Let Summer Begin!

What better way to celebrate the end of another school year and the start of summer than with a great visit from NomiAnn.  Super generous with her time, she was on a plane and headed to Washington within 48 hours of having arrived back home from her 10 day field trip to Europe with her own Central students.

Never one to miss a moment with her grandbabies, NomiAnn generously volunteered to be daycare for my last three days of school.  What a superwoman!

I love this picture because if you look closely you’ll see that Eila’s holding her bottle in one hand and her binky in the other...just to make sure she knows where they both are. 

As usual, NomiAnn arrived with suitcases full of treasures for our little bump.  Papa Kay always says Nomi Ann is happiest when she has a baby to sew for - and clearly our little one is equally happy to serve as her youngest muse.

FLOWER POWER!!!

Our first weekend brought celebrations for Adam’s first Father’s Day.  While he may not have been lavished in presents and gifts that day (his “new” baby backpack didn’t appear until Wednesday) - we certainly attempted to smother him in love.

Daddy and Daughter.  Eila’s wearing her Eric Carle dress her papa bought for her at Easter.  Thanks to her discovery of solid foods, she’s finally taking a lesson from the hungry caterpillar and is almost big enough to wear it!

Adam’s one request for his special day was a good hike through the trails of Point Defiance Park.  While it turned out that the original plan for a 5 mile hike became a bit overwhelming for us all, we certainly enjoyed the miles we completed.

A family fit for walking.  Wait a minute...who’s the stroller for?

Alternate transportation methods employed.  Pretty cute hat, Adam!

Later explorations in the week brought us to a new park with swings and perfect Eila-sized slides!

Wheeee!

Several months ago I agreed to speak to an audience at the Anacortes Public Library about my experiences on the Hobbit.  The Wilhoit’s were, as usual, amazing hosts.  They recruited many of their friends to come and fill the library space where I spoke, and then invited everyone back to their beautiful home for desserts and baby ogling.

The next morning, though, Oma didn’t need to share at all - Eila was all hers!

Pretty pink Hawaiian dress brought to you all by Oma (via, I suspect, the Red Door :) )

As much as we loved the great company and beauty of Anacortes, I have been promising my mom a trip to Leavenworth, WA for years.  Since we were already up North and had a day to spare, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to cut a few hours off of the journey and do some exploring.  

Little Miss Periwinkle the Prius was valiant in her chugging over Stevens Pass to get us to this Bavarian gem in the middle of the Cascade Mountain Range.  Eila was almost has brave - napping for at least half of the drive.  

Upon arrival, our first stop was a large, shady tree in the town square for a chance to nurse the babe in  a beautiful location.  We were serenaded, of course, by a local accordion playing troubadour.  Once Eila was well fed - it was time for the adults to find some fare.  When in Bavarian - do as the Germans and enjoy a good Bratwurst (or chicken-brat).

Extra sauerkraut, of course!

Gorgeous though it was for pictures, the weather was oppressively warm.  There weren’t nearly enough misters, fans, or air-conditioners to keep ups entertained for more than a few hours, so we stopped back at the city center to enjoy the beautiful planters for a photo opportunity, and then popped back in Peri for a ride back to Puyallup via Snoqualmie Pass (you know, to keep the snipers on their toes).

Back in Puyallup again, Mom and I have been checking tasks off of the to-do list as fast as my sewing machine can sew.  Check out these cute baby leg warmers I finally made!

The ruffle bum comes courtesy of Aunt Kara and Cousin Annika

Sunday is a day of rest, though - so today we put down the pins and escaped to Lake Tapps for some relaxation in the breeze and shade.

Dad’s dream!

I’m trying hard not to feel melancholy that mom’s only here for two more days - but we have truly enjoyed having her stay with us for so long.  Thankfully, our New York adventures are just a few weeks away - so we won’t have to be apart for long!