Our Day In Seattle

On May 18th, we all had a day in Seattle to help Dada get ready for his lodge boy GPS Seattle race. So we visited all the fun places in Seattle in under 2 hours. First we got lunch at Dick's and then headed off to Kerry Park:

Here are the kiddos looking at the view from Kerry park. A cute little bun shot.

A family shot. I love that Eben picked out a bow-tie to wear, 

he looks like he works at See's candies.

The kids were so scared to get close to the fountain.  They didn't want to get wet. 

So Mama and Dada ran through it and Eben took our picture.

Next we got some fudge from the candy shop in that big place with all the food. 

Kivi's showing us her yummy fudge.

The Space Needle was our next stop. The kids could really care less about it.

The rides that are right next to the Needle look way more interesting.

We didn't spring for any rides, but hung out at the big orange tubes. Kivi was the only brave soul to go sit in one. They're like 5 feet off the ground.

Our last stop was cookies with the troll. This was Eben and Kivi's favorite part. So many people were looking at the troll too. I didn't even realize what an attraction it was. 

Each of our stops only lasted a couple minutes, but really that was just long enough.  We all got to have a fun quick tour of Seattle and Dada got to get all his GPS coordinates for his race!

Is it too late for Easter pictures?

So I finally got around to taking the kids yearly Easter picture in the "big basket". I love baskets and Peter got me this one at our 2nd Christmas. So for Eben's first Easter we started a tradition of taking the Easter picture in the big basket. I like to take it outside. So this year I had to wait because as you know, the weather didn't cooperate. So...almost 2 months after Easter I actually took the picture! Hooray!  I've also added all the other "big basket" pics from the past years. They change so much from year to year!! Plus, we seem to add a kid to the basket every year.

2008 - Jasper, Eben, Kivi and Opal

Everyone in yellow. Boys with blue striped ties.

2007 - Jasper, Eben and Kivi 

Boys in blue stripes and girls wore white.

2006 - Eben and Kivi 

Girls wore coral and boys wore blue, Eben's bow tie tied us together.

2005 - Eben with chicks

We actually wore blue and green but Eben has a sweater on so you can't tell.

2004 - Eben 

We all wore blue and khaki.

Our 8th Anniversary!

Peter surprised me with a 2 day trip to Victoria for our 8th Anniversary this year in May! He's so wonderful! And so are Grandma and Grandpa who watched Eben and Kivi and Auntie Tonya and Uncle Chris who made a home for Jasper and Opal! Grandma and Grandpa took pictures so when we got back we were able to see what Eben and Kivi were doing at the same time we were in Canada. Here are my favorites:

Eben (aka Superman) getting his face painted. Kivi opted for no paint on her face.

My handsome hubby and I at the sunken gardens at Butchart Gardens. 

I cried when I saw them. They are sooo beautiful! And no, I'm not even pregnant.

Eben and Kivi on the swings.

Our "in love" pose.

Eben and Kivi at Celebration park.

My new favorite flower, English Daisies. They had them everywhere.

Peter in front of Craigdarroch Castle.

Lying in the meadow of daisies by the castle. It was so peaceful and gorgeous!  Later, we went to a farmer's market on China St. and Peter bought me a cool silk skirt and top for Mother's Day. When we got home the kids showed us all the great things they did and Mother's Day pictures they made - it was so cute! I love being a Mommy. And I love our family! 

Thank you Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Tonya, Uncle Chris, Marlee, Madison and Emma! 

We had a great weekend!

Father and Son Fishing Trip

Peter, his brother, Chris and his dad, Eric all went on a fishing trip courtesy of :

The Great Fisherman, Allen Hall.

 Peter said it was freezing in late April and they didn't bring home any fish, but the next day I saw Peter and Eben having their own father/son fishing excursion in the backyard. They didn't catch any fish, but they sure were cute out there.

The Easters Come To Visit!

The Easters and the Johnsons on our deck.

Bubba eating the marshmallow part of his smore.

Lots of kids!

Kim with Garrett and Pete with Paysen making smores on the beach.

Kivi and Paysen "fishing" with noodles.

The paddle boat ride!

We had so much fun with our friends Pete and Kim and their boys. They stayed in the mother in law for a couple days on their rode trip from Arizona and we mainly stayed here and played in the sun. (Okay, so this happened in April, but I'm trying.)

The Daffodil Parade - I Did It All By Myself!

Me and all the kiddos at the parade! We had to walk sooo far to get there. I think it took longer to find a parking spot than to see the parade. But it was worth it they all had a fun time!

Jasper, Eben, Hannah, and Kivi with their daffodils (they say they're from the princesses).

Eben and Bubba in awe of the clowns.

Hannah doing her princess wave.

Bubba ate his daffodil.

The highlights of the parade for the kids:

Daffodils from the princesses.

Stickers from the pirates.

Candy from the cheerleaders.

A horse came right up to Bubba to say, "Hi".

Downside of the parade for Mama:

Had to park a mile away and put all four of them on the stroller.

Forgot sunscreen. It was HOT!

Didn't pack enough fruit snacks- for me.

Had to have Kivi pee in the street. - Oh yeah, kids have to go potty.

Got lost getting home. I don't know Puyallup.

But somehow the pros still outweighed the cons. Go figure.

Biggest Brother, Littlest Sister

I was trying to get a pic of Opal, but she wasn't smiling for me. Then Eben decided to take off his shirt too and jump in and Opal loved it. So there's my 4 year old and my smiley little 2 month old.