Summer camping trip to Mt. Rainier National Park

It was a whirlwind to drive to Tacoma, hang out with Jake and Page, then head to the national park for two night of camping. The pictures tell one story... our words tell another! It was a great trip. Really. But it was also a tough trip too. Little sleep for all of us (and likely our campsite neighbors) and a lot of crying during long stretches of driving. But it was a gorgeous place to spend one and a half days. Oh, it was really hot too :/ I'd go camping again with Leo... but next year when I build up the courage again!

Summer update: June & July (part of August?)

Oh well, I uploaded them and they are all out of order chronologically... that's OK :)

 Memorial Day picnic- we finally enjoy the yard we have laboured to upkeep for three years!

Strawberry harvest!

 Surprise!

 Strawberry- Rhubarb Crisp from the garden (the fruit at least is from the garden!)

 Waiting in line at the Anacortes Ferry Terminal to go to Orcas Island

 On the ferry

 Leo bathing in the kitchen sink - why not?!

Garden door project is officially done- painted to match the exterior trim of the house and finally that door is out of the garage :) Cut a small window in it for funsies (turns out to be perfectly placed for latch access). Also, I think that the winter winds will come whipping through and the window will give better airflow so as not to stress the latch too much.

Shelf installed in the laundry room. Now we will not collect junk on top of the machines! It is a small feature that makes the room feel more cozy instead of bleak.

Michelle prepared Shabbat dinner on a night when I was really pining for it. I came home to this and the love and sweetness brought me to tears.

Load up for a ride, Leo!

 Butterflies have been frequenting the secret garden

 M braids out garlic harvest. Turns out we had 53 heads!

 Up on the wall as both decor and so we can access garlic in the kitchen easily!

Cute little boy :)

 Frequent visitor to our yard. He is the ringleader of two other young bucks. That was a hot day and he bedded down for a siesta just outside the office window

 Greg shares valuable secrets with Leo

 And then we meet Aeofa ("ee-fuh") Greg's 10-week old lab puppy :)

 Serge reminds Leo that hiking is just something we do

Upside down picture: Sockeye salmon caught by our neighbor Archie. She turned out to be about 4.5 pounds.

 Leo considers the fate of seahorses in general and the resident orcas (who feed exclusively on sockeye salmon)

 Josie (Greg and Becky's daughter) has a good hold on young Leo!

 Grandpa G introducing Leo to the new dogwood tree, planted to honour his father and Leo's great grandfather.

 Grandma C and Grandpa G with a tree-happy baby

 "This is my new toy?"

 Gato love. Otto is probably cozy.... Fiona, not so much.

Cousin Surabhi and Aunt Barbara with Leo at his first food ceremony

 We tried to feed him carrots... he almost took to them :)

 Gorgeous boy

 Aunt Katie and Uncle Kevin explain the intricacies of BBQ on the 4th of July

Grandpa T and Nonna take us out to brunch for M's birthday.