New Years

In the middle of Christmas and New Years we were sad to see our good friends move to Eastern Washington. We have been friends with them since they moved here. They have kids about the same age as our kids and they were/are good friends. We will just have to keep in touch long distance.

We took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakuel. We went to the theatre down in Burlington (much nicer than up here) and they all 3 enjoyed that. It was E's first time in a movie theatre and she did pretty good.

Our friends came up to visit with us over the New Years holiday this year. It was great to see them. The men took all 4 kids bowling and I think they all had a good time. C even won!





My girl friend and I were able to get away and go shopping one day and get facials another. Our husbands even found a babysitter and took us out for dinner the last night that they were here. It was a great visit and I am excited to either go see them or for them to come back here.

Christmas

We had a good holiday this year. We were all sad about missing our grandpa/great grandpa but we made new traditions and enjoyed each others company. We had Christmas Eve dinner at our house this year. I cooked my very first prime rib dinner and it was delicious. Kendall's parents and my dad came over and he had a very lovely evening.



After dinner Kendall and I continued our tradition of watching White Christmas and I actually stayed awake for most of it this year!

In the morning we had our usual breakfast of ham and cheese crosaints and had our own little Christmas morning opening presents and having fun with all of our new gifts.






In the early afternoon, my dad, my sister and her boyfriend came out and we had a wonderful ham dinner. After we opening presents and ate the kids and their aunt played their new game of Mousetrap and Kendall and my sisters boyfriend played a 2 hour game of Checkers. I watched.

Overall we had a great time and started new traditions.

So far this Winter

We are trying so hard to get into the holiday mood. We went out and found the perfect tree on Saturday. I usually have a problem going to a Christmas tree farm. I get frustrated because I can't find a nice tree. Well we found a tree farm and I have another problem. I can't decide which one I want! They are all perfectly groomed and smell like Christmas.

Here is Kendall getting it set up.


T and E with their hats on.


The kids decorating the tree.


All done


I usually get a picture of them in their p.j.'s (may still do that) but here they are with the finished tree.


And finally the most important part of the holiday season. We hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season and remembers what Christmas is all about.

Fall Activities

We have had a busy fall (when are we not busy really). We were able to have a nice day and an available Saturday and we went out to the pumpkin patch as a family.


The kids had a blast going in the corn maze at Stoney Ridge Farm.






For Family Home Evening we carved pumpkins. E had a blast and didn't get grossed out by the guts and C carved his own pumpkin!



In the beginning of November T was in a play at his school. As you can see he was Pinocchio and loved every minute of it. He was great! For the those of you who know what has happened in the past when he goes to stand up in front of people - well he has come a long way!


Also towards the beginning of November T had a cyst removed from off of his back. He was very brave.

The final thing that happened in the month of November is that my grandfather Carl passed away. He was able to be in him own home, in his own bed with the only 2 people that he wanted there. Me and my sister. We were able to spend the last 3 weeks of his life with him. We told stories, laughed and cried. He will be missed, but I know where he is, who he his with and that I will see him again!

Busy Summer!

We had a very busy summer, but we all had a blast! We spend a lot of time together as a family and spent alot of time with our families. We had company 2 separate times and didn't want them to go either time. At the end of July we took the kids to Disneyland. We kept it a secret until the last day of school and they didn't even have a clue!

After we got home from Disneyland we decided to take down our old shed and put up a new one. Little did we know how long it would take or how much it would cost! If you ask E what is is the backyard, or making the mistake of calling it a shed, you are quickly corrected. It is her "princess house" and she wants it pink.

The last of our visitors came in August for my birthday. Geri and I had a blast. The two of us and my sister all went and got a manicure and pediure and then Geri and i spent the rest of the day shopping. What a better way to spend your birthday. Here is a picture of all of our toes with pretty flowers on them!

4th of July Weekend

We had a really good 4th of July weekend. We went down to my cousins house on Samish Island on the 3rd and camped out for 2 nights. We really had a lot of fun, food and family!

Here are 3 generations of girls - E, My sister and I and our Great (the kids Great Great) Aunt.

My Aunt decided it was time for a little dip in the water. Who knew she would go up to her waist!

E relaxing in the swing! She was trying to push herself to make the swing go.


The water finally calmed down and all the boys decided to go for a row.

T was showing his great grandpa something out in the water. These two are like best buddies!

The family sitting around waiting for the parade to start so that when it was over we could finally eat. We were getting hungry!

Here are the kids, in their 4th of July outfits, waiting patiently for the parade to get to us. It took like 45 minutes.

E did sparklers by herself for the first time. She kept doing them and doing them. The older kids were on the beach letting off big fireworks. I told them to leave the sparklers for her.

What a way to end the wonderful holiday with excellent weather, good food and loving family (except for fireworks of course) than by a beautiful sunset. Hope you all a had as wonderful a day as our family did!

Memorial Day Weekend

I know that I am a little late in updating, but better late than never. We had a great weekend, lots of sun, lots of family and lots of fun!

We went to the Ski to Sea parade on Saturday and what better to do while waiting for the parade to start, but eat! Sorry for the long post :)

C being grumpy!

E sharing a Sierra Mist with Boppa Larlow.

T enjoying his hot dog!

My sister and I got away from the kids and took a little walk while waiting.

On Sunday we decided as a family to skip church (Kendall had to work on Monday) and head down to Samish Island to our families property.

All of the kids enjoying playing in the sand before the tide comes in.

The kids are sitting at the table and are thinking "Where's the food?"

E hangin' in the hammock

On Monday the kids and I went out to Lake Whatcom to my aunt and uncles property for one last picnic. My uncle passed away in March unexpectedly and my aunt has put the property up for sale. It wasn't the best day of the 3 day weekend weather wise, but it was still really nice, little brezzy, but as you can tell, the kids didn't mind at all.

The water was pretty cold - T didn't stay in that long, but the other two...

had a blast!

and I had to drag this one out!

Overall we had a great time spending time with family and enjoying the beautiful weather. We are going to have a GREAT summer!