An itch to build something.  Something big.  Something that takes too much time, money, and effort.

How about another wall, Babe?

Before:

And currently:

We actually got the front of the wall done in 2.5 days, but that just started the project.  We ran out of materials, gravel, dirt, dirt, and dirt pretty quickly.  I had a few mornings of being on the 7am ferry to cart back as many 80 lb blocks the minivan could handle (spoiler: not many).  As our two weeks wrapped up, we realized that the 30 yards of dirt we got was not enough.  The 20 more I ordered wasn’t deliverable for a week.  Which is why I am here today, anxiously awaiting a dump truck in the next hour. 

And then?  After all that dirt is shoveled into place? 

Then, we will have finally built our blank canvas and can actually start the project. 

Did I mention that Dwayne is back at work and it’s just Me & 3 at the cabin? 

Sigh.

It’s coming,

It’s coming,

It’s HERE!  Handsome, isn’t he?

Summer is officially official.

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!