Why I Love Langley, In One Picture

Dammit, Dwayne Got an Itch

An itch to build something.  Something big.  Something that takes too much time, money, and effort.

How about another wall, Babe?

Before:

And currently:

We actually got the front of the wall done in 2.5 days, but that just started the project.  We ran out of materials, gravel, dirt, dirt, and dirt pretty quickly.  I had a few mornings of being on the 7am ferry to cart back as many 80 lb blocks the minivan could handle (spoiler: not many).  As our two weeks wrapped up, we realized that the 30 yards of dirt we got was not enough.  The 20 more I ordered wasn’t deliverable for a week.  Which is why I am here today, anxiously awaiting a dump truck in the next hour. 

And then?  After all that dirt is shoveled into place? 

Then, we will have finally built our blank canvas and can actually start the project. 

Did I mention that Dwayne is back at work and it’s just Me & 3 at the cabin? 

Sigh.

Family Adventure Day

We had to leave the next day before another guest checked in for the weekend, and Dwayne was ready for a family adventure day.

We started our day with breakfast at Mukilteo Roasting Company (come in for the coffee, goodies, and lovely food and stay for the great atmosphere!) and somewhat spontaneously, found ourselves driving out to Ebey’s Landing, a place I’ve taken the kids once, but Dwayne has never seen.

It’s basically an original homestead, made into a little museum about white man’s early settlement in the Coupeville area and allows for a gorgeous walk through the prairie, with mountain views, down to the beach. To call it prime real estate is to understate.

Note to self:  Need more than one water bottle for this hike on a hot day!

[Note”  we got back in time for Dwayne to go to the mainland for 5 hours as I shoveled about 5 yards of gravel.  He may remember the circumstances slightly differently, but he doesn’t blog.  History belongs to the writers!

Let’s Call it a Day…and head to Deer Lake!

It is Day 8 of the Great Wall project, and we quit a little early (5pm instead of 9pm), and gathered the kids for ice cream o’clock and an evening at Deer Lake.   

Right away, Piper found a dog who played with her the entire evening, effectively making all her dreams come true. 

The kids took turns paddling around in the raft and on top of alligator.

This is what I dreamed a week at the cabin would be like!

At least the kids were having fun at the cabin!

More Cabin Memories

Just how many kids can fit in the hammock?  I’m guessing this is not my final post on the subject!

Polar Bear! Or, What the Kids Swear They Will Do Never Again

What’s this?  Beautiful, clear skies?  Blue water?  Double Bluff Beach?  Dwayne wearing two winter coats?

Must be time to

POLAR BEAR!

We met fellow bears and friends Matt and Emily at the beach. The kids abandoned clothes immediately…ids

…and then made a girl pile with their towels.

I think my face gives a good indication of the temperature.

I’ve had this bikini since my twenties.  It’s a bit ironic that the smaller an item is, the better it can fit.

It’s noon!  Time to….

…Holy CRAP that’s cold!

We quickly come back in. First picture stamped at 12:04, Kyla is out of the water at 12;05. 

First back in!

Wow, this kid makes me smile.

Vivian really tells it like it is!

Piper’s smile must just be frozen on.  You can see Matt and I both helping Kyla back.  Her legs were pretty numb.

Easy to believe she’ll be a teenager soon, right?

A hug from this guy is as good as the complementary hot cocoa!