It’s summertime and the livin’ is easy… the end of school and the onset of warmer, drier weather provide opportunity and motivation to get outside for some fun. There’s no shortage of choices in an area as beautiful and temperate as ours. Kirkland Lifestyle connected with four locals to learn about their favorite things to do in the summer months.
The Av Family
Yuka
What is your favorite summer tradition?
Going on vacation with family and friends, enjoying the beautiful weather around our state. Our tradition is not so much a place, but the people. We were fortunate to meet some amazing families at our preschool, and over the years the playdates grew into getaways. It’s been fun to watch the kids grow up together. My son’s birthday is in the summer, and we often end up celebrating on one of the trips. This year, we will camp on the peninsula, and spend time on Lake Chelan.
How did this tradition start?
This tradition started about four years ago (after COVID). When it started, everyone’s kids were fairly young and these days they are a little more independent, so our destinations and activities have evolved over time, but the tradition of coming together has stayed the same.
What makes this tradition special for your family and friends?
With so much going on during the school year, it can be challenging to find time to get together, so it’s that much more special when we do. It takes some planning and flexibility, but between work schedules and summer tournaments, we make it happen!
Connor O’Brien
What is one of your favorite summer traditions?
I have a lot of soccer tournaments in the summer, and my team always competes in the Crossfire Select Cup at 60 Acres. Usually my team plays four or five games over the weekend, and my whole family comes to cheer us on and there are food trucks and coffee stands set up at the field.
How did this tradition start, and how long have you been doing this tradition?
I started playing on my current Crossfire team five years ago, so it’s been five years of competing in the Crossfire Select Cup and other tournaments.
What makes this tradition special for you?
Every time we have a double header during a tournament, my team and I hang out together and eat and just chill out - either at the field or at a park or restaurant if there’s enough time. It’s fun to see the other teams play at the tournament too and players that I know on other teams.
The Mitchell Family
Jillian
What are your favorite summer traditions?
We love downtown Kirkland in the summer. My family will ride bikes down to Peter Kirk pool and splash around together and then stand in line at the ice cream truck in our swimsuits. There is something so sweet about the whole experience. That being said, our favorite family summer tradition is to see somewhere new in the Pacific Northwest. We've done the North Cascades, the Olympic National Rainforest and the islands. This year we are heading down to Oyhut on the Washington Coast.
What inspired this tradition?
We love adventure and trying new things. My husband and I have always loved traveling, but we wanted to make sure our kids were familiar with all the beauty closer to home. Summer is the best time to see the PNW!
What makes this tradition special for your family?
These trips are usually road trips that include less than fancy accommodations. So the whole family is experiencing something new and a bit rugged together. There are usually tears at some point, and now some teenage moodiness, but it’s always a fun time overall.
The Roe and Gray Families
Cheryl Roe
What is your favorite summer tradition?
One favorite is paddleboarding, mostly on Lake Washington at Juanita Beach. We always liked to spend time at the beach with our children and now our grandchildren. Paddleboarding was an easy way to extend the beach experience to include time not just in but on the water. As our daughter Brandi and son-in-law Bill’s family grew and with it our love for SUP and beach time, the two eldest grandkids Blair and Brooklyn received junior SUPs in 2022. Our grandson Bowen who’s five loves the water but prefers to ride with his Mom or Dad.
How did this tradition start?
Almost a decade ago when our oldest granddaughter was a toddler and just learning to swim. Blair started at three and Brooklyn at about the same age.
What makes this tradition special for your family?
It's an activity we can all participate in that's fun and safe. Especially at Juanita Beach Park, located in a cove. Plus there are other options around to keep everyone engaged - from walking the pier, picnicking, volleyball, playing or just hanging out.