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Sunday, July 24, 2011

Warrior Dash


Warrior Dash is like no other competition I've seen.  It is a 3.5 mile obstacle course slopping through mud pits, hopping up and over run-down cars, scaling rope walls, and jumping over flaming fire pits.  This particular race was held on a beautiful farm in North Bend, WA.  Mike and Jared proudly SURVIVED WARRIOR DASH 2011! 











The viking hats were issued along with your race bib.  Nice touch, eh? 











MAYBE I'll try it next year! 

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Beach Hike

Living in the Pacific Northwest is such a BLESSING because of the breathtaking BEAUTY that surrounds us.  However, the weather sometimes leaves much to be desired. Still, LIFE goes on despite of the RAIN.  We've learned to always be prepared with a rain coat.  BUT SOMETIMES....YOU GET LUCKY!!! Fourth of July weekend we headed out to the coast and found blue skies and sandy beaches!  



We spent two nights at Third Beach wading in the surf, playing in the driftwood, and exploring the tide pools. 







There is nothing like camping on the beach.  We hiked in 1.5 miles carrying all of our gear in a backpack.  Gracie even made the trek.   She didn't carry a pack though.  Mike piled his pack high with gear to ensure that his family was comfortable while roughing it.  Mike found a way to ensure that I have an enjoyable time while we are camping; he does all of the work!  Terrible, I know, but he loves it so much that he makes that sacrifice :).  Another way to ensure a successful camping trip is for Audrey to bring her BFF Shaila
.

The tide pools were amazing!We had a tide chart and so we knew exactly when low tide would occur.  Plus, camping on the beach, the tide pools were right outside our tent door.   There is something magical about low tide since an entire world of sea creatures is exposed for a short time and then quickly vanishes with the tide.  We saw sea stars, sea anemones, hermit crabs, and a sea otter.





We found Patrick Star on the beach, you know, Sponge Bob's best friend! 







So Jensen family, this is the trip I WISH we would of had last year! August 2010 was much too rainy! Let's try it again....it's worth the trouble.

Perry Como (an old song writer) said it best in his song entitled "Seattle"

The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle 
And the hills the greenest green, in Seattle 
Like a beautiful child, growing up, free an' wild 
Full of hopes an' full of fears, full of laughter, full of tears 
Full of dreams to last the years, in Seattle 
. . . in Seattle! 

Art Camp

Look at the fun we've been having at Back Porch Studio!










 

Monday, July 11, 2011

Freedom Festival

Click play to flip through the digital scrapbook pages of our Independence Day 2011.

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This free digital scrapbook personalized with Smilebox

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Birds of a Feather

Birds of a Feather
 Kids' Art Camp (ages 8-teen)
July 19 and 21 1-4 p.m.
Cost:  $32 paid by July 15


I LOVE birds and this just so happens to be one of my all-time favorite art projects.  The kids will make painted paper collages on 12x12 scrapbook paper (perfect for framing).  The birds pictured below were created by some of Mrs. Johnson's 2nd graders at Silverdale Elementary.  Aren't they fabulous? 



We will also make artificial birds nests using materials collected in the woods behind my house.  Naturally the kids will learn about birds and their habitats in collecting materials and building nests.   I will have a few bird books and posters on hand too. 


And finally, we will paint wooden bird houses!

 

This trio of projects look great together on a shelf.

 I had so much fun making these bird creations...
I know your kids will love it too!