Suzuki Violin Lessons

Brooke started taking Suzuki violin lessons this year.  It's amazing to the tiny steps they take to learn how to play the violin! Her first "instrument" was a macaroni and cheese box with decorative paper and a paint stir stick!  Her bow was a wood stick with a special frog training grip for her right hand.  We had lots of fun learning the new songs and going to weekly lessons.

They have carpet squares that are called their "desert islands".  They practice bowing and counting, "One, two, three" and then SMILE!

They practice moving the bow all around.  Their song was called, "Up Goes the Rocket".

I presented Brooke with her REAL violin!  She was excited!

All the kids play one of their first songs, "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" at the end of the concert.  At the Christmas concert Brooke will be playing along with them on what is called "E String Solo" (the same rhythm as everyone but only on one string).

Brooke's favorite part is the backpack feature!

Catching Up

One of Oliver's favorite things to do is make cookies at Auntie Caitlin's house.  This day they made cake pops.  They had no problem getting messy with that yummy cake!

We were able to run behind our house for the high school pep rally parade.  The whole school walks from the high school to downtown where they have the pep rally.

I let Oliver play with the hose one last time.  I was surprised how good of a shot he became!  Next summer I'd better watch out!

Fall Colors

On a nice October day we went out to see some Fall colors at the Leavenworth Fish Hatchery.

Grandpa John got lots of hugs!

NeeNee got to snuggle with Oliver.

Brooke met a new friend.

I even got a nice photo with Brooke!

Can you see the sleeping lady?

Autumn Leaf Parade

The smoke kept the band kids inside every day prior to the Autumn Leaf Parade.  Pretty challenging to march and play outside for the the first time on parade day!  We were so thankful to have a clean air day.  The wind was blowing the right direction!

Children's Museum

While in Seattle, we took a morning trip up to Everett to the children's museum.  The kids got some serious play done there!  We were there from ten in the morning to three in the afternoon!

Driving a real bus!  Watch out everyone!

My friend Dawn from college and Niko joined us.

Oliver helps me in the kitchen at least three times a day.  He was a natural making pizza!

Brooke was making some yummy ice cream cones!

Continued...

We lucked out and got a new campsite a few nights later at Fort Ebey State Park.  A great place to visit.  Probably the most romantic/rustic camping place I've ever been too.  Romantic?!  You'll see...

Yep, here's Maisy-Dog just chillin'.

Okay, so someday I want to come back here with Kent and enjoy this sunset together.  The closest thing to being in Hawaii that we've witnessed!  BEAUTIFUL.

We packed up and checked out Coupeville.  We almost ended up in Coupeville ten years ago when Kent was applying for jobs, but he was runner up for this one.  It would have been a pretty awesome place too.

We WILL be coming back to this restaurant again.

We made our way down to Fort Casey and wandered around.

It's not that child friendly, but pretty awesome to check out!

We checked the internet on Caitlin's phone and found out that school was back in session the next morning.  Kent headed back home and we decided to stay in Seattle for a few more days.

Evacucation #2

When the morning sunrise looks like this, it's time to leave (again)!

This trip away from the smoke was to Whidbey Island.  Here's Miss Dreamy Eyes taking in her surroundings during our leg-stretching break on the way to our campground.

At same moment, Oliver was being a boy... throwing rocks and hitting things with sticks.

We found a little friend.

We arrived at our campsite at Deception Pass State Park.  It was pretty foggy and cold the first night!

Cassy was happy on the beach.

Lots of these were flying by.  One in particular flew RIGHT over our camper at 8pm.  It sounded like it was going to crash into our camper.  It was so loud we all were covering our ears!

No words needed...

There were blackberries right beside our campsite.  So we threw together an AMAZING blackberry pie.  I can still remember the taste, delicious!

Brooke was still interested in sleeping out in the tent which also cleared up the beds inside for Caitlin, Carol and me.  She is one brave girl!

Oliver and Kent joined her this time.  Oliver was always asleep before the first book was read, camping will do that to you!