8/26/10

10 years old!

I can't believe that 10 years ago we started our family and the days of quiet ended! Ethan has brought us nothing but joy, laugher, pride and happiness since the day he was born. He has always been a people pleaser and so easy to get along with. He is a quick learner and we are so proud of his accomplishments in school, sports and piano. I couldn't ask for a better big brother for Julia and Hyrum. He steps up and is my helper when Dad is away. I have included pictures of his past years in school. It is fun to look back and see how he has grown. I am so lucky to be his Mom! Happy 10th Birthday Ethan. Hope the next 10 are just as great!





8/23/10

Back to School....Again



Another year has begun! Ethan is in 5th grade and Hyrum in 2nd. Time sure flies by and they grow up so fast. Ethan is in soccer, piano and scouts. Hyrum did not want to play soccer this year but we did start him in piano lessons. So far so good! We are looking forward to a fun and busy school year!

The Queen Mary




Mike and I took a mini vacation before the kids were back in school. We went to Long Beach,CA to stay on the Queen Mary. We really enjoyed taking the tour of the ship and all the old fixtures and art deco style of the room was great. But, it is an old ship and the walls are paper thin! We listened to the people next to us talking until after midnight! Mike finally said " Give it a rest already!' Our neighbor replied :" Jeez, I didn't know the walls were so paper thin." Then they kept talking. We went to the front desk, complained and were upgraded to a HUGE suite! It was a funny night! I would definitely recommend visiting the QM for a tour but don't stay the night if you are hoping for a good nights sleep!

Julia's Haircut


I couldn't take the hair in the eyes any longer. About a week ago I gave her bangs. I have to say that I like it on her more than I expected. What I don't like is that she looks more grown up now!

8/9/10

Road Trip

We took a 2 week RV trip with 3 kids and 1 dog through 5 states! It was a blast! I am so happy that we were able to make some great memories together as a family. The 1st day we went to Pismo Beach. Overcast but warm. The park had a playground and lots of other kids to play with. We roasted marshmallows and stayed up late playing games.






Day 2 we set out for the San Miguel Mission. Ethan did a report on it so we wanted to see it. Then up to Petaluma to an amazing KOA. We had a great time here. There were tons of kids and a fun bouncy pillow to play on. The next morning we drove through San Francisco and across the Golden Gate bridge. I about had a panic attack on those tiny streets in such a big RV. Glad Mike drives a firetruck for a living! It was foggy but clear enough that we could see the bridge, the city skyline and Alcatraz.





The Redwoods were amazing! The trees were so beautiful and the park we stayed at was woodsy and very private. The slug we found at our site was almost more amazing than the trees. It was huge and the kids called it a banana slug! We had fun riding bikes and playing at the playground at this park.





We got to Long Beach , WA after passing through Astoria. Astoria is such a cute community with old houses on the hillside. We crossed a really long bridge. The weather in Long Beach required winter coats! We saw a whale skeleton assembled on a boardwalk, went to a lighthouse and played at the beach.The beach on the WA coast is so different from the CA coast. Sea grass, cold weather in July and no seashells to be found. It was fun to get the little cousins all together.






After the reunion we headed to the Tri-Cities to see my Granny and Papa and an Aunt and Uncle there. The kids had fun playing and swimming with cousins. Julia loved these duckies that she fell asleep with! Buddy was happy to be out of the RV and have a yard to hang out in for a few days.


What would a summer vacation be without a stop in Idaho? We stayed right on the Snake River in Homedale, ID. We saw pelicans on the water and found a snake in the bushes near the bathroom! The kids had a ball running through the sprinklers at this RV park! Mike made yummy chicken pot pie in his dutch oven.


Truckee was our last stop before home. Warm weather, swimming at the lake, a trip into town for the street fair and dinner at Burger Me! A restaurant that Guy from Diners, Drive-ins and Dives has visited.