School is officially in session for the year. Things are starting out pretty well. We are doing a new ciriculuum this year that Steve is pretty pleased with. They are still working hard on the reading, writing and 'rithmatic parts, but also reading stories from the Bible, Charlot's Web and other great pieces of literature. Lots of reading out loud on the couch along with table work. Should be an interesting year. Steve picked up a fun book that is called "Totally Irresponsible Science" that he and the kids are having fun with too. So today as they were finishing up school Sis and I did a little baking (life skills) and Steve and Andrew blew up some sandwich bag bombs! I love homeschooling!!! =0)
(Check out our Halloween decorations too! It's getting to be that time of year again!)
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Silly pics
Frolicking Daddy!
A couple of way fun wigs I picked up at my absolute favorite store, our local Good Will. For Halloween I got Andrew a Incredible Hulk costume, will paint his hair and face green, and we have our two hulk fists that he will bring with him. Nicole has decided to be a "Midnight Princess", a very cute black dress and I am hoping she will wear the black wig to go along with it. Or she could always have green hair too! She had thought about being a kitty cat after I found the blue wig, but the Midnight Princess won out.
A couple of way fun wigs I picked up at my absolute favorite store, our local Good Will. For Halloween I got Andrew a Incredible Hulk costume, will paint his hair and face green, and we have our two hulk fists that he will bring with him. Nicole has decided to be a "Midnight Princess", a very cute black dress and I am hoping she will wear the black wig to go along with it. Or she could always have green hair too! She had thought about being a kitty cat after I found the blue wig, but the Midnight Princess won out.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Andrew's 8th Birthday Party
Andrew turned 8 on Sept 17th. We had a pizza party at home for some neighborhood friends and some homeschool friends. We shared our birthday party with one of the boy's whose birthday was just the day before his. It was a lot of fun!!! Then we had a sleep over with two of the boys and one of the girls. They were up till 1 am eating candy watching movies and playing with the new toys.
The next morning we had a waffle breakfast and played with our friend's new Giga Ball! We had a terrific time with good friends!
The next morning we had a waffle breakfast and played with our friend's new Giga Ball! We had a terrific time with good friends!
San Juan Island trip on SEAN o' Sea cont 6
Day 11 Good morning! Our last day! We are up drinking coffee in the cockpit watching the kids play on the beach again this morning. They were digging in the sand, doing a little fishing and playing at the park here on the Island. Will be leaving here about 1 pm, should be back at our dock by 4 pm. Cloudy today. Guess we left the sun in the islands. We sailed some for a while, which was very nice. Nicole slept for a while. Then after she was awake again we were passed by a huge freighter and it sent out a terrific wake! It made Nicole go flying! (she wanted me to put that in =0) It was about 5 pm when we actually got there. The last pic is of us rounding the corner into our marina at home. We had such an amazing, outstanding, spectacular trip! A trip of a lifetime! The amazing thing is that it wasn't! We get to do it again next summer!!!! Wow. Hope you have enjoyed our first trip to the San Juans along with us. =0) And know there are more to come!
San Juan Island trip on SEAN o' Sea cont 5
Day 10 a.m. Good morning! I am sitting up in the cockpit with my coffee enjoying a warm sunny morning listening to sea gulls. Steve and the kids are still in bed. Lazy heads! On the way to Blake Island around noon today. It has been amazing! We left Port Townsend under sail, beam reach at 5 knots an hour. Not too tippy for the princess. I love beam reaches! Fuel tank full and our tummies full of ice cream. Always dessert first right? About 30 miles to Blake so about 5 hours or so. Then home to my newly spacious home after 11 days on this little sailboat!
We made it to Blake Island after a long 6 hour trip. Some sailing, but more motoring. Sunny and warm the whole way. I steared for a bit and Steve napped in the cockpit easily available. The kids watched movies some but took a long nap. They are so cute when they are asleep! Got a sweet pic of them all cuddled up together. We saw some orcas on the way too. We followed them for a bit. Saw5 or 6 of them Steve said they were the transients father south than we expected. It was cool. We had dinner then the kids and I went and played on the beacch till it was dark. Steve stayed and rested on the boat. He was exhausted. It will be good to get in our own bed again!
We made it to Blake Island after a long 6 hour trip. Some sailing, but more motoring. Sunny and warm the whole way. I steared for a bit and Steve napped in the cockpit easily available. The kids watched movies some but took a long nap. They are so cute when they are asleep! Got a sweet pic of them all cuddled up together. We saw some orcas on the way too. We followed them for a bit. Saw5 or 6 of them Steve said they were the transients father south than we expected. It was cool. We had dinner then the kids and I went and played on the beacch till it was dark. Steve stayed and rested on the boat. He was exhausted. It will be good to get in our own bed again!
