Emily's first time painting. She didn't eat any - that I know of.
We got real serious about covering the whole table.
Fun times with my girls.
We got real serious about covering the whole table.
Fun times with my girls.Friday, October 14, 2011
Whales and Rainforests
Well it has been far too long. I won't attempt to catch up - at least not today. Here are some pictures from our last big trip of the summer. We drove up to the Seattle area to go to the temple, see killer whales, and check out a rainforest.
Here we are on our seven hour boat ride. Miraculously, all of our kids loved it. By the end of the trip everyone on the boat knew Natali by name and had discussed animals with Andrew. That boy loved the boat and wandered around looking at everything. After the first three hours has passed Greg and I started getting worried because we hadn't seen any whales and we knew we would have to turn around soon. The kids would be so devastated if this attempt to find whales failed. So Andrew and I went up on the top of the boat so we could have a better view. Suddenly, we spotted our first of dozens of whales.
It was amazing. Picture and video can't capture it because they were coming up on all sides of the boat. Large males, small groups, babies, it was awe inspiring. I could have watched all day.
My favorite was when you could see them under the water and slowly follow them as they came up for a breath. The whale trip was a big hit. We didn't loose anyone overboard, the kids made friends, and we all had an amazing experience.
Next we were off to Olympic National Park! We took a little hike to see snow and look for mountain goats (no luck). But we did see a bunch of deer and some beautiful scenery.
Then we went to Hoh Rainforest. Wow! It was like a different world with huge trees, strange plants and weird animals.
The kids did pretty well as we hiked around for two plus hours. There were so many interesting things to look at.
This was the biggest slug I have ever seen.
Roosevelt Elk - different from the kind you see in Yellowstone- they seamed out of place in the jungle.
Then we visited the beach. The kids loved it. Andrew and Mack were in up to the waist and happy as could be.
We found this starfish stuck to a dead crab. I was the only one brave enough to hold it.
It had been a long time since the kids had played on a beach. I always love visiting the ocean. There is something so magical about the power of the water. I love the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand. It made me happy to watch my kids explore and enjoy that magic as well.
It took us a while to get everyone sand free before getting back in the van.
On the way home we got a great view of Mount Raineer.
All good things have to come to an end. We had a wonderful summer and this trip was a great way to end it.
Here we are on our seven hour boat ride. Miraculously, all of our kids loved it. By the end of the trip everyone on the boat knew Natali by name and had discussed animals with Andrew. That boy loved the boat and wandered around looking at everything. After the first three hours has passed Greg and I started getting worried because we hadn't seen any whales and we knew we would have to turn around soon. The kids would be so devastated if this attempt to find whales failed. So Andrew and I went up on the top of the boat so we could have a better view. Suddenly, we spotted our first of dozens of whales.
It was amazing. Picture and video can't capture it because they were coming up on all sides of the boat. Large males, small groups, babies, it was awe inspiring. I could have watched all day.
My favorite was when you could see them under the water and slowly follow them as they came up for a breath. The whale trip was a big hit. We didn't loose anyone overboard, the kids made friends, and we all had an amazing experience.
Next we were off to Olympic National Park! We took a little hike to see snow and look for mountain goats (no luck). But we did see a bunch of deer and some beautiful scenery.
Then we went to Hoh Rainforest. Wow! It was like a different world with huge trees, strange plants and weird animals.
The kids did pretty well as we hiked around for two plus hours. There were so many interesting things to look at.
This was the biggest slug I have ever seen.
Roosevelt Elk - different from the kind you see in Yellowstone- they seamed out of place in the jungle.
Then we visited the beach. The kids loved it. Andrew and Mack were in up to the waist and happy as could be.
We found this starfish stuck to a dead crab. I was the only one brave enough to hold it.
It had been a long time since the kids had played on a beach. I always love visiting the ocean. There is something so magical about the power of the water. I love the sound of the waves and the feel of the sand. It made me happy to watch my kids explore and enjoy that magic as well.
It took us a while to get everyone sand free before getting back in the van.
On the way home we got a great view of Mount Raineer.
All good things have to come to an end. We had a wonderful summer and this trip was a great way to end it.
School Days - School Days
School has started again! Natali was so excited to get going again. She was ready to move to the other side of the school where the 4th and 5th graders have their classes. 4th grade has been great so far. She loves learning about our state's history, singing in the school choir, and her new teacher Mrs. Morris.
Mack was a little less excited to say good bye to summer, but he was excited to start 2nd grade with Mrs. Kinney. She was his kindergarten teacher and we were so excited that he could have her for second grade as well. He enjoys school but his favorite part is playing football at recess.
