Jul & Gem in Port Orchard

continuing from a previous post about J & G's trip to Seattle in mid-June...

After our time with the Kirkland Giesers, we journeyed back to Port Orchard for 8 days with Phillip, Samuel and Daniel (oh, and Matt & Hannah, too!). The two older boys really spoiled Gemma with constant hugs and attention - not to mention sharing their Legos and trucks. Most mornings began with, "Where's baby Gemma?" and a round of hugs, followed by Phillip's question at the breakfast table, "What are we going to do today, Mom?" Since the weather was pretty nice, mixed sun and clouds in the 60s, we would do one big outing every day - usually something outdoors involving exercise and snacks of Tillamook cheese & fresh peaches! Awesome! Plus of course many hours at home, playing on the big deck. Oh wait, and taking naps too.

since Blogger is giving me layout problems with inserting text, here is the explanation on the photos below:

• playtime; Port Orchard harbour and a park along the water, with Daniel and Gemma testing out the mulch; a trip to the Tacoma Zoo
  
• Matt in his office (lots of paperwork!); playtime in the backyard; Aunt Karen, Jonathan, Rebekah and Joel over for dinner;
  
• a chilly visit to a beach on Bainbridge Island; salmon for Father's Day (Matt also cooked up shrimp, french fries and sweet potato fries. Wow! and Wow for a dad who made his own Father's Day meal)

There were also many, many moments of great conversations (thanks, Hannah); tremendous lattes from Tully's and cinnamon rolls from Sluy's bakery; lovely afternoon walks ("we're getting our exercise", says Phillip) and the simple joy of participating in life together for a few days amidst the beautiful P.O. scenery of water and hills and tall trees and sweet, fresh air.