I don’t need the bun to love my burger, but I do like my pineapple.  Almost even got this thing in my mouth.  Maybe snakes do one thing right by having a jaw they can unhinge. 

We had to leave the next day before another guest checked in for the weekend, and Dwayne was ready for a family adventure day.

We started our day with breakfast at Mukilteo Roasting Company (come in for the coffee, goodies, and lovely food and stay for the great atmosphere!) and somewhat spontaneously, found ourselves driving out to Ebey’s Landing, a place I’ve taken the kids once, but Dwayne has never seen.

It’s basically an original homestead, made into a little museum about white man’s early settlement in the Coupeville area and allows for a gorgeous walk through the prairie, with mountain views, down to the beach. To call it prime real estate is to understate.

Note to self:  Need more than one water bottle for this hike on a hot day!

[Note”  we got back in time for Dwayne to go to the mainland for 5 hours as I shoveled about 5 yards of gravel.  He may remember the circumstances slightly differently, but he doesn’t blog.  History belongs to the writers!

It is Day 8 of the Great Wall project, and we quit a little early (5pm instead of 9pm), and gathered the kids for ice cream o’clock and an evening at Deer Lake.   

Right away, Piper found a dog who played with her the entire evening, effectively making all her dreams come true. 

The kids took turns paddling around in the raft and on top of alligator.

This is what I dreamed a week at the cabin would be like!

We were on vacation (ahem, “vacation”), but we didn’t want to miss the lovely family party that Dwayne’s work group throws most summers.  It was all the way out at Remlinger Farms, but worth the trip for us. I love the more-than-hamburgers menu, the kids remember the games and cotton candy, and Dwayne likes the camaraderie outside of the office. 

We started with rock climbing and mini golf.

Remlinger is perfect as it has an entire outdoor facility for company rentals, as well as the public areas with rides and farm attractions.

Kyla and Wesley flew pumpkins and Piper did her best to make Daddy dizzy.

I didn’t take the time to get my beloved henna tattoo, but Piper got her face air-brushed. 

Beautiful!

We did it in 2013 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017. And we certainly weren’t going to miss 2018!  We seem to double our kids for Independence Day, and I love it more every year.  We now have it down what to bring (blankets, jackets, pants, sunscreen, beach tent, and lots of cash) and the 7 hours go by pretty fast. 

I

I noticed we started with the same appetizer last year.  The portions are huge, but all 6 kids had already worked up an appetite on the bouncy houses and catching crabs on the beach.

The church had VBS Sunday, with a picnic and games.  I love that Kyla wanted to ride the mechanical bull, regardless of her blue velvet dress!

He’s a solid 8 years old, but for maximum enjoyment, still sucks his fingers and pulls up the nearest shirt so he can go check-to-skin.  I did love sucking my thumb while caressing the satin edging of Blankey, but Wesley….  Well, I’m praying for a tolerant wife for that future man.

The ducklings were eager to go camping as soon as school was out.  A nearby park had a one-night opening at a cute little cabin, so I grabbed it.  Um, in spite of the rain in the forecast.  Again, a cabin instead of a tent.

 

So, so cute. The outlets and electric lights were particularly adorable, as were the mattresses and table.

Of course, it looked like this before we had even finished unpacking the car. Thanks, Wes.

It didn’t look like this again until we packed up the next day.

We only camped from about 4pm to 11am the next morning, and when we got home (in the rain), the kids all ran inside with their tablets.  Not one thought about unloading the car, until I excitedly gathered them all together that evening and let them report to Daddy how much each helped Mama that day.  When they realized all the unloading, unpacking, washing, repacking was done by Mama, they also realized that would probably the only camping trip this summer.

Well spotted, ducklings.

We  hadn’t been to the zoo for 11 months, and our return was quite pleasant.  We saw almost every animal, and most were out posing…their butts.

The ones that weren’t posing had their pictures up and my kids did the posing.

Piper was particularly interesting in looking the part.

New to us this time was a most gorgeous Butterfly Garden.

Wesley explored adorably. Or confusedly.  Your call.

I’m coveting this t-shirt.  Go positive body image!