A Day of Firsts!

First day of 3-day a week preschool for Rachel First time that I get to take her to her first day of preschool! (1st year: teaching, 2nd year: baby, 3rd times a charm) First time I didn't cry at one of my kid's milestones! First time I get to see where my husband works (granted it changes 3 times a year) First time I showed self control at Sam's Club (I only bought 1 thing)! Firsts!

Rachel's favorite: French Toast sticks (not frozen) & applesauce

Rachel in her new dress that she's been waiting FOREVER to wear!

10 years marriage = no memory left!

WOW!! 10 years, are you kidding me???? I am getting old!! Brett and I had a great time for our anniversary, but it was also very interesting. We decided to spend one night (I'm a wimpy mom and can't leave Jayden) up at Semiahmoo and venture to the Birch Bay water slides. We were very excited to go and after we packed up the kids equipment and Chewie's supplies, we took them to my mom's house and started the 1 1/2 hours drive up North! We finally got to the waterpark and I decided to change into my swimsuit in the car. I hopped in the back seat and saw my toilet tree bag, but NO SUITCASE!!!!! In all the chaos with the kids and Chewie's stuff I forgot the suitcase!!!! Since this place is out in the middle of no where we decided to just drive another 30 minutes to the closest sign of life and venture to this tiny mall. How adventurous!!! A mall!!! After poking around there we went to the resort and could now check in. Aside from wearing the same clothes for two days, we did enjoy our time together. And Jayden did great with my mom so we could've done a weekend getaway. One night is NOT ENOUGH! Here are some photos of our trip...keep in mind no digital camera (in the suitcase) so I bought a disposable one...icky!!!! Brett and I having a delicious dinner at The Great Blue Heron Grill right on the golf course. It was beautiful! The food was AMAZING!!! I ordered Alaskan Halibut...cooked perfect & a huge portion!! Brett ordered the steak and said it was the best steak he's ever eaten...and he's had quite a few steaks in his time!

Here's the outside of the restaurant, so luscious and green!

This was the resort we stayed at. It's right on the water, so of course we strolled the beach. ( Those pictures were awful!)

This is me by our door to our room... we really needed privacy!

We got home and I needed one more good kiss before returning to normalcy!! Brett doesn't seem quite as enthused. He definitely needs his rest...I'm just good!!

Slacker Mom!

Jayden turned 11 months on the 5th of August and I just realized I never posted!!!! Now we're only 8 days away from her 1st birthday!!! I have her party to finish planning and her 1st year album to complete so I can have it on display at the party!! I better get crackin! Here's Jaders at 11 months: walking, laughing, talking...just too cute!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!

For my mom's birthday she wanted to spend the day up at Baker Lake. It's about a 2 hour drive up there but it is beautiful!! Everyone had fun in the water and on the beach soaking up the sun. Of course my two brothers were the most crazy of all. We all had a great time and hope you did too mom...Happy Birthday! ***Extra, Extra!!! I had a star sighting...although he's not one of my favorites. At Baker Lake we saw Anthony Bourdain! I don't if many of you know him, but he's a food critic on the food network and also has appeared on top chef as a guest judge. No worries, I played it cool and did not talk to him! Although I was probably staring quite a bit:)

Children's Museum

The day started out exciting as we started to get ready for Jetty Island...but the weather had different plans for us! So...we hopped on over to the children's museum with some friends from church instead! Rachel and Jayden had a blast! It is so nice that Jayden can finally play now instead of me carrying her around in a baby Bjorn!!!

Haley and Rachel practice their veterinary skills.

Me, Jayden, my friend Kristen and her daughter Sydney.

Farmer Rachel on the Tractor!

This was too funny!!! Jayden loved the water station and she picked up a cup out of the water to of course chew on it, and out spilled the water all over her cute overalls! At least it dried soon! At the museum they have this area for small kiddos, so I took Jayden in there. Her favorite part was playing peek a boo in one of the castle windows...too cute!

