Fircrest Fun

We have tried to spend as much time at the Fircrest pool this summer that we can. Ella loved her swim lessons and actually made more progress than I had expected and the bonus was she got to hang out with her good friends Lauren and Riley. Ashley has spent her time in the kiddie pool and seems to be fearless keeping Bernie and I on our toes. I know one day I will get to sit there and read a book with a cocktail in hand ....just not for a few years :)

Lake Steilacoom

 Our friends the Lay's just bought a house on Lake Steilacoom and had us out for a day on the water. Bernie got his first real wakeboarding session of the summer in and Ernie showed off his surfing skills for us all. So glad we are finally getting some real summer weather :)

Spray Park

A day at the beach

Lake Chelan

We just got back from six wonderful days in Chelan. Bernie and I used to camp a lot before kids but have been a little nervous to try it with the little ones. Well we did it and I was more than pleased with how well the kids did. Of course it helped that Bernie's parents were there to help and they had their motorhome so the kids could sleep inside while Bernie and I tented it. There was a huge group of us and we packed so much into those six days!

 Ella went on her first Go Cart ride

Ashley found a new obsession...popsicles

We spent a ton of time on the boat

and took the kids and Gramps fishing

We spent a day at Slide Waters, which was the highlight for Ella. She was so proud that she was going on all the slides with the big kids and was not too happy when we told her it was time to go.

Ashley kept Nanny and I very busy in the kids wadding area and had no fear to do absolutely anything all the other kids were doing

We relaxed at the camp site and got a lot of time to visit with Bernie's cousins that we don 't see enough

More fishing...still didn't catch a thing though

 Spent an afternoon with our friends the Angelo's and Ella and her buddy Riley had a great time on the boat

We took naps on the boat

  Bernie got two rounds of golf in and we even got a date night out at Vin du Lac Winery! It was a great trip and we can't wait to go again next year :)

Gone Fishin'

We took Ella fishing for the first time and although she didn't catch anything she was very happy about her pink princess fishing pole. Daddy showed her the ropes and taught her all she needed to know and Ashley was happy as long as she was eating or swimming with mommy. Ella decided that she didn't want to go in the water because she said that was where the fish lived and we weren't supposed to swim in their lake. Hopefully next time Ella can catch her very own fish...she is such a girly girl it might be quite a sight :)

Happy Birthday Ella

 July 4th, 2011

July 4th, 2010

July 4th, 2009

July 4th, 2008

Fourth of July

We celebrated the Fourth of July this year starting out with the first annual Berkshire parade. All the kids decorated their bikes and we paraded the neighborhood. We even had some wavers on the side throwing us candy :) The kids all had a great time and I am excited to see this tradition grow...we already have big plans for next year! Then we headed over to Fox Island to celebrate with Bernie's family. Ella had such a great time, there were lots of little girls her age to run around and play with and Ashley did her best to keep up. Bernie let Ella do her first sparkler (which made me extremely nervous) but she loved it. Another very Happy Fourth of July!

Bainbridge Island

Our friends Jessie and Scott just moved over to Bainbridge Island to an amazing beach house and we went over this weekend to see their new place. The weather turned out better than we expected and we had a very relaxing time. Thanks for the great day Jessie and Scott :)

Auntie Renee was in vacation mode!

Ella played so hard on the beach she decided she needed a little rest too.

Our lovely hostess