September Catch-up | Part Two

September is the heart of tuna season for Kevin, so the kids and I are basically on our own, with the exception of a few nights here and there when it's too stormy at sea. As most moms will agree, getting ready for bed can often be the hardest time of the day because children and mommies are tired out and sometimes grumpy. So this summer and fall while Kevin was gone, I tried to be more relaxed during our bedtime routine. Sometimes this meant playing games of London Bridge in the living room when the kids finished cleaning up their toys, or letting a long spiritual discussion continue on until 10pm rather than turn the light out right away, or taking silly pictures in the bathroom mirror during teeth-brushing time.

Jake was still very much grumpy and refused to make a silly face for the camera. :)

When a beautiful, hot day popped up in late September we decided to grab our bathing suits for the last time of the season and head down to the Wading Stream. Oh, how we love the warm sunshine and will miss it dearly this fall/winter/spring!

This time we brought some rubber duckies and the kids enjoyed  letting them go on one side of the bridge and chasing after them as they floated down stream.

My nephew Stephen drove home from Westport (Kevin stayed for another night to keep watch over a load of tuna), but was locked out of the house and so came down to join us so that we wouldn't have to leave right away.

For reasons unknown to me, Jake has decided that when he puts these canned tuna boxes on, he is a "walking cactus" or, more recently, a "pokey cactus." Who knows where he came up with that idea, but it's sure cute watching him walk around the house in boxes! :)

On our way to Costco, we made a quick stop at the fish hatchery by the Tumwater Falls knowing that there should be a lot of salmon there this time of the year. We lucked out and arrived right when a presentation was going on for a school group and we enjoyed listening in. :)

Abby got her hair cut for only the SECOND time in her life (the first time was when she turned four). We'd been wanting to cut it for awhile now, but since Abby had decided she wanted to donate her hair to Locks of Love we let it grow a bit longer so it wouldn't be too short afterwards. :) It was my first time cutting girls hair - seems like it should be easier, but it was more intimidating to me than cutting the boys' hair!

Kevin's parents had been wanting to get some family pictures done before Kevin's nephew Josiah headed off to his first Air Force base assignment in Alaska and so we headed out to the coast for the afternoon and evening following church. Unfortunately, the day was EXTREMELY blustery and rainy, so all the pictures had to be done indoors at their church. Since it also happened to be our 12th anniversary (boy, time flies!), I asked the photographer to take a couple pictures of just us. :)

Afterward, we all headed over to my in-laws for dinner. Thirteen years ago to the day the picture below was taken, the two in the middle were our ring bearer and flower girl.  Now they are both engaged to be married next year! How did that happen?!?