Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Aunt Maggie! We love and MISS you so much.

This summer while in Washington we got to spend some time with Aunt Maggie. Elley was so excited because for a good month before going we told her that Aunt Maggie LOVED princesses....and in fact, Aunt Maggie was a princess! I would tell Elley that Maggie also loved to do pretty nails. Elley would say to me, "Mommy, I love Aunt Maggie....she a princess?" Elley and Maggie did pretty nails and also made a princess crown, wand, and purse.

Well, today is aunt Maggie's birthday and we wish we could hug her, and love, her and sing to her. We love you Princess Maggie and hope that your day is filled with lots of birthday wishes! Can't wait to see you again!

Family Reunions: Part Four- Leavenworth

So, I'm finally getting back to our family reunions.....a month later!

After spending 3 days with my side of the family, it was time to hit the road to see Adam's side. We got to spend about 5 days with them and had a lot of fun during that time.

Here are a few pictures of our first few days there. We made a trip into Leavenworth and a trip to a local petting zoo.

Petting Joker! Elley was a little scared of Joker but talked about him for days asking if we would see Joker again.

Adam, Molly, Grandma Pat and Uncle Jay...walking around downtown

Here we are outside the petting zoo/produce stand. We took two family pictures.....the other one Molly is looking away. At least we are all looking forward, never mind Elley's finger!

Feeding the goats with cousin Mason

Cute little cousin Mara

The lamas

No real meaning to this picture....just thought it was cute

To Be A Kid Again

Is summer not all about Otter Pops and kiddie pools? Don't you remember eating Otter Pops outside all summer long? Some of the funnest memories I have of the summertime, in some way or another, involve an Otter Pop and a pool.

Well, now it's time to pass those memories onto my kids!

Here are Elley and Ella enjoying the two things that make the summer complete.

ring around the rosey, pocket full of posey

Ella fell and Elley didn't

Ella is one crazy girl when it comes to jumping into the pool......and look, she still has her Otter Pop in her hand.

come on Elley....that was one wimpy splash compared to Ella

Taking a break.....working on their tans.

told you she was crazy!

Family Reunions: Part Three- Sliverwood

I was so excited for this day! On the second day of our trip, we went to Silverwood theme park and Boulder Beach water park. There's just something about amusement parks and rides that makes me feel like a kid again. Its places like this where memories are made, and what better people to make memories with, than your family.

I was mostly excited to take Elley here now that shes 2 and can ride some of the rides. I was excited to see her reaction and to see what kind of rides she liked. I loved seeing her run to each ride and asking to go again and again.

Here is Gavin. He makes the cutest faces for pictures!

Macey and Elley


Jordan and Macey


Elley and daddy

Shaune and Tanya enjoying our picnic lunch, which was soooooo yummy!

waiting in line for the favorite ride.....the carousel. For days after going to Silverwood, Elley talked about the carousel and the names of the horses she rode on.

Elley, Louden, Ashley, Macey, and Shayla

Look at that face

Elley and Gavin having so much fun

Family Reunions: Part Two- The Lake

The first full day that we were all together, we made a little trip to Lake Coeur d' Alene. Sorry Melinda....not Chelan. Anyway, we all managed to get out the door by noon and spent the whole day just lounging lakeside.

One of the cooks preparing our lunch

Most of us enjoying the lunch that the cooks made.

These 2 cute girls are my nieces Ashley and Shayla. These girls are the funnest girls I have ever met. The last night we were all together, we stayed up until 3am talking and making bracelets. They have great personalities and make me a proud aunt. I love them and miss them.

Here is Grandpa with his "favorite" grand kids. He always knows how to make each one of his grand kids feel special....like he loves them the most.

Here is Molly.....just enjoying a relaxing day at the lake

After we spent the day swimming, we went over to a hotel that was right on the lake. This hotel has a restaurant that serves the biggest ice cream sundaes I've ever seen. This is the cool girl table waiting for their sundaes.

The Sundae

I love this little kids expression! Gavin was so excited to see this yummy desert......okay, so who wouldn't be excited to see that. I think I made that same face when I saw the ice cream coming!!!

Family Reunions: Part One

We have now been home for over a week and I haven't had one moment to sit down and post pictures from our awesome family reunion trip. We were gone for 9 days and got to visit both sides of our families. Molly and Elley did extremely well considering all the traveling, new places, irregular schedules, and spoiling that took place.

This is the first of many posts......I took over 250 photos.

Our first stop, Uncle Shaune and Auntie Tanya's house. It was a packed house but we managed to fit all of my siblings and families in one place. Everyone was there except Ariel, who is away at college, and Brynnly, who was visiting England for the summer. It was 3 days jam packed with family fun.

My 3 brothers and the dad....... Craig, Shaune, Mark and Dad

3 cute girls....Elley, Macey and Briley

All the grand kids and their Grandpa

Gavin and Louden

All the grand kids

Auntie Tanya and Molly

Cute little Macey

Tobin, Brexton, Colten, and Mckenna

Tea Time

Elley set up a little tea party for us the other day. I was cleaning up the house and I remember thinking, I am to busy for a tea party today. She kept saying, "mama, come sit." Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm never too busy for a tea party with my sweet little girl. One of these days she'll be to old to have a tea party. So now is the time to get in all the tea parties that I can. And look at that cute smile.....how could I say no?

And here's a picture of Molly.....just for fun!!!