We're Back!

This is going to be the mother of all photo posts. Just so you are warned. I throw in a few words every now and again just so you know I am still here. The short summary: we hiked and biked, played at parks, ate a lot, visited much, drove many miles and had lots of fun.

One of the frequent visitors to our cottage were the numerous hummingbirds fighting over the feeder outside the kitchen window. They were great. We don't have this species at home so this was a special treat.

Also, I kept hearing a loud shrieking call from what I knew had to be a larger bird and finally figured out that the ospreys were a dime a dozen on Bainbridge Island. In fact they were nesting on a water tower at nearby Battlepoint Park. Then, driving down the free way, I frequently spotted bald eagles cruising around the edge of the waters. It is undeniable that the mighty big and mighty small convene in the Pacific north west.


We took the ferry into Seattle to visit with family. The ferry is like the coldest hair dryer you have ever used. Your hair whips anywhere and everywhere and you are eating hair and doing your best to see around your long tresses....


Basically, if you like the way your hair looks, never get out of your car while aboard the ferry, because you will have a rats nest by the time you are done with the 3o minute ride.


That concept does not apply when you have excited kids, however.


Wyatt liked walking around the deck looking for mischief. He gets a little wild glint in his eye and I thank the safety professionals that there is wire caging material surrounding the deck.

He just can not help himself. He is a wild child.

But one more nice picture with Dad and we put the camera away and enjoyed the wind tossing us around like rag dolls.


We visited with my cousins in Seattle and took a picture of all the cousin's kids. The kids in the picture are from left to right: Ella and Wyatt, Mia and Hanna (my cousin Kiel's kids), and Grant, Alex and Emma (my cousin Greg's kids)


Walking through the woods, second cousins once removed (or something like that), Ella and Mia walked hand in hand.


Down at the beach the kids could not resist going in the water. I say no thank you!!! Way to cold even for me.

My dear and loving spouse looking stern and tough.

My sweet boy looking stern and tough.

The day before we left we visited the skate park on Bainbridge Island. They have a great skate pit where Mike could jump his bike a little. It's not really meant for bikes and they have signs up saying skate boards only but since no one was around we just went for it.


The graffiti was appropriate for a skate park I think. There were the obligatory skulls and zombie faces, profanity and drug references and undecipherable word pairings.



Wyatt not one to back down from a challenge dropped in too!


The men can actually share the same space. Amazing.


And Ella not to be left out of anything ran around in the bottom of the bowls getting in the way of everything. Good thing it was just us in the park that morning.


And we took a family portrait with my aunt Karen, and cousin Greg's family on their lawn. My Aunt has quite a view of Puget Sound!


Finally, to close out the vacation I am showing Ella playing on a piano that has been in our family for many generations. It belonged to my great grandfather on my moms side of the family. Maybe Ella will learn to play an instrument in the tradition of both of my parents. I somehow did not have the patience when I was 6 years old. I can only hope she is more focused than me!


And after cleaning my house and floors and laundry and kids and truck I am ready for my own personal vacation! It's just back to the grind again!