Friday Harbor Round House

This year we had a little time between Christmas and New Years so we decided to hightail it out of town.  Matt and I sat on the couch for a few nights trying to figure out where we should go.  After checking the "kid filter" on VBRO our choices were narrowed down quite a bit.  Then out of those choice finding a place without stairs or a lot of chotchkies really really narrowed it down.  I kept coming back to this one 'round' house on Friday Harbor.  It was a bit pricey but I thought, what the heck!  Well it turned out to be the most perfect heavenly house ever!!!!  I fell in love not only with the house but with the property as well.  A girl could retire there - and when I say 'a girl' I mean THIS GIRL!

Yes the house was perfectly round!  It had be remodeled a few years ago so the inside was very modern but simple.  AND best part there was nothing for the girls to get into trouble with.  Oh they ran around and around, built forts, played in the hot tub - did I mention there was a hot tub with this view and outdoor speakers so we could rock out the bay while swimming and soaking!

The property had stairs right down to a rocky beach.  When the tide was out we could explore the sea life in the rocks.  Dylan loved collecting drift wood and building beach shelters and Asa loved sticking her fingers in the water.

I kept waiting for a rainy day for us to hunker down in the house and watch a movie or do art but nope it was beautiful our whole trip!  A little 'burr' to quote Asa at times but the sun was out the entire time.

 The girls LOVED the hot tub - morning, noon, and night!  Asa and Dylan were able to practice their swimming skills!

 There were beautiful Madrona trees through out the property which just lit up when the sun hit them!  Oh and the sunrises and sets were amazing!  Luckily we got to watch them everyday as the weather was spectacular!

 Here's Asa all bundled up as we're heading out to explore the island.

 Here's a hot tubing adventure right after breakfast!  There was an island airport just down the road from the property so we were able to watch the planes come in and head out.  Asa loved it!

 Exploring the sea life on the rocks below the property.  Here's a sneak peak of a photo session with the girls.

 The only bummer about going out to the islands is the ferry lines!  You have to get there a long time before the boat is scheduled to leave but here we are making the best of it.  The only part you don't see is me crying as we had to leave the beautiful round house!  It was a great relaxing trip for sure!

The Floater

Asa and I have started swim lessons - her new passion, the back float.  Here she is practicing in the tub all by herself.

Dillon, Missoula, & Thompson Falls Montana

Little Bean's first Silver Streak camping Montana adventure and she took it like a champ!

Our adventure started with a pit stop/Asa feeding in Ellensburg.  Dylan took full advantage of the time by riding her bike.

Around and around the car she went.

We got a little later start than we wanted so we drove to Spokane and crashed at Mike and Diane's for the night (they were out of town so it was a Clark party!).

Okay so I totally such and didn't get any pictures while we were in Dillon.  My hands were a little full - sorry!  It was great fun.  Dylan made good friends with Bob & Pam who ran the KOA in Dillon.  At one point she fell in love with this princess paddle and ball which she wanted me to buy.  I didn't have any money so I told her to go ask Dad for some chores to do to earn enough for the paddle (which was $2).  Dylan took the paddle to Bob at the front desk and asked him to hold it for her.  Bob told her he actually had some pine cones that needed picking up and she could earn her paddle that way.  She was stoked!  The paddle was the hit of the day and has since been long forgotten!

There was also a big thunder, lightening, and rain storm at the tail end of the bike ride - which I must say was great to be watching from inside the camper!  I did feel bad for those who came back to soggy tents.

So here are my lame-o two pictures from Dillon - one of Matt braiding Dylan's hair - the man has braiding skills, who knew!

And the second of Asa enjoying the pool - no wait come to think of it that is cousin Polly & Rob's pool!  Which again our visit was so brief and I was soooo busy that I didn't get any pictures of our visit to Missoula!  We had a great BBQ with Auntie Linda, Cousin's Jake, Lydia, Liam, Henry, Polly & Rob, Brittney and brand new baby Cason who was two weeks old!  Boy did Asa look big compared to him!

We got up early the next day.  After having breakfast with our friends Sean & Jennifer we took off to Thompson Falls to visit G-ma & pa Montana.  Oh the fun that was had!  Boating, fishing, camping in their front yard, making ice cream, catching wasps....

Asa blowing raspberries!

And reading with G-ma.  Good times! 

On our return trip we stopped once again in Spokane at Mike & Diane's (who was still out of town).  It was a beautiful 4th of July evening so we decided to have a picnic on their front lawn.

We make the mistake of talking about fireworks and totally forgetting that they don't start until it gets dark out - uh, like 10pm!  Lucky for me Dylan was on a dad streak so Matt got to be the lucky one to go watch fireworks and mom got a long hot shower!  Asa - well she was Asa and slept straight through it all.

The next day we headed home.  At one point we looked in the back seat to find Dylan getting herself all ready for something - powdering her nose and all.  The next minute she was passed out!