Alaska for the Ellingson Reunion

When you get this many girls together and there is a bunch of costumes you can only expect one thing.. Fashion show with Finley, Millie, and Maizy at Cliff and Steph's in Alaska. 

We had so much fun cruising around on these rides around the yard.. Not pictured is the broken one that Bergen crashed when Spencer let her drive with him in Shotgun. 

We formed a caravan and drove 4+ hours from Anchorage out to Homer. The girls all climbed into the big green bus and had a blast traveling with their cousins and playing games while Uncle Tim drove the big bus. 

We stayed in a GIANT mansion in Homer. The house fit the whole family!  We couldn't have asked for a more picturesque location; right on the water and during the most beautiful time of the year. The girls had a blast hanging out with cousins in the pool and the movie theater. The house had an incredible room that was designed after the story of Peter Pan. The girls slept in various bunks that were placed throughout the pirate ship, the lost boys house, the Indians' teepees, etc. They spent countless hours playing "pirates" with the boys, and board games with their cousins and grandparents. The house was right on the water with a very open beach when the tide was out. We were able to walk nearly a mile out to the water collecting shells when the tide was out. 

We always have to do a Sushi Night at the Ellingson Family reunion!

Cake contest!

Spencer with some of his catch!

 

Washington and Charley's Birthday!

Charley lucked out this year. Her birthday was right at the tale end of grandparent week and so she got to celebrate it in Winthrop with cousins. We flew into Washington that morning and drove up to Winthrop in time for dinner. The girls love being in Winthrop. There is always so many fun things to do and we love them being outdoors with no schedules and no commitments. We always plan a day to hit the Chelan waterslides and it's fun to see them progress to the faster and faster rides each time we go. 

We got to celebrate Charley twice. Once on her actual birthday and then the next day when she wanted to go to the waterslides! I made her a surprise cake for after the waterslides and Gramma B was nice enough to get her a piece of cheesecake on her actual birthday since we arrived late that night. 

Charley is such a sweet and fun big sister. She is kind, loving and thinks of others. She loves to dance and sing and make up songs and dance moves. She has a great imagination and is always thinking up something to do or perform. Charley loves softball and theater. She is reading all the Harry Potter books this summer and cruising through them. After each book we watch the movie together which has been really fun! Charley loves to craft, is a really good baker and loves trying new things. She always amazes me how she will jump into anything and try something new. She tried skiing behind the boat and got up for a few seconds! We were all so proud of her! We love our Charley girl so so much! 

Mads out for a ride with Bart. She pretends to be a city girl, but inside she's a cowgirl through and through. 

On our way up to Alaska we flew out of Seattle. We had an early morning flight and so we went down the day before and spent the afternoon in Seattle. Grandma B was wonderful and gave us a ride down to Seattle and hung out with us for the day. We had a great time at Pike's market and then Spencer giving the kids each a turn on the electric scooter. Grandma B stayed with us in the hotel that night and then gave us a ride to the airport the next morning. We're so grateful for Grandma B always willing to help us out.