Memorial Day fun!

Memorial day was a busy, fun and relaxing time! We didn't plan anything too big and we had a blast! We started the day at Forest park where we went hiking, swimming and played on the playground area! Next we bought a new grill, then chilled before we barbecued. Ahhh...nice! Again, Jayden followed big sis. almost the whole time! Jayden loved the bridge and was on there for quite a while. She is such a monkey! Water time! Although it was only around 70 degrees so Jayden wasn't too thrilled. This is how she spent most of water time! Rachel didn't seem to mind as much! I love this expression!! Of course, a photo with dad... and mom! Yes, I am becoming a real slacker with the camera. No pictures of the hike or the BBQ!!!

Grandparents

Over Mother's Day weekend we visited my Grandparents in Irrigon, Oregon. Don't know where that is? That's because it's in the middle of nowhere! The girls had a blast though because they have a fun backyard, and the weather was beautiful! Rachel and Jayden are helping my grandparents landscape...amazing girls! This trip Jayden wanted to do everything Rachel did...Rachel watching Annie Jayden watching Annie! For Mother's Day Rachel picked a pink flower for my Grandma of course! Rachel and Jayden playing at the well. They were soo cute to watch the whole trip! Jayden laying on her tummy watching tv with the great grand folk because... Rachel was on her tummy too! Me with my good looking grandparents! I love you! We had a great time and we'll be making more visits throughout the summer, yeah! There were some super duper cute photos of Jayden that I didn't get on my camera, so I'll have to post those later. Seriously, the cutest thing ever!! Stay tuned!

How to Eat Fried Worms?

Rachel and her friend Julia were outside today and brought me this really cool, big worm!! They were so excited and proud of them selves. Rachel was letting it have some fresh air:):):) Hungry? How about now? I think Jayden is now mastering the eating by herself. Isn't she doing great?!

Cinco De Mayo fun!

Last minute I decided to ask some friends over for Cinco De Mayo! I love food and I was itching for some Mexican goodness!! I bought some pre-marinated carne asada from Costco, which was delish, and I made the pampered chef guacamole, and I made home made mango salsa! It was all so yummy, my mouth's watering as I'm typing!! My mom bought me this Fiesta Station, so I thought I would take a picture for her! It was actually pretty cool. On the bottom was meat, beans and salsa and on top were tortillas, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. My friend Kedra made some yummy deep dish enchiladas and Emily made yummy Hershey's brownies for dessert. I know you're jealous, so next time I'll actually plan a Cinco De Mayo party so I can invite more people:):):):) Here's Kedra and Chad piling their plates and chowing down, although I think my plate had more than theirs did! The rest of the crowd: Brian with his gansta pose and his wife Emily. (They have a little cutie named Jack, but yet again, I am lacking in photography!) Little Olivia, who is so so cute! And of course Rachel and Jayden: the cutest of all, well to me at least! Rachel and mom. She sure is getting old fast. I keep telling her to stop growing and she always tells me she can't. Too cute! Chad and Kedra have a cute little baby boy, who is not pictured somehow!! Of course they brought his car seat and Jayden was in heaven. Maybe she misses her little car seat, what do you think? I know it wasn't much, but at least I took a few pictures. Sometimes I'm off and sometimes I'm on...oh well, this is better for printing purposes anyway:):):)

Lance's Birthday!

My brother just had a birthday and turned 27!! yes, that means I am REALLY old!!! WE had a small celebration with my mom, and we had quite the good time! As soon as he got to my house, Rachel and I made him wear his birthday crown. Isn't he pretty?! Lance requested beef chow mein and pot stickers, which I was happy to provide as they are some of my favorites!!! Lance was quiet the trooper and even posed for me. This really cracks me up! Lance and his wife Angela eating the cherry crisp that he requested, which I was not happy to make because I don't like cherries, but he was happy! Afterward, we played a game called, "you gotta be kidding." It was interesting and something different, and we got quite a kick out of it! Soon I will be able to post my birthday! It's my golden year!!!! Anyone wanna guess what that means? And can you guess how old I'll be turning!!!???!?!? Stay tuned!