San Juan Island trip on SEAN o' Sea cont 4
More of our adventure journaled via my texts!
Day 9 continued.
Hi! We made it to Port Townsend. It's the weekend of the wooden boat festival! We decided to anchor out with a few hundred of our closest friends! The weather is spectacular. This could not have been a better trip! Me and the kids are hanging out on the boat while Steve heads into check things out. I am enjoying an adult beverage and going to dive into my next book and boat watch while the kids melt their brains with movies. After dinner we promised the kids we would get ice cream on shore tonight. Wow, I think I could do this forever! Do I have to go back????
Day 10 Good morning! We had a nice evening in Port Townsend. We dinghied over to a beach and then walked down the main street. Lots of "interesting" folk here. We saw a t-shirt that said "We are all here because we aren't all there." Isn't that the truth! s of crystal shops and a street performer that made the most conservatives want to break out a hookah, as Steve pointed out. Found a great used bookstore and got Andrew a great book about rocks- the kids have a growing collection- and a book about whales of Alaska for Sis. We got our ice cream. Yummy marion berry sherbert for me in a waffle cone! It's nice to be back in civilization. Also found a great knot book for kids or for a mom who still needs to learn who is not great at following instructions and likes pics best too! We had a really nice time.
Day 9 continued.
Hi! We made it to Port Townsend. It's the weekend of the wooden boat festival! We decided to anchor out with a few hundred of our closest friends! The weather is spectacular. This could not have been a better trip! Me and the kids are hanging out on the boat while Steve heads into check things out. I am enjoying an adult beverage and going to dive into my next book and boat watch while the kids melt their brains with movies. After dinner we promised the kids we would get ice cream on shore tonight. Wow, I think I could do this forever! Do I have to go back????
Day 10 Good morning! We had a nice evening in Port Townsend. We dinghied over to a beach and then walked down the main street. Lots of "interesting" folk here. We saw a t-shirt that said "We are all here because we aren't all there." Isn't that the truth! s of crystal shops and a street performer that made the most conservatives want to break out a hookah, as Steve pointed out. Found a great used bookstore and got Andrew a great book about rocks- the kids have a growing collection- and a book about whales of Alaska for Sis. We got our ice cream. Yummy marion berry sherbert for me in a waffle cone! It's nice to be back in civilization. Also found a great knot book for kids or for a mom who still needs to learn who is not great at following instructions and likes pics best too! We had a really nice time.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
San Juan Island trip on SEAN o' Sea cont 3
More of our adventure journaled via my texts!
Day 9 We spent the day at Stewart Island. It was quite warm clear and gorgeous. We went on a very looooonnnngg hike. It was about 6 miles round trip out to the one room school house and a museum thenout to Turn Point Lighthouse. Did I mention that it was long? Especially for two 7 year olds!! But we made it and it was interesting and beautiful Then back to the boat for a relaxing afternoon. Steve took a nap. I finished my book and the kids played with the nets off the dock for a bit and then watched some movies. No adventures after dinner, just hanging out on the boat/dock. Up this morning around the San Juan Island hoping to see the resident whales but no luck. Saw lots of jumping salmon. We are officially out of the San Juan Islands now. We will be back at Port Townsend tonight. It's been a great time.
Day 9 We spent the day at Stewart Island. It was quite warm clear and gorgeous. We went on a very looooonnnngg hike. It was about 6 miles round trip out to the one room school house and a museum thenout to Turn Point Lighthouse. Did I mention that it was long? Especially for two 7 year olds!! But we made it and it was interesting and beautiful Then back to the boat for a relaxing afternoon. Steve took a nap. I finished my book and the kids played with the nets off the dock for a bit and then watched some movies. No adventures after dinner, just hanging out on the boat/dock. Up this morning around the San Juan Island hoping to see the resident whales but no luck. Saw lots of jumping salmon. We are officially out of the San Juan Islands now. We will be back at Port Townsend tonight. It's been a great time.
San Juan Island trip on SEAN o' Sea cont 2
More of our adventure journaled via my texts!
Still day 4 SOS sent out to my sisters and mom! "HELP!!!!!!! I am stuck on a 30 foot boat with two maniacally evil 7 year olds!!!!! And I think I may have pms! Not a good combo! AAAaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!" This is sent out the day of the video from the inside of the boat. After you watch it, you will understand!
