The children bring Michael a lot of joy. He’s very protective of his bedtime routine with the kids— on the days he works and gets home from the hospital at bedtime he always looks forward to seeing Lake and Lady Kitty and supervising the teeth brushing, pajamas and the tucking in rituals of stories, songs or books, and finally soft cheek kisses.

This Father’s Day was filled with happy family occasions belonging to June — a Murphy cousin wedding and an Ayres cousin graduation. It was a full day atop a full weekend bursting with gratitude of family and celebration of love, accomplishment, pride and fatherhood.

By the end of the day Sunday we were saturated with love and pleasant society and so grateful to settle into the sweetness of the evening bedtime togetherness. These precious moments create the fabric of our current family lives as well as lasting memories and tradition.

A perfect Father’s Day— we’re glad to spend it and every day with you.

Earlier this Spring Lady Kitty said, “ I want to live out at Quinault, but it’s not a house just oranges in a row.”

Memorial Day weekend took the kids out to Quinault with NanaBaba to add more memories to the Quinault memory bank.

A very special place. A very special experience with NanaBaba. A perfect day or three in Quinault… with oranges in a row.

Linnéa graced us with a visit this week—

It was lovely to see her again one final time at the end of her second year spent in Broomfield, Colorado prior to returning to Sweden. Our classic Swedish au pair 💕 We love each of our au pairs and have felt blessed with their presence.

A grandma on Bainbridge Island is close but just out of reach. So Michael started a bi-weekly Sunday tradition a few years ago. A day-trip to Grandma Julie’s!

A big full day of fun awaits with a visit to grandma’s. It goes something like this: walk — light rail — walk — ferry — Grandma! — beach-time — home cooked dinner — ferry — walk — light rail — walk — Home!

Rinse and Repeat on two Sundays hence.

A perfect day! I’m truly grateful to spend it with you!

Mother’s Day this year included the felicity of being in the company of and guests of NanaBaba, as well as a day of much mothering (we laughed as Nana and I washed dishes morning and night).

Midday we went migrating out to Westport. The skill, ingenuity and fortitude of NanaBaba lent three high flying kites to the occasion.

Lady Kitty informed us all— “My First Kite!” As she reeled it out to its full limit. Strong and focused girl!

Lake had the coolest kite, a falcon that kept dove bombing into the sand. He was tenacious and, with help to give the bird a boost, kept on flying.

We all had a gas.

A perfect Mother’s Day!

I’m glad I spent it with you!

“We have a yardin! It’s a yard and a garden.” she said exuberantly one sunny day we could lazily and playfully wander around outside— stopping to smell the roses and pick the flowers.

Nearly every day, she picks me a bouquet of flowers and ferns and grasses. Very artistic. On this day she also baked a cake with Theresa for Mr. Cat, home from the veterinary clinic for the treatment of his hyperthyroidism.

“I wish the days never ended,” said Lady Kitty.

She’s having a good life.

A perfect day. I’m glad I spent it with you.

Lady Kitty asked me, “Which is further away the moon or the sun?”

“The sun,” I answered.

“I love you to the sun and back!” she said.

Meanwhile, Lake and I discussed my upcoming volunteering in his classroom…

“You’re a lot older than the other moms that volunteer.”

“Oh, do I look older since I’m back after being gone for three weeks?”

“I was worried you and Lady Kitty might be a lot older when I got back, but I’m relieved to discover you both look the same.” I went on.

He gave me a look like don’t get mad, but what rock have you been living under? and I have to tell you the truth. “You’ve been old for a long time,” he said.

Aww. A perfect day! I’m glad I spent it with you!