A weekend in Seattle

A few weeks ago we took a family trip to Washington. All of Travis's sister and mom all converged at one house. Nicole and Rick (bro and sis in law) housed us! The same weekend Travis had a cousin get married at the Columbia River Temple. And his best friend was married in Seattle!

This is the Columbia River Temple. We didn't have time to go to this wedding too so we just stopped for a quick picture. 

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Then we drove to Yakima and stopped for lunch with our friend Josh. He was headed up to Seattle too so after we ate lunch we headed to the family dinner in Enumclaw. 

Since Travis and Josh hadn't seen each other in a year I suggested that they ride together! I had to drive by myself. It was good for them to play catch up!

The family dinner was held in Enumclaw on the top of a mountain facing Mt. Rainier  It was fun to catch up with friends and meet Lauren (Randy's wife), it was the first time that we had met her. 

We hadn't see Jared and Donelle in FOREVER! Probably 7/8 years! 

It was so fun to be with friends!

These two had a great time talking all things Duck football!

After everyone had left and before we headed out we got a great picture of the guys. From L to R. Randy (groom), Jared, Travis (best man), and Josh. They grew up together, went to school together and have been friends for over 20 years!! What a great group of guys! (and yes, Randy is on the phone! It rang just as we started taking pictures! And no, no one got pushed in!)

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August 10, 2013

Mr. & Mrs. Bell

They had the cutest sailor theme! All yellow and blue! The little kids had sailor hats and saluted as they came out!

This is Randy's family picture. Travis and Randy's families grew up together and were pretty close. It was good to see all of them!

Yes I know.... the smile! We were laughing and cracking jokes and I caught Travis in mid laugh! These two couldn't be any closer friends. They grew up together from about age 12/13. They were dorm mates at U of O, they got their mission calls on the same day and then lived together after their missions for a few years before we got married. Travis was the best man, and it meant so much to him that Randy had asked. 

Josh couldn't make it to Seattle otherwise the picture would have

 been complete!

We had such a great time. We are so grateful for such awesome friends. And for being able to attend their sealing and and share in their special day. Thanks again Randy and Lauren!!

First Day 2013-2014

August 22, 2013 = The First Day of School!!!

The kids were up bright and early. Zach came in at 7am and said, 

"Mom! Get up we are going to be late! I'm going to get dressed!"

Whoa down there sporty we don't have to leave for an hour and a half!!

I made cinnamon rolls last night so breakfast was done and ready!

All ready to go! They still have dress code, however they have relaxed a little on the rules. They added Khaki, and colored denim! 

Sassy Miss. 4th grader!

Excited Mr. 2nd grader!

"Mom, at first I didn't want to go back and now I am really excited!"

Brynley wanted to join the picture! She was a little confused and sad this morning. 

At the school ready to go in. They changed it up this year. You used to be able to go to the classroom and find your locker. This year they had the gates up so you couldn't go down the hall. :( So no picture with the teachers or at the locker! We said goodbye and they went outside!

 Yep! She cried as soon as we walked out the door. Sad little sister. All the way home, she said, "Where's bubba (Zach) and Sisser (Madison)?" "Where go?" "Noooo!" 

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One of the new school year traditions that we have done over the years is a Father's Blessing. Each kid gets their turn to receive a special blessing from Dad. Each in unique and just for them. We can receive a Priesthood blessing to help us get through different times in our lives. A Father's blessing is very special because it comes from dad and Heavenly Father. We loving have the Priesthood in our home!

Madison went first, then Zach and then Brynley. She sat so still and quiet. Madison and Zach are such a great example to her! We did this last night right before bed.

Here's to a great school year! 

#9

I am back blogging again. Sorry! I forgot to do Madison's birthday. Oops!

We were pretty low key this year. Her birthday fell on a Saturday so she got to have her bff Kate over for a sleepover! Madison knew nothing about it! It was pretty fun. Shannon and her family came over for dinner, cake and presents. 

This little lady is growing up so fast! Nine is just too old! It's fun but old! Her likes are changing. The girl once obsessed with horses is now just an extreme fascination! She is into barbies, and fashion. She still loves to draw and sing, and designing new barbie clothes out of scrap fabric! 

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Opening gifts. She had quite the pile! This year was really hard to buy for her this year. She we decided on a 2 way text set, (it's kind of like a digital walkie talkie) a new lunch box and a gift card to Hastings. 

She got a cute outfit from my mom and Donn. All the owls have glasses! So cute! She also raked in $30 from other grandparents!

She got two crafty sets. This is a cute messenger bag that you can color with fabric markers. (from Auntie Shannon!) 

Her bunt cake! I din't get as creative as I did with Zach's. I picked up some gels and did polka dots and flowers. She chose carrot cake this year! It's always carrot or red velvet!

