First Day of School!

Kesley ready for Preschool

Wyatt insisted on having a side shot so you could see his new Batman backpack

My two big kids!

So I have officially entered the public school system! Wyatt started school on September 8th after a near postponement because of a teacher strike. He is in afternoon Kindergarten with Mrs. Axe. Kesley started afternoon Preschool 3 days a week as well. I cannot believe I have a child old enough to be in school! Wyatt was very excited and wore one of his new school outfits even though it was hot that day. Kesley has been biding her time waiting to be in school for so long that she was MORE than excited to be on her own and away from home. So with both of them gone during the afternoon and the younger two taking naps, I actually have 2 hours of "me" time which usually consists of me cleaning the house. What fun! I figured out the other day that I will have all four of my kids in Elementary school at the same time. I'll have a 5th, 4th, 2nd and Kindergartner in not too many years from now. That is half the student body! JK

Sunriver Family Reunion!

Mara and Kesley at a go-kart place in Bend

Ben, Grandpa Dale, Kesley, Eden and Wyatt

Sean with Katelyn, Kalli, and Tucker

Mom and Dad

Shelby, Garrett and Brooklyn

Every other summer, my family congregates at some location for a week of fun and sun. We usually gather in Sunriver, Oregon where we have been going to play every since I was 8 years old. I have SO many fabulous memories of Sunriver and was excited for a return there for another reunion. Shelby and Garrett and Brooklyn (and soon to be another baby!) came in from Utah. My parents, who have left Minnesota and are moving out to Washington (yay!) came out, along with us and Sean and Mara. We biked, swam, miniature golfed, went horse back riding, floated the river, ate, and biked some more! My family is quirky but I love every one of them!

Photo Shoot

Eden at 2 years old

Kesley at 4 years old

Talmage at 3 months old

How much is it worth to have a friend who takes wonderful pictures of your kids, and just hands you the CD as a nice friend gesture? PRICELESS! Everyone should go out and find a friend like Rebecca Pierce! Not only because she's talented and lets you reap the benefits of her talents, but also because she is one of the most down-to-earth, friendly, kind, witty people I have ever met and I feel so grateful that she is a part of my life. 4 and a half years and counting! Anyway, sorry for the love-fest! She took these pictures of Kesley at 4 years old , Eden at 2 years old, and Talmage at his 3 month milestone in August.

Alki Beach Date Night

In August, our good friends the Baileys, asked us to double with them and go get dinner at Spuds (some mighty good fish and chips!) and walk the boardwalk on Alki Beach. Alki Beach is one of my favorite spots in Seattle. The views are incredible and the ocean feel is refreshing so needless to say, it was a fun and relaxing night! Talmage came along for the ride, and was as good as he always is! Thanks for all the fun times Rachel and Ty!

Diaper Delirium!

What words could I possibly say that would aptly describe this picture? I just LOVE this picture because it is symbolic of the fun and crazy times my kids have when they get together with their cousins! We feel so fortunate to live literally 2 minutes away from Sean and Mara and their fabulous 4 kids! When they get together you never know what kind of imaginative fun they will concoct! Just as a side note, Tanner (who is 10) was ALSO outfitted in a diaper, but in a VERY wise and mature move, he stepped out of the picture. Smart boy...the rest of them are in jeopardy of having this picture a part of some wedding video or other embarrassing moment down the road!

Green Lake Adventure

On a Saturday in August I threw all effectiveness to the wind and decided that instead of doing projects around the house that are typical of Saturdays around here, that we would go out for the day to Green Lake. Green Lake is just north of Seattle. Its a nice sized lake that has a bike path around the perimeter where you can bike, run, roller blade etc. We brought the kids' bikes and we took a stroll around the lake and then headed over to the park to play on the almost-extinct merry-go-rounds. It was such a fun and relaxing day in the sun! There is nothing like a Northwest Summer day!

First Annual Snoqualmie 5/10K!

My brother, Sean, who runs a mile a minute (literally and figuratively) decided that our town needed a 5 & 10K race. No one was stepping up to take it on, so he decided to take it on himself (very Sean)! At the beginning of August (during the annual Snoqualmie Railroad Days) I helped him with the race and it went off well. Of course ,there were some "sweatin' it" moments behind the scenes but luckily that was hidden from racer's views. Anyway, hats off to Sean for having pulled it all together. He had a much bigger turnout than was expected and thanks to his "elite" running friends, pulled off a very fast course record! (Of course it's a record on the 1st annual!) Here are some pics of the kids donning the race shirts while waiting for the parade to start.