Weekend Big Family Field Trip

My mom had a big birthday this year so we all pitched in for a weekend big family get away to celebrate at Fort Worden on Washington's NE tip of the Olympic Peninsula. The weather was perfect, the grounds were great, the beach & lighthouse were near by and we all got to stay under one roof...with our own rooms (not sure that has ever happened!)

Road tripping is rough work

Our digs...the old bachelor officer's quarters

My mom, little brother, myself & all but one of the kids "hiked" down to the Port Wilson Lighthouse. Hiking = having to pull the wagon full of kids over a few rocks and a sand hill.

Isaac off-roading it a bit

Uncle Thad & Cousin Magdalene got to the top of the rock wall!

My little birthday buddy, Zane

Point Wilson Lighthouse

Gramma & the little boys

We made it!

Fort Worden was a key defensive fort before & during WWI. Remnants of the big gun batteries are still in position and perfect for climbing and exploring.

Someone is pretty enamored with her Uncle right now

Overlooking Fort Worden walking up Artillery Hill

Overlooking Admiralty Inlet walking up Artillery Hill

The troops

They were determined to get that wagon up the stairs on their own...it didn't happen

Overlooking Point Wilson Lighthouse from Battery Brannen

Snack break

Snack break selfie!

Going through a 150foot artillery tunnel
Awesome echo tunnel if anyone is looking for a good echo experience

Not sure what was going on here...

ZZ declared "I did it!" once we made it through the clear

We made it to the top: Battery Tolles!

Can't. Keep. My. Head. Up. Any. Longer. Must. Sleep. NOW

Some post hiking, post nap fun:

In this family, no vacation is complete without a trip to the beach.

ZZ's toesies

Isaac's toesies

Gramma's toesies

My sweet niece

Vaughn and his fun new green cast

Auntie & niece..methinks those toes are related!

Exploring with Gramma

A near escape

It was a fun weekend together at a great location. 

Happy to celebrate the birthday of a pretty great mom & gramma!

Summertime Bucket List...3

The calendar says summer is close to an end, but we are still having fun!  Here's another peak at our summer adventures:

9.5 Photos from Preschool. This was too cute not to share!

10. Get woken up from nap in a tornado of bubbles. (I got a VERY happy boy & some serious awesome-momma points for this one!)

11. See the wild animals: We took a field trip to NW Trek to get up close & personal to the wild animals of the Pacific Northwest. When Isaac fell asleep on the tram and I couldn't get off without waking him up, the kind wild-animal-tram-people let us take the 55 min trip again until he woke up. Baby's first nap among the buffalo herd, I guess.

On the tram & ready to go!

Incredible views!

Sleepy boy. It's hard work going on a safari. 

12. Go to the farmer's market

You better believe some of those came home with us!

13. Dance right out of your diaper: He was so stinking excited about a new sign language video & a song about the weather, he nearly danced right out of his pants. (I can't get enough of that laugh!)

14. Help out with the baking: I grew up in a pro-licking-the-beater household. In fact, I am so pro-beater-licking that your persuasion on this issue, quite frankly, is more likely to sway our friendship status than any other hot-button topic.

15. Get caught up on some Saturday morning cartoons: I don't know why this struck me as something special. He was on the floor watching TV like any other kid his age...and maybe that's why I snapped the picture. With all the medical & therapy appointments and tweaks to activities & schedules to make things work for my little boy, nothing is more normal than Saturday morning cartoons sprawled out half dressed on the floor.

16. Take Gramma to the beach. One of Gramma's all time favorite places is the beach and it has taken zero effort to convert Isaac to the beach-loving faith.

Jumping waves

Just look at those sweet piggies in the sand!

The best view ever!