Run Run Run!!!

All the kids and Jeremy ran the mile for the local Whaling Days race (James ran a kids dash). They did a fantastic job. Carter and Madison both finished fourth in their age categories. Madison had her best mile time ever- 7 minutes 10 seconds! My kids enjoy being speedy- they've all been training since just after they could walk.

The Largey "High-Fives" of 2010

For those of you who would like a recap of our

Christmas letter HERE IT IS...

Jeremy: Going on a scenic car ride up coastal CA (stopping at beaches & Redwoods) with the whole family- Getting a free truck- Being offered “new” jobs at the shipyard about 4 times- Puking for the first time in 15 years at the fair (spinning rides did me in)- Watching a couple of major league baseball games with the kids (plus watching their games too).

Shauna: Blogging most of our family events (Jeremy says “If you don’t get a picture of us doing something… does that mean it never happened?”)- Spending 2 weeks with my fabulously fun Mom in CA (all by myself)- Watching Madison at her sixth grade promotion as I waved, videoed, hugged, and totally mortified her- Getting to see my 3 big kids play soccer as Jeremy and I hunkered down in the rain to watch them- Listening to James as he babbles to me all day long to tell me his deepest random thoughts.

James (2): Learning to open doors…this has been rewarding- Having mom dress me up as a GIRL and take me to the mall for “Where’s Malldo” (it was a game of disguise!)- Eating some of everyone’s Halloween candy (I can open doors)- Running with balloons all over the house for my 2nd b-day- Any time I got to spend with DAD.

Grant (7): Starting a new school (1st grader in the Montessori program) and making a new really good friend- Going on “Goliath” at Magic Mountain and loving it- Teaching myself how to do back flips on the trampoline- Winning first place on my sea turtle art at the county fair- Going to CA to have some summer fun.

Carter (9): Getting to play baseball and soccer (plus becoming a better goalie)- Earning my Wolf Badge for Cub Scouts- Being a Zombie at the Fall Festival at school- Getting my own room (Grant shares with James now)- Finishing the awesome Percy Jackson series.

Madison (12): Becoming an “official” babysitter (I get paid)- Watching Jaws with Hannah and my Dad- Starting Junior High and Young Women’s (a church group)- Falling off my Mom’s new treadmill and getting another face injury- Replacing my iPod after it went for an unintentional swim (babysitting helped with this one).

These were the top five memorable experiences from each of the Largeys for 2010. We hope you enjoyed the year as well and made many good memories of your own! Happy New Year!

Whale of a Run

This is the first year we've been back home in time from CA to go to "Whaling Days". Our kids participated in a run and Madison gave out candy and flyers in the parade. Carter even got a high five for his efforts.

REDWOODS ARE AMAZING

Shortly after our sandy beach romp we stopped for the night (freshly cleaned kids are in the hotel room above). We spent the next day exploring the Redwoods and it was unbelieveable. I couldn't capture the sheer scale of those trees very well with my camera, but if you haven't seen them in person- put that on your bucket list. My neck got a cramp from looking upwards in amazement and the kids could not stop gawking. Thanks to Jeremy who decided it was worth the extra time on the road trip to see this stunning sight.

Back up to WA by way of beach

We took the scenic drive back up to WA and stopped at a little beach near the Golden Gate Bridge to stretch our legs. We were foolish enough to tell the kids to try not to get wet...

Bursting with Patriotism

4th of July weekend- went with family to see explosions somewhere... It's getting late and I'm going to fix this posts entry later...

Bike-O-Rama

We are now the proud owners of a bike trailer and can now bicycle to Canada as a family if we feel so inclined. I'm serious about getting out as a family and biking all over the place. See the look of determination on my face.
Jamesy loves riding in his yellow cab of goodness. I have to say he has quite the setup. Snacks, a blanket, books, chocolate milk... all in his yellow cab just for him. Hmmm- do they make bike trailers for adults? James is livin' the life and he doesn't even know it! Once again I am envious of one of my kids.

Our First Mariners Game

Well even though the Mariner's got absolutely no points at the game we went to we had loads of fun with the big kids any way. We danced crazily (hoping to get a video shot of us), did the wave, ate keetle/caramel corn, cheered and jeered, and just had a good time. I have to shout out a big thanks to our home teacher and his family for watching James for us while we went to the game. Jeremy wouldn't have been able to watch much of the game if we had brought James.

Berry Pretty Scent

While camping we stopped to pick some juicy berries and smell some lovely lavendar. James really loved eating those berries- the evidence is on his berry stained cheeks. I loved the photos I got most of all, plus the yummy cobbler we made out of the berries later.