Smell How it Tastes: Caden turns 8, Settling in

Just over a week after arriving at our new home, we celebrated Caden's 8th Birthday.

He wanted a baseball cake.

Cinnamon rolls for breakfast- no better way to start the day in our fam.

SO fun to have the cousins come over and celebrate with us for the day!!

I think they were only inside for presents and eating - they couldn't get enough of playing in our woods.

Love this boy.

Caden, we couldn't be more grateful for the gift of YOU in our family. We love your heart, your sense of humor (most of the time!), the way you serve and care for others, and your daily hugs and kisses. You're an amazing boy.

A few days later we enjoyed a visit with cousin Jar and her sweet fam. It's been so fun re-connect with them in DC, so we were super excited to see them during their visit to Seattle.

Taking in Pritchard Park - the boys collecting treasure while we took in the Seattle skyline, and breathtaking mountains.

Mount Rainier is so big and beautiful behind him, but iphones don't quite capture it.

Waiving to Jar, Cara, and Hoban on the ferry!

The spread for the day - crab pieces stay at the beach ;).

Andrew had a hard time peeling himself away from the blackberry bushes. I didn't mind taking in this view while we waited.

Caden talking to Grandpa Jerry and Grandma Dee Dee.

Discovering another new beach. The water was clear and COLD.

So fun to have an afternoon with some of the Glenn fam - this little guys grandfather planted Cross Sound church, and I lived with his other grandparents the summer I met Dave.

Our first outing to Grandpa Jack and Grandma Kathy's house! It was SO fun to hop on a ferry and know we had just a 30 minute drive ahead, instead of a full day of air travel!

First order of business was walking to their local lake to feed the ducks.

Will can't ever get enough of this.

We cooled off one afternoon at Pine Lake - beautiful, not so cold lake water ;).

And then we enjoyed a fun night catching up with my dear friend Amy and her husband, who live just down the road from my parents. She sent me this pic of the cork they added to their collection.

Fun new friends! We were so excited to learn that the Schei boys would be in 4th and 2nd grade at our elementary school. We love this family.

Mid August brought a weekend away at family camp with Cross Sound. We ventured to a local camp just 20 minutes from our house.

Andrew and his new buddy Eli getting ready to ride the bikes.

I'm not sure if Andrew or mom was more nervous about this. He's a brave boy.

He did great, and loved it! Dad took on the bigger bikes.

Will went for a ride with one of their fun staff.

And Caden did too!

Hard core.

Mom tried too, but I'm thankful there are to pictures to capture the mess that I was ;).

Caden geared up for paint ball.

It was so fun to watch our boys take in all of these fun outdoor activities. We also got to attempt archery, which I forgot to take pictures of.

The highlight of the weekend by FAR was gaga. We all couldn't get enough of this crazy ball game.

Back at home, we enjoyed more outings to our local beaches with friends. This was low tide at Rockaway.

It was so fun to explore the tide pools with Seattle looming in the background (it's much closer in real life).

SO fun to have an afternoon with this sweet college friend, and her three girls!

New day, same beach.

This time with the Gore boys!

Caden became the expert crab finder. I think they found over 100 this day.

And I soaked up every moment with this dear old friend...

while our boys were happy and content to do this.

A short walk around the point brings us to this beautiful sandy beach, which looks back at the ferry terminal, and the majestic Olympic Mountains (which I didn't capture this day). It's a perfect spot to swim.