Summer's closing.

As summer came to a close here in Western Washington we made the best of it and played for hours outside! I'm sure we'll have a few more warm days, but it's been staying pretty cool here.  So, we're glad we had fun on our last couple of warm days!

~~~

Playing with chalk,

eating corn on the cob,

 and the little man discovered the joys of playing with a hose!

 Another afternoon they came in from outside drenched in water, mud, and grass clippings.  I stripped them both down and they ate dinner naked....followed by a bath.  Kinley is pretty excited to be eating with no clothes on! :)

 We're sad to see the summer go.  We certainly enjoyed every bit of sunshine.  But, I guess we better prepare ourselves for cloudy rainy days, because....that's what's coming!

Good-bye summer, Hello Autumn!

Belated Birthday post

Well...Kalia turned '3' on September 1.

We weren't at home to celebrate her birthday but we did enjoy a short weekend trip to Vancouver Island, BC.  We attended Auntie Kara's wedding reception up there and had a small celebration for Kalia while we were there.

~~~~~

Amazingly this was the kids' first trip on a ferry!  I guess we haven't taken them anywhere west of Seattle.  So, needless to say, this was a BIG adventure for them! And they thoroughly enjoyed it!

The kids sitting and pointing with Grandma Elizabeth.

 Kinley LOVED, LOVED, LOVED to watch the water. 

 With daddy, and with Grandpa!

 Grandpa and Grandma with their grand kids.

 Best buds!!

 Kara threw a little ice cream party for Kalia while we were in BC. She would almost prefer ice cream over cake, almost.... so, she was pretty happy to have a little ice cream Sunday all to herself!

 Enjoying their ice cream.

 On Kalia's actual birthday we drove down to Victoria and spent the afternoon walking around.

Eating more ice cream....

...lounging on the Parliament buildings lawn...

...tackling daddy...

 ...smiling as a family of 4...

(The last time Shane and I stood in this very spot, I was 8 months pregnant with Kalia!)

 ...and saying good-bye to Victoria as we sailed away on the Ferry.

 Happy Birthday sweet little girl!

I can't believe you are 3 already!

Goodness gracious time flies way too fast!

 

Post wedding and birthdays...

We stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Kleppen for the rest of the week after the wedding and enjoyed some relaxing time.
~~~~

 Kara had a photo booth at her reception with different props and dress up clothes.  When Elizabeth and I went up to the reception site to clean up the next morning, we lost track of Kalia.  When I found her she was playing in the baskets of props and this is what she had picked out and put on all by herself!  We certainly had a good laugh!

These kids LOVE dogs!

And.....playing in the dirt!

Country kids at heart!

Merry-go-round at the park.

In this day with all our technology, this is considered old school.  But, it's what our entertainment was as young kids. So, Grandma got out the tape player and showed Kalia how fun it is to have a story read to you!

Kinley trying with all his might to push or pull the "pink" wagon!

Could you sniff any harder? :)

 Last year we had a party for Kalia and Trent since we were there close to their birthdays.  It happened again this year.  So, we had a little birthday party for the two of them.  Kalia loves Cars... so, she had a car birthday.

She is trying to show me how old she is.  The fingers still need to practice.

Oh yippee! I get to lick the frosting off the candles.

Cars and fruitsnacks.  Couldn't ask for better presents!

Well, for a last minute party.  Kalia came home with quite a few presents!

Happy Birthday you two!  More birthday pictures to come.

K & A's Wedding

The BIG DAY!

Storm clouds loomed heavily in the skies, and precipitation was highly expected but, nothing was going to stop this event from happening! It was their big day.

I had the privilege of being the Matron of Honor in their wedding.  And so, because of this I have no pictures of the actually ceremony.  Just a few before and after.

~~~~

Kara getting help putting on her boots.

Father of the bride, waiting patiently to escort her to the ceremony.

 The ceremony site.

 The Kleppen home overlooking the ceremony site.

 Congratulations to the now Mr. and Mrs.

 The Kleppen Family

 Siblings

 Sweet Grandma and Granddaughter.

Kalia fell in love with my bouquet and couldn't stop smelling it. 

Here she is sharing with Grandma.

 And then, Kinley found someones Mnt. Dew can and proceeded to pour it all down the front of him.

 Bride and bridesmaids

 The wedding party

 Hey dad, what's up?

 Trying to get away.

 And they drove off into the sunset.

Congratulations you two.