After a solid night’s sleep, we woke to a gentle rain tapping against the windows. For the first time in days, Mother Nature encouraged us to slow down, so we happily accepted the invitation.
The beach house was cozy enough, although it clearly wasn’t designed by anyone who had ever met a toddler. Every bedroom had enormous windows with breathtaking views…and exactly zero shades. During the middle of the summer solstice, bedtime looked suspiciously like high noon. To compensate we slept Joni in the windowless bathroom and Evie in a renovated garage (for sound).
The following morning we stocked up on groceries before Emily’s parents arrived bearing one of the greatest gifts any traveling family can receive: A homemade spaghetti dinner. Forget five-star restaurants. Nothing beats a meal someone else lovingly cooked.
After lunch we spent the afternoon exploring Camano Island together. We wandered through beautiful state parks, discovered quiet beaches, and admired the endless views across Puget Sound. It felt like one of those classic Pacific Northwest days where every road seems to lead somewhere beautiful. On the drive home we stopped by the waterfront estate of one of Sam’s friends. 
Calling it “a nice house” would be like calling the Grand Canyon “a decent hole.” Perched high above the water with perfectly manicured grounds and panoramic views stretching for miles, it was the kind of place that quietly reminds you there are still levels to aspire to in life. We enjoyed a wonderful visit, sipping wine, swapping stories, and imagining what it would be like to wake up to that view every morning.
Back at the beach house, things escalated. We had picked up a one-liter jug of margaritas. Mary Jo had thoughtfully brought…two more. As any responsible adults would do, we decided to sample them. One margarita became two. Two somehow became two and a half jugs finished.
At roughly that point, Mary Jo confidently announced that there was absolutely no chance they were driving home that evening.
As if the day hadn’t already delivered enough, the sunset that evening was breathtaking. Brilliant oranges and pinks lit up the sky before giving way to one of the most vibrant rainbows I’ve ever seen.
In one of the night’s funniest moments, a delightfully tipsy Mary Jo immediately called the friend we’d visited earlier, not to thank him for hosting us, but to make absolutely certain he knew there was a rainbow outside. 
She delivered the breaking weather report with complete sincerity. It was equal parts hilarious and wholesome.
The rest of the evening was spent laughing around the table, telling stories, finishing off the margaritas, and enjoying one of those nights that nobody planned but everyone remembers. 
⸻
The following morning arrived a little earlier than everyone would have preferred.
The girls, blissfully unaware of adult decision-making, were up and ready for adventure while the rest of the house experienced what can only be described as staggered, coffee-dependent resurrections.
I had the early shift with Joni and Evie and had a front-row seat to everyone’s painfully slow emergence from their bedrooms. Thank god for caffeine. By breakfast, everyone had rallied. Even better, Kelly and her family were coming over for the day. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Warm sunshine. Blue skies.
Joni and Acadia immediately disappeared into their own little world, playing together for hours as if they’d been best friends forever.
Mary Jo had packed an entire collection of activities for the girls. 
They painted rocks with water, explored the beach, dug in the sand, and laughed hysterically every time we brought out the colorful parachute. Every adult eventually took a turn making it billow through the air while the girls squealed underneath. 
Meanwhile, the grown-ups adopted a slower pace. Drinks appeared. Snacks multiplied.
Conversations drifted from one topic to another while the children entertained themselves remarkably well.
By dinner, the Hogan family arrived, and suddenly the quiet beach house transformed into a full family gathering. Aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends all met Evie for the first time while burgers sizzled on the grill and cocktails magically kept refilling themselves. The kids played until they literally couldn’t anymore. 
Honestly…
It was just about a perfect summer day. 
⸻
The next morning featured a predictable amount of hangover management, but we still managed to rally for another adventure.
This time it was a kangaroo farm.
Only on vacation do you wake up thinking, “Today seems like a good day to feed kangaroos.” 
Joni absolutely loved it.
She fed kangaroos, petted wallabies, alpacas, goats, and just about every friendly animal willing to accept snacks from an enthusiastic toddler. Watching her cautiously offer food before erupting into laughter every time an animal took it never got old. 
We finished the evening exactly the way every summer vacation should end, with a bonfire on the beach.
As the sun slowly disappeared beyond the water, we roasted marshmallows, assembled s’mores. The adults were relaxed. The fire crackled. And for a little while, there was nowhere else we’d rather have been. 
So far, this trip has been everything we’d hoped for…and maybe a little more.
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