Dash Point State Park

We took a trip to Dash Point State Park with a few friends.  It took a while to get there, it took a while to get warm and we had to leave before the kids wanted to (in order to avoid the worst of the traffic and be back for soccer) but the kids sure had a good time!  We were FINALLY able to get some time organized with one of Kayda's pals, Adrienne.  They will  have the same teacher next year too.  

This is one of the nicer beaches on Puget Sound, since it's sandy.  It seems like more often than not the beaches are rocky and actually kind of stink.  The tide was on it's way in unfortunately but the kids made the most of it.  The very first thing when they got there was to take their shovels and start making a wall.  They had to try to stop the tide!   There really aren't waves on the Puget Sound so that takes some of the fun out of it.

I've started making some friends with more of the moms in the area.  In this case it's Gina.  Her two girls are Sophia (in Carson's class last year) and Audrina (in Carson's preschool the first year he went).   Audrina has down syndrome, she is a total sweetheart, keeps her mom on her toes, but it was neat to watch how well the kids treated her.  They were all really good about helping her out and keeping an eye on her.  They made this "bath" for Audrina actually.  Though they all played in it.

We got a pretty good wake from a boat.  I swear it went on for 5 minutes but Gina and I couldn't figure out what boat could possibly have made it.  We looked all over the place but we hadn't seen anything come by big enough.  As soon as those waves started coming in most every kid on the beach RAN to them.

They ran from them and jumped over them just like at the coast.

Sophia and Carson were having a good time playing catch in the water.

Dillon actually went underwater a couple times, Kayda did too at the end.  You can see her "swimming" out there.  The kids could've walked probably 50 yards out and would've still been able to stand... easily.    It's actually a large beach when the tide is out.  It was unfortunate that it was on it's way in and peaked while we were still there.

So many of the kids wanted to play in the "bath" that Kayda and Adrienne decided to expand it.  They dug an entirely separate hole and then dug out the area between so they wouldn't lose the water.

Helping fill the new "bath"

Kids left to right: Audrina, Carson, Dillon (back), Sophia, a random friend they picked up, Kayda and Adrienne.

The creek again

Today we got to go to the creek with a couple buddies.   Ariana, who has been in Kayda's class for several years, and her younger brother Gibson.  I took way too many pictures but I wasn't busy so I went with it! 

Kayda, Ariana and Gibson went on the rope swing.   Dillon wasn't t interested in the cold dunk at the end.

Lincoln Rock State Park

Thursday we headed off on our one and only camping trip this year.  We went to Lincoln Rock State Park with friends Jennifer, Rene, Ryan and Ethan.  

Hanging out the first evening after dinner!

Ryan and Kayda became best friends fast.  Ryan decided that he got first dibs when it came to Kayda.  He has grand plans of marrying Kayda.

"Please go swimming with me Daddy!"

Carson did not like that water (at least not with the life jacket on)!

Making a "harbor"

Bazooka!

Popping a wheelie with Jennifer!

Ryan is in the green, Ethan is in the red!

"Ah this is the life!"

"Should we jump?"

Then the kids are thinking about it too...

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 On Saturday it was stormy so we decided to check out the farmer's market (tiny and NOT recommended) and then we headed to Rocky Reach Dam.

 Had to get Kayda with this depiction of the falls since it was all horses!

 Checking out the fish swimming the fish ladder!

 Making electricity to light a lightbulb!

 There's the dam!

Owl Soda Fountain and Gifts.  It was delicious.  The milkshake was probably the best I've ever had!

We decided to take the trailer straight to Grandma and Papa G's so that we didn't need an extra trip.  Carson was on the lawn mower in minutes and Grandma decided to take him for a ride.  All three kids with her.... that's some serious skill!