Trips to the Creek

We do love a trip to the park to cool off. The water's free and cool. The mud supposedly has healing powers. The kids get to splash to their hearts content. We haven't been swimming in the deep water yet, or out to the lake. The lake water is usually warmer than the creek.

Carry your own chair!

Awyn and Sam still love their portable chairs. They'll even put things in the pockets, like a towel.

Best way to beat the heat!

Yup, Sam is sitting in a tiny waterfall in Flower Park. (Part of Chickasaw National Recreation Area) The kids love to splash there!

Bride and Groom

As you might well imagine, actually attending and participating in a wedding has fueled feverish dreams in my ultra-girly daughter. "ooh, she got married!" has been exclaimed many times, and Awyn loves to look at the wedding pictures. She refers to the dress she wore as her very own wedding dress.

I chose this picture to represent the actual wedding because I think it's kind of funny with a groomsman's leg sticking out - makes it look more dramatic for David.

Uncle Dude!

Only Hillary is missing; she got camera shy. Big kids - Jessica, Uncle David, Kyle. Little kids - Awyn, Willow, Jeremy, Sam, Collin, and James.

Happy Feet?

My sisters will understand this picture.

My Siblings!

Yes, all at the same time, all seven of us. We have here Keri, Christine, Kassandra, David, Heather, Heidi, and Me. While I do wish Eric had this shot from another angle, I wouldn't miss Chris's expression for anything. What you are missing is that I've chopped off our feet - we had to walk across mushy soft grass, and every one of us except David was wearing heels. A few of us opted to remove them and walk barefoot, and so our actual heights are a little skewed here, but not by much.

Four Cousins

They're only missing Kyle, but these four are fairly close in age, about a year in between each, starting with Jeremy. Here we have Collin, Jeremy, Sam, and James.

Willow, Me, Awyn, and Mom

Willow wasn't too sure about wearing the same dress as Awyn, mostly because Awyn thought it meant she could be Willow's shadow.

Back at the quiet table...

Behind us you can see my brother and his fiance. Next to me is my Aunt Carol, and my sister Heather. I sure miss my family. Now I need to plan a visit to California in addition to Washington. Sounds like a mega-road-trip to me!

The rowdy table

In the back corner (and several people have moved on...) were all of my sisters, and a few significant others, and I think I see my aunt Rosie back there too - they laughed and talked loudly, had much fun. Still, I liked my table better.

What you can't quite see through the plastic windows is Lake Washington. Heidi's house is amazing, with a beautiful view. She was very generous in hosting the rehearsal dinner.

Grandma Downey, Auntie Cleone, and me.

I lucked out at the rehearsal dinner and got to sit with the California contingent. Much quieter, more conversation, and I got to catch up a bit with my Grandma.

Face Cake!

Yes, a face cake for Dave and Steph's rehearsal dinner. It was from a very reputable bakery in Seattle, or so I think I understood. I think I also drank a little more sangria than I'd intended, although it didn't seem all that strong, hence the reason I was drinking it. I like how the dog is included in the facecake. This is appropriate as she was also included in the wedding.

Pike Place Market

Yes, the home of the flying fish. Note the ferry in the background. Last visit out I don't think we made it to the market.

Grandpa, Awyn, and Sam

Back in Bothell, Downey household, and everything's AOK, just check out all those thumbs-up!

Ferry Boat

I was a little dismayed at how expensive the Washington State Ferries were. They were high 2 years ago, and I swear they doubled. Still, I do hate driving around the long way...

Oooh, a Cougar!

This is at the visitor center for Olympic National Park.
Yes, for those who haven't figured it out, I'm finally adding in some back photos from our vacation back to Washington. I have newer photos that I'm ready to share, really, but I want to work through this mess first.

Grandma's Fairy House

Awyn was very taken with Grandma's fairy house, perfect for a couple of fairies to sit down and have some tea or dew drops. Mom sent a couple chairs home for Awyn to have her own fairy house, and just as soon as some of the flowers we've planted are blooming, we'll arrange them in a flower planter.

Eric's Summer House

This is Eric's current pet project, and the kids love it too.

Introducing...The Watermelon Fairy

Awyn decided that this outfit is what the watermelon fairy wears. There was a very good sale on seedless watermelon, so I bought one and shared it with the kids. Normally I buy them with seeds, as half the fun is sitting outside on the porch, spitting seeds into the grass. In this case, the seedless was actually cheaper. What you can't see is that she's added extra skirts to the dress she's wearing, and there's either a fried egg or pineapple slice on her necklace. Would she go into public dressed this way? Of course, if we let her....

Hammock Time!

Here's where I'd insert a piece of 80's 'rap' music, and if you aren't already humming it, you're either too old or too young, and there just isn't any excuse.

Sam and Awyn both love the hammock. It stretches so nicely between the oak trees, such wonderful shade!

Awyn's Birthday Suit

Awyn is in love with her new birthday outfit from her Grandma. She's worn it as often as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if she tries to wear it for her baptism in a couple weeks.