a little wedding in the woods.

We got to go to a wedding...for some of our very favorite people...with some of our very favorite people.

And none of us had our kids.

For an entire weekend.

It was a match made in heaven.

Just like Tyson and Rachel.

Congrats to the beautiful couple.

And congrats to the kidless adults (us) that celebrated them, never forgetting that we had zero responsibilities.

Which may answer the questions of why we found Ryan 'asleep' in the the parking lot on the night of the wedding.  Or why I was riding on the handlebars of a bike driven by a guy in a wetsuit.  Or why Topher woke up in the corner of the bathroom between the shower stall and the toilet.

This crowd loves themselves a wedding.

We did it up good.

We always do.

And this little wedding in the woods...well it was absolutely dreamy.

So simple. 

So sweet.

So perfect.

So them.

Oy vey.

This group is something else.

I love their guts.

swimming.

I signed the kiddos up for outdoor swimming this summer.

It was amazing.

THIS WEATHER!!!

They worked hard while I sat back and got my tan on...and looked for Wendy Peffercorn.

(there's something about being at an outdoor pool that makes me think of Sandlot).

I never found her.

I also never had to jump in and save Carson from drowning.

(which I couldn't have said last summer).

Success.

bike camp.

I signed these knuckleheads up for bike camp.

Because we realized our seven year couldn't ride a bike...and we were slightly embarrassed for her.

But it wasn't our fault, and it wasn't from lack of effort.

We tried to teach her how to ride a bike, and every time it ended in tears (by her) and swearing (by us).

She's just the kid that needs anyone but her parents to teach her things.

Partly because she's tougher with other people, she's tries harder with other people, and because other people don't yell at her...like we do.

But lo and behold...the kid learned to ride a bike!!!!

The first day was a little shaky...and she didn't want to go back the next day.

Her legs were destroyed.

She looked like Kathy Bates had gotten a hold of her.

Then, the morning of the second day of camp, I was ready to yank her out myself, and just accept the fact that my child would never, ever, be a bike rider...but then, mid text to Ryan telling him that this was ridiculous and I wanted to kill her, she GOT IT!!!  

And it was so awesome to watch.

It was also fun to watch her take out another camper, crash into a port-a-potty, and dive head first into a blackberry bush over her handlebars.

But she wasn't fazed.

And she's never looked back.

And it was the best $200 bucks I have ever spent in my entire life.

Oh, and Carsie got to go too.

But only because I didn't know what else to do with him while she was there.

But he loved it as well and kept taunting his fellow campers that he was the fastest bike rider guy...and the strongest bike rider guy...and the funniest bike rider guy.

Maybe we should have sent him to a humble guy camp.

bellingham or bust.

The kids did a little race called the Bellingham Transverse. 

It's a 1 mile run.

A 1.5 mile bike ride.

And ended with a half mile obstacle course.

Hads is always saying "I am going to run marathons when I get older like you guys"...so we made her put her money where her mouth is.

And, shockingly, she agreed.

At the time, she still couldn't ride a bike (this is when we realized...or actually accepted...what inadequate parents we were), so we recruited her gal pal Grace Johnston to be her teammate.  

Gracie is a girl up for anything...just like her Mama.

So with absolutely no training, and on a stomach full of donuts and chocolate milk, with a skinned knee in the first quarter mile, and a high five at each transition, these two gals finished their first official race.

TEAM COOKIE rules.

Oh, and my niece and nephew rule too.

Since their parents are not total failures, they can both ride bikes, and did the entire race solo.

They killed it.

Per usual.

Pep talk.

Proud is an understatement.

These kids made me stand two feet taller.

And I had to wear shades to hide the tears.

Nicole should have brought a pair too.

first crush.

For these two it was love at first sight.

I don't know who crushes on who more?

We'll call it a tie.

why she's my favorite.

Hadley has a "NO BOYS ALLOWED" poster on her door.

So Carson decided he wanted a "NO GIRLS (or grils) ALLOWED" poster on his door.

Hads, quickly jumped at the opportunity and said, "I'll make one for you Brothy."

He was stoked!

I was pleased.

They were hugging, and laughing, and frolicking upstairs to place it on his door.

Everyone was all smiles.

Then he came running downstairs yelling, "Mama, Mama, I love my sister.  She made me a sign.  She loves me.  We both have signs on our doors.  We're sign guys.  COME SEE!".

So I did.

And this is what I saw...

(rough translation)

"Carsie is a cry baby cat.

Oh right, and he is a whiney baby."

I looked at her and she just slyly grinned and said, 

"What?  He can't even read.  And he is a whiney baby."

Hads...I've never been more proud of you.

Well done.