Holden's First Day of Preschool

Today was my first day of preschool (2 days a week from 9 a.m. to noon).

I told Karen I'd miss her...she wanted to come with me!

It was an emotional but exciting day for my parents! My favorite activities were "playing with dried beans and playing on the playground".

Olympic Peninsula

This summer my sister and I rode our VERY FIRST ferry to the Olympic Peninsula. It was just the first of many fun things we did during this stint of our trip!

We had a blast exploring the beaches and Fort Worden near the historic lighthouse in Port Townsend.

We stayed with some dear friends, Kit and Warren, whom we met in Montana. They now live in a beautiful home in Port Townsend.

Yes, if you look closely those are BEARS greeting each of the vehicles in this picture!

We got up and close with all sorts of wildlife at the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim. As you can see from the pictures, we got to feed some of the animals right from our truck window!

We enjoyed a picnic at the game farm as well as had some fun in the gift shop impersonating the animals we saw!

A highlight of the Olympic Peninsula was visiting Hurricane Ridge. The views from the visitor center and on our hikes were absolutely breathtaking!

 I sang "The hills are alive"!

Although it was a bit chilly, we found a great camping spot on the peninsula.

 I had fun playing "Lumberjack"!

Grandma's House!

We had so much fun visiting grandma D this summer. She has a big front yard with lots of yummy fruits and vegetables in her garden to enjoy!

We visited Kayak Point just outside of Stanwood and had a blast at the park as well as exploring the shoreline. It was such a nice day we couldn't help but get in the water too!

We visited the Stanwood Fire Department. Papa has a longtime high school friend, Scott Johnston, who oversees the station.

We also got to ride in a HUGE John Deere tractor with another one of Papa's longtime friends, Erik Small.

 Karen adds perspective to how BIG the wheels were!

Our last night in Stanwood, we helped grandma D pick (and plant) some spinach. We also played a game of baseball with yet another one of Papa's longtime friends, Daryl Smith, who joined us for dinner.

Karen had a little help running the bases. She loved playing baseball and hitting home runs!

Visit to Leavenworth

Mommy is still catching up on posting pictures from this summer. We had a wonderful visit to Leavenworth in early July. Uncle Moo showed us how talented and brave cousin Violet can be dangling upside down.

 Papa tried the same upside down stunt with me! I was all smiles!

 Auntie Amy and Violet (almost 1 year at the time of the picture).

 Dancing cousins!

Auntie Teddy showed us her beautiful garden and her scarecrow. We even got to pick some yummy berries. We're impressed with how much of a green thumb she is!

 It's obvious mommy sure does love her brothers!

 Dr. Lola loves role play like me!

A definite highlight from our visit to Leavenworth was floating the river. I was a little nervous at first.

Thanks uncle Kevin and auntie Teddy for providing all the floatation devices.

I made a hook with my finger for much of the ride...pretending to be a pirate!

We loved playing in the sand! The Roberts sisters may recognize this beach!

Nothing like a hot bath after floating the river!

  Dinner with the Rieke families. Miss you all!