LONG TIME NO SEE...

Ok...yeah...so maybe that's my fault...

DO YOU EVER HAVE DAYS LIKE THIS?

Ray and I seem to be on the same schedule.

The "fall asleep as soon as you slow down enough to get comfortable" routine.

WOW--IT'S EXHAUSTING!!!

We have been keeping extremely busy over the last couple of months; enjoying the company of family and friends, holidays, spring, Spring Break, birthdays, traveling, vacationing (there is a difference) site-seeing, injuries, some illness, (all mild) and let's not forget the Regional Pinewood Derby Race. It's been good--mostly--and at times really, really GREAT!

We enjoyed having Steve & Madeline visit for a few days while Steve was on Spring Break.

Here's proof that we did infact celebrate Easter.

The kids had fun coloring eggs, (only spilled the yellow dye-not too traumatic),

and they scored some really tasty stuff from the Easter Bunny.

I am certain we discussed Jesus and the resurrection--I just hope the kids remember that.

Caleb & Jordan began Spring Break the first week in April. We started the break off by heading to Utah for my nephew; Mason's baptism. (Way to go Mason!)

It was perhaps the longest drive/shortest stay trip I have ever made. Carrie and Weston came back with us for a mini-vacation to experience a little bit of North-Western Washington and then travel down to Oregon. We had to give ourselves enough time to squeeze in several activities before Carrie's schedule flight home.

We spent a lot of time at the 'Tulip Festival' in Mount Vernon, Washington.

Ray, Jordan & Caleb

I have never seen so many flowers in my life. The scenery was absolutely beautiful!

Ray is tip-toeing through the tulips...

Much sweeter than when she and Wes were trampling through them. YIKES!

Gidd-y-up Froggy!

The next morning we took a ferry from Anacortes to Fridays Harbor.

The kids had a blast on the ferry ride and really enjoyed the Whale Museum and lunch at a restaraunt on the bay. Very cool! I would have loved to take a bike and spent the day exploring Fridays Harbor and all it's beaches. Maybe another trip on another day...

During our visit in Seattle we also stopped by Pikes Market Place. (sorry no pics)

That place is a bit overwhelming to tackle with two toddlers and two 9 year olds. But, I totally 'dug' the atmosphere. I could have spent the entire day there. (so long as I had a zillion dollars to pay for parking)

Jordan & Caleb watching from the ferry as we approach Fridays Harbor.

After our stay in the Seattle area we headed south toward Oregon. We took a little detour (approx. 3 hour detour) so we could ride along the coast and take the kids to some beaches. The detour was definitely worth it. It was quite scenic and the kids loved the beach.

Jordan at the Beach

Long Beach, WA

No matter the temperature; Caleb insists the beach experience must involve taking off those shoes and walking in the sand. Good luck with that...the water is freezing!

We rather enjoyed the scenery from Long Beach, WA to Vancouver.

We arrived in Vancouver, WA on Friday night. This is where the kiddos slept. Ray thought it was a special 'treat' to sleep next to her 'BUBBAS'.

Our trip to Vancouver/Portland area was to include attending a wedding for our Aunt Irene and new Uncle Brant. (congrats you two) We were all dressed and nearly ready to head out the hotel door when Rachel took a tumble off of the bed and smashed her ear into the night stand. Baby screaming and blood flowing, we instead headed to the emergency room. (sorry to miss the wedding) But, grateful that the hospital was less than a mile away. By the time we got to the ER Rachel was no longer screaming but...you could see a gaping hole in the mid-section of her ear. Several hours, an IV, and 5 stitches later we were finally released.

I have to say...my baby girl was super tough and super brave. She didn't even cry when they tried to put the IV in her hand and failed miserably. (the IV ended up in her foot) She just kept telling them softly (but somewhat crankily), "its huwts, its huwts, yu huwting me."

On the way home Ray kept telling us all about her ear and what happened.

The stuffed bear, balloon and flowers that Aunt Carrie and the kids got for her kept her preoccupied for several hours. Thanks guys!

Last week...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOYS!

CALEB & JORDAN

celebrate their 10th Birthday

Wowzer--What happened to my babies?

Boys I love you so much! You are awesome kids and the best big brothers!

On Saturday morning; while I took Ray to get her stitches out, Mike took Caleb and Jordan to the Regional Pinewood Derby. Caleb placed 1st -and Jordan 3rd- in the initial derby they participated in...the boys were excited to give their cars another run. I'm not sure how their cars performed the second go around but I know they thought it was pretty cool to be able to participate. WAY TO GO GUYS!

Most recently; (yesterday actually) Mike, my super sexy husband had a birthday. I do have a picture of him blowing out his candles but haven't loaded it yet. That's ok---just scroll up to the boys blowing out their candles and squint your eyes a little--that's pretty much the picture. I swear those boys are total clones of their daddy...

MICK--Hope you had a splendid Birthday! WE LOVE YOU!

Vomiting, Visitors and Explosive Diarrhea. How could it get any better?!

I have been thrilled to have my parents, Haydn, Carrie and Weston come to visit. What an exciting time! My family must really love me...four days of driving for two days worth of visiting. I surely wanted to make this trip worth everyones while as I knew the amount of travel that was involved and I wanted to make sure that they might be inclined to make the trip again sometime. So, how much stuff can we cram into two whole days? We did quite a lot considering my crew had been battling some sort of stomach bug -off and on- for the week prior to their arrival and their crew had some weird diarrhea symptoms on the way up. It's kind of strange to throw all of these various germs in a bottle-so to speak-shake it up and dump it on everyones plate. It's like a game...how sick can you get...?



The good news: I DIDN'T GET SICK, AT ALL. (maybe that's cuz I'm the only one that washes my hands--hee, hee!) Pretty much everyone else; with the exception of Mom & Dad (although he has a chronic headache--and they might be sick now?) spent at least a day barfing, or pooping or a combination of the two. How awful! I really, really hope this doesn't ruin our chances of having repeat visitors in the future.



Anyway, below are some pictures of everyone feeling healthy and having fun. We mostly did a lot of haning out. We went to the local mercantile; this place has the best homemade fudge, ice cream and a deli. They also sell all sorts of crafts and other locally grown or made items. One of the days activities was a three mile walk around the neighborhood (for the fun of it) which turned out not to be the most fun for everyone. (a little harder walk than anticipated w/ little kids and hills, etc.) So, it is probably fortunate that I did NOT have my camera to document that particular event.

How cute are my parents?

It was really awesome to be able to spend time with them.

Haydn, Ray and Weston

Despite the fact that these three little cuties didn't feel great they still seemed to enjoy playing together.

My little buddy Haydn was the master chef.

"Anybody want an egg?"

Haydn has always been so tender towards Rachel. He and his parents stayed with us for a while when Rachel was a baby and he seemed to have a close bond with her.

He said she was his 'sister'. Cute!

The kids are just taking a little rest and watching some "Blue's Clues" in my bed. One of Rachel's favorite places to relax.

HEY GUYS! Thanks for making the LONG drive for us. We hope you are feeling better.