Sandsational Saturday

It's an annual opportunity that we didn't want to miss again even if the weather was prob nicer @ the cabin...So Cait came along for the ride when I grabbed the boys and headed to Long Beach to check these out:

CLEAN-UP ON AISLE 4

HORATIO HIPPO by grp called "Sand in My Pants" *got that part right too--see below!

If nautical nonsense is something you wish...SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!WHAT'S YOUR NEXT MOVE?

COUCH POTATOES

GREAT WALL

HOW TO TAME YOUR DRAGON

HAKU-THE SHEPARD DRAGON?!
(popular theme @ this event but too fantasy for me to be down with character!)

SHEEPIN' AROUND (not sure if that was appropriate title family class entry...hmmm)

FLIP-FLOP HEAVEN (actually several pairs, but just pictured a couple:)

CAN I GET FRIES WITH THAT?

WOTTER BED

TIPSY TURTLES

WHALE VS PENGUINS

GIDEON'S GALLEON (that's octopus tentacle goin' overboard)

LLAMAS ON VACATION

SANDBAR

EVOLVE

COUPLE SCULPTURES RE: DOGS...Exact titles have slipped my mind prob 'cuz not this woMan's best friend but Luke was a fan:)

SNOOPY IN THE SKY WITH DIAMONDS

Took advantage of free hot dogs to go with rest o' our picnic; plenty o' the 4-legged variety on the beach too! I, for one, was not aware that horses had flip-flops:)but encountered those as well!
Of course then we were inspired to get up close n' personal with the sand ourselves...Our molds n' tools didn't compare with some of the hard-core builders, but hey!Crazy how fast the tide comes in though-we had a couple close calls when it came to moving our stuff! Amazing to see difference it made in the sloughs on either side o' the road in both directions too!
Cole is never one to skip jumpin' in the waves even if a bit chillier on WA coast:) Huey preferred to jump on Aunt Cait, ruin his brothers' creations n' throw the sand but whatever! I've decided it's inevitable no matter how long your stay on the beach, sand will adorn every part of your body n' clothing after you've called it a day!
That plus the goldfish en route made sure that our car was due for vacuum before I went to bed...didn't get a shower/baths, but couldn't wait to clean that up although tried to relax n' enjoy while there!:)
Weather was cooler than inland, but only by about 10-20 degrees instead of the 40 deg. change in May '09 when I was last @ that spot with YW! So I trekked back to car for swim shorts...Dane's impatience made me so glad I did?!
Also encountered this beachcomber?! Random!
Difficult decision to narrow down promised dinner opt but settled on one o' Pacific Ave hot spots for burger, fish/clams n' chips & pizza respectively before heading back home. Fudge/taffy samples are always musts in towns like those too not to mention trying on these cool hats:)

S'more Fun @ the Cabin

We may not have grown up camping in the truest form in fam of all girls, but are still inclined to gooey goodness found between toasted (not blackened!) graham crackers with your choice o' candy bar/chocolate despite the smell o' actual campfire that comes with it:/ Brooke n' Katie B consumed dozen between them, but hey! She's entitled to indulgence on her b-day weekend:) Residue from Dane's outdoor delicacy made him look like Hitler n' Luke's dirt garnish wasn't his fav part...Jumping off the boardwalk along the Basin was, however, highlight of the evening!
Must be cool if his brothers would do it with him:)
Boat ride to the Narrows was perfect way to end Friday evening @ the lake...especially on the bow with aunts!Never fails to rock Luke to sleep or to find older boys snuggled together!















Boys were wiped out already, but weekend fun had only just begun--

Tub Tunes

Ok, so this might've been a little self indulgent since very few would want to watch 7 whole min of Huey being coaxed through his repertoire of songs; however, usually not interested in least so took advantage. I think there's a fast-forward button if necess:)

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Fireworks on the 4th @ the Fort

Ben's first opportunity to join 4th o' July festivities...He was mesmerized by the ligthts in the sky!
Something re: being in former military Fort that made the show that much cooler to the Parker boys too! We are glad it's back in action after couple years' hiatus!
And we're glad that Grandpa Gar was ready to party by 4th o' July too...Can't keep a good man down, but 3 surgeries in one mo is enough for any fam! Glad mom n' Brooke's recoveries have been swift too!"It's dark mom! When does the show start?" This was preceded by classic "Are we there yet??"
Don't worry if Dane wanted me to carry him & Luke outta back to the car?! (Half) Uncle Jake kindly obliged with shoulder ride! Just love how they humor me with all of these festivities, but usually isn't their idea...hmmm-something wrong with that picture?!
What boy doesn't love explosives? And what mother wouldn't be relieved that this is the year they will watch instead o' do it themselves? Cheaper too for our side o' the fam:)Luke was in heaven with Aunt Boop, (half) Aunt Katie Boett, food in his mouth n' music in his ears! He kept leaving me to go sit with them-ah freedom for 20 mos old!
Now where are the fireworks?:) Not posed fwiw, they are that cute together all the time!

Skookum

On the way to the cabin, we always pass the Skookumchuck River and I usually say it to myself a couple times 'cuz it's such a fun name...So of course we were interested in trying out the Skookum Archery right here in Puyallup-My friend Candice (one who actually completed the Tulip Pedal:) is a member and invited us for fun night o' shooting & roasting (hot dogs for the boys & s'mores for me!) Never mind that she just had a scope done on her knee the previous am?! She's amazing & knew it would be the perfect combo for my little boys' entertainment on a warm Sat evening! Yes, the camo shorts have gotten a lot o' play in our limited sunshine & seemed appropo for the "Robin Hood" place as it was deemed by them:)


Luke didn't understand that you needed to look in dir of target?!
Even Cait gave it a go!