Farewell Summer...Remembering You!

 I have been meaning to post pictures to recap my summer for ages now and saw that tomorrow is officially the last day of summer...so I'm posting these just in time!

~JUNE~

An early birthday celebration in Vancouver, Wa with my best friend Stephanie and her three kids! 

On my actual birthday I travelled north to Vancouver BC with friends from church for a weekend retreat.  I was thrilled to get out of the country and use my passport:)

Vancouver Waterfront

Boat Trip to Granville Island Market

Later in June my family rented a house in Lake Chelan for 5 days.  It was a fun to be together to swim, read, relax and play.

Annamarie and Audrey 

Ben and Jonathan

Britlese and Abigail

Bath Time

Family Olympics

Ice Blocking!

~JULY~

My Papa beautifully restored this row boat from his childhood and to celebrate we had a christening boat launch party.  The row boat was named the Lady Jane, after one of my aunts.

My mum and her 4 siblings

My friend Erin from Seattle joined me for the weekend

Best of friends...my nieces Alaina and Kesley

My turn to row...

The Girls

Fun on the 4th of July!

Before I left on my international trip to London and Cape Town (HERE) we had a very special 60th wedding anniversary party for my grandparents.  The following photos are from a photo booth that was set up for the extended family.

We ended the evening playing on "the beach" which has now been in the family for 6 generations!

~AUGUST~

Celebrating Grandpa Brown's 84th Birthday

There is always laughter in the Brown Family!

Well onto the Fall and all that this new season entails...

(will be posting about my adventures as a lead preschool teacher soon)

A Pictorial Overview of Cape Town: August 4th-13th

Hello Table Mountain!  Its a joy to be back!

During my visit I stayed with my precious friend Caroline who is currently living with other dear friends Craig & Lisel Stewart (and their 3 kids, 2 dogs and chickens...the house was full).  My first stop was the Warehouse where I used to volunteer...so many friends to hug!

 A magical evening with Caroline...we drove up Chapman's Peak to enjoy the view and then spontaneously booked reservations for 'sun-downers' at an incredible luxurious hidden getaway below the cliffs called Tintswalo.

Saturday morning I joined my friends and their kids for a gathering called Toddlers for Justice at the Warehouse.  The littles packed food parcels for local orphans and we prayed for them too...precious!

A sunny afternoon in my favorite seaside town, Kalk Bay.  Enjoyed returning to familiar antique shops and a treat at the Olympia Cafe.

Monday morning met friends and their kids at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.  It was winter, but as you can see the sun was blessing my week!

I can not be in South Africa and not drink yummy wine!  Caroline and I returned to one of my favorite vineyards called Steenberg.

Tuesday was a national holiday called Women's Day.  I attended a celebration at my church Khanysia...full of singing, hope...and of course dancing!

Two lovely friends, Nokuzola (a friend from church and the mother of Simpamandela who I used to tutor) and joyful Matthew Tooke.

My favorite walking place in Cape Town...Seapoint Promenade, with dear friend Christy at sunset.

Meeting up with the Read Family, friends from when I lived in Tacoma who are now missionaries in Cape Town...and having a crazy dress up dance party with the Stewart kids.

The day before I left I took the familiar drive out to the township of Khayelitsha and visited the preschool I used to volunteer at.  I didn't tell anyone I was coming, so it was a joyous surprise!

A special tea with a special woman: Elizabeth Clack

I got time with so many families and dear friends!  My last evening I had supper with the Fhersens, Patos and Stewarts (plus a surprise visit from Rene)!

On my last morning I took my very special friend Vivian out to breakfast at our favorite spot, Common Ground Cafe.  Afterwards I went to say goodbye to my buddy Linda!

Goodbye Cape Town...I already miss you!