We just got her for a week, but cleverly when Six was in town. Wes did not join us, making sure he enjoyed the evening as much as we did.

We also made it to the Highland Games in Enumclaw. Esther ripped up an old flannel and created a, ahem, family tartan we all wore proudly. Piper declined to join us (in the vein that Wes opted out of Six, so we’d ALL join ourselves more), which was handy since we no longer had a minivan and could only fit five in a car. It was fun to watch the games, stand in line for food, and try to hear over the all-day bagpipe competition. I don’t need to go every year, but I’ll be back!

Thanks, Esther! Come back soon. 💖

Piper took a teen art class for a week at a studio just down the road. I am constantly in awe of her talent and hard work! She captured Nugget the Bearded Dragon particularly well.

Wes always provides me with a few fun videos, but this time, Mom helped me out, too! I loved exploring some neighborhoods with her on our bikes.

I’m so glad we got family pictures before we checked out! I always love getting cousin pictures and it’s extra special to get grandparents with their grandkids.

My parents, Dwayne, Kyla and I went on a Bear Hunt, a jeep tour that helped us shoot waterfalls and bears. At the last stop, we finally saw two near the car!

Keith’s and my families did the coolest nighttime hike and light spectacular, Vallea Lumina. I was wondering why Piper isn’t in the family picture, but then I remembered she sulked through the entire hour there, rushed through the Most Marvelous fantastica and waited for us back at the car. Do you know how much work it is to not let someone else control your mood??

I brought the SUPS, Keith had the kayaks, kids had their suits– we were ready for the lake. We probably went 3 or 4 times, which would not have been enough had the water been a little bit warmer or the parking lots a little more spacious. I rarely got wet, but so enjoyed paddling around. Sandi, aunt extraordinaire, jumped in with the cousins many times. The littles let me paddle them around, and the different waterfowl were quite fun. Piper taught the youngers how to catch and release the little minnows and Kyla just loves all the water apps. 😉

I love how Wes and Parker look at each other after they DON’T jump with their sisters.

Well, we read the map wrong, so we did the hike from the back end– technically a little shorter, but definitely “off-road”. Piper waged her protest of being included in this short family excursion by painting a gash on her leg. After a lovely story about a bear that attacked her from a second-story window and she barely escaped with her life, she stopped talking. However, her communication was fine; the picture I most want to publish, but won’t in an effort to be thoughtful, is a beautiful shot of Piper staring straight at me, flipping me off. She limped the entire way and used a branch, a prop of both meanings. But the rest of us enjoyed making it to the roaring water and train cars, abandoned after an accident about a century ago. They are Graffiti Ground Zero now and very climbable for Wesley-like people.

My favorite thing about our Whistler Week is the cousins hanging out together. Piper adores being older cousins to the two littlest, and the two boys can hang out all week and really not need anyone else (though they do want good internet). Cecily won the UNO trophy and Kyla liked being herself, in and out of family life and her own universe.

Brian, Sandi, and my family adventured to the tippy-top, taking 3 gondolas up and over, a short hike, and then a ski lift to cross the two mountains and get a fantastic view.

Piper did the 3 gondolas and stopped before the hike, sulkily sitting until we returned. That is the most obvious reason she’s not in the pictures.

Sandi was excited but really nervous to be on so many gondolas– until we were on the way. She even made it across the cantilevered look-out and did the glass-bottomed car on the way back– all as an excellent role model for her second oldest niece, who didn’t even notice the bravery or good attitude. Sigh. The best parenting really does get wasted, huh?

We also spotted our first bear as we went down the last slope back to the village! To be fair, Brian and Sandi saw one the day we arrived, but this was still exciting. I would do this trip the same we next time we visit; not like the masochists we saw hiking their way up to the first station.

4th of July is the one time we know we will be at the cabin at least for a few days, though Wes and I do our best to be there for a week. This year, we decluttered through garage sales and giveaways, and then Dwayne let me drag him on a bunch of paddleboard adventures.

Lake Goss is usually good for some turtle and eagle nest sightings.

We got stupider when we went down to the Langley marina and after following the shoreline down to Sandy Point, neither of us stopped the other from paddling across to Camino Island. And that wasn’t the problem so much as paddling back as the boats sped up and the wind picked up faster. Luckily, we won’t have to do that idiotic adventure again. The next day, we went the other direction up the shoreline and spotted even more eagles and herons than the day before and we were followed back by a curious harbor seal. I love that my SUP makes me look like a massive predator and fish frantically flail to get out of my way.

I’m pretty sure the kids enjoyed themselves as well; I may not have been paying much attention.