Summer Bucket List

(*Warning: picture heavy post- you have been warned)

With the start of school this week it felt like summer came to an abrupt end.  Rain and thunderstorms replaced sunny, clear days, reminding me just how beautiful a summer we had here in the Pacific Northwest this year.  Our summer was extra special because Kyle had the whole summer off for the first time since Isaiah was born.  We wanted to make the most of our time together so we made up a summer bucket list of fun things we wanted to do.  Here's a little look at the Grunenfelder Summer Bucket List...

• Ft. Lewis Army Museum

We pass by the army museum every time we drive to Tacoma and the kids have been wanting to go all year.  The best part... it's free!

• Camping

We camped at Lake Chelan with a few of our favorite friends and enjoyed swimming, playing, hitting the water slides and just being together

The boys doing some whittling

Beautiful girls

• Fishing

The boys got some fishing in with my dad at Bonaparte Lake on the Fourth of July.  They were drifting all over the lake and my dad was constantly getting them back on course but they had a great time.  It was a lovely and relaxing day.  Lizzy didn't fish but she did go on a hike with my mom and I and she found lots of wild flowers and a bird's nest.

4th of July Days in Conconully 

• Mt. Rainer

We had a great day exploring the park and sharing the wonder of the mountain with the kids since somehow we hadn't been there since Isaiah was a baby.

Hiking on the Trail of the Patriarchs

• Drive-in Movie

We saw Turbo at the Skyview Drive-in.  We were nice and cozy in the back of the truck and had a fun and memorable night.  Even Deb got to come.

• Crabbing

We headed to Hood Canal for a day of crabbing with Nana and Papa.  It was a beautiful day on the water and we got to bring some crab home too.

Is it a keeper?

• Thurston County Fair

We've fallen in love with the relaxed feel of a smaller fair.  It still has everything we need.  We've made it a tradition to go with Nana and Papa.

• The Oregon Coast

We spent a week in Florence, OR with my family.  We enjoyed lots of beach time, a sand dune buggy ride, a day on the Umqua River with more family, good food and fun time in the beach house playing games and relaxing.

Heceta Head Lighthouse

Sledding the sand dunes

 Playing on the Umqua River

Aunt Linda and my mom

Sisters and their daughters

Game time

Picture time

Grammy Bee and Grampa with the grandkiddos

Best buds

Izzy and Lizzy-sweet cousins

Caleb's on the move

Eric and MoMeg

• Fort Worden

We wanted to explore Fort Worden so we joined Nana and Papa and Syd and Deb camping for a couple nights near Sequim.  It was fun hanging out at camp, playing on the beach and exploring the bunkers.  We also learned that Lizzy has a knack for rolling exactly what we need in Yatzhee!

• Swimming in the Pool

Since we only live a couple miles away from the Grunenfelder family pool right now we got in lots of swimming this summer.  There was always someone fun there to swim with and a never ending supply of popsicles.

Lizzy and Brooklyn

More popsicles!

Well, that's our summer bucket list.  What a wonderful summer!  Thanks to all our family and friends who joined us on our adventures!  We are grateful for all the spontaneous get togethers and dinners with family and friends that we were blessed to share as well!  

Now it's time to say a final farewell to summer and welcome in the fall.  Hello school and soccer and hunting and pumpkin flavored goodies.  Happy September!