Images of Summer

We started our summer with a trip to Massachusetts. It was still rainy and cold in WA, but we got our fill of summer heat in MA with temps reaching the 100's.
The highlight of our trip was spending time with our family, my parents, sister Faye, and her boys Hunter (7), Chase (3), and Logan (1 1/2)
We had a great time at an amusement park. It had many rides for the little ones to enjoy. Above Bini and Logan were so cute howling like wolves as they rode the snow cat.
Ella and Hunter have so much fun together!
Ella, Chase and Hunter.

Lots of Mud pies were made!
the 4th of July in Wilmington is a big deal, there's a big carnival and 2 nights of fireworks. Such fun!
on the 4th of July Faye threw us a big BBQ so we could visit with extended family, It was great seeing everyone and watching Ella play with my cousin's kids.
although Logan is only 2 months older than Bini he seemed so much older because Bini wasn't yet walking and Logan had been walking for about 9 months.

having fun in the Children's museum and Boston public gardens

Building blocks with papa at the Science Museum.
In July we spent some time in Whistler

It is so beautiful up there, and there is a ton to do, but we like to take it easy and spend a lot of time in the pool.



In August Greg got the opportunity to travel to Niger with the World Wide Fistula Fund. A women in Niger has a 1 in 7 lifetime chance of dying from a complication of pregnancy and an even greater chance of living with a non fatal complication of pregnancy. Women who have obstructed labor without access to medical care (cesarean) often develop a vesicovaginal fistula which causes them to constantly leak urine. They are subsequently outcasts of society. This surgery is so exciting because it transforms these women's lives.


In late August we were invited to join some of our dearest friends in Tahoe for an amazing week.


Lucas, Izzy and Ella
Greg swimming after jumping from the pier


going up, up, up on the gondola
mountain top swimming


One of my favorite days was when we hiked up to the alpine Angora lakes, such pristine beauty!

The guys and kids are in the boat pictured above.


oh sweet Bini, we so blessed that he'll still nap in the ergo while we're out and about.





We also had a lot of fun this summer around Bellingham
We found an actual sand beach! It amazes me that after living here for 2 years we are still discovering new very beautiful places.
swimming in Lake Samish and hanging out with best buds Izzy and Lucas
They put on the play Cinderella for us
Berries! One of Bini's favorite words to scream, as in "I want more Berries!" we've been enjoying all the local berries, esp. the blackberries in our own back yard.
The image above was taken in Aug. of last year, the one below in Aug of this year. Seeing pictures like these always make my eyes well with gratitude for where we are today and God's grace.

Farm Camp, Farm Camp! So excited for Farm Camp! She had her outfit picked out a week in advance.
Fun on Lake Samish


We drove up to Mt Baker in June and were a bit surprised at all the snow. Bini's first experience with the cold, white, stuff - he's not yet a fan.
howling like a wolf
On the drive to Lumi island we caught this image of a Bald Eagle and Mt Baker.


To finish out the summer Ella attended theater camp at BAAY. She was in the mini performance of the Sound of Music as Sister Agatha and then was able to sing in the Pixy choir for the lager performance a few weeks later.