We've enjoyed BBQ dinners, days at the park or waterfront with friends, and all of the usual summer traditions including time at the beach.
We finished off July with a picnic dinner a ferry ride away in Kingston with our home group from church. With our growing posse of kids in tow, we drew quite a bit of attention from the other park patrons. 
With 12 kids (9 pictured) and 2 more on the way, our group is growing at record pace. Here's the 2010 baby line-up. (Of course Jackson is the one with the short sleeves and sun tan.)
It was a beautiful evening and our ferry ride home featured an unbelievable sunset.
August included a Blankenship family reunion at cousins Erik & Sue's cabin in Skykomish. The entire family wasn't able to make it, but there were quite a few of us there to represent and we enjoyed some food, fishing, and fellowship by the river.
We got the hook ups through a friend to go on a tour of a Navy battleship that was visiting the Seattle harbor. Jackson's first military exposure was on board the USS Green Bay and he enjoyed his time in the captain's chair.
The beautiful weather of course allowed for plenty of golf for Dan. Jackson and I joined him for an evening of golf at Dupont's Home Course (my favorite because of its view of Rainier). Jackson wore his "Daddy's Caddy" outfit for the special occasion.
Here's some video from the course.We also managed to make a quick day trip to Canada for Jackson's first international experience. We met up with my cousin Heather who works for a cruise line that was docked in Vancouver for the day. Since we only had a few hours with Heather, we took her to Stanley Park for a picnic. It was Jackson's first time meeting his cousin and she won his heart with some very special Alaskan toys and her beautiful smile.
Also in August, our friend Ashley came for a visit from Florida and we were able to meet up with her and visit the downtown location of our church, Mars Hill. 
Ashley and I did a year-long online Bible study with friends Keri in Atlanta and Melissa in Ireland. Keri and her husband were also visiting Seattle and it was my first time to meet her in person so that was a real treat!
We were blessed through Dan's work with tickets to the Boeing Classic and took Mom & Dad Blankenship with us to walk the beautiful course and hob-nob with the pros. Jackson attracted more than a few golfer's attention on his 3 month birthday.
Of course the summer would be incomplete without a visit to the Evergreen State Fair. We went in search of prize-winning poultry, greasy fair food, and dizzying rides along with friends from our home group.
Another highlight of the summer was that we left Jackson with a babysitter for the first time since he was born. The best part was that his babysitter was Bethany Greene, who I used to babysit as a kid in Orlando. Thanks to sweet Bethany, Dan and I were able to enjoy a care-free evening as our friends Dustin and Lisa were married in a beautiful lakeside ceremony in Bellevue. Meanwhile, Jackson enjoyed playing and watching Madagascar with Bethany.
Also noteworthy this summer was the Sunday that we dedicated Jackson at church. Dan and I were able to dedicate him alongside his buddies Gabriel and Savannah from our home group.
Here he is all dressed up for his dedication.
We're sad to say goodbye to iced tea and suntan weather, but are looking forward to the brisk Fall air and the pumpkin patches, vibrant fall leaves, and corn mazes in the season ahead of us. I'm waiting for that first official day of Fall to get my pumpkin spice latte!
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