blog mush

 A popsicle at sunset on the dock of Ivar's--what a good life.  Hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa Hoopes the night before we left for Vancouver.

 This cute kid's last year of middle school!!

 Celebrating our runbelievably awesome Ragnar race with both vans--BBQ style!

 Back to school shopping took place on our fireplace this year thanks to Dad and Amazon.com!

A great gathering place.

Mt. Rainier

The last Saturday of the Summer.  Sigh.

We packed it up and headed out to Mt. Rainier, despite the rain that was already falling and the 60% chance of rain in the forecast once we got there.  Since it's just water, and since we didn't have a plan B, we went anyway! And we are so glad we did.  It was a beautiful day despite some drops here and there.

We started in Grove of the Patriarchs.  The majestic name matched the enormous trees!

The water was especially gorgeous in some places, and there was plenty to learn and do along the trail.

 One of the highlights of the trail was crossing the suspension bridge.

 There was a sign saying that only one person should cross at a time. It was way more fun that way!

 Had fun watching these two little critters eat their lunch.  (Cookie compliments of Emmy.  Oops)

 We stopped and enjoyed the water along the way back. 

 Throwing rocks and climbing on logs never gets old.

  

 Next place we hiked is the Hot Springs at Ohanapecosh.  It was amazing!  The water all along the trail was warm, and the springs felt just like a bath tub!!!  We loved it.

 Then we headed to Box Canyon.  It was such a unique and narrow place!  There was a short hike through part of the canyon, and a tunnel just down from it that we explored.

 The last place on our list was Reflection Lakes and Narada Falls shown here.  The rain was really coming down at this point so we made a couple very quick stops.

Still gorgeous.

From down low or way up above, rain or shine, Mt. Rainier is such an awesome place.  Any way you look at it.

da boss

Drew, we have discovered, pretty much runs this place.

 Mommy come.

Mommy sit.

Mommy stay.
Mommy no shower.

Eat now.

Shhhhhh!! (during prayers).  

He will also call your name out if your eyes are open.

No nap.

No home.
Go home.

Drew out.
Hold you.

Jammies on.

We all agree in our house that Drew could not be any cuter, smarter, or more loved.

Or more bossy.

seawheeze 2014...

or in other words: the best weekend EVER!

And oh yeah, my birthday gifts to myself:

 done

done 

and done!

The weekend was so much fun.  All of my favorite things packed into a few days with my very favorite person.

We shopped at the Seawheeze store (crazy people in there), 

volunteered at the race (packet pickup = a t-shirt and free lunch!!) , 

ran the race (my best and favorite half marathon to date, completed with an 8:45 pace), 

sat by the pool and read (jumped in the hot tub, too), 

pool water in front, bay water behind

had a massage (too short), ate out (no dishes, yay!), and got some yummy gelato at the very popular Bella Gelateria a block from our hotel.  Yep, all my favorite things.

And although this was my idea and my big birthday wish, Steve managed to have some fun, too.  He played a little golf at the pre-race activities, rode his bike and cheered me on at several points the first 6 miles of the race and then went on his own ride, and enjoyed wearing his voluncheer shirt. :)

Definitely a weekend to remember and a 40th birthday summer I won't forget!
August 23, 2014
Vancouver, B.C.

glasses

Here is Jake in his new glasses.

Looking good!  He says he won't ever wear them out of the house, and since he has gotten his "putting-in-contacts" time down from over an hour to about 15 seconds, I believe him!

camping

It was our first ward campout since the one we were in charge of back in 2006!  We had a blast.  The weather was perfect and the company was even better.  We liked it so much that it will most likely become a family tradition.  Things to remember for next year:

The kids and the waterslide are a huge hit.  A mom on the waterslide took a huge hit and should never again participate in waterslide activities, no matter how hot it is.

Skip the small Scout tent as Jake and Wyatt preferred to sleep under the stars.  Get a big family tent so the rest of us don't have to be separated.  (Although if we do split up in two tents, be sure that Drew and Steve are in the same one again!)

Don't worry about bringing someone so little like Drew.  He got all of the attention!

 Make sure baby Benjamin brings this stroller, even if he has outgrown it!  It provided a LOT of entertainment for all the boys.

 Our family

 and our ward family 

made it one memorable weekend!

electric!

Friends, a full moon, & a 5k.

What else do you need, besides some glow-in-the dark accessories?!

We waited until we started glowing and then began the crazy, crowded, super-cooly-decorated few miles to the finish line.  Definitely electric!

Electric Run

Washington State Fairgrounds

Saturday, August 9 

thank you, amazon.

Dear Amazon,

Thank you for paying for the bills.  Thank you for giving our dad somewhere to go Monday through Friday.  Thank you for letting our friends' dads work there, too.  But most of all, thank you for the best party we are invited to of the year!  Thank you for the cotton candy, the face painting, the food, the rides, the t-shirts, the toys, the games, and the ice cream.  We loved it all.

Saturday, August 9

Century Link Field

Sincerely, Jake, Ali, Emmy & Drew Hoopes

the Lyons

The Lyons came to town!  It was a gorgeous week full of sunshine and heat.  Perfect for our California friends.

We hung out near water as much as possible!  Tuesday afternoon we met them at Renton Water Park.  It was a very hot day and a refreshing thing to do after two days of driving!

 Wednesday we went to Denny Creek where we hiked in bare feet and swimsuits.  

 Thursday we went to Enatai Beach where we paddle-boarded, played in the sand, jumped off the dock, and enjoyed the hot sun.

That night when the boys went to dinner and a movie, the girls headed up to the American Girl store with dinner at Cafe Rio.  Sierra got her first American Girl doll!  It was pretty exciting.

 Friday we spent the morning at Snoqualmie Falls.  Sunny and beautiful.

They headed back to California on Saturday.  We miss them already, and hope they will come back again soon.

The Lyons take Seattle: 2011