Independence Day!

We had a busy 4th of July this year. We started the morning by marching in the Dupont parade with our ward. Noah marched with the scouts, Addie and I marched with the cub scouts, and Katie marched with Jason. This is the second year our ward has marched and both times I've been less than thrilled starting out, but at the end I always feel great. It's really awesome being out there with almost the whole ward to hand out pass along cards and candy. It really makes you feel a part of an awesome purpose and a big family. It helps the community to get familiar with us.

Next up we headed to the Steilacoom parade so Katie could sing on a float with her little SoundSations singing group. It was cute people. We then went to Mom and Dad's for a delicious BBQ. We had all the usual yummy things- Dad's potato salad was so good and so was Mom's ice cream. The boys played lawn darts while the girls played house and after dinner they all took a dip in the new hot tub. We hung out playing some games- speed scrabble- till the fireworks show started at 10:30. It was beautiful and we had front row seats.  We are so grateful to live in such an amazing country. It was a great holiday!

3rd of July

 

 

We love our 3rd of July fireworks show! Jason always puts together quite a show. We do them on the 3rd so that we can watch the city's show on the 4th. Michelle, Aaron, Mom, Dad, and June all came to watch. We had a very fun time. Aaron, Jason, Dad, and the boys lit off the fireworks and really had fun. Us girls huddled under the blankets and snuggled the little girls. Lots of our neighbors came out to watch. To finish off the night we ate Jason's delicious banana chocolate chip homemade ice cream. Super yummy!

 

 

 

SoundSations!

Katie is in a singing group called SoundSations. She is such a great little singer and they perform all over the area. They recently sang at the farmer's market and in the Fourth of July parade. The songs they are currently working on are: All Star, Rainbow Connection, Count on Me, and You've got a friend in me. Katie always practices in her room with her CD and she knows every word. She isn't exactly confident enough to sing with a smile yet, because she is nervous, but every time she performs she is getting better. She has an awesome voice and loves singing.

Chambers Bay

We went on a walk down Chambers Bay with my parents last week and had a great time. It was very sunny and actually maybe a little too hot for us Washingtonians. The kids loved the bridge, the boys loved throwing rocks, and Papa promised anyone that could make it all the way balancing along the logs without falling off a free lunch. We ended up at Round Table Pizza for a yummy lunch and all the dessert pizza we could eat!! Thanks Grammy and Papa for a fun afternoon.

It was harder to get up here than it looked!

It was a great view from the bridge.

Throwing rocks never gets old for these boys!

Determined not to fall off.

Some Summer Fun

We have been having lots of fun so far this summer! The weather has been wonderful. The kids love all the activities at the library. We always do the summer reading program and here is Katie with her first prize-- a read tattoo. Adam got his first library card this summer and is thrilled. We saw a very cute shadow puppet show of Thumblina at the Lakewood Library last week and loved it.

Katie got a new bike and we are determined to learn to ride without  training wheels by the time the summer is over. She is excited for the challenge. Below are pictures from our day at Steel Lake in Federal Way with Michelle, Grammy, and June. The kids had a great time playing in the sand, swimming, and eating lots of picnic food.