Last minute summer fun

We've been cramming in as much last minute summer fun time as possible before school and gloomy weather start!

This weekend we camped at Joemma Beach State Park.

We had LOTS of company!
On Saturday our campsite hosted SIX boys (Drake, Ewan, JJ, Sebastian, River, and Sekai). It was dusty, sticky, noisy, soggy, and FUN!!

On Monday (after a quick pit stop at home for laundry and snack bag replenishment) we headed back to Lakebay to welcome home River and Sekai's Mom, who had just returned (VERY jet-lagged) from an incredible summer working in Lebanon!

"Why is Grandpa's house un-built?"

The funky old double-wide mobile home on Grandpa and Connie's new property is split in two, ready to get moved out!
Plans for the new dream house are almost ready for review,
AND
Today was launch day for Honu, the new ocean rowing dory!
Happy Birthday Grandpa.

Horseshoe Lake

It's actually HOT in Washington!!

We spent the day splashing in the water with The Twins, River and Sekai.
Between the big boys' enthusiasm, Grandma Connie's patience, and Aunt Caroline's hand-me-down wet suit, Drake realized that.....WATER IS FUN!!!!

School Shoes

D got some pretty amazing "FAST" shoes for school.
He sat down patiently to tie them himself.
I think it's a pretty nice knot:

LIAM

This weekend we got to meet up with Drake's Bay Area BFF Liam and his family (Chad, Polly, Tutu Jane, and Best Dog Jax) who were housesitting at a killer pirate hideaway on Bainbridge Island.

D and Liam haven't seen each other in over two years, but instantly disappeared to the tree-top pirate hideaway and bonded over their mutual love of Non Touching White Foods and airplanes.

Renaissance Faire!

Picking Raspberries

Tennis Ball Tree

Tess is thrilled that it's finally the right season for the "Ball Tree" (apple) to bloom.

"I Am The Terror of this Game!!!!"

Yesterday we played the game previously known as Croquet at JJ's house.

Our version looks a bit like Polo, with the full body contact of Rugby, and a very aggressive "Keeper" (sort of like in Quidditch).

The photos are blurry, because no player at any time may stand still.

Eventually Mommy called the game (due to the anticipation of stitches or black eyes), ending the tournament just minutes BEFORE Cousin Mike got a celebratory post-game croquet ball to the noggin.....oops.