Andrew, as usual, was the most reluctant to start school. He originally told he he would not be going at all. I commented about how sad it would be that he would never learn to read all those animal books he pours over. Upon further consideration, he decided he would go to school till he can read, but then he won't ever go again. Luckily, he has loved his 1st grade teacher and goes to school without a fight everyday - a big thank you to Mrs. Parsons.
The big kids started school a week before Kate did and it was so hard for her to wait for her turn to come. She put on new clothes and fixed her hair before I went to help out in Andrew's class. When I came back she had changed her clothes (maybe more than once), taken out her hair, and was sprinkled all over with water, but she was raring to go. Her preschool is literally across the street. It is so convenient and she loves it.
Mack was a little less excited to say good bye to summer, but he was excited to start 2nd grade with Mrs. Kinney. She was his kindergarten teacher and we were so excited that he could have her for second grade as well. He enjoys school but his favorite part is playing football at recess.
Andrew, as usual, was the most reluctant to start school. He originally told he he would not be going at all. I commented about how sad it would be that he would never learn to read all those animal books he pours over. Upon further consideration, he decided he would go to school till he can read, but then he won't ever go again. Luckily, he has loved his 1st grade teacher and goes to school without a fight everyday - a big thank you to Mrs. Parsons.
The big kids started school a week before Kate did and it was so hard for her to wait for her turn to come. She put on new clothes and fixed her hair before I went to help out in Andrew's class. When I came back she had changed her clothes (maybe more than once), taken out her hair, and was sprinkled all over with water, but she was raring to go. Her preschool is literally across the street. It is so convenient and she loves it.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
The Animal Lover is 6
Our skinny little animal lover turned six and after waiting all day for his dad to get home from a business trip (flight was late) finally got to open his presents. He said he wanted animals for his birthday and he got his wish. Other than some much needed church clothes, everything was animals. An animal book, an animal puzzle, animal stickers, and animal figurines - so many animals.
Here he is with all his animals. I was amazed as he opened presents and got more and more. Before his birthday he had a bucket half full of animals; it's full now.
We didn't have time that night but we built a killer zoo the next day after school. Since then he has turned the front yard into the world and put each animal on their correct continent.
After a solid month of birthday cake in April, Andrew wisely chose cinnamon rolls rather than cake. Yum! The sour skittles on top were a little questionable.
Here he is with all his animals. I was amazed as he opened presents and got more and more. Before his birthday he had a bucket half full of animals; it's full now.
We didn't have time that night but we built a killer zoo the next day after school. Since then he has turned the front yard into the world and put each animal on their correct continent.
After a solid month of birthday cake in April, Andrew wisely chose cinnamon rolls rather than cake. Yum! The sour skittles on top were a little questionable.Can you see the hole from his first lost tooth? It happened a few weeks ago and I just realized that I forgot to take any pictures. He realized it was barley loose in the morning and diligently wiggled and pulled all day insisting that it be pulled out that night. I figured it wouldn't be ready but he had worked hard and it popped right out.
Kate and I are going to miss Andrew next year when he goes to first grade. He is such a good little guy. Just today the mother of a classmate of his commented that Andrew is always willing to play with her daughter who is a little picked on sometimes.
He loves to learn. Whether it's about animals, the world, the states, or prophets, when he is interested in something he can be so focused and intense. His reading is coming along well and soon he'll be reading those animal books - not just pouring over the pictures.
When Andrew smiles at me I can't help but smile back - Happy Birthday Andrew!
Sleeping with the Lions
For Christmas Greg and I tried to think of things we could give the kids other than toys they didn't need. So we came up with an activity that each child could go and do with Greg. Andrew's big activity was "Sleeping With the Lions". This Zoo event seamed made just for Andrew - the hard part was waiting until April to do it.
On a Friday night Greg and Andrew loaded up all their sleeping gear and headed to the zoo. They got to watch some of the animals be fed, and they walked around at night with flash lights to see some of the nocturnal, animals like the binturong. They did a bunch of other things as well but since I wasn't there I will let Andrew narrate the pictures from their sleepover.
There was a baby wallaby. We got to see 'em hop and hop and hop.
We saw the binturong in the night and we got to see it for a long time. And we got to see it climb up a tree.
We made a box that had scents on it and it was butter and vanilla. And the lions smashed mine and it broke in half. The lady told us that the one female lion liked butter and so she smashed ours because it had butter on it.
I was at the lions cage and I got to sleep there. Daddy said they would make a lot of noise but they didn't.
I liked sleeping there because we got Gatorade and in the morning we got yummy breakfast.
We got to see a lion's skull and after that we got to go see stuff in the dark.
On a Friday night Greg and Andrew loaded up all their sleeping gear and headed to the zoo. They got to watch some of the animals be fed, and they walked around at night with flash lights to see some of the nocturnal, animals like the binturong. They did a bunch of other things as well but since I wasn't there I will let Andrew narrate the pictures from their sleepover.
