Photos of the Week: July 22

In life, it’s not where you go, it’s who you travel with.” – Charles Schulz

One of the many things I love about living in Seattle is that Mt Rainier looms up from so many different angles just driving down the freeway. (photo credit to Miss O)

This bull frog was the wildlife we saw when we went on a lovely hike with Deb (Closer to the Edge blog and my wonderful colleague on the Heart of the Matter blog). It was too hot for the wildlife — and maybe for us. But still so fun to hang out with the amazing and fun Deb again!

The slide started out so well…

I took the kids to their first ballgame. I’m not sure what Mr. D was doing – catching flies? Ba-dum-dum. I’ll be here all week folks.. 🙂

Guess who learned to blow bubbles? It is amazing how entertaining that is…

Mr. D says cleaning the grill is equally as entertaining.

Sign of the week

And a beautiful cactus heart of the week. Contributed by the delightful Cristiana (of the Crisbiecoach blog and my colleague on the Wise & Shine blog).

Photos of the Week: July 15

Time wasted at the lake is time well spent.” – unknown

Endless amount of fun in the cool clear waters of Spirit Lake in Northern Idaho

Hiking, swinging (with a mist for a twist), and reading at the lake.

Miss O and Mr D figuring out how to work together to get Cheerios at the hotel on the way. Amazing how Cheerios can bring a family together! 🙂

I kinda thought Mr. D would be done with time in the car for a while, especially after we took an extra 20 minutes on the way back from the lake for Giving Lift. But he was ready to jump back in and go for a spin.

The kids learning how to pick lettuce in the garden with the best sign ever (see below) and the only rule is that you have to eat what you pick. That doesn’t apply to dandelions!

The heart and the sign of the week thought up by my brilliant friend Katie (from the family gardens at Spirit Lake).

Photos of the Week: July 8

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.” – Marcus Aurelius

4th of July!

And the guest of honor for the 4th of July show was blogger, Betsy Kerekes (Motherhood and Martial arts blog, formerly Parenting is Funny) who came with her hubby to spend 2 days in Seattle. So fun to hang with this dear blog buddy in person!!

Chasing after my favorite unicorn.

This is how we roll.

Hearts of the week – brought to us from CA by the amazing Betsy Kerekes. And I love this sign of the week!

Photos of the Week: July 1

Sometimes you have to travel a long way to find what is near.” – Paulo Coehlo

It was neck and neck in the Tour de Greenlake training wheels stage (thank goodness for the kindness of sisters)!

It’s all picturesque until someone slips and falls … but thankfully no one did this time!

A little work travel. I took a red eye to the East Coast which pretty much just ensured that I spent the whole next day falling asleep on mass transit, grateful for the kindness of strangers willing to wake me up. AND I got to meet the fabulous blogger (The Goddess Attainable) Libby Saylor in New York City!! So much fun!!

And one of my favorite parts of the travel is the wonderful feeling of coming home!

And the sign and the heart of the week…

Photos of the Week: June 24

Whatever you do today, do it with the confidence of a 4-year-old wearing a batman t-shirt.” – unknown

How is it that I never realized that my tent can fit two twin mattresses until this year? I totally should have thought of it the year Miss O and I did a backyard campout when I was 8 months pregnant with Mr. D. Sure, it would have been awkward carry those up to some of the places I’ve used the tent, but it’s way more comfortable! And it works great for the backyard.

I can’t claim that we don’t jump in puddles when it’s cold out — but it is WAY more fun when it’s warm out!

Yard work with my mom (Nana) and Father’s Day with my brother, the fun uncle.

In the yard – racoons on the fence and Calla lilies in a pot. I have been fortunate that those lilies just keep showing up year after year – but I didn’t know that until my friend, Deirdre, informed me that they aren’t that easy to grow and I’ve been breaking all the rules. Hmm, now I’m grateful and love the flowers even more!

The neighborhood skeleton and a sign. Put together and we have the summer of love??

Photos of the Week: June 17

It’s sad to grow old, but nice to ripen.” – Brigitte Bardot

Celebrating getting older. I just noticed in the picture with Mr. D and Miss O – he has a marshmallow gun and she has a fishing pole. Had she caught a fish — I think they might have been in for a surprise!

The Halloween costume that keeps on giving.

Life goes fast – and so do children!

Pure sweetness. And the homegrown strawberries are nice too.

Sign of the week.

Photos of the Week: June 10

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.” – International kids chant

Ice Cream Joe made us run for 3 1/2 blocks in bare feet to catch him. But it felt like a rite of summer – and maybe of childhood too.

We went on a hike with Deb – yes, Closer to the Edge, blogger friend Deb!!! Before we met her, the kids were wondering how I knew her, and why we were friends but had never met. Afterwards, the kids were wondering how often we can see her. Yes, she is just as delightful in person as she is on the page!

Sprinkled with joy…another rite of summer!

We ate dinner at a firehouse and our friend let the kids test out all the rigs. I really think Seattle Fire ought to consider adding the kitty cat headbands to their official uniform.

Around home and the neighborhood

Miss O is the strawberry of my eye. Mr. D is glad we are growing them. He says, “Yum, I really like the leaves.” More fiber that way? 🙂

Sign of the week and heart of the week. The heart is a puddle left by the car on the garage floor. It rained on June 9th after 17 straight days of no rain. I’m afraid if this trend for dry, hot weather continues, Seattle is going to ruin its reputation.

Photos of the Week: May 27

And so with the sunshine and the great burst of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer.” – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Miss O bravely tried to see if a kneeboard worked for paddling. It didn’t….for paddling but still was a lot of fun.

Birds, bunnies, bugs, and borrowed dogs.

The first tries on a pedal bike with training wheels for Mr. D came with a lot of victory, walking the bike, and frustration. Here’s a pic of the former.

Water balloons!!

A heart in slime

Signs of the week

Photos of the Week: May 20

Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

Actually – can you burst my bubble? It’s kinda cool looking?

My Mother’s Day gifts…and the rose is nice too. 🙂

We haven’t outgrown backyard fun — but we have outgrown some of the toys.

Do you think the ducks and goslings celebrated Mother’s Day too?

I’m a little unclear on the current decoration theme for the neighborhood skeleton. Spring?

Photos of the Week: May 13

The cure for anything is salt water – sweat, tears, or sea.” – Isak Dinesen

We spent an evening at the beach this week and it was glorious to dip our toes back into Puget Sound.

A field full of wishes and Mr. D showing us how to release them for their full effect.

Hanging around at home. Miss O wanted to mow the whole lawn herself for the first time. Mr. D said there was a lot of traffic on his imaginary road for pink cars…

Two dogs = one attentive audience

I found the perfect birthday gift for my friend that has everything.

It’s egg-sactly heart shaped. And Miss O must be eating all the right things since she’s spotting things as small as this heart on the pavement.

Signs of the week…