“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” – John Muir
We’re on vacation on Whidbey Island this week. In a few words, this is what we’ve been up to.


We started by washing the windows so we could see the view.


On the beach. We found the clams but don’t dig them up – just try to avoid the spray.



Hammocking and stick ball.


Playing in the water.


Whidbey wildlife.


The scene and the sign of the week
A beautiful family.
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Thank you, Dr. Stein!
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Clam spray? You lost me on that one—but you got me with Mr. D and the inner tube portrait. What a beautiful shot of a beautiful little soul!
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I had the same thought regarding the clam spray. Who knew?!
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Right – who knew!
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Thank you, Julia! Although he looks so perfectly at rest, his little legs were kicking mightily down below which I thought made the picture even more fun.
I didn’t know about the clam spray either but when we find a clam near the surface and dig next to it, it dives deep by expelling water. And they are super fast. It’s quite fascinating and fun. We have no intention of catching one but it’s interesting to see!
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Echoing Esoterica, “Who knew?” Now we all do! Thanks for the education!
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New one for me, too! As was the verb “hammocking”, love the idea, love the concept, and your kids look lovely hammocking 🙂
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There are amazing, and the one of Mr. D ready to hit a home run deserves a frame. I’m so glad you get to take a little break from the-to-day!
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Thank you, Erin! I love that one too. It’s nice to unwind here on the beach – I’m feeling very lucky!
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Looks like the ideal place to be. Getting the kids to wash the windows? Bravo, lol.
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I agree about the window washing, VJ. Next I’m going to have them sand some steps… 🙂 It’s a pretty neat place for sure!
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Indeed! If you ever write a how-to-raise-kids book, you may want to use that as the title “How I got my kids to wash the windows” — and you have the cover art ready made!
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Lol. Great idea!
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You’re having a great time there!
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We are! Thank you, Cristiana!
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What a wonderful week you enjoyed! Love the deer at the end. Thanks for always giving us a window into your beautiful family. 💕
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I love the deer going down on the beach as well. I’m not sure what they are going for but it’s so fun to see them!
Thanks for coming along, Ab! Hope you all have a great weekend!
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Looks like your vacation is filling you with memories. Great photos and the sign of the week, a great reminder to simply spread love. Enjoy the time away.
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Spread love – yes!! Thank you, Clay!
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I was about to type what Ab said…thanks for sharing pics from a wonderful week…deer included! (And send the window washers over, will you?) xo! 😁
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The deer – from your house to this beach place! So fun. The window washers would love to come visit Aunt Vicki!
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Yay! Send ’em over…they can ride on the deer that seem to be traveling back and forth! 🥰
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Your children are so beautiful and the island is so lovely. Good for you!
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Ah, thank you so much!!
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I have to add – your children are beautiful!
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Thank you, Barb! It’s nice to be able to spend such relaxing time with them!
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It looks like a perfect week, Wynne. I love how good you and your kids are at making it so! 😊
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We have moments where we are out of sync and losing it – but for the most part, we enjoy being together. Thanks for noticing, Jane!
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Wow, it sounds like you’re having an amazing time on Whidbey Island! Your vacation activities sound so enjoyable, from washing the windows for a better view to relaxing on the beach and exploring the wildlife. It’s great to hear you’re making the most of your time there. Keep enjoying every moment of your vacation!
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Makes me want to turn back time to when my children were this age Wynne.
The fantasy to somehow be able to ‘freeze frame’ such precious moments with our children gives way to the stark reality that life moves on. The best we can do is to cherish these moments to be stored in our memory bank.
Be Blessed lady!
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Cherish the moments – such great wisdom. Thank you, Fred!
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Love the pace, the agenda, the place, the sign. Your kids looks so cute and happy
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Ah, thank you, Beth! We are having a fun time!!
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Looks like a very fun weekend on the water. Cool sign, you are an encourager, Wynne.
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Cool sign indeed. Just today a friend sent me this photo of a poster that said “The best things in life are free” and it had a big price tag attached to it… $19.99. Oh, the irony 😀
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That’s hilarious, EW! I guess it marked itself as not one of the best things!! 🙂
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Wow, Rebecca – that is one of the best compliments ever. Thank you!
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You’re welcome. I saw a great sign in a small town in Minnesota this weekend and thought of you. “Peace begins with a smile.”
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Beautiful photos. Are you staying in the same place you’ve stayed before?
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On Mutiny Bay – our favorite spot on Whidbey!
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Intrigued by the clam spray. Is a clam really shooting up that water??
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Isn’t that funny? You can see them near the surface of the sand but if they sense you near, they squirt water as a way to quickly dig themselves deeper. Kinda like a submarine maybe? And they’re fast!
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Wild! I had no idea.
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I was only gone two weeks and the kids grew two inches! Great pics! Hugs, C
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Isn’t that amazing how it works? Welcome back, Cheryl!!
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I always wanted to go clamming when I lived out there, but sadly, that never happened. I love all the exploring you guys do!
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Oh nice!!!!! Great pictures
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Thank you, Bella!
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You’re welcome!
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Love the quote and sign of the week. May you and your family continue to embrace this last month of summer.
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It’s such a nice time of year in the PNW, isn’t it MSW?
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Gorgeous seas of evergreen trees standing tall and dramatic, stunning mountains, plentiful lakes, rivers, meadows, scenic weathered beaches, rainforests… to just name a few things 😉
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Oh, what a list! We’re so lucky!
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