Superhero Day at Long Neck Elementary

This year Lily's school is doing a really cool goal setting event complete with all the kids dressing up and wearing superhero costumes to school.

The try on before the big day

At the bus stop all ready for the big day

After school beach visit

Trying to enjoy our last days of summer (which are really just beautiful fall days in disguise), we headed to the beach after school on Thursday to grab some dinner, do a little shopping and enjoy some quality time chasing waves and birds at Rehoboth Beach.  Good food, good conversation and great memories for Mom & Lily.

Yep, yet another amazing weekend

Can this September get any better?  Got to enjoy 3 sets of friends this weekend.  (1) Sam & Chloe (2) Meg & Sam and (3) Lindsay.  Too fun!

Ruts Birthday

This weekend, despite the amazing weather and desire to be at the pool/beach, we headed into Maryland to enjoy Rut's birthday.  Lily had an amazing time catching up with all her friends from her old school.

Movie Night

Our community is definitely the BEST.  Friday night we got to enjoy movie night complete with free popcorn and hot cocoa.

September is so amazing at the beach

Just when everyone else across the U.S. is going back to school, getting involved in activities and wrapped up in all things school... we get to enjoy the most amazing month at the beach and the pool.  All the tourists are gone.  The kids get to enjoy the heated adult pool and you get some truly amazing weather this time of year.  Plus the memories being made with friends don't get much better than this.  No regrets about moving to the beach that's for sure.

Alyssa and Lily

 Alyssa, Lily, Lindsay and Lara (and photo bomber Shelly)

 Rehoboth Beach before heading to the Cultured Pearl for a nice dinner out

Our Bonita house is a-ok after Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma was planned to hit Southern Florida on Sunday, September 10th.  We thought Miami was going to take the direct hit, but the hurricane moved West and was a direct hit on the Naples/Ft Myers area.  Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were nerve racking as we weren't sure how our house faired during the ever destructive hurricane.  We were hearing reports of significant flooding after the hurricane on our cross streets.  Yes, there were some sleepless nights, but I am happy to report that our beautiful Bonita home weather the storm just as well as it possible could of.  We had a lot of debris outside and a big branch dented one of our hurricane shutters (they did their job), but no damage to the house, the pool and even the screened in porch is in tact.  Boy, did we ever dodge a bullet.

Still enjoying a little latte summer fun

We definitely made the most out of this last weekend.  On Friday night we headed into town to get fitted for dance shoes so Lily can be prepared to start her new dance class next week.  Then we thought why we were in town why not just enjoy it.  Lewes is truly a beautiful city with a quaint downtown, great places to eat, parks and a great beach too.  We enjoyed all of them Friday evening.

Sunset on Lewes Beach

Then Saturday, we got to spend the day hanging out with Alex and mom Andrea.  We hit the Lewes Library old style carnival.

Then we headed to Rehoboth to enjoy the sandcastle building contest.

And ofcourse, we enjoyed Funland since it is the last weekend it is open.

It was a great weekend!

First day of 3rd grade

I honestly can't believe she is already in third grade.  Were does the time go.  Scratch that.  I know where the time goes... we stay so busy.  But really, why does it have to go so fast.  I must say I continue to do my best to enjoy each and every moment of time spent with this amazing girl (who isn't so little anymore).  She continues to be so sweet, funny, thoughtful, kind, smart and just generally so fun to be around.  I feel so lucky to be her Mom and can only pray she continues to like me as much as I like her.

At the bus stop before school

 At the outdoor pool after school

Labor Day 2017

While everyone is always sad that Labor Day is the last official weekend of summer break, there is always a lot of excitement here to in Delaware.  Our communities go all out to celebrate the end of summer.  We are talking carnivals, fireworks, bouncey houses and the list goes on and on.  In addition, our group of weekend beach friends also gets together for a BBQ on the beach.

This year we were lucky enough to be joined by Aunt Jodi and Lily's good friend from Maryland, Rut.  It was truly a fabulous weekend.

Rut, Lily, Lindsay and Alex

Rut, Lily, Alex, Samantha and Madeline

Oregon State Fair

Not sure why we missed the Oregon State Fair last year, but I promised we would make a point to make this year.  Dani and Lily had a great time exploring and riding rides.

A little detour to Seattle/Tacoma

Last summer we missed out on heading up to the Seattle/Tacoma area, but we were able to find time to fit it in this year.  And what a great trip it was.  Three big bonuses with the trip:  (1) our hotel was paid for thanks to Chris' hotel points (2) Raquel joined us for the adventure and (3) we got to see our old friend the Frakers and meet their kids.  So much fun.  Not to mention the food was incredible.  Duke's chowder, teriyaki, donuts from Pikes, etc.  Felt a bit like coming home.

Lily and Chris in front of Pike's Market (getting excited for the fresh homemade donuts)

Always fun to see the fish throwing

And beautiful flowers at Pike's

Of course the views of the bay are always incredible

Plus you never know what kind of strange dogs buried in flowers you will find

Alki beach (right after some tasty chowder at Duke's)

Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma

Playing with our old & new friends the Frakers