Day 5 Good morning! We had a nice evening in the town of Friday Harbor where we were at the marina with showers and laundry facilities. Good to have clean hair again!! We went for a walk up the hill to a grocery for milk, lettuce, cookies and other staples. Also got some yummy ice cream cones just off the dock. I got to do some cleaning with our small vacuum since we had shore power which was nice. After dinner we went out on a dinghy tour of the marina. We saw moon jellies all around and back at the boat we got out our nets and caught some of them and some shrimp!!! It was too cool. We watched them in our bucket for a while then set them free. Foggy this morning when we left. Steve almost fell in at the dock! Glorious now. Headed to Sucia Island and seeing dolphins on the way!
Day 6 Goodmorning! Yestuday we motored to Sucia Island. We got a great spot on the dock. Met some very nice people from a yacht club in Canada that have come down together. Steve rested on the boat for a while and Nicole, Andrew and I went to the beach close by. They swam and swam. Had some great fun with a huge piece of driftwood they used as a boat. Got some cool pics! Steve came down for a bit too. He hurt his knee after falling yesturday a.m. as we were going to get fuel. Had one leg go in the water and twisted his other knee. Last eve after we had dinner
Steve and Andrew in the dinghy for a ride and me and sis for a walk. Then we all walked up to the top of Fox Point where we got some incredible sunset pics of the Islands. We are here for another night exploring the Island today. Weather is amazing. Clear and sunny in the 80's =0)
Day 7 Goodmorning! Second day on Sucia Island. We hiked out to Echo Bay and Shallow Bay. Kids did great again hiking. Lots of up and down and just a little whining. We played in tide pools, walked by China Caves and saw Dragon Rock between Echo Bay and Shallow Bay. Got some way cool pics and video. Then back to the boat for lunch then me and the kids back to play in the water and back on the driftwood boat. Steve resting knee on the boat. The kids got washed off with our solar shower. Much warmer today than last time. I even washed my hair in it! After dinner we took a hike that turned into an adventure. We hiked up a crest of hills between our bay and the next one. There was lots of up and down hiking, but kids did fine. It got dark on us and rather steep. Me and the kids stopped, but Steve wanted to finish the loop. We had one flashlight. I stayed with the kids at the junction of the loop without a light and Steve went on with the light. It was dark by the time he made it back. The kids were nervous and so was I. We played eye spy as long as it was light, Then sang a little. It was pretty creepy. Steve was gone for probably about a half an hour maybe a bit more. Too long. We started calling his name and finally hear him answer. Whew. Then back down a very up and down hike back. Sissy said never again on that hike! I agree! Today more exploring Sucia Island. Decided to stay one more night. We love this place! No hikes after dinner planned tonight. Just a dinghy ride.
Day 8 Goodmorning! We had more fun exploring Sucia yesturday. After breakfast we took a hike out to Mushroom rock and then more tide pooling around Fox Point. We saw some amazing deep purple sea stars lots of sea aninonmies and lots and lots of crabs. Then back for lunch and another hike out to Echo Bay to see some more rock formations. Then back to the boat to change into swim suits for more swimming and playing with the driftwood boat. After dinner we took a dinghy ride over to Snoring Bay. More awsome pics of the islands and the sunset. Early morning out this morning. Steve up at 0430 left by 0500, the kids and I slept till 0700 just as we were arriving at Stewart Island. Sunny and maybe 90s today! Hottest day yet. Gorgeous!!!! Packing lots of water for our hike to the lighthouse!
Still day 4 SOS sent out to my sisters and mom! "HELP!!!!!!! I am stuck on a 30 foot boat with two maniacally evil 7 year olds!!!!! And I think I may have pms! Not a good combo! AAAaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!" This is sent out the day of the video from the inside of the boat. After you watch it, you will understand!
Day 5 Good morning! We had a nice evening in the town of Friday Harbor where we were at the marina with showers and laundry facilities. Good to have clean hair again!! We went for a walk up the hill to a grocery for milk, lettuce, cookies and other staples. Also got some yummy ice cream cones just off the dock. I got to do some cleaning with our small vacuum since we had shore power which was nice. After dinner we went out on a dinghy tour of the marina. We saw moon jellies all around and back at the boat we got out our nets and caught some of them and some shrimp!!! It was too cool. We watched them in our bucket for a while then set them free. Foggy this morning when we left. Steve almost fell in at the dock! Glorious now. Headed to Sucia Island and seeing dolphins on the way!
