Before the big packing started

... we enjoyed some beautiful summer weeks in Seattle and surroundings and got to experience some special things we hadn't seen before like being part of the 4th of July celebration, going to an Indian dance competition called potlatch, spending a weekend with good friends in the Hood River/ Columbia River region,...

Celebrating Independence day on July 4th at Gaswork Park in Seattle

Witnessing an Native American Potlatch

... and spending a wonderful weekend in the Hood River/ Columbia River region driving through the desert east of the Cascades

... having a view of Mt. Hood (south) and Mt. Adams (north) at the same time. This was torture for Sunke as he attempted to climb Mt. Adams just one week earlier, but had to turn around because of poor weather conditions - now we could see Mt. Adams in sunshine and blue sky all weekend! But Sunke is already planning his next try next summer :-).

... and mainly it was a lot of kid's fun as there were 7 kids together all weekend

Besides special weekends and events, we just really enjoyed being in our yard, in our neighborhood and with friends. The weather was wonderful. Nearly no rain, blue sky, sun... Theda and Jonte enjoyed swim lessons in a nearby outdoor pool, Jonte played soccer and Theda took a dance class - pretty much until the very last week of our stay.

... and the kids are setting sails and are mentally preparing for our big move across the ocean back to Europe... from now on we need to determine what we keep, what we leave, who will take what we leave, what needs to be packed into boxes for the ship, what needs to go into the suitcases ... and where will we live once we arrive in Norwich, England???? ... and everything needs to be done by the time we board the airplane...