Donnelly and Cousins..........

We had a fun excursion this last week to Donnelly. My cousins that live in the Seattle and Yakima area all came for a visit to their Grandma's cabin and we went and spent the day with them. The last time we all got together was when Molly was tiny, so three years ago! Alex, Duncan, and Sarah, and their families were all there and it was just a really low key, play in the sand, get dirty, make your mom nervous (and grandma too), get sunburned kind of day! My Uncle Neil and his wife Linda showed up in the afternoon and took Craig and some of the grandkids fishing while we hung out at the beach and paddled around 'Dragon Fly Island' and dug deep holes in the sand. It is a crazy thing how people you see very rarely seem so familiar (you have to love genetics) and how your kids instantly hit it off with them! I think Sawyer and Sidon will have fond memories of this day and the time spent with Duncan, Alex, and Uncle Neil.............



The trust factor (this paddle boat was so fun and simple, but sending (almost) all of my children out on it was making me (and grandma) a little nervous........

My Uncle Neil cruising in the Jet Boat...........

Ok, ultimate trust factor, Uncle Neil handing the reins over to Sidon! Yeah, Sidon was in total control of this boat for the majority of our trip (I literally lost two years off of my life because of this!)

Sawyer did NOT want to drive the boat (Neil was surprised, I was not)........

Maggie looked scared the whole time but I'm sure she will adjust...........

Duncan making it to shore after his first sailing venture (it was REALLY windy and it took him quite some time!)........

Alex on his excursion (He built this sail boat with his kids).........

My kids in the process of cooperation (Really?)............

Molly got very brave by the end of the day, she was floating on this shark and feeling very proud of herself.......

Tallis and Grandma (a very good pair)...........

Molly making me a sand pie on the beach.........

Sawyer getting a tow from my cousin Alex and Sidon.........

Alex and Sidon doing the hard work........

Tallis was very brave with the water (Too brave)..........

Tavish (Duncan and Shannon's son) and Tallis loving on Rufus (He was a very good sport when it came to the kids!)

4th of July-Council Style!!

We have experienced yet another 4th of July and it was great as usual! We had the parade (and candy), porcupine race (complete with visiting), lawn mower races (which I missed because I was laying in the shade at the park!), Logging skills competition (which we have many participants to cheer on), pizza from One Eyed Jacks (Thanks Mom!) and a quick clean up and then fireworks at the high school football field! A very full, very fun day indeed!!

Craig in the big saw competition.......

Bo in the big saw competition.......

What gets up early in the morning must fall by the afternoon!

Papa was responsible for the sleeping Maggie, she fell asleep while watching her Dad in the saw competition...

Bo taking his turn......

Scaling the pyramid.........

Bo and Craig..........

Sidon hooking his choker.......

Sawyer and Sidon with their trophies. Sidon won first after taking a fall on his first run and Sawyer came in a very close second! I was proud of them both!

Sawyer preparing for the choker race..........

Under the log..........

Hooking the choker.......

Sidon returning after a fall on his first try....

Running the ridgepole........

Brian and Macee..........

Boys in the parade........

Tallis at the porcupine race.............

Molly striking a pose and asking me to take a picture........

Poser...........

If left alone Tallis is always standing in her high chair, and yes, she has fallen out. I came around the corner and instead of acting as though she had been caught, she copped and attitude!

A warm, quiet place to read...........

I couldn't find Sawyer the other day and after looking (I thought) everywhere I decided to check to see if his bike was gone. It wasn't gone and I found Sawyer in the wagon out front reading in the warmth of the sunshine. I have to admit, I was a little jealous of this quiet spot! Move over Rover...........

Sweet Moments, years apart.............

I couldn't help but post these. The first picture was taken in October of 2007 when everyone was home at Council. Melissa captured Sacha and Cohen in such a Mom moment. While on the beach I caught that same look with Sacha and Gaige. Priceless......



Cohen and Sacha........

Gaige and Sacha............

Fogherty Beach.........

We found this beach on one of our last trips over and had to revisit because it was a fun one. Again the whole clan met up and it made for some good play time!


Tallis.......

Molly................

Sue brought this great ice cream ball. It was heavy so the tossing was left mainly to adults but it was really fun.

Did someone say "Ice Cream"?

Cohen chasing seagulls over the horizon.

Everyone building another sand castle in the creek that runs down to the beach.

Sidon doing his part........

Sawyer and Uncle Levi...........

Aunt Cass and Molly...........