Day 6 Goodmorning! Yestuday we motored to Sucia Island. We got a great spot on the dock. Met some very nice people from a yacht club in Canada that have come down together. Steve rested on the boat for a while and Nicole, Andrew and I went to the beach close by. They swam and swam. Had some great fun with a huge piece of driftwood they used as a boat. Got some cool pics! Steve came down for a bit too. He hurt his knee after falling yesturday a.m. as we were going to get fuel. Had one leg go in the water and twisted his other knee. Last eve after we had dinner
Steve and Andrew in the dinghy for a ride and me and sis for a walk. Then we all walked up to the top of Fox Point where we got some incredible sunset pics of the Islands. We are here for another night exploring the Island today. Weather is amazing. Clear and sunny in the 80's =0)
Day 7 Goodmorning! Second day on Sucia Island. We hiked out to Echo Bay and Shallow Bay. Kids did great again hiking. Lots of up and down and just a little whining. We played in tide pools, walked by China Caves and saw Dragon Rock between Echo Bay and Shallow Bay. Got some way cool pics and video. Then back to the boat for lunch then me and the kids back to play in the water and back on the driftwood boat. Steve resting knee on the boat. The kids got washed off with our solar shower. Much warmer today than last time. I even washed my hair in it! After dinner we took a hike that turned into an adventure. We hiked up a crest of hills between our bay and the next one. There was lots of up and down hiking, but kids did fine. It got dark on us and rather steep. Me and the kids stopped, but Steve wanted to finish the loop. We had one flashlight. I stayed with the kids at the junction of the loop without a light and Steve went on with the light. It was dark by the time he made it back. The kids were nervous and so was I. We played eye spy as long as it was light, Then sang a little. It was pretty creepy. Steve was gone for probably about a half an hour maybe a bit more. Too long. We started calling his name and finally hear him answer. Whew. Then back down a very up and down hike back. Sissy said never again on that hike! I agree! Today more exploring Sucia Island. Decided to stay one more night. We love this place! No hikes after dinner planned tonight. Just a dinghy ride.
Day 8 Goodmorning! We had more fun exploring Sucia yesturday. After breakfast we took a hike out to Mushroom rock and then more tide pooling around Fox Point. We saw some amazing deep purple sea stars lots of sea aninonmies and lots and lots of crabs. Then back for lunch and another hike out to Echo Bay to see some more rock formations. Then back to the boat to change into swim suits for more swimming and playing with the driftwood boat. After dinner we took a dinghy ride over to Snoring Bay. More awsome pics of the islands and the sunset. Early morning out this morning. Steve up at 0430 left by 0500, the kids and I slept till 0700 just as we were arriving at Stewart Island. Sunny and maybe 90s today! Hottest day yet. Gorgeous!!!! Packing lots of water for our hike to the lighthouse!
San Juan Island trip on SEAN o' Sea
We had a glorious family vacation this summer on our 30 foot Catalina SEAN o'Sea. The name stand for Steve, Earline, Andrew and Nicole of the Sea! It was challenging being on a boat for 11 days with my two lovely, and active children, but we had grand adventures, lots of fun. Here is my journal of our trip, via the texts I sent my family as we traveled.
Day 1: Hi there! We are on our way to the San Juans!!! A little bumpy start, Steve misread the fuel tank and we ran out of fuel about two hours after we left. Had to wait an hour for vessel assist to bring us fuel,We are on our way again and making good speed. Motoring mostly today so we can make it to the San Juans by tomorrow afternoon. It was cloudy this morning but has cleared up nicely now. Passing Seattle and can see the Space Needle! It's gorgeous!
Day 2: We made it to port Townsend after about 11 hours of motoring in the lovely sunshine after the clouds burned off. Tried to go to Fort Warden and anchor but low tides and actually hit bottom/soft mud. No damage, tide coming in so about 5-10 minutes stuck then floated off. Went to a marina instead for guest morage and filled up with fuel and a youg guy working there gave us gas instead of deisel!We caught it before we started the engine, thank God! So they pumped the engine and gave us a free fill up! Hope thats the last of our troubles this trip, but I will keep you posted!! Sheesh. Grilled burgers and had salad for dinner last night. Slept good, Steve up and out to Safeway to pick up a few things and came back with a vinte Carmel Macchiato for me! Clear and sunny and 80's today. Should be a good day!
Day 3: Goodmorning! Leaving Lopez Island. We had fuyn at the sand spit there the kids got in their swim suits and had fun getting in the water. We anchored out so had to dinghy to shore. We grille steaks on the bbq for dinner. We tried to use our new solar shower for the kids but even inour nice weather they said it was too cold. It was a nice quiet night, good sleep. Up early and out at 0800. Headed to Jones Island now where we will anchor again tonight. Beautiful clear skies. Smooth seas. Very nice!
