Easter and Coupeville

Sam and Max afficionados, my apologies for falling behind on posting. We've been keeping very busy (as usual) and I'm finally catching up on my blog posts. This one is a double header, Easter and a short trip to Coupeville with our friends. Enjoy the photos!

Max and Sam pose after the egg hunt

Max gets a ride with Addie

Sam gets a ride as Addie attempts vehicular homicide

Max loads his basket

Sam really got the hang of it this year

Sam's basket is overflowing with Easter eggs!

About a dozen kids partake in this Easter egg hunt in our friends' back yard every year. The kids range in ages from toddlers up to about ten. In order to prevent the bigger kids from quickly taking everything, the kids are "released" in stages from youngest to oldest, allowing the smaller kids a chance to find some eggs before the competition gets too tough. Last year Sam and Max didn't quite get the hang of it and they didn't get many eggs. This year Sam and Max got the hang of it really fast and got way too many eggs. So many, in fact, it was a bit embarrassing and next year they get to start this hunt with the bigger kids. It's hard to be fair, but the adults are trying!

The following weekend we took a trip to Coupeville, WA with our friends Travis, and Suzanne and their two children Bronn (four) and Crescent (one). One of the first things we did was a "sculpture walk", where the local art community maintains a series of sculptures in the woods along an easily accessible walking trail.

Max, Mom and Sam look small next to this big sculpture

Sam and Max are easy prey for this rusty eagle

The boys escaped the eagle, only to come face to face with this wooden dinosaur

Background: Travis carrying Crescent, Suzanne, Bronn mostly hidden
Foreground: Max, Mom and Sam

Max, Bronn and Sam posing on a bench (that may also have been considered art?)

A sculpture that I really enjoyed

Dad, Mom, Max and Sam posing by some giant metal feathers

Max having a cozy snuggle with Dad

We went to the Meerkerk Gardens (a place we'd been to before, two years ago).

Sam, Mom, Max and Dad posing in front of some flowers

Sam and Max on a flower bench

Our accommodations were near the beach and we made several trips which the boys really enjoyed.

Sam (front) and Max (behind) enjoyed collecting and playing with seashells

Later we went on a hike at Ebey's Landing, which traverses up a bluff with beautiful views.

Sam, Mom and Max posing by the sea

Sam and Max have a great time chasing Daddy on the hike

No matter how close they get, Daddy keeps running away and the boys love it

The family

Mom and Sam blow dandelion seeds together

When will these boys learn? They're never going to catch Dad!

The hike at Ebey's Landing was the surprising highlight of the trip. Sam and Max usually don't like walking very much and protest at having to walk short distances (they much prefer the bikes or scooters). However they really enjoyed this hike. Maybe it was the beautiful views, or the weather, or the fun time trying to chase Dad? Or maybe they're just growing up and enjoying more things now? Either way, it was a beautiful hike and a really fun time with the boys. I look forward to doing more hikes with them this year.

Cheers!