Lakehouse part I

Summer break is in full swing! We spent the week of Independence day at my parents' lakehouse on Lake Tapps south of Seattle. Our favorite route westward over the Cascades is through Chinook Pass--curvy scenic roads with large in charge views of Mt. Rainier. We always have to stop at the top of the pass, Tipsoo Lake, for a leg stretch and a whiff of that cool FRESH! mountain air. Seriously, that breeze coming off of the melting snow drifts is the coolest, freshest air I've ever breathed. We have taken pictures of Mt. Rainier and various other gorgeous landscapes around the area many times, but this is our first summer with our big fat clunky fancy new-to-us camera, so the pleasure of photography was renewed on this trip. Basically as usual, I took a TON of pictures. Surprise, surprise.

 Enjoying the Mt. Rainier views and fresh snowmelt air at Tipsoo Lake. Best pose: Rose, most reluctant: Jay, wiggliest: Amber, sat on the sharpest rock: Shaina.

There goes Amber, about to fall off her rock. I lunged for her (and caught her) as Jeff snapped this picture, but lunging while sitting on a pointy rock makes for a funny position!

 We asked a nice man to take our family picture in front of the mountain. He missed the mountain (the base is to the left of Jeff's head). Basically having a big ole camera is only useful if WE are taking the pictures, because it turns out your average passerby knows little to nothing about photography. I mean, I don't know much, but I do know how to step to the side to get a landmark in the background! Haha. Or back up so you can get all of the people in the shot... I still appreciate the effort, because hey, a family picture is a family picture.

 After all that fresh air in the pass, the girls got a little sleepy...

Pensive Jay in the back seat.

At last we arrived at Lake Tapps! It is a very urban reservoir--almost the entire lake is bordered in concrete. Not as rustic as our usual retreat, but who said all retreats have to be rustic? We thoroughly enjoyed the fun of the lake with the comforts of indoor plumbing and sheets and beds. Jay brushed up on his kayaking skills. Amber donned the cutest zip-up life vest with a hilarious flappy collar and handle sticking up. Jeff taught the kids how to kick while swimming. 

Jay builds this Tinker Toy airplane every time we visit the lakehouse. 

We brought the Plasma Cars and the kids rolled all over the driveway. 

All that playing called for some down-time with Tabby games (tabby=tablet) 

 Rose is the ultimate little sister.

 "I think I'll lie down for a little rest," Jeff thought to himself. Hah!

 Sometimes everyone wants on one lap. Squish!

 Jeff and Jay lay the same way while having philosophical discussions.

 Amber sat happily on the steps into the lake, with her feet in the water, watching her siblings swim. She did not like floating in the cold water at ALL--a few times she lost her footing while standing in the water and her buoyant baby body floated up. She freaked out and GRABBED my leg like a little barnacle. I was impressed with her grip!

 Water plus humidity made for a darling fountain curl in Amber's ponytail.

 Post swim sunning--it was actually rather chilly most of the days we were at the lake. We had about two sunny days out of six, but that did not stop the kids from lake-ing it up!

 Still undecided if they're getting too old for group baths (and pictures of group baths), but...three kids in a tub! 

 After the first night when they partied late, the kids fell asleep so fast, exhausted from all the playing, swimming, riding, jumping, and kayaking. 

Amber had a really good nap on Sunday and she was the last one to fall asleep at bedtime. When I creaked ope the door a crack to check on her, she popped up and said "Mama!" That sliver of late evening sunshine illuminated her in such a warm darling way that I went and got the camera:

No edits or filters needed--this was pure sunshine on happy baby. Possibly my favorite Amber-pictures to date.