The end of July

We definitely packed a lot of adventuring into the last couple months we lived in WA. Jeremy was busy working down in CA much of the time so the kids and I tried to find some fun ways to keep busy.

We spent the night with the Chambers family on our trip to B'ham. The kids enjoyed their nighttime stories! And of course played non-stop before that but I got no pictures of that.

We were able to get a quick trip to Leavenworth in to take in a show. The older two were able to go with us this year and we saw Sound of Music at the outdoor theater on Ski Hill. It was great and they enjoyed the show.

The Chambers swung by on their way camping and the kids got to play for a bit.

Lots of cribbage was played. Jaydon manages to pull a number of really good hands.

I took the kids to the butterfly museum in Bremerton after leaving Grandpa and Nana's, before hitting our cousin's 1st birthday party (which I didn't get any pics of - bummer) and then heading to Auntie and Uncle's place for the rest of the weekend.

Some boating time with Uncle and cousins.

 Then we even got to go tubing on our last day. What a wonderful way to end July!

We are alive

Hello, long time no see!

Let's just say life got away from us a bit. I will slowly be catching up with blogging for the 2018 year but it won't be fast. Just a few of the ways life got busy in the past half a year...The winter went well, just lots of school for me (learning new content and first year with both curriculum's) and school for Jeremy trying to get everything ready for his comps. I coached both older kids basketball teams, the girls still did gymnastics and Jaydon's baseball season started in Feb. In April we managed to have our first ever experience with head lice (and it was a brutal weekend into the week of de-lousing), Jaydon broke his foot the day before my birthday and was on crutches for 4 weeks, Jeremy had his comps for his PhD (which he did amazingly well on) but it was an insane week for him and us trying to stay out of his way. I submitted my National Board renewal in mid-May (that is a ton of work and hopefully I pass, I won't find out until November). We found out 2 days before the kids school ended and 4 days before mine was through that Jeremy got a promotion and we will be relocating to the Sacramento, CA area. So needless to say that has made for a crazy summer with house hunting, trying to sell our current house and all the logistics that go into a move. Jeremy started his new job July 2nd so he is down in CA during the week and we are surviving up here without him. This was supposed to be a leisurely summer for us when I told him he couldn't start his dissertation until the fall because I wanted to enjoy our summer, maybe I will see if he can start in January instead. With all that being said blogging was not a priority. I do hope to get back on track when we get settled in CA and will do a brief fly through of 2018 to date.

Visit with the Korstanges

We enjoyed an awesome week hosting our friends from Tennessee. We met Amy and Ryan when Amy and I were RDs at WWU back in '04-'05. We only worked together one year but have stayed in touch (particularly Ryan and Jeremy who will talk to each other probably at least once a month). Ryan had a conference in our neck of the woods so the whole family came out a week before and we got to enjoy a fun filled week of outings and adventures. Jaydon and Lucy are similar ages to their younger to Collins and Alyn and Katy Jane (their oldest) was great at playing and taking care of Kate. It was pretty amazing how quickly our kiddos built up a solid friendship and we made it through the week with no fighting that I can remember.

Some at home play time

The boys would read each other stories each night before bed

Visiting our WWU roots! Introducing the kids to the Red Square Fountain

Taking pics on the Old Main lawn (the Korstanges were better jumpers than the Smoldons for this photo op)

Taking the ferry out to Orcas Island

We made it up to the Mt. Constitution look out with barely enough time to run out get a few pics and drive back down the mt. before it was closed by the ranger. Gorgeous views and at some point I will need to actually get the pics Jeremy took because they are way better than mine.

We went on a fairly strenuous hike up Turtle Mt (I think was the name) but it had a great view and the kids did pretty well.

On our way home from Orcas we swung by Deception Pass and enjoyed some amazing views.

Walking the bridge is a little scary

Heading down to the beach at the pass

Jeremy and Katy Jane collected these little guys from the beach

The next day we went to Ebey State Park on Whidbey Island

More hiking and beach time...seriously gorgeous!

Our last night together all the kids enjoyed story time together

And of course it wouldn't be a complete vacation without a game of Settlers thrown in.

All of the junior ranger booklets the Smoldon kids did during the week (the Korstange kids had a few extras too)!

It was a pretty idyllic week (minus the plumbing problems at our house). We are certainly planning to not wait 13 years to get together again.