With just a couple weeks left of summer, we scrambled to fit everything in we could while packing what we needed for the next year abroad.  We spent as much time with family in sunny Chelan as possible, knowing the cold of British winter to come.

We’ve hardly had Tyler home this summer – the start of what’s to be now that he’s getting older.

The little boys had fun with their cousins playing some type of farm game they made up.  After raiding grandma’s garden, they’d make concoctions to sell us.  I’m pretty sure everything was inedible, but they were sure creative and convincing.

Doesn’t this cute girl just ooze personality!  She can sure keep up with the big kids.

Cade was our resident fire builder.

Cade’s practicing his swing – he loves to go out golfing with Lynn lately.

Celebrating Crystal’s birthday with all her sweet girls.

The kid’s know what time the “Lady of the Lake” rides by – a large ferry that makes the best waves to jump.  Lynn loves taking them for a crazy, wild ride.  Not sure why they don’t have their life jackets on in this one – usually mandatory!

Loving these lazy days of summer.

Sunset is my favorite time of the day here.  The lake is calm and serene.  It’s been so smoky from the fires, though.

It’s the perfect time to fit in one last wakeboard and coast on the paddle board.

The little ones got brave enough to join their older siblings jumping off the dock with no life jackets and swimming.

It’s been a while since Grandma and Grandpa Smith have joined us up at the lake and we were grateful Lynn’s sister and girls visiting from Utah could join us for a few days.

Jace has been dying to reunite with his “bestest buddy and cousin” all year!  These two were inseparable and so fun to watch.

Parasailing is always a blast, even if I hate heights. The panoramic views up so high are actually calming and worth it. Tyler and Cade rode tandem.  I was hoping they’d get dunked a little further, but the driver was too nice.

It wouldn’t be summer without a sno-cone run. They now have the “Big Kahuna” size which fit with the weekly theme of “Go big or go home!”

Cade kept the little fishing boat running all week with rides for his cousins and brothers.  They caught quite a few fish too.

It’s always a good time around a campfire.  Lynn loves scaring the little ones with ghost stories and grandpa shares childhood memories.

Tyler’s rocking the infant glasses.

For the first time ever, we finally got the majority of my local cousin’s kids together for a picnic in the park.  It’s hard not to feel like I’m looking at their parents at that age!  They are all fantastic soccer players and we had a fun little game together after dinner.

Another birthday celebration – Lynn’s 42

Cade picked out a new suit while school shopping.

The major task of packing the family for another year, getting the house in order and a million other details to pull this extended move off was a bit overwhelming.  Thanks to grandma and grandpa for taking the boys while I tried not to go insane.

Using space bags was a life saver, I just hope they don’t get unsealed along the way or there’s no putting them back together!

Tyler and Cade wanted one more stop at the Rootbeer Store since it’s in scarce supply in England.

Saying goodbye to Lily was another heartbreak for the kids.  She’ll be providing companionship to a senior in college who loves and trains dogs until we return.

It’s hard to believe the summer has come to an end already  Coming home for this time was exactly what we needed, but saying goodbye a second time was harder than the first, especially since we won’t be coming home all year (except for Lynn).  But we’re ready for new experiences and memories to be made across the pond.  And then we’re staying put for a long time!