so weird not having her around all day!

Fun times

 Lauren LOVES holding baby Elle and can't get enough of her. 

 Hadley was excited to hold her too, maybe a little more nervous though. 

 These two monkeys are two peas in a pod! 

 Popsicles! 

 Emma at Juanita Beach. 

 Happy Boy!

 Lauren would just sit and hold Elle all day if we'd let her!

 We had a bbq last night, the kids all had fun hanging out!

 Watching the Kindle Fire, totally normal bbq activity right? Grr...

 My high school BFF's

Ben & Syd relaxing