Lake Sutherland II

You may recall The Clingmans (minus Miles, he wasn't in the picture yet) came to Lake Sutherland a few Summers ago. I would tell you how magical this place is or how incredible it is in the Summer AND Winter but honestly I want to keep it a secret gem so...it's a terrible place, definitely don't tell your friends!

This trip we had the opportunity to celebrate with our friends Jake and Katherine. Their blended family have been together for 2 years and celebrated with a family vacation, plus us. :)

We all arrived late on a Friday night and got right to snacking.

And chatting. 

And finally it's time to rest.

With the little kids finally in bed, the grown ups got to relaxing...and group iPhone watching?? What is happening here?

Oh teenagers! :)

 
The next day it was off to explore the area, we decided on a hike to Marymere Falls.

All the kids ready for the hike!

How many 7 year olds fit into this tree trunk?

Almost there!

Pat and the kids on the coolest bridge ever!

We arrived! It was a steep hike up at the end but so worth it. I love a great waterfall!

The beautiful family!

And a Clingman photo too!

Such a big boy! My heart was pounding watching him cross this. 

He's all eyes for Daddy right now. 

Maria and Natasha finishing out the hike hand in hand. 

Back at home it was peek a boo time. 

Pat was our chef for the weekend. He kept us well fed!

Pasta bar, a little something for everyone!

There was lots of reading, board games, coloring, and ping pong tournaments. 

The beautiful lake!

The kids enjoyed the hot tub and then snuggled in for a movie. 

 While the kids were busy with the movie, the adults jumped into the (winter, glacier fed, Washington) lake and bee lined it for the hot tub to thaw out. Pat and Jake did it first, followed by Pavel and then Katherine and I. It was freezing and a little scary (my fear of fish is another discussion) but I'm glad we did it. It was invigorating!

Hot chocolate and reading before bed.

We left bright and early this morning but are already planning a trip back this Summer for more exploring. We had such a great time, the kids were all amazing and we were so honored to celebrate such a loving and awesome family coming together! Thanks Jake, Katherine, Pavel, Maria, Natasha, and Bella (and the pups Gracie and Beardslie for keeping an eye on all of us)!

He's 7!

Nolan turned 7 this month and celebrated this occasion 3 times in a week! First up was his actual birthday on the 12th. He chose to go out to pizza and handed out snack at school, it was a big day!

Next up was the school friends birthday party. We had this one at the movie theater and it was a Puppy Lego theme. 

Yeah, this is Nolan's new photo pose. I guess it's an improvement?

Nolan picked out the lego kit favors and designed the little label. On the back is a picture of his friend Woofer Dog (he's also standing there on the corner). 

He decided since it was a puppy lego party he wanted to greet his guests as a puppy.

It's not a lego party without lego bricks to create amazing things! 

Nolan chose a Dairy Cream M&M ice cream cake with custom lettering and chocolate drips on the side. 

Then the next day it was the family party. Jodi made this amazing lego cake that was equally delicious.

Nolan was obviously so pleased! 

He got these awesome indoor snowballs (made from cotton) which lead to...

An awesome indoor snowball fight!

 Nolan has been 7 for 12 days now and has decided that being 7 is the best thing ever. He has built countless lego kits he received as gifts, ate lots of cake and had a snowball fight. He'll be a great 7 year old!

iPhone Offload: Fall and Winter

pants-less and google eyed for Nolan. 

Homecoming parade was right in front of our house. the kids loved it!

Especially this part, and yes one of our neighbors owns a monster truck!

Clementine's Science birthday party was a huge success!

Playing on the industrial playground at school.

Nolan and I at the Moms group Halloween Party. Miles wasn't feeling well so he missed out this year. 

Making himself comfortable in the most unlikely positions.

Twinsies!

I often find these 2 right next to each other even when there are lots of seating options. I love stumbling across them like this. 

Still sleeps on the floor.

And on his mama.

And sometimes with Daddy. 

Trying to figure out our strategy to win shuffleboard on date night. 

Tailgating!

On our way to Elephant and Piggie at Children's Theater. i pulled Nolan out of school, we got all dressed up and he was pumped!

But before the play i introduced him to the delicious combination of fries and chocolate shakes. 

I was working inside when the boys decided to play outside. Nolan helped Miles with his shoes and off they went. It took 2.5 years but they finally are going outside on their own, one of the main reasons we moved here. 

Playing tag with the monster truck. Just ignore that giant top soil pile, we overestimated a bit on that. 

Thanksgiving, they looked so handsome!

The kids all played outside so when they came in they warmed their toes by the fire. Adorable. 

Add some gravy to my carbs. 

Kids table!

And moving onto christmas. we did our book advent again this year and the boys were so excited. They remembered a few of their favorite books from last year and were anxious to see what day it would pop up. My very most favorite christmas tradition. 

Opening one of their favorites from last year, Olive the Other Reindeer.

Ready to see Santa!

Santa's workshop, don't mind Miles' warped head...he never stands still!

The end result. Much improved over last year but Nolan's hands are looking a bit suspect. I have my eye on that one!

Ruby's birthday. She got a coat because she refuses to go outside in the morning when it's cold out there. Now she will venture out, so glad she likes it!

Nolan made this Ruby decoration for her party. 

The great flood of 2015. 

Beauty and the beast with Em and Clem. 

Fancy dinner downtown afterward. 

Waiting for the snow at Pacific Place. 

Another date night!

Our famous Ruby cookies. I'm going to have to make more next year as people were disappointed when they didn't get one. I also got a sweater cookie cutter for next year. So prepare yourselves for Pirates, Ruby, and Ugly Sweater cookies - Christmas 2016!

A few of our favorites as chosen by the boys. 

Killing time during christmas break at the library. 

And learning how to ride a 2 wheeler. 

On christmas eve out friends showed us the neighborhood hot spots for lights, including candy cane lane shown here in the rain and with 2 sleepy demon eyed children. 

And one where the lights were synced up to music on the radio. Much better than the last 2 years of driving blindly looking for something magical. Thanks Jude and Stacey!

Christmas day shenanigans. 

Day after christmas Nolan dubbed Lego day. We built ever single lego set he got. Then the next day was hot wheel day. I'm feeling pretty confident in my lego and hot wheel track building skills now.