Loving summer

A day short of two months since I last blogged.  Wow!  Our trip to California seems like it was years ago.  Summer is here and we've been enjoying every minute of it.  Berry picking, swimming, staying up way later than normal (Liam, that is), vacationing.....I never want it to end.

Our latest vacation took us to Orcas Island for the week.  Joanna described the San Juans the best when she said they are "magical."  We went with Joe's side of the family, there were 13 adults and three kids. Dylan took his friend Maya and Liam absolutely adored her.  The highlight of the trip for Liam was driving Uncle Jack's boat and throwing rocks into the water or the "pond" as he called it.  He also enjoyed going on a canoe ride and also did a hike with us, running most of the trail.  And also Maya.  He told my parents she is his girlfriend. :)

We were off the grid for the most part.  No TV, minimal cell service and painfully slow Internet.  It was wonderful.  Total relaxation.  My favorite parts about the trip were boating, discovering a new love for kayaking, the hikes and our many, many games of Farkle.  Oh, and the food.  We all took turns making meals, dinner time was one of the highlights.  Everyone eating together, sitting by the fire.  I want to go back!  I also loved the mornings.  I would get up before Liam and Joe and go for a walk on the beach.  So peaceful and gorgeous.  Then I'd go back to the house and Gil and Uncle Lennie would be up so we'd sit on the porch, have coffee and visit before everyone else got up.  Oh, and I can't forget the deer.  Every night five or six deer would come right up to the house and hang out. We even got to feed them pears out of the tree.  It was amazing.

On the way home we caught the early ferry back to Anacortes then met Uncle Jack and the three of us (me, Joe and Liam) rode in the boat with him back to the marina in Everett.  That was another highlight.  I love being on the water!

Lots of great memories were made this trip, I am so lucky that Joe has such a fun and loving family.  Everyone is so good to Liam and he loves everyone so much.  He is going to have the greatest memories someday. 

When it was time to say goodbye to everyone, my heart literally hurt.  I wanted to cry just like Liam.  It's hard to go from being surrounded by people 24/7 to just Liam and I (Joe has been working 12 hour days). 

Time to start planning next years trip.  Lake Coeur d'Alene.  Can't wait!