Summer time is...

eating popsicles in the backyard,

messy faces,

and older siblings doing the same.

Oh, how we love summer!

(As you can guess, Ella's messy face was totally done by accident while Logan's was done on purpose!)

Summer Outings, Part II

The summer is quickly coming to an end as school starts after our camping trip to Blake Island this coming weekend.  It's always sad to see it come to an end, but part of me is always ready to get back into a routine and to take a break from travelling and all the work that goes with it.  We have continued to enjoy some fun day outings these past 2.5 weeks that we have been home between camping trips to Diablo Lake and Blake Island.  We have been able to do some fun things with Ron on the weekends and some fun things with friends during the week.  Here are some of the things that we have been up to...

On Saturday, August 26th, Ron and I took the kids miniature golfing to the local putt-putt golf course we have in town.  We all had a great time working our way through the colorful and creative course.  Here is Logan picking up his ball after shooting it.

Logan jumping up and down after getting his ball in the hole.

Logan shooting away while the girls look on.

And now it's Lia's turn!

Ron taking a turn.

Ella hitting her ball through the hole in the windmill.

Lia getting ready to hit again.

Papa helping Ella out.

Mama taking a turn.

The kids and I posing at the end of all nine holes!

On the evening of August 26th, we convinced papa to go on an evening bike ride with us on the trail down by the Puyallup River.  Although the kids and I have gone on this bike ride a few times this summer, he has never joined us.

The kids and Ron taking a break on the one bridge we cross during our ride.

Mom and the two older kiddos.  Logan has gotten so good at riding his bike this summer.  It has been fun to see how he can now ride down hills and bike for long distances.

Cute Ella cruising along in the bike seat on the back of papa's bike.

On August 28th, I took the kids to our favorite splash pad park in Tacoma, Titlow Beach.  Since we haven't made it there all summer long, we decided to squeeze it in at the very end of the vacation.  It was another glorious, warm day, so the kids enjoyed playing at the awesome park and in the splash pad.  Here is Logan climbing through the play structure at the park.

Logan and Ella spinning around on one of the toys.

Ella at the splash pad.

Ella, Logan, and Lia all standing under the "water umbrella."

Logan on top of the rock.

Logan running through the water tunnel.

All three kiddos lined up at the edge of the splash pad.

Mama and baby.

The kids eating their picnic lunch while taking a break from the splash pad.

On August 29th, we visited another one of our favorite summer places--Kandle Park in Tacoma with Natalee and her kids.  It was fun to spend some 'cousin time' together before summer ended.  Here are Brynn, Riley, Callie, and Lia relaxing in the baby pool.

Ella swimming in the baby pool.

Logan and Trenton hanging out in shallow end of the wave pool.

The awesome dump bucket dumping water down on the waiting kids below.

We always enjoy spending time in the darling, toddler pool.  Here is Lia about to get dumped on by one of the tiny buckets with Brynn and Callie looking on.

Logan and Trenton spraying Brynn!

Brynn and Ella playing together.

Ella going for a ride on Lia's back.

Logan spraying away.

Ella playing with the water feature.

Trenton and Ella spraying Riley and Brynn.  What nice, older cousins they are!

Ella now spraying Riley, Brynn, and Callie!  Geez.

Mama posing with Lia and Ella in the toddler pool.

Mama running with Ella through the water tunnel.

And a shot of my three kiddos at closing time when NO one was in the toddler pool.  I just love how Ella's leg is pointed up into that air.  Oh, that girl.

On August 30th, the kids and I went to Chambers Bay, a park that I have been hearing about for years, but have never visited.  We went with our friend, Alisa, and her three kids who have gone to the park a couple times before.  It has the most amazing playground that is located on a bluff overlooking the Puget Sound.  Both the park and the view are amazing!  We enjoyed spending a good hour playing at the park before eating a picnic lunch and then going on a bike ride.  Here are all three kids swinging around on the playground.

Logan poking his head through the octopus.

Ella hanging on to one of the bars.

Logan sliding down the rope.

A view of Chambers Bay from the park.

All three kids going down the slide at the same time.

Lia and Bella on the swings.

Logan working his way down the hanging rope again.

Bella pushing Lia, Liam, and Logan on the tire swing.

Liam pushing Logan, Ella, and Jace.

The three older kids pushing the three younger ones.  Now that's team work!

Alisa and the kids eating lunch under a picnic shelter.

The kids and me.

All six kids posing with the stunning sound in the background.

The Hartland gang posing for a family picture.

All six kids on their bikes.  What a cute group!

And they're off!  Logan, Lia, and Bella on their bikes.

Jace, Liam, and Ella bringing up the rear on their bikes!