Gummy Bear Dance

For the end of the year talent show Madison and her friends did a gummy bear dance. If I ever figure out how to put video onto my blog I'll put it on here. I have a fancy video camera, but getting what I video to a place where it can be seen by others is and continues to be an enigma. People who put videos into blogs tell me your secrets...

Olympic Park Institute

Madison and I went to the Olympic Park Institute with her class back in June. We got to soak up three days worth of information from our guide and the world around us. We got incredibly lucky with the weather too because it was beautiful most of the time we were there. My favorite part of the experience was spending some time with Madison and seeing her interact with her friends. OK- I also loved the apple cake we ate one night there. Plus taking picutres without anyone telling me to stop was cool. Some things Madison loved about it were: the "Stayin' Alive" game, fun skits (did you just drool?), sensory walk, hangin' in the cabin, talking about how gross the boys cabin was (they were taking turns getting sick), and learning about the names of the plantlife we abound in and usually ignore.

Sand Castles of Glory

Remember when you were a kid and you built something really cool that wasn't going to last anywhwere but in your memory. And now as an adult you think- why waste time on something that won't last. If only I could get some of that childlike thinking back into myself- wouldn't the world be full of possibilities...

Grantus Monkeysillius and I go to the ZOO

Grant and I went on a field trip to the Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma and he couldn't move quick enough to see all the animal antics. We pracitcally ran from site to site to visually see every single animal in that whole place. He was especially impressed with the gibbons monkies. I could tell beacuse he hung out at their site for a few seconds longer than the rest.

Even though Grant has lost a tooth he hasn't lost his ability to run, hop, swing, and zing through the zoo at a monkey-like clip. Hence Grant's animal name in our family- "Grantus Monkeysillius". Carter better watch out because Grant is getting speedier as his legs get longer.

Sometimes the fun is not in your yard

Madison noticed the neighbors were having a party, jump castle included, on a day when we were doing yard work recently. I happened to capture these joyful photos of Jeremy mowing our lawn while being annoyed that I was taking pictures (Iwas just taking a small break from yard work). Our kids kept looking longingly down the road, most likely wishing they could sneak over to the inflatable castle of fun. But this was a yard work day so I had to tell them that they could only imagine jumping in the castle because WE were working. FYI- I didn't win the fun parenting award for that comment.

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.

3-Day Weekends are Awesome!

Things that happen on a 3-day weekend: Good old-fashioned mud slinging, bike riding, sailing (or at least attempting to), and having fun with one another.

Remembering those who are gone...

Jeremy took Carter out to place flags at gravesites on Saturday in honor of Memorial Day. Grant tagged along and got to help too.

Breakfast and Badminton

Our church held a breakfast on Memorial Day at the park. I had a delicious banana pancake and enjoyed watching Jeremy and the kids play on the field. I tried to join in the fun and play a round of kickball, but I got out immediately due to my total lack of sports skill.

Pointing and Labeling

James loves to point at anything and everything lately. If he knows the word for whatever he's pointing to he'll label it as well. He's pointing out the window and saying "birds" in the picture above. His little voice is so fun to hear, especially now that he's combining words. I asked him if he was ready to go to Nursery this morning and he said- "Gace" (Grace is in Nursery with him). I said "Yes- You get to go to Nursery and see your friends." James clapped his little hands with glee and said "Yay friends!"

It's good that people don't eat their young because James is just soooo scrumptiously cute right now that I could eat him up. He's also quite dashing in his fresh new haircut by Trish. Hopefully nobody will mistake him for a girl now!

Temple Trip

We got to go to the Seattle Temple with a big group of friends this weekend. Thanks to Bishop V (who jogged to get another person to take the picture) I'm actually in the group shot!

Missionary Moment

We had a Primary Stake Activity for boys 8-11 years old on Saturday. They got to hear about mission experiences from six different missionaries. The places the missionaries served were numerous: Florida, Honduras (a missionary couple served here), Mexico, Canada, and South Africa. It was awesome to hear each person's take on their mission experience. I had fun taking pictures and listening to the boys chit chat. The boys made some missionary journals (Diana's awesome design) at the end of the activity and then had some lunch (Yummy- thanks Barb). I think the boys enjoyed coming, but wish more of them had been able to attend. Sports created a scheduling conflict. Carter wasn't there because he was playing a baseball game. I told Carter I'd give him the inside scoop.