Lake Whatcom Hike

Jane discovered the pull handle on the front door gets you access to the front yard.

Perry was trying to get Malcolm to laugh.

Mission accomplished.

Perry learned what a harmonica is, and later when he was talking about Rick and Jessica called them Uncle Ricky and Aunt Harmonica.

Cousin hugs

Jonah in the backyard.

Too cool.

Trying to be friends, but Malcolm wanted whatever Jane had.

Luckily she was distracted by watching everyone outside and didn't mind when he took it from her.

The kids probably would have just played outside all day long.

Scott did a take a reading break. It was nice and quiet in the house.

Eventually we packed up and headed out. We wanted to go explore and make up for lost hikes. 

Rick and Jess said this one was a couple miles, but it was taking us quite a while up the switchbacks. 

It felt like we were on Endor.

Turns out it was a couple miles up and back, not round trip.

But John and I were loving it. 

Even the kids did a little better than usual on longer hikes because they had a new friend to play with.

We got to the top and stopped for lunch.

This kid's dimples kill me.

It was a little overcast, my favorite.

Perry's in heaven. Cedric and Aunt Harmonica.

The littler guys were getting tired on the walk back.

Hand holding helped them keep up with us better.

Handsome boy in front of the lake.

Entertaining the wee grouch.

Scott ran ahead and had to constantly wait for us.

It felt so great to be out on a proper hike again together.

We took a steeper, more direct trail back down.

These power lines were crackling loudly from the moisture. 

Eventually, Mal crashed.

And Jane wanted out. She walked the last bit to the car.

Back at the house, everyone was relaxing.

Jane was making mischief.

While our hosts made the most delicious pizzas. 

Perry introduced everyone to Exploding Kittens.

And several rounds were played. 

Then we enjoyed some more projector time in the front yard. 

Reading books together before bed.

Hiking, cool weather, family time, and pizza. So many of my favorite things in one day.