Day 4 We stayed at Jones Island after motoring about four hours, should have been two but Steve got mixed up and just a bit lost. We got back on course and arrived at Jones just in time to get a mooring ball, as someone else was leaving! It was a great anchorage, an easy dinghy ride to land where we hiked around the island stopping to play in tide pools along the way. Back at our anchorage, the kids got in the wter again even though it was a pebble beach and way too cold for anyone over 10 years old! Then back to the boat for a movie for the kids and a little reading for the big kids. Steve even had a nap! After dinner Andrew and Dad in the dinghy to play some and then back in for the night. It was a very nice day. Now we are headed to Friday Harbor for hot showers and laundrey.
Day 1: Hi there! We are on our way to the San Juans!!! A little bumpy start, Steve misread the fuel tank and we ran out of fuel about two hours after we left. Had to wait an hour for vessel assist to bring us fuel,We are on our way again and making good speed. Motoring mostly today so we can make it to the San Juans by tomorrow afternoon. It was cloudy this morning but has cleared up nicely now. Passing Seattle and can see the Space Needle! It's gorgeous!
Day 2: We made it to port Townsend after about 11 hours of motoring in the lovely sunshine after the clouds burned off. Tried to go to Fort Warden and anchor but low tides and actually hit bottom/soft mud. No damage, tide coming in so about 5-10 minutes stuck then floated off. Went to a marina instead for guest morage and filled up with fuel and a youg guy working there gave us gas instead of deisel!We caught it before we started the engine, thank God! So they pumped the engine and gave us a free fill up! Hope thats the last of our troubles this trip, but I will keep you posted!! Sheesh. Grilled burgers and had salad for dinner last night. Slept good, Steve up and out to Safeway to pick up a few things and came back with a vinte Carmel Macchiato for me! Clear and sunny and 80's today. Should be a good day!
Day 3: Goodmorning! Leaving Lopez Island. We had fuyn at the sand spit there the kids got in their swim suits and had fun getting in the water. We anchored out so had to dinghy to shore. We grille steaks on the bbq for dinner. We tried to use our new solar shower for the kids but even inour nice weather they said it was too cold. It was a nice quiet night, good sleep. Up early and out at 0800. Headed to Jones Island now where we will anchor again tonight. Beautiful clear skies. Smooth seas. Very nice!
Day 4 We stayed at Jones Island after motoring about four hours, should have been two but Steve got mixed up and just a bit lost. We got back on course and arrived at Jones just in time to get a mooring ball, as someone else was leaving! It was a great anchorage, an easy dinghy ride to land where we hiked around the island stopping to play in tide pools along the way. Back at our anchorage, the kids got in the wter again even though it was a pebble beach and way too cold for anyone over 10 years old! Then back to the boat for a movie for the kids and a little reading for the big kids. Steve even had a nap! After dinner Andrew and Dad in the dinghy to play some and then back in for the night. It was a very nice day. Now we are headed to Friday Harbor for hot showers and laundrey.
Grandma Kennedy and Aunt Julie Visit 6
This is the morning mom and Julie left. Thanks guys for coming! We had a blast!!! Please come again soon!!!!!
Grandma Kennedy and Aunt Julie Visit 6
The morning mom and Julie went home. Thanks for coming guys! We had such a nice time. Love you and please come again soon!!!!
Visit with Grandma Kennedy and Aunt Julie 5
We took a road trip while they were here to Crystal Mountain, a ski lodge at Mount Rainier. It was a lot of fun. We road a gondola to the top of the mountain, had glorious weather and got some amazing video/pics! On our way to the mountain we took a minute to get some incredible Yakima peaches at a road side fruit stand. So much fun, and great memories!
Grandma Kennedy and Aunt Julie Visit
We went to my cousin's house while mom and Julie were here. It was a lot of fun.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Visit with Grandma Kennedy and Aunt Julie
My mom and my sister came to visit last month. We had an amazing time! It was a lot of fun!!!! Check out these pics, I am trying to get this so you can see videos too, all in the same place.
The new bathroom
We have been remodeling this summer, here are some pics of the new bathroom. I haven't got pics of the new room yet, will do that later today, after a little, ahem, cleaning!
Okay, some cleaning was done! Here is a video clip of the rooms...
Okay, some cleaning was done! Here is a video clip of the rooms...
Nicole's 7th Birthday
This is late posting, but here we go. Nicole's Birthday was in July, we did an at home party with just us and then a party at a splash water park with Nicole's bff, their birthdays are 6 days apart. It was a mutual party that was a lot of fun. 
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