A Brief Visit to Bellingham

We went for a mini vacation this week. Why? I wanted to escape the war zone that is our neighbourhood before and during Fourth of July. I also wanted to experience July 4th in a different location. We travelled 2 hours north to Bellingham. We left on Sunday afternoon. We took Chuckanut Drive for the scenery.

Chuckanut Drive

On my friend Bethany's recommendation we had dinner at the Copper Hog in downtown Bellingham. It was nice to be able to eat outside in the sunshine. I appreciated the substantial portion in the fish and chips. The chips were pretty good, too. In the evening, we drove to Larrabee State park and were able to catch the sunset view.

The boys found a place to do a little rock climbing.

We stayed at the Sheraton which we were able to get through Priceline for $65 a night. The boys enoyed the indoor pool. On July 4th we drove up to Blaine for their parade since that was the only local one. They had a large street fair as well. J liked being able to get a real hot dog. It was funny to be so close to Canada on July 4th.

This man barbequeing oysters on the sidewalk caught my eye. No, I didn't have any.

The parade was good and we were in the front row. The banners with photos of fallen soldiers in Afganistan and Iraq was very sobering. I only took one photo during the parade - of this fun police car.

It seemed straight out of an old movie. We got a Trump sticker from the Republican entry in the parade.

After the parade we returned to the hotel for some pool time and then went to Whatcom Falls park. What a great park! Apparently we only saw a portion of it since there are 4 falls and we only saw 2.

The boys and J loved climbing the rocks.

I loved the moss-covered stone bridge.

These man-made falls looked like they would be fun to slide down.

Later we went to Boulevard Park and to Woods Coffee.

I found this cute creature along the pathway.

The view is fantastic here.

After supper we returned to Boulevard Park to view the fireworks which were at Zuanich Park which is across the water from where we were. We had a great view. It was pretty chilly, though. The show started at 10:30 pm. I think this was the first time that our boys have seen a fireworks show in person. We managed to beat most of the traffic getting back to our car.

On Tuesday, we stopped in Mount Vernon on the way back so I could do a little antique shopping. We also stopped at Cabela's and purchased a folding cot for C to use at his upcoming camp. It was good to get away for a bit. I appreciated all the time we were able to spend outside as a family.


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Sorticulture 2016

Festival season has begun! Sorticulture is one that I always enjoy. My family is less enthusiastic. They dropped me off and picked me up since parking is tricky.

This festival is free to enter. The theme is garden art but they are also plants for sale and there is fair food like kettle corn and funnel cakes. The weather was pretty iffy. It was threatening rain and quite cool.

It was fun to hear Ciscoe Morris's talk. He is always entertaining and I learn something more about gardening. He is my gardening "guru."

I bought a metal flower,

a wind chime made from antique silverware,

and some succulents (photo at the top). Last year I got this robot man which sits in one of my outdoor planters.

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We survived the heat and the sleepover!

Seven of C's friends joined us for his birthday party on June 5th. They started out on the trampoline. There was record-breaking heat (it got up to 91!) so there was lots of water involved. The sprinkler was placed underneath the trampoline and boys brought water guns. Here's a fun photo of my older son jumping high on the trampoline.

We did presents.

click to enlarge

One very sweet present that C received is an R2D2 (robot from Star Wars) teapot. So perfect for C since he loves his tea! He has lots of things with R2D2 on them including slippers, a sign in his room, a hoodie, and a stuffie.

We had pizza. We ordered 3 large pizzas. We could've had 4. We went to the field (a local high school). We had ice cream cake from Dairy Queen which has become a tradition.

They played DJ with You Tube and wireless speakers. Temmy Flakes (a strange fake commercial) was a favourite with the boys.

They played Murder in the Dark. They watched a movie. Karate Kid. Two boys didn't sleep over.

In the morning, they woke up way too early. All the boys were up by 7 am. We made them bacon and scrambled eggs. some had tea with C. I was surprised by that.

Then, we waited and waited for the parents to come and pick them up!! :)

J and I were worn out and wonder if we'll do this ever again!


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An Easy Hike, a Gorgeous View

We had some beautiful weather for Memorial Day so we decided to take a hike. This time we chose Big Four Ice Caves. It was over an hour's drive northeast of our house. We were rewarded with this view after we parked.

I'm trying to look like Maria from Sound of Music.

There is an interesting history to this spot. In 1921, there was a luxury hotel (The Big Four Inn) built in what is now the picnic area. During the 30s, there was a railroad that brought guests to this picturesque spot. The hotel burned down in 1949 but the hotel lobby's fireplace remains.

The Ice Caves hike has quite the reputation for danger.

Sadly, a young girl died here in 2011 and 3 adults have died from falling ice since 1998. The hike is easy but still gives some exercise. It is 2.2 miles round trip.

This trail is unusual in that you have good views along the way, not just at the end.

At the end, the boys heeded the many warnings and stayed on the trail.

Their parents were more daring and walked up close to the ice cave.

That guy in the background shouldn't be there, standing on the ice! No, that is NOT my hubby.

J did NOT go inside!

There was lots of fun foliage and wild flowers along the way. This huge cabbage-like plant was growing in the water.

I thought these wild dogwood flowers (I assume) were very pretty.

We were invited to "drop in" at some friends who live in the country, if we were ever nearby. We took them up on the offer and enjoyed a delicious BBQ they were having, along with some other families. Their young children gave us an animated tour of the property. We appreciated the wide open spaces where J and the boys played badminton.



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11 Years!

Today is my youngest son's birthday. It seems impossible that my "baby" is now 11.

C is funny, creative, smart, affectionate, popular at school, and a good student. His talents include origami, throwing and kicking a football, math, and playing goalie for his big brother (soccer).

C enjoys collecting football cards and listening to audiobooks. His nicknames at school are Batman and Paperboy.

We'll have his low key party next weekend since his birthday always falls on Memorial Day weekend when many people go out of town.

Here's a recent photo. He looks so mature in this photo. I hate it! :)

And a fun look back at his life, so far.

Age 10

Age 9

Age 8

Age 7

Age 6

Age 5

Age 4

Age 3

Age 2

Age 1

Baby:

I love big brother's proud smile. :)

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What's happening in the garden?

My flowers have loved the recent change in the weather. On Saturday it turned cooler and we have had quite a bit of rain. The peonies have started to blossom, as well as the roses.

I photographed this hosta since it is one of the few that the slugs haven't attacked. I use cheap beer in saucers under plants as a trap which kills quite a few of the slugs.

I call this peony the egg peony, since it looks like an egg sunny side up.

I have only one variety of iris but many plants.

They are fun since they can be divided and you basically get new free plants.

Another rose photo!

Today the sun came out so I took a photo of my clematis in bloom.

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