Walk this Way

Most days before we get started on our day's activities we go for a walk. We always walk the same route and it starts at Grammy's house, or in Grammy's house where the kids get snacks and their water bottles. From there we walk up and out of her neighborhood, down the hill, and take a short break for swinging in the park. Then we continue down to the ocean and hopefully a train will go by, so Noah can go on the bridge and Addie can sit to the side plugging his ears. We head up to the field where we feed the horses carrots or apples, but not sugar cubes, because that is much too scary and if you were to try it you would know why we named one of them Biter. Then we head through the wooded trail path, but beware of stinging nettle. We stop at the park at the top for collecting rocks and watching all the tons of bunnies. Then we are nearly back at Grammy's house and ready to start our day.

Just One More Reason

Well some people thought it wouldn't happen but after much delay our park opened. And it really is a great park, very beautiful with lots of fun trails and really fun playgrounds, not to mention a wonderful soccer field for Jason. We celebrated with our friends by being the first ones to BBQ in the new grill. The kids really do love the new playground and it is a great place to meet up with their friends, since everyone lives pretty close by. And don't even get me started on the awesomely HUGE anthill. Everyone can expect pictures of my kids in the fields of wheat soon. As if we didn't already love our neighborhood, now we have one more thing to add to the list.

The Airshow

On Saturday we took Addie to the Airforce Base. They do an airshow every couple of years and we had a great time. We went mainly to see the Thunderbirds and I wasn't sure if Addie would like it, because they are so loud but he loved it. Noah had a birthday party to go to so Jason stayed home to take him and my dad, being the dedicated Papa that he is held Addie on his shoulders for the whole show. The Thunderbirds were awesome and the tricks they did were really amazing. Addie covered his ears for most of the show, but he told me afterwards that he wanted to ride a Thunderbird when he grew up. The base was very crowded so they had us parking far away and riding buses over to the show and when we got on the bus Addie was like, "We get to ride a bus too!!!"

Cabin Fever

Well I posted lots of pictures, but it's really hard going through almost 3oo and only picking a few. Here are some of the best. We had a great trip, just the right mix of relaxing and playing. We had a beautiful cabin near the lake and it actually fit all of us pretty nicely, which is saying something because there are 18 of us. We jet skied, white water rafted, played on ATV's, visited Yellowstone, Bear world, played games and hung out. I asked the boys for their favorite parts:
Noah: Old Faithful, rafting, and the hot tub.
Addie: seeing Grandpa and Grandma, riding the Rhino (ATV), and he said all of it was fun.
Every night the boys stayed up late and got up early and had a blast. I myself will really miss the way Idaho made my hair look...sigh, why do I not live where it's dry. But really we loved the chance to be with the entire family. We will definitely remember Meagan's awesome dust beard, Mike's back two splashes (even with Mike working against us, we still totally soaked you guys), the hot tub for amputees, and tons more. So Melissa...that's what I think about the family.

Happy Fourth!

We had another really great fourth of July! We went to the parade, complete with very freaky clowns including one riding by playing an organ...scary!, then headed over to clock tower park for pony rides, bounce houses, and lots of other fun things for the kids. They also got to see their friends there so that was a big bonus. Next we went over to my Mom and Dad's for a family BBQ. We played some rock band, courtesy of Michelle and Aaron, also volleyball in the backyard. Of course my Mom, Michelle and I beat all the guys no problem. Katie and Addie played with the bubble machine, which she really loved. To finish off the night we went over and set off some fireworks with friends. It was such a fun time, the kids loved the fireworks with the exception of Katie, who liked the looks of them, but thought they were too loud. We had a great time and felt thrilled to get to celebrate the greatest best nation that God has given man on the face of the earth...hee hee that one's for you Jason. But we are so grateful for our country and our families and friends. We are so very blessed.

Hee Hee

So tonight Katie and me are playing while Jason and the boys are out at soccer. Katie is running around and she stops near our time-out chair in the corner of the room. She points at it and says, "Addie's."

The Children's Museum

On Tuesday we went to the Children's Museum in Tacoma and the kids had a great time playing in all the exhibits. They had a fun rock climbing wall and little scooters to ride. They did painting and play dough and they also had an exhibit on farm to grocery store. Katie loved all the bins of play fruits and veggies and loved putting them into her basket. Afterwards we headed over to the deli for some pizza, followed by a trip to the really cool fountain across the street.

Saturday at the Lake

On Saturday we took the kids down to the lake. We had been waiting for warm enough weather so they could get in and swim. We had Doritos, oreos, and lots of sand toys so you know we had a great time. The lake wasn't too crowded, surprisingly, and Jason and the kids had fun swimming. Katie loved the water and the dogs that were all over the park. The weather has been beautiful here and we are really enjoying our summer.