Freezer Jam

Growing up my Mom always made home-maid jam. It is so much better than what you can buy at the store. I decided to try to make some last weekend and it is really not that hard.

You just have to have fresh raspberries.

I got these from the local farmers market.

Wash the berries.

Mash them up... but leave them a little chunky.

Then follow the directions in the Certo box.

Let it sit out for 24 hours and then put in the fridge or freezer.

Yum!

Playmates

The summer has been flying by with so many fun playdates with our cousins and friends.

Cousin Michelle is here from Georgia.

Owen

Clara, and Andrea were here from Montana.

Maddie and Baylie joined us at Lowes for a little building project.

We finally got our fourth of July picture taken... a few weeks late.

We have been loving playing with Jack

Mikalah,

and baby Gunnar.

We are looking forward to more fun in the sun this week.

Parker Family Picnic

The Parker Family Picnic was in Cathlamet, WA this year where my sister and her family lives. It was also Eagle Fest weekend which is very exciting for this tiny little town... parade, street venders, live music, fireworks, wooden boat show, etc...

Parker and Addy watching the parade.

The other kids were all in the parade.

The kids playing at the beach Saturday night.

Everyone that made the picnic... we were missing a few cousins.

Wagon rides before breakfast.

Bike ride around Puget Island.

It was so fun to see everyone and spend the weekend together.

We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Bryan and Lisa's Wedding

We celebrated Bryan & Lisa's wedding last Friday night.

The weather was beautiful and the setting was gorgeous.

We could have not asked for a better night.

Mom and Dad posing with the bride and groom.

The cutest flower girls ever.

Addy did a great job considering we did not practice this at all.

She got a little help from cousin Megan.

Belly shot {29 weeks and counting}

Cheese!

Ellie and Matt were dancing partners all night.

Congrats Bry and Lisa!

We hope you are having a fabulous week in Chelan.

Lake Fair

Summer sisters met in Olympia this week and we got to experience an Oly tradition called Lake Fair...

carnival rides, vendors, and fair food.

We loved having Delane and Parker with us this week.

Addy was just barely tall enough to ride a few rides.

She loved both the little cars and boats.

We finished off the day with a sweet treat. Don't worry Addy had some help from Mom to eat this giant ice-cream cone.

Thanks girls for a fun day!

(P.S. Addy kept asking, "Where's Diggy?")

Fun in the City

We had so much fun in Seattle visiting Leslie and Caroline and enjoying the city.

Friday night was so hot that the little kids loved the waiting pool at Greenlake and the big kids jumped in the lake.

Saturday, Leslie had to work but the rest of us headed downtown to the Seattle Aquarium.

Addy checking out the jellyfish.

"What's that?"

After naps we packed a picnic and headed down to Magnuson Park.

Playing hide and go seek

"I'm going to get you!"

Sunday morning we headed to the Seattle Center to see the Space Needle up close and spend a couple hours at the Seattle Children's Museum. So much fun! Thanks Les for letting us take over your house for the weekend. Everyone had such a great time.

Piano Girl

Matt's Mom teaches piano lessons and Addy loves to sit at the piano and sing with her. I think she has been missing spending her afternoons at Grandma's house. She decided to have a little piano time at home. Hopefully she has inherited the Elhardt side of the family's musical abilities.

Fourth of July Weekend

We spent Saturday morning enjoying the festivities at Lake Sacajawea.

Addy learned all about parades this weekend,

pop-its,

and sparklers.

We played some lawn games

and celebrated our country with great friends and family.

Happy Birthday USA!

Harstine

Diggy's family has a cabin on Harstine Island and going there is one of my favorite summer time activities. Addy went back to camp for two more nights so I took advantage of a little freedom and met the girls at the cabin.

Court and Charlotte relaxing in the sun.

Easton found a comfy place to nap.

BFF's

Dinner down by the water courtesy of Cabe.

Diggy built the fire and

we had smores for dessert.

I can't wait to do it all again with Addy in a few weeks.