Seaside

Kristen and I took the kids to Seaside for a few days at the end of June. It was so fun! The weather was beautiful, the hotel room had a big table for scrapbooking {for Kristen and I} and a great pool ({or the kids}. Ali wasn't interested in what I had to tell her at the pool - but was more than willing to follow Kristen's instructions. After they had their "lessons" Ali was more than willing to swim under water! {Huge progress for her!!} Thanks, Kristen!! :)

We wore the kids out each day walking here and there, swimming, and playing. It made for quiet nights for us to get some scrapping done... and to watch "Dating in the Dark"! (hee hee!)

A Trip to Uncle Bobby's

Last weekend we made a road trip up to Whidbey Island to see Uncle Bob and the rest of his family. Ali LOVES riding the ferry and going up there. Trav and Greg were able to come with us this time. (Their first trip!) It was a beautiful weekend! On Saturday while a group of people went to play golf, another group took the kids down to the beach near Bob's house. The girls ran and splashed, and ran and splashed, and ran.... They had sand everywhere!! :)




The girls helped feed the chickens, visited the cows, and rode the tractor. It was a busy - and FUN - weekend. They were so wiped out Merilyn slept the whole way home!

Independence Day 2009

We had another fabulous year up at my mom's for the 4th festivities. It was a HOT day, so the daddies built a "slip-n-slide" down the hill, which the girls loved! They squealed and screamed with joy all the way down the hill... again, and again, and again...




Grandpa Ken was in charge of the BBQ (yum!) and there was TONS of wonderful food. (I always eat too much!!)



The kids watched while the daddies lit our *impressive* fireworks, and gave the appropriate responses of oohs and aahs.



At dusk we once again debated if the HV firework show was actually starting, and then crammed into the corner of the deck when it did. (Mike, have you cut those trees down yet??)


Thank you, Mom and Mike, for hosting another great 4th!

Zoo Camp

Alison went to Zoo camp last week with her cousin, Natalie. She totally loved it! We dropped them off everyday at 1pm and they explored different parts of the zoo, did crafts, sang songs, and got to meet animals close up and in person! While Ali was in camp, Casey and I took the little girls through the zoo. This was great until it got so stinkin' HOT! Then we took the littles to the mall for lunch and a little shopping!

We are definitely loving our summer! I love that we don't have to be anywhere if we don't want to, watching my girls play in the pool, and reading. Alison is loving the "mommy matinees", zoo camp, and scrapbooking. These pictures show our recent trip to a park in West Linn. {After stopping at McDonald's for iced coffee and chocolate milk!} Life is good!

Happy Father's Day!

I found this cute recipe and thought it would be fun to make for the dad's. We had everyone over for brunch on Sunday before Trav and Mike went off to golf, and Greg went to soccer.



While everyone took apart the "burgers" to eat what they wanted {or in Johnna's case, just to lick off the frosting}, Natalie ate the whole thing like a little burger. Love that!

What I'm Reading

I couldn't put down our latest book club book, Sarah's Key. It was haunting, but so good. {I love historical fiction because I always learn something new!}
I started this book next, and it has thoroughly sucked me in. I have loved every Wally Lamb book that I've read, and this isn't any different. This is a fictional story set in a very real setting - Columbine. The fictional characters are intertwined with the real people... the main character has many issues of his own, of course, including the fact that his wife was the school nurse at Columbine High School the on that terrible day. It is another deep - and disturbing - book. I'm going to need a very lighthearted fluffy book after this!