Jitters Relieved

Okay, so I bought the final book at 10am Saturday morning and I was finished by the end of the day: In between chapters I had kids to take care of: dang it! Just kidding. I must say that I was a little frustrated with the book, but by the end I was a happy camper! I don't want to give anything away if you haven't read it yet: let's just say the author threw a couple of curve balls! Anyone else finished??? Only one other friend of mine finished and I am just waiting for my other friends to finish so I can chat. I know that everyone has a life, but please hurry!!!

Twilight Jitters

Okay, so I know this is really corny, but I am actually nervous for the next book in the Twilight series to come out! What will happen...will Bella turn into a vampire, or decide to live a semi-normal life? Will she choose an unknown path...will it be all I've been hoping for?????? The book is in stores at midnight, and mine is on reserve, but I need sleep so I will get it in the morning...then I will be out of commission for the next 2-3 hours!! Is anyone else out there as crazy as I am???? I wish there was some cure for this ridiculous obsession!

Girls Night Out!!

Some friends from church and I have really been wanting to get out of the house! We finally did it! We scheduled a girls night out to eat at Red Robin and then go see Momma Mia! Being the picture fanatic that I am I took some photos! Dinner was delicious and the movie was hilarious...in a very good way. The only downfall were some grouchy women in the theater. They were a little upset at us because we were talking during th TV commercials...the real previews hadn't even started yet and we were getting yelled at! This can only mean one thing: we're a fun crowd and those ladies were NOT! Anyway, it was a blast and we must do it again soon, even if summer plans are hard to work around!!

Kedra, Sarah, Shelley, Kristen & Leah

We got to the movies a a couple more ladies joined us, yeah!

Overwhelming!!!!!

Okay, so I hope all these posts aren't too overwhelming. My sister is here visiting from Arizona. She comes every year for about a month to get away from the heat:) Following are a few of the fun things we've been doing: the weather has been pretty cooperative!! Thanks Seattle. Enjoy all the pictures (sorry so many pictures are my life...and this isn't even the beginning!!) I might have a few more things to post. She leaves Wednesday:(:(:(:( I'm sure we'll squeeze in a few more fun activities!

Boardman Lake

Boardman Lake is about an hour drive from our house (20 minutes to drive the 5 miles up the gravel road). The hike is easy and the lake is beautiful!!! It is usually very warm at this time of year, but there was snow around the lake and it only hit about 70 degrees that day, but we still enjoyed time with each other. weather doesn't seem to bother the little ones:) Emily with the kids ( Rachel now wants to trade moms. I'm no longer good enough!)

Boardman Lake

Time for fruit snacks and water...it was such a long tiring hike!!! (.8 miles:):):):)) The water was pretty cold but the girls didn't seem to care! Cutie ! We dared my mom to go under water and this was the priceless expression when she came up: keep in mind there was still snow on the side of the lake!!!

Jetty Island!

Jetty is a yearly tradition for our family. It is man made pile of sand in the water:):):) The kids love it, and the tide is always perfect, as well as the water!!! Too much fun! Rachel thought she was pretty brave. All the boys were jumping, so she wanted to do it to! Digging for mini shrimp! Jayden asleep on my mom (she's not always sleeping, I promise!) Now Jayden is awake and Rachel is out cold!!!

Jetty Island!

Jayden loving the sand! My sister and I bundled (it wasn't as warm as it should have been!) Victoria and Lance buried Delmar Jr. Dylan and Rachel on a huge tree stump Lance pulling Dalton on a boogie board )I got video of Dalton rolling backwards off the board, it is hilarious!!!)

Forest Park

Jayden was ecstatic to walk around on all the toys: she was in heaven! Rachel loved pushing her on the swing! Rachel and Dalton were cold so they shared my mom's jacket:) Rachel on a horse ride: Go Rachel! Pretty close to us is a great park with a petting zoo, horse rides, toys and a spray park. It was too cold for the spray park, but we enjoyed the rest!

Yakima continued!

We went to Yakima to visit my brother and my grandparents. It's kinda middle ground for everybody. The kids had a ton of fun! I love getting the cousins together: If only we lived closer!! Rachel trying to jump and twist at the same time! Jayden fell asleep on Grandma McGill. The gang at my brother's restaurant: Bruchies! Jayden trying to be a big girl: I tell ya, she's growing up way too fast! Dalton, Victoria and Rachel having a little strawberry snack!