There was a baby wallaby. We got to see 'em hop and hop and hop.
We saw the binturong in the night and we got to see it for a long time. And we got to see it climb up a tree.
We made a box that had scents on it and it was butter and vanilla. And the lions smashed mine and it broke in half. The lady told us that the one female lion liked butter and so she smashed ours because it had butter on it.
I was at the lions cage and I got to sleep there. Daddy said they would make a lot of noise but they didn't.
I liked sleeping there because we got Gatorade and in the morning we got yummy breakfast.
We got to see a lion's skull and after that we got to go see stuff in the dark.I loved it!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Happy Birthday Girls
April is birthday month at our house. Kate comes first on the 9th. Here is our big four year old with her stash.
She wanted a cake with a crown and a wand. Pretty easy - ignore the strange things that look like bugs - I was trying to be decorative.
Andrew was so excited to buy her a Tangled doll with his own money. What a sweet brother.
She is so excited to be four and is looking forward to Preschool in the fall. I love my little snuggle bug. She is all girl all the time and she makes me laugh with all her sass and drama.
On to birthday number two...
Natali shares her birthday with my Dad - so we had a party over in Ontario with all the local Dames.
Natali wanted to decorate her own cake using new skills learned at Activity Days. She did such a great job. I was seriously impressed; she'll pass me up in no time.
Here she is in her new outfit and accessories showing off her new American Girl outfit.
It is amazing to me that my little girl is nine. She is so helpful and conciencious; I don't know what I would do without her. The other morning Mack had a soccer game at 8:30am and Greg was gone. Natali did not want to go freeze at the game and the baby was still asleep so I let Natali stay home with the little girls. (I was only gone an hour, 3 miles away, with my cell phone). A mom at the game asked where my girls were; I'm sure when I told her she thought I was totally irresponsible. We talked a little and I realized that I really trust Natali's ability to handle responsibility and make good choices. When I came home Emily was dressed with her hair fixed. That was way beyond my expectations. Natali is amazing.
Birthday number three...
Emily is one! It has gone so fast. Here she is opening a hand me down toy from Andrew. That sweet boy again.
We were tired of cake so she got strawberry shortcake. I think all she ate was the whipped cream!
Our sweet red head has so much hair, we have to pull it back everyday or she can't see. She doesn't crawl - typical Easton girl - in fact she doesn't really move much at all. I am starting to see some small scooting action - but she still has some fine tuning to do before she'll be able to get around. She only weights 17 lbs. but we all love our little cutie.
Happy Birthday Girls!
She wanted a cake with a crown and a wand. Pretty easy - ignore the strange things that look like bugs - I was trying to be decorative.
Andrew was so excited to buy her a Tangled doll with his own money. What a sweet brother.
She is so excited to be four and is looking forward to Preschool in the fall. I love my little snuggle bug. She is all girl all the time and she makes me laugh with all her sass and drama.
On to birthday number two...
Natali shares her birthday with my Dad - so we had a party over in Ontario with all the local Dames.
Natali wanted to decorate her own cake using new skills learned at Activity Days. She did such a great job. I was seriously impressed; she'll pass me up in no time.
Here she is in her new outfit and accessories showing off her new American Girl outfit.
It is amazing to me that my little girl is nine. She is so helpful and conciencious; I don't know what I would do without her. The other morning Mack had a soccer game at 8:30am and Greg was gone. Natali did not want to go freeze at the game and the baby was still asleep so I let Natali stay home with the little girls. (I was only gone an hour, 3 miles away, with my cell phone). A mom at the game asked where my girls were; I'm sure when I told her she thought I was totally irresponsible. We talked a little and I realized that I really trust Natali's ability to handle responsibility and make good choices. When I came home Emily was dressed with her hair fixed. That was way beyond my expectations. Natali is amazing.
Birthday number three...
Emily is one! It has gone so fast. Here she is opening a hand me down toy from Andrew. That sweet boy again.
We were tired of cake so she got strawberry shortcake. I think all she ate was the whipped cream!
Our sweet red head has so much hair, we have to pull it back everyday or she can't see. She doesn't crawl - typical Easton girl - in fact she doesn't really move much at all. I am starting to see some small scooting action - but she still has some fine tuning to do before she'll be able to get around. She only weights 17 lbs. but we all love our little cutie.
Happy Birthday Girls!
Monday, April 25, 2011
Centennial Elementary Talent Show
Natali, Mack, and Andrew in their school talent show singing the ever popular song 50 Nifty United States.
Watch for the interaction between Natali and Andrew that justifies the camera shake from Greg laughing so hard.
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