The Marston Family: Seattle trip, 2012

We just returned from our annual summer trip to visit with my family; what a wonderful time we had! My mom and I discussed beforehand the fact that this trip, we may need to take it easy and not plan too awful much, considering I have four children now, one so tiny and new! But, in typical Stevens fashion, it was hard not to go go go! There was just so much we wanted to do with the kids. And now that they are a little older, they even went so far as to put in requests before we'd left.

Dane requested that he have an opportunity to go crabbing with Uncle Mike and Aunt Jess. Evelyn requested plenty of cousin time, and a trip to the Ol' Swimming Hole. And I know Grant well enough to assume he'd be highly interested in any type of camping/hiking in the woods. So, that is what we did! For two weeks straight! It was really such a fun vacation. And it was so fun to for my kids to spend time with Uncles and Aunts and cousins. I love to see the instant connection between them, despite the long absence.

I must thank my parents for making it so great, despite the fact that their home was on the market; that they had just spent the month before our arrival cleaning top to bottom to get it in tip top shape for showing! Nothing like a family of four crazy little children to come crash that idea- haha! And by vacation's end, my parents had indeed, sold my childhood home! So, it was very bittersweet to leave this time round, knowing I would never be coming back to that house again.

Although, of course we know it's not the home that makes the family and I'm excited for this fun new change in their life.

Here's an awesome picture I took of our house with my 50 mm-- the only lens I brought! Couldn't quite get the whole house in. 49 Chapman Loop!

We moved to this home when I was in forth grade~!

At Bell Park where they have the tire swing and very cool slide!

Roller Skating- a favorite for this little girl

Hiking around

Dane and Adam-- crabbing with Uncle Mike and Aunt Jess

Hiking Tumwater Falls-- fun but kind of scary with Grant in the equation

Adam and Evy- little friends

Camping trip at Nisqually, but don't get the wrong impression that I actually "camped". I left later in the evening for a warm cozy bed while the rest of them camped!