All in all it was a good weekend! She is getting older which means we are getting older too. She is witty, smart, talented, and caring. She starts 4th grade (aaaahhh upper elementary!!!) on Thursday in the ALPS program (advanced learning placement), and she is striving for the Presidential award at the end of the year. That means honor roll all year long! It's a good goal to have!

Pioneer Day and Good Friends!

Our good friends the Crockett's came for a weekend visit, and boy did we have fun! We have been friends since the oldest girls were 3/4! Now they are 8/9! It is so fun to have friends with the same ago kids. No one feels left out and everyone has a good time!

The Crockett's rolled into town late on Friday night which meant a very late night for the kids! But they were up bright and early on Saturday. We had a Stake Pioneer Celebration to go to and breakfast started at 8:30am! I don't know how we did it but we got 10 people showered and dressed and out the door at 8:30a!! This is the kids waiting in line for breakfast. I just noticed that Travis photo bombed!!

Courtney and Brynley waiting for breakfast! 

These two are 2 weeks apart!

They had lots of fun games. They all took a turn at the cake walk until each of them won a treat! 

Zach was concentrating really hard!

These 3 won right off the bat. Madison took a little longer to win. 

The boys did tug-o-war

And lost!!

Next was face painting and treats!

Of course the girls got matching! 

Zach's choice cracked me up!

Then on to treats! They had fresh "scones" or fry bread with different toppings. They also had snow cones! Which were enjoyed by all because it was sooo hot!

There was a fun Primary parade. I didn't get pictures but Kristen snapped a few. 

Later that afternoon we set up a few pools in the backyard and had ice cream cones!

All the girls!

And the out numbered boys!

After dinner at Hamburger Connection, Travis and Robert went to see 

Iron Man 3. Kristen and I took the kids home, got them bathed and set up a few movies!

The boys set up a Lego movie in the front room. Thank you Netflix!

And the girls watched an American Girl movie!

All in all it was a great weekend! Even though we only see each other once a year we have a great friendship and I am grateful for that! Thanks again Robert, Kristen, Carly, Brandon and Courtney for coming!

#7

Well July was a busy month. We went out of town, we visited family that was in town and we had friends visit from out of town! But the most important parts/days of July are the 14th and the 27th. 

Zachary turned 7 on the 14th! 

A few weeks before his birthday the kids asked if we could go to the Temple for their birthdays! Totally took us by surprise! I love that they love the Temple.

We were there for about an hour, walking around and taking pictures. They asked a lot of questions and we had good family time together!

This is the window to the baptistery, they both thought it was so pretty!

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Moving on, Sunday was his actual birthday. We went to Church and he got sung to in Primary and was given a small gift.

Then we came home and made preparations for dinner. 

he chose to have steak, corn on the cob, and potatoes for dinner. My sister in law and her family came over to celebrate with us. 

This was his cake. He requested an army theme. He is in love with anything that involves the armed services (all branches!). So I just made a 9x13 and cut a 7 out of it. The leftover pieces are bunkers. I found the gummy army guys at Winco. He thought it was the coolest cake ever!

Opening presents! I love how the younger ones love to help!! 

We got him a new bike helmet and this snap together model plane. 

He got the shirt above from my mom and Donn which he calls his "Oregon" colored shirt because it's green and yellow. When that shirt is not clean he wears the one below which he got from Auntie Shannon and Uncle Devin. He calls this his "Denver Bronco" shirt because of it's colors and because it's Uncle Devin's favorite team! Yes we know it's soccer not football! 

Right before he blows out the candles!!

Happy Birthday Zach!

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A few things about Zach that have happened over the last year! He learned to ride his bike, he has lost all 4 front teeth! He completed 1st grade at the top of his class, and he has gotten a little more brave when he goes to the Dentist!!

Zach is such a joy to have in our family. The boy in the middle. "Girl trapped" as he would call it! He is a sweet sensitive boy who loves his little sister. He is the only one who can get her to really laugh! He loves LEGOS, and loves to read mystery books. He reads a book a week or less if he really likes it! 

Happy #7 Bubba!

For the Love of Horses!

While we were in Oregon at my dad's, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to ride Lucky. My dad and step mom took the kids out early before it got too hot.

Madison got first ride. 

Brynley loved it! She giggled the whole time!

I just love this picture! 

Zach only wanted one ride!

Brynley and Brooklynn riding together!

Lucky got a brush down!

This is my dad's other horse Queenie. 

Cousin's helping each other back to the house! We got Brooklynn the outfit to match Brynn! So cute!

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Well that marks the end of our trip to Oregon. We had such a fun time. Thanks to all of our extended family!