No TV Report

Our no TV/Computer week turned out to be easier than I thought! Minus of course my addiction to the computer! Since we don't watch much TV anyhow it wasn't too hard, but Rachel sure did miss computer time as well. As for all of my well laid plans, those went out the window as soon as the sun started shining, which was just fine with me of course!! I love being outside, so that's what we did for the majority of the week! other fun adventures... Jayden learning how to eat on her own. She really insists on doing this because she is stubborn and she wants to be like everyone else! Rachel did plenty of painting! Quite the artist I'd say...or maybe quite good at staying in the lines:) We bought these little horse and unicorn statues for her to paint as well. If I let her, she'd do crafts all day, which I guess wouldn't be too horrible! Jayden continuing her quest to eat like a big girl. This time she wanted a big bowl...please don't drop it! The girls spent hours coloring, Jayden thought she was especially tricky by standing on the table. What kind of mom am I? Jayden really did think this was a treat, but she's just soo stinkin cute! Jayden rediscovering her love for the laundry basket! I was able to dress up the girls in some spring clothes. Boy they're dang cute! Jayden is quite aware of the camera and does a little pose for me whenever I get it out. I just can't seem to get enough of her, sorry! Our friends gave us this little slide for Jayden to use. Although she is quite capable of going on the big slide, this is a great comfort for mom. She plays on this for hours at a time! So, that's pretty much it. We didn't get pictures of everything, but I'm sure we read every one of Rachel's books in her collection and we ventured to the library to get even more. I was able to read every night instead of watch a movie (I don't watch any tv shows, so this wasn't a challenge for me). Books I was able to read: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks New Moon (3rd time) by Stephanie Meyer Love Walked in by Marisa de los Santos The Choice by Nicholas Sparks Atonement by Ian McEwan Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery Tess of the D'Ubervilles by Thomas Hardy (currently reading) The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeanette Walls (currently reading) I loved just "being" with my kids! I'm going to miss Rachel so much when she goes to kindergarten. I know everyone else is glad for that day, but I love being a kid. We have rarely watched tv since this beloved experience, but we have been on the computer! I'm excited to do it again next year! Oh...Brett even went most of the time without tv. He wouldn't watch any when the kids were awake, so it was fabulous!!!

No TV week

So, according to our library, this week is no TV week. We are going to try our best to apply this to our lives this week. On our agenda: trips to the library, science projects, playing outside, playing games inside, fun crafts, more focus on scripture reading and FHE: more about Family! I'm so excited, but I'm afraid I'm going to break the rules...hopefully I can resist! Along with no TV is no computer!!! no Facebook or blogging! I will be checking my email everyday though since my church calling requires that of me at this point in time, but other than that, I will abstain from computer time. In my head I'm thinking, yeah right! But we'll give it a shot and see what happens. I am looking for any suggestions on good books though! I just finished "The Girl Who Could Fly" and loved it! Now I don't know where to turn...help!!! Wish me luck! I'll post in a week!

Easter in rainy Seattle!

I almost had to cancel Easter! My mom was deathly sick and my brother Lance and his wife were going to her parents house and I wasn't going to cook for my kids who don't eat and my mother-in-law (sorry!). So I called Lance to tell him not come over for the Easter egg hunt (he was going to come for the hunt and leave) because Easter was canceled. He was like "What! Easter canceled?" He went on to inform me that they weren't going to her parents house because they were out of town. Thanks for telling me Lance...oops! So, 30 min. before we were supposed to be at church I rushed and rubbed the ham, prepared the glaze, got dressed and the rest is history! Happy Easter everyone! I usually don't do too much for Easter baskets, but here they are and the girls are happy! A friend of mine gave me the big bunny so I just included that with the girl's baskets. Like I'm gonna eat it? So I know the dresses are not traditional Easter colors, but I love them and don't the girls look adorable? Yes, I know my red doesn't quite match, but I didn't realize how bad it was til I took this picture! My brother took this photo of the food. You can't really tell, but that's a tangerine glazed ham with baby carrots. It was quite yummy, but I think I like just the plain brown sugar glaze better. FYI: Brett is not in any of the photos because he had to work: stinky!! The family that could make it! Time for the HUNT! Isn't Jayden adorable? She loved finding the Easter eggs!! The hiders and seekers! Angela trying to find a tricky spot! Go Jayden! Go Rachel! Jayden found the hard one but of course couldn't reach it: thanks Lance! Can we eat the candy now? Time for bed. The kiddos were pooped. We're glad we had such a fun Easter!