Memorial Day Weekend

We traveled to Eastern WA to visit Jason's brother and family.  We had a very enjoyable time.  We were stuck in stop and go traffic due to road construction and holiday weekend traffic but the kids did really well.  We didn't even watch a complete movie on the way there, even though it took us 6 hours. 

On the way there, we traveled past fields and saw rainbows, rain falling from distant clouds and much more.  This is what the kids thought of if all:

"That is really awesome to see the rain fall from a distance!" ~ Trevor

"Mommy, those are fields!  Are they Uncle Kory's mission field?" ~ BriAnn

"Mom, that rainbow is HUGE!  It's bigger than you are.  It's even bigger than Uncle Kory!" ~ Tyson

At one point, we were listening to Phil Vassar's "Just Another Day in Paradise" song.  The kids were jiving out with their glasses, the sun was presenting gorgeous rainbows, all were happy and it did feel a bit like paradise.  And, like the song, the paradise included chaos a little further down the road when kids had had enough of the car and started poking each other, complaining, crying...you get the picture.  Still, it was paradise aka some-times organized chaos!

While there, the guys went on horseback rides, we went to the park, bikes were ridden, games played and lots of rest and relaxation.  It was so nice to get away!  We even got a free bike rack for the back of the van out of the deal.  Thanks, Jared and Jess!

On the way home, we made up for not watching movies on the way there and watched 2 or three.  Taylor slept for 4 of the 5 hours it took us to get home.

Monday we decided to go for a little hike to get the boys ready for their pack trip with dad this summer.  We went to Nolte State Park and walked the trail twice, making a total of 2.8 miles.  The boys did great.  Trevor was slow and steady, Tyson practically ran the whole way and Jason stayed in the middle to keep an eye on both at the same time.

To top off the weekend, we had a BBQ with Jason's sisters and their families.  Good times!

May in a Moment (or more)

May in a moment or more...coming soon.

April Triathlon: Family Style

In April we visited my family in central WA, traveling to my parents' home first, spending the night, then traveling an hour to visit and have a BBQ with my brother Kevin and his family.  We then traveled another hour and visited my brother Kent and his family, having dinner with them.  After having fun, watching a baseball game, eating, visiting, listening to good music and more with several different family members in their homes, we made the 3-hour journey safely home.  The kids were quite the troopers and enjoyed seeing their cousins and being in their homes.  We plan to do it again, sometime.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pics. :(

Descriptions by a 3 1/2 yr old

Pony tail - "The one in the back that goes up, then down...like a hill."

Corn on the cob - "Corn on a long stick with lots of them on it."

March Wedding and our 1st Family Portraits

Emily and Brian got married in March and had a photo booth at their reception.  What an awesome idea.  We had fun with it!

Watch Me Grow and More

 Watch me Grow: 1 week, 1 month, 2 months

 BriAnn wearing the cute skirt Aunt Alison made her for Christmas. 

"My poopies are saturated." - Trevor when he had diareah for a week solid
"My cough is dark and deep." - Tyson when he had a bad cough for the month of March
"Mommy, I want you!" - BriAnn when she was sick with the stomach flu for 3 weeks

March Blessing and Baptism March 5, 2011

 Trevor's smile as he came out of the water was absolutely radiant!  Taylor was good during the blessing, too.  We love you both and are grateful you are in our family!

 Evie and Tyson: two missing front teeth and two beautiful smiles!