Summer in Review(cont.)...

Alaska in August

We were excited about our trip to Alaska this year to see family and also help out with the first annual Crystal Lake Triathlon.  Kevin, Kurt's brother put together a 'sprint triathlon' to help raise money for his non-profit dental ministry.  It was also just a great social event for lots of people to get together!  

The race happened near the family cabin, so much of our time was spent up their...

Kurt and I were introduced to the game of Corn Row (?) (a beanbag tossing game) and Kurt, his dad, and brothers loved playing...

Maddie really loved getting dirty at the lake and her cousins Jasmine and Sierra really enjoyed showing her the ropes...

Story-time with Kevin's girlfriend, Colleen.

Love that face!!

Let the races begin!

(For those of you wondering...neither Kurt or I participated in the race-our excuse was that we didn't have time to train!  Next year...next year ;))

Unfortunately, it did rain the entire race!! Bummer for the racers, but everyone still finished great!

Ummm....brrrr...

Not exactly good motivation to get ready for next year!!

Colleen finished in 2nd place for the girls!  Way to go!

A little chilled but happy to be done.

Maddie was pretty excited about the race!

She was so happy in the dirt!!?

Back in Anchorage, we hung out a lot with the family, and one afternoon visited a nearby park.

Sierra and Madelyn

Sweet, almost 5, Jasmine!!

The double slide thing was great for Maddie

Summer in Review(cont.)...

Lake Whatcom

After our travels east, Kurt, Madelyn, and I drove up north to a lake in Bellingham, WA with our good friends, the Sharps.  Lindsey grew up on the lake, and her parents were gracious enough to have us for a weekend of sun, boating, and good fun :)

Lindsey and I have very similar taste in clothing, so with two little girls, it's hard not to want to buy the same adorable outfits all the time...

so we indulged and tried for a photoshoot... 

So the girls look adorable...but the photoshoot didn't work out quite like we were hoping!!

Trevor and Kurt promised to take Lindsey and I on a leisurely trip on the tube...

we should not have trusted those faces!

time for payback boys!

The weather was beautiful the weekend that we were at the lake and the girls loved the little sandy beach right in the back yard...

What a fun weekend!!

Summer in Review...

Well, I realize it has been a very long time since our last post, and I apologize to all our avid blog viewers, but now that the summer is coming to a close, I find I have a little bit more time to settle in and post some pictures.  Our summer has been a busy one, starting with Madelyn's first birthday back in June, a trip out east for 2 weeks in July, a drive up north here in WA with great friends to a lake house, a week long trip to Alaska in August, and a family getaway to the WA coast to finish it all off,  and of course, multiple visits to local parks and wading pools here in Seattle when we were in town. 

 So now to the pictures...I will try not to post too many, but here is a spattering of our summer adventures!

New Jersey Shore

The NJ shore was a big part of my childhood, whether it was down to Wildwood with family friends or just to Brick to be at our shore house, I don't remember a summer that I wasn't at the jersey shore.  Now, not everyone can appreciate the crammed in houses, the overcrowded beaches, and the somewhat sketchy boardwalks, when you grow up with it though, somehow you just don't think about it.  It was exciting to bring Madelyn here for the first time, with hopes that one day she can come to appreciate this area even half as much as I do :)

Celebrating the 4th of July...

Grandpa G and little Nate

What a happy little family.

Maggie, her boyfriend Billy, and Frannie (I swear that dog is smiling in this pictures!)

A full house for the fourth with lots of family and friends

Katelyn Brown with Maddie

My 'full of energy' 2-year old nephew

I love you Ben!!

The kids donning their matching 4th PJ's (thanks to G and CC) the morning after.

I love sharing parenthood with my brother...how special :)

This looks like trouble...

Ahh...this is what older cousins are for...teaching the young...

"Here Madelyn, this is how we get into the water..."

"Now you try Maddie"

More celebrating!!

Because Madelyn's birthday was only the week before we were out east, Cheri and my Dad hosted a second birthday party for little miss Maddie for all the family in town!

"Thanks, G and CC!!"

Maddie checkin' out all the goods...

I think she looks a little stunned in this picture...

Maddie...you can eat the cake and make a mess...go ahead and go for it!!

Party-goers Aunt Loretta and Andrew

Even the girls (ie-Charlotte and Frannie) were dressed for the party

While at the shore, we had to make a visit to the boardwalk.

Madelyn had no fear of the rides, the classic carousel was her favorite!

Time with the family included lots of "Kan Jam"....

some ice cream...

an attempt at exercise...

lots of Mario Kart on the Wii....

and of course...lounging!

Onto the boating...

"Do I really want to do this?...."

"Something about that grin makes me nervous..."

"Ok...I'm excited!"

"really excited!!!"

Captain Kurt tryin' out the wheel...

I like my family :)

Apparently, the really bumpy rides my dad is known for giving on the boat were perfect for kiddie naps...

Loving the wind on our faces...

"I think I'll even get in.  Mom, just give me a little push...thanks!"

A visit from my great friend, Karen, was a special part of my trip out east!

Done with boating...

Back to the house we go...

"For a photo shoot of me...of course..."

So precious!