Walking buddies

Sinker fishing

Last weekend Mason finally got to go fishing. Kind-of. Grampy (wisely) didn't give him a hook, just a sinker to practice casting. I think they spent more time unwinding rats nests than casting.

Dinner time

I'm sorting through pictures and found this shot that Cindy got last weekend at the beach house. Zoom in--I'm not sure what's in his talons, mouse maybe? Or a sea critter of some sort?

Beach dancing

Mr Bubbles

Thankfully when we go on vacation we have Bob next-door who cares for our animals. This time he had a new creature and Kinsey left very explicit instructions for him that I just discovered. She was worried that he wouldn't still be alive when she got home, but evidently Bob follow these instructions down to the letter of the law...maybe.

Beach life

Bentley thinks he has found doggie heaven in Port Townsend.

Averill induction

We invited my parents and siblings out this weekend to the beach house. The kids enjoyed every sport we could offer--football, soccer, kite flying, kayaking, fishing, marshmallow roasting--except swimming. It was a little chilly for that. Somehow we squeezed 23 people into this little cabin.




Uncle Mike brought his Banana Boat. Mason was more than a little excited.

We missed the ferry. And love waiting.

Finding time

We had a packed day Saturday, including evening plans with some friends, but we ran home, grabbed the kids and ended up at the beach by midnight. It was nice to wake up today, have a casual breakfast, go for a walk on the beach, and just enjoy the time. June and Bob came over for the first time, and brought birthday-girl Kris.

It's weird having a second place we call home. It feels like a second life in some ways. We are getting to know the neighbors, the grocery stores, the community. Then we go home to our "regular" life. It's new and in many ways we fell into this. The decision came up quickly and we were just looking for a house, not a new community. Yet we are loving it. Now we just need a couple more days in the week to figure out how to not slice ourselves too thin.

Mason took the first polar bear plunge.

He buried Kenzie's feet and they giggled on the sand.

The Bolams by the Beach.

The mountains were gorgeous, and the kids and I went for a nice walk.

Think this is the first time all three kids were on a swingset. Ahh....


We were worried about our overly-protective dog, but he was very relaxed and didn't bite a single person! He made lots of new four-legged friends, including his new girlfriend Piper.

Only bummer was that we forgot our kayak paddles and dry clothes so we wouldn't let the boys go out. Didn't stop them from trying.

Which was particularly difficult when this happened (a neighbor):

Speaking of neighbors, here's a new one that flew by:

Ideas

Today Mason told me that when he grows up he wants to be an inventor. I asked him what he wants to invent, and he described the Plunger Gun. It is a gun similar to a Nerf that you stand on the ground and when you see an airplane pass overhead you cock the gun and shoot the plunger at the airplane. When you hit the airplane immediately a bubble forms around you and your entire house and you go invisible. You can then navigate with the force of the airplane pulling you to whatever destination you want to go, as long as it is the same as the airplane. There are also additional features, such as smart selection, which is where the device knows what things you would need for your vacation and takes only those from your house. He spoke for a long time about this Plunger Gun, and I believe he has spent even more time thinking about it. I think perhaps we should start filing copyright protection as he is almost ready to go to market. 

"Friendly"

Mason had a soccer game today. Although the season hasn't started, this was an arranged match. I have never been so miserable in my life. The rain was coming from all directions that umbrella was didn't help. We were at the top of the plateau and the wind was whipping and beating us the entire time. Mason played the entire game, the only one without an undershirt on. He also earned every foul in the game. They lost, just to add insult to injury. I kept trying to remind myself we pay for this privilege.

Masons art

Kenzie