Ben the teenager

This is his latest favorite pastime, playing with Mama's iphone. 

Blueberry Picking in Snohomish

 Last week we went to Snohomish to pick Blueberries with Riley & Blaine. We got so many blueberries that tasted so good and had the best time checking out Snohomish. I hadn't been there in years and it is the cutest little town and trail along the river was great! 

Camano Island

 The kids and I were lucky enough to be invited to our friend's beach house on Camano Island this weekend (Kevin is away on a guys weekend). We had the best time and fell in love with Camano Island, now I want a beach house there. Anyone want to buy me one? :) 

 The guys were so nice and patient and took all the kids out in groups of 3 to fish. They made sure each kid caught a fish, which I thought was so so amazing! I found out later each kid caught the same fish, the dads weren't actually taking it off the line and they'd "throw" it back out while still on the line and let each kid reel it in. Smart dads, gullible me:) The kids were beyond thrilled with their catch! 

 This is poor fish who got reeled in over and over. Nick was feeling pretty darn proud! So cute! 

 Bennet & Ben going out for round 2. They wanted to be in the boat all day!

 The dads also taught the kids to skip rocks, or at least attempted to teach them. It was entertaining to watch them try. 

 The neighbors set up this slide off their deck that goes into an old boat full of water. The kids LOVED it and all kept saying it was just like the fair. I say it's WAY better than the fair since it was set up by someone with a full set of teeth and doesn't cost $4 per ride! 

 They even got out a trash bag to make it go faster. 

 So fun!

 Ben is in the front of the boat, loving just riding along. 

 As soon as he got off the boat Ben headed over for some slide action. 

 A little colder than he expected. He only went down once. 

 The whole gang of kids minus Haley & Sydney who left early. Most of this group met when the oldest kids were about 6 months old, now lots of them are starting kindergarten, crazy! In no time we'll have a pic of them all graduating high school! 

 Ben took his marshmallow roasting really seriously! 

 Yum!

 Since Sarah & I were both single moms for the weekend we decided to bring a tent and stay over. The kids LOVED the tent and apparently thought it was a bouncy house, they all jumped in it forever. 

 Nighty night, sleep tight... or not. Lauren slept all night, Ben not so much. He just couldn't get comfy and only seemed to be able to sleep if he had his arms wrapped around my neck, I'm not kidding when I say the boy likes to cuddle. Needless to say mommy didn't get the best night sleep. 

And since there were 4 kids & 2 moms in the tent it was a full house. But so fun! 

Both of my kids are napping right now, maybe we should sleep in tents more often:) 

Thanks Pepins for a fabulous day! 

Visit with Oma's Family

 The kids and I headed up to B'ham on Friday to hang out with two of Lauren and Ben's 2nd cousins, they had the best time! Chloe is almost 13 and she is amazing! So fun to talk to, so nice, and FABULOUS with the kids. Lauren adored her. 

 Ben spent a lot of his time racing cars, shocker. 

 This guy, Zander, is  the toughest, fastest, biggest 5 year old I've ever met. He wanted me to chase him and I couldn't catch the kid (I know that's not saying much but still...). I think we're going to be able to say we knew him when, I see an athletic career in his future! It was nearly impossible to get a picture because he is on the move. 

 Oma bought all the kids "squirmees" which are just like little fluffy worms that have an "invisible" string tied to them and you are supposed to put the string in your pocket and walk around and it looks like the squirmee is following you. The kids got a kick out of them, well everyone but Ben. Ben thought they were alive and he was FREAKING out every time he'd turn around and see it behind him. I'm talking full on screaming at the top of his lungs, shaking, and clinging to me for dear life. He just couldn't get it through his head that they weren't alive. I wish I had it on video, it'd be a you tube sensation for sure:) 

 He'd be brave for a few minutes and run with it, but then freak out again! Of course he insisted on keeping the string in his pocket. So when the squirmee followed him to the dinner table he FREAKED out all over again! We finally took the squirmee away. It was so so funny! 

 Lauren loved them! Such a fun visit with Oma's side of the family on a really great sunny day! 

American Girl Lunch!

 Lauren, Olivia, & I went to the American Girl doll store for lunch with some friends and it was sooooo fun!!!

 She had to bring her stroller because she was afraid Olivia would get too heavy. Always thinking. 

 A little photo op in the store with her friend Ella.

 They give you little highchairs for your doll, everything is so cute!

 Lauren and Ella with their look alike dolls, both named Olivia of course:) 

 They bring out little tea cups for the dolls too, so cute!

 And to top it all off they have gluten free hamburger buns, gluten free pizza, & gluten free pasta! Yay for American Girl Cafe!!!! 

 Cute girls with their dolls.

Moana, Ella, Lauren, & Me. Such a fun day, Lauren is already asking to do it again. 

The store is quite impressive, it's like a dreamland for little girls...and maybe for their mamas too. Moana and I were kind of in heaven as well:) 

Langley

 On the ferry ride over to meet my parents in Langley. Lauren & Kevin went outside but Ben decided it wasn't safe so he and I stayed inside. Oh how I love having a scaredy cat to hang back with me:) 

 It was a good weekend for crabbing and Lauren was having a blast cracking and eating crab. She also liked feeding the leftovers to all the fish in the marina. There were TONS of them!

 Lauren gave Dereck a very detailed lesson on how to crack crab. It was hilarious. 

 Ben & Pa looking at boats and Ben asking a million questions about how they work. 

 She probably ate 2 whole crabs all by herself! 

 having fun

Ben & Kevin on the kayak. 

Langley is the cutest town! I'd never spent much time there but the little downtown area is so cute, coffee shops, wine tasting, a brewery, gelato, cute shops and it's all with a pretty view of the water! So fun. 

summer fun!

 taking a break from their busy day!

 Lauren gave Carson a little guitar lesson:) 

This boy is on the move now! So fun to watch him go!