An Island 4th of July

FERRY RIDE TO SAN JUAN ISLANDS

For the 4th of July weekend we decided to get out of town and enjoy our last 4th in the Washington area somewhere just spectacular. We drove up to Anacortes on Friday and took the ferry over to the San Juan Islands. The last time that we were there was the first summer we got to Washington back in 2005. The ferry ride is always so much fun for the kids. They love to explore the boat and sit outside with the wind blowing in their faces. It was a gorgeous day today and so the ferry ride wasn't cold even in the wind!

The views of the Puget Sound from the ferry are just unbeatable!

CAMPING AT MORAN STATE PARK

We got to our campsite with enough time to set up camp before the sun went down. We lucked out with our great campsite. We were backed up to the woods and the kids had their own little tree fort right in back of our campsite. They took many opportunities to play there and get really dirty in the process. Camping with kids = lots and lots of dirt! After we got our tent set up and everyone fed we pulled the marshmallows out for some good old smores. The kids loved to roast the marshmallows almost more than they liked to eat the smores. I was happy to have them roast marshmallows for me. Everyone slept well (thank goodness) and we all got up with an appetite for daddy's famous pancakes, eggs, bacon and OJ breakfast. We don't rough it when it comes to our food. We bring the goods and enjoy ourselves. Gotta fill up so we have energy for our day! There is just nothing like being in the woods with the people you love.

HIKE TO CASCADE FALLS

After our breakfast we headed out into the woods behind our campsite and made our own trail until we reached another trail that led us in the direction of the Cascade Falls. I vaguely remembered going there with the boys when we were here the first time. The trail was fun and we saw these really cool purple flowers along the way.

The Falls were awesome and the kids immediately took to the rocks and the water. We all love throwing rocks in the water. The boys got a little more adventurous and walked around the edge of the water to get close to the falls. At one point Peter was over there by himself and we told him to be careful because it was slippery. The next moment he was in the water from his neck down. Mike quickly grabbed him and pulled him out. We took off his shirt and I gave him my top layer so he could warm up. It's a good thing Peter is so easy going. He just kept right on playing with soaking shorts and all. Even Abby enjoyed the rocks but we had to make sure she didn't eat them.

This was right before Pete fell in the water.

On our hike back to our campsite we were running up and down the hills on the trails and Peter bit the dust. He was so distraught and to our surprise Andrew stepped in and told him he would walk with him all the way back. They held hands and Andrew distracted Peter with silly jokes. What a sweet moment that was to witness. They really do look out for each other...I am so lucky.

AFTERNOON AT THE LAKE

The lake was just a 10 second drive down the road from our campsite. We spent all afternoon by the water playing, boating, and stuffing our faces full of yummy snacks. Mike took the older kids in a rowboat while Abby and I played by the water. She really loves the water. It was so much fun to watch her curiousity and excitement. We could have stayed at the lake all day but we headed back for dinner and to get ready for the Firework show downtown by the water.

FIREWORKS SHOW ON THE WATER

As we were waiting for it to get dark we sat by the water and watched the many boats. This particular boat had cannons on it and would periodically fire them. It was so cool and a bit loud. The boys thought it was the coolest thing. We also got to enjoy the town's band as they played the hour before the fireworks show. Mike and the boys went and got us all ice-cream as we waited. It wasn't too long before Abby, Emma, and Peter fell asleep on the blanket. Only Mike, Andrew, and I enjoyed the firework show...and was it an AWESOME show!