Elliott’s birthday marked the end of a really incredible and beautiful summer. The weather has been hot and sunny nearly daily since May (unheard of around here) and I look back over the last few months and know that we took advantage of it! I’m really behind in blog posts for many reasons, but mostly because it’s been such a busy and fun summer. I almost tried to write a wrap-up post about the summer, but there’s just too much to sift through right now. So I’ll share a few bullet points of my most treasured memories from this summer, and go through the photos whenever I finish Nora’s baby book!!!
- Our first big family vacation, to San Diego. We had a place right on the beach, and everyday we just walked outside and played in the sun, sand, and surf all day long. I have never seen us more content, it was perfect and we can’t wait to go again.
- Anna’s first visit to Seattle! My beautiful niece came with my brother and sister-in-law, and it was so amazing to see the cousins all playing together. The hardest part – always – about living out here is missing the frequent family visits, but now especially when we have little kids. Our little crew is headed back to the midwest this fall to keep the relationships strong between the kids and all of our family.
- Grandpa Timm and Grandma Susie’s Seattle visit! We packed in so much fun during their stay, from berry picking to walking in the Edmonds Fourth of July parade, to a trip to Bainbridge and BBQs at the house. Each year as the kids get bigger, they are able to interact and engage with our family even more. I loved hearing their little conversations with Grandma and Grandpa.
- And speaking of BBQs, some of my favorite summer memories aren’t trip related at all. Each Sunday we would have a pool party of just the four of us in the backyard. J would tear up the slip n’ slide, and I would enjoy my happy hour cocktail in the baby pool. The kids would run around like crazy, Nora especially who is a water baby through and through. Then we would dry off on the trampoline while J fired up the grill. The kids would beg for snap peas picked from the pea vines in my planter garden next to the trampoline, and we would just bounce and giggle and then enjoy a yummy Sunday family dinner.
- Our trip to Whidbey with Mark and Liz and Abbey. We treasure our friendship together, and Abbey is really like our third kid is many ways. So fun to enjoy a long weekend together in a beautiful place.
- And countless trips to our neighborhood park, with Elliott cruising on his balance bike and Nora in the wagon, or J and I taking the kids on our bikes and riding around to parks further away in our neighborhood. So many smiles from strangers as they saw the Fair Family rolling down the street with the kids in tow on their bike seats, and I won’t forget the afternoon sun shining down on the kids’ little heads as we cruised through Ballard on those warm afternoons.
But almost like a switch was turned, it now feels like fall just a few days after Elliott’s birthday. I love the fall, but am not quite ready to saw goodbye to this beautiful summer. Hopefully we get a few more warm days because I could really use one more good pool party.
And now – let’s talk about Boo’s birthday. What a celebration! We stuck with a pirate theme for our Jake and the Neverland Pirates fan, and it was pretty cute.
He couldn’t even wait until he was dressed to open a present, this one a set of Legos from Grandma Dana. Look at those glowing eyes!
Four years old and ready to celebrate!
Then we headed to the fun zone, Elevated Sports about a half hour away. We almost got turned away because it was full, but my begging and pleading got us in! The kids had a blast!
Mom and Dad had a good time, too!
“Helping” little sister through the maze.
After resting back at home, we dove into the presents pile. He was one happy, and lucky, little boy.
The next day we had our pirate party. There was a rain storm early that morning, so we decided to move it from the beach and into our house. It messed up my treasure map, which I had carefully planned the weekend before, but we used things like our washer and pantry instead of bridges and driftwood piles!
All those parties I plan for work has proven helpful for home, too!
We had to cut down the size of the party because of the weather (and our venue!) but we had a wonderful time and we still had lots of loved ones to celebrate our special boy.
The birthday chorus:
Definite dress up theme this year! Grandma Susie and Grandpa Timm totally nailed it with the Turtles gear, and Cheri and Terry picked out the perfect pirate gear.
We sure love this boy. Happy day, magical Elliott.
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