Father's Day at Bay View State Park

We spent Father's Day weekend camping at Bay View State Park, about an hour south of here, with the rest of my family.  The campground is located on Padilla Bay and has a nice estuary with a walking trail that is supposedly also quite nice. Unfortunately, rain was predicted for the weekend and we didn't get to do quite as much hiking as we had hoped!!

Eating dinner under the rainfly!

Kel and Ben had the easy-up to go over the picnic table, but they didn't show up until after dinner on Friday night, so we ate dinner huddled under a tree for a little bit of protection! Thankfully, it didn't rain too hard or too long the first evening and actually cleared up quite nicely after we finished eating! 

There was another loop in the campground that surrounded a big open field; Annaliese and Elias spent a fair amount of time biking the loop and we had fun playing frisbee and blowing bubbles on the grass.

Smelling the flowers!

Relaxing at the campsite

Beautiful sunset!

Saturday morning was also quite rainy and the weather report predicted a 90% chance of rain all morning. We decided that it was a bit too wet to play in and decided to head to Burlington to the Children's Museum where everyone could hang out and stay dry. 

Trying to keep dry!

The Children's Museum was at the mall...we checked out these fun 'cars' that were also at the mall! 

Kyle being thoroughly entertained by this display at the Children's Museum!

I think they were racing to see who could get to Grandma first!

By early afternoon, the rain cleared up and we headed back to the campsite. The kiddos rode their bikes for while and then we were able to build a fire for dinner and smores.

On Sunday, before we packed up and headed home, we walked out to Padilla Bay; the tide was out so we could walk out in the muck and check out the oysters, crabs, and whatever else was living there! 

Playing a little cornhole

Auntie Kelsey with Elias, Annaliese, Haleigh, and Mallory

Oysters

Malachi

Auntie Kim

Uncle Ben, Mallory, and Auntie Kelsey

Grandpa, Elias, and Annaliese venturing out in the muck...

Checking out an oyster up close

Haleigh did not think that getting all muddy and getting stuck in the muck was much fun!

Despite the rain, I think it is safe to say we all had a fun time camping! The girls did a good job sleeping in their sleeping bags in the tent and didn't seem to mind getting wet at all!

4 1/2 Years!

It's hard to believe that Annaliese is now 4 1/2 years old! While she still wears me out most days, I can genuinely say that most days she is also a lot of fun! She has become a much better listener and has also become a bit more imaginative in her play and can be convinced to play on her own for a while.

At the Farm Parade in Lynden...lots of loud noises!

She finished up her first year of preschool and absolutely loved it! It's been really fun to hear her start saying words or singing songs in Spanish. She will use numbers and colors interchangeably and every once in a while I catch her saying something...I have a feeling she probably knows way more than we realize!

With Senora Polinder on the last day of school

With Senora Maria

Showing off her graduation cap 

Annaliese loves playing outside, especially with the neighbor girls, Chloe and Sophia, going to the park, playing outside, coloring, and 'doing crafts.' She loves to color pictures for other people and also wants to know 'what we are going to do next day (tomorrow).'

First haircut!

A few things that we might want to remember in the future:

Sleeping: Annaliese is sleeping on the top bunk of the bunk bed with her cat and her blankie. She usually goes to bed between 7:00-7:30 each night and wakes up somewhere between 6:30-7:30. Occasionally she will take a nap during the day, but usually we just have rest time for about an hour and fifteen minutes each afternoon.

Clothes: Most of Annaliese's clothes are 4T. There are a few 3T things that fit but they are few and far between at this point. Shoes vary between a 9 and 10. She is pretty particular about shoes and will primarily wear tennis shoes...regardless of what she's wearing and whether or not they match!

Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite Color: verde and rojo

May Wrap-up

Once again, as I look back through the pictures on my phone, I realize that I've taken quite a few random pictures of the girls doing normal things that are so cute! So here are a few from the past month!

We went for a run at Boulevard Park and then played by the water for a bit.

'Talking' on their phones

Say Cheese!

Playing together with their babies! 

Annaliese showing off her new book from Grandma Kelley

Annaliese said, "Take my picture and sent it to Dad." So we did:)

At the library...very focused on their puzzles.

The first night with their new bunk bed...this is where I found Haleigh when I went in to check on them!

A Memorial Day Picnic

Grandpa, Grandma, Kim and Thane went camping over Memorial Day at River Meadows Campground, just over an hour from home. We were able to drive down on Monday and join them for the afternoon. Kels and Ben also met us there so all the cousins were able to hang out and play together for a bit! We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs, played frisbee, celebrated Kim's birthday and soaked up the sunshine! 

Malachi, Haleigh, Elias and Mallory playing in the dirt

Auntie Kim braiding Annaliese's hair

Chips + Dirt...what a tasty snack!

Malachi was playing with toys and this tub of water...and then
 decided it would be more fun to climb into the tub!

Grandma trying to teach Elias and Annaliese how to play LeapFrog.

Grandma playing another game with the kiddos!

Searching for the frisbee amongst the blackberry bushes

Ben, Thane and Grandpa all watching Kyle search for the frisbee...they found it:)

Annaliese and Elias playing badminton