Rookies

We seem to be having a hard time finding our Independence Day rhythm these past few years.  Growing up our family went to New York for weeks on end and celebrated the 4th on the 3rd with fireworks, a beach full of cousins, s'mores, sparklers, half drunk cans of soda, angry grandparents swearing about said half drunk cans of soda, and a ring of fire around the lake.  It was just what we did.  No decisions had to be made or flags bought.  Now we wake up at home or in California or in Chicago and never seem to know what to do.  Neighborhood kids walk by with red, white and blue hair accessories and I'm like, "Man I thought we had a red ponytail holder in here somewhere!  Just wear something festive honey."
All we have are a few random strings of patriotism to our credit.  There was the year my Dad wrote out liturgy in five parts, the year we went to the parade and left halfway through because it was hot, the year we decided to fly back home and told the kids, "nobody gets to see fireworks from this far up!"....including us as it turned out, and lately the year where we buy fireworks at 4 pm and are in bed by 9.  Maybe I should come up with a theme and invite people over but dang it we need some good old fashioned traditions around here.  I don't care if its baking lasagna and singing the national anthem.  Just something.  Otherwise our kids are going to grow up saying, "I don't think my parents celebrate the 4th of July.  I kind of remember sitting on a lawn chair in our driveway....uhhhh."
Something has to be done.

She's totally on to our lameness.

 The entertainment

 He brought out his C.A. suit unprompted, making our neighbors believe we were at least a little prepared

 Even superheros need a snuggle

The big finale...

I'm not joking

volcano alley

One of our summer goals was to take advantage of some of the beautiful hikes near our house.  Our kiddos are finally getting old enough to log a few more miles on the trail and our expert in- house researcher knows how to navigate us to the lesser known destinations.  Read:  After entering the forest, drive two miles down an unmarked gravel road and park after the second pothole just past the tree with six branches pointing east.  

 We actually encountered neither salmon or huckleberrys but dang its a cute sign.

 The backpack was only necessary for about one mile.  We are sooooo close to having two independent hikers. 

 Tia is a trooper on our slow paced adventures...and she even found owl pellets!

Little man needed lots of encouragement (let's count to 100!, let's sing Down By The Bay (a thousand times), let's play I Spy!, etc. etc. etc., go see if you can catch up to Daddy!) 

 Sisters

 contemplating the beauty

 I could have photographed these two all day

 Gettin fancy with the bokeh

 Mountain warrier

 Mt. Jefferson

 and Helens peeked through the clouds

The pictures don't really capture the awe of climbing out of the woods and into the mountaintops but man, these views are my love language.  Like a fairy's door hinged to the King's grandest gate... a simple reminder that I am His.   

Color Monday

We got so lucky to hit the kite festival, and a surprise appearance by the sunshine at our beach trip with the girlies.  A break from routine, some time to explore my creative side, and 360 degrees of beauty made for the perfect day.

getaway

The girls managed to sneak off for a few days to celebrate Miss Christy's birthday.  The weather was cool and cloudy but the fireplace was cozy and the pool was open until midnight and the only item on the agenda was to make one special auntie feel loved.

 Sending us off with a group shot

 Carbo loading at the Otis cafe

 It didn't take mom long to find her happy place

 Hunting for treasure at low tide

 love... 

 times two

classic

 hot tub laugh track while playing truth or dare

Ava: Dare

Mama: Oh I've got a good one.  You have to go potty in the boys bathroom.

Ava:  No! I would get in trouble.

Mama:  No you wouldn't.  It would just be embarrassing.

Ava:  Yeah...they would think I couldn't read.

 sun break selfie

Cutie and the kite

I think I took over fifty pictures of kites.  Oh don't worry there will be a post devoted just to their beautiful colors.  Somewhere between slow fresh food cooking and lounging in the porch swing, random pics have topped my list of summer favorites. 

Here's to birthdays and beach days and awesome sisters!  

*Clink*