Friday, August 22, 2014

Kivi's Surprise Pioneer Party

The day after the fourth of July we surprised Kivi by having her open a gift of five bonnets and aprons (which I spent the day before making). She knew right away that meant we were going to pioneer farms because she had been talking about how she wanted to have her 9th birthday party there, we just had no idea when we'd have it.

Since our good friends were there from Germany and Poppie and Nonnie were around we decided it would be a great time to do it and (almost) everyone dawned their pioneer clothes and we headed out to the farm.

Kivi had actually said she wanted a very small party this year, just three friends and Julia, Claire and Reagan were all able to join us! The girls played along the creek, and in the school house before we started our tour.

First we went to the old log cabin and house where you could try out the old fashioned way of homemaking. 

Then we headed to the barn, wood working shop and blacksmith shop for everyone's favorite part of the tour. We were able to saw, chop, hammer metal, milk the cow, ride the horse, play with the animals, and jump in the hay! All the stuff that's really fun when you get to do it there, but would probably be a pain if you had to actually live it to survive everyday.

We strung up a "Happy Birthday Kivi" banner, got out the raspberry chocolate bars (Kivi doesn't like cake) and brownies and sang to and kissed our girl-o.


It was a great, memorable, fun party for our pioneer loving lady.

Kivi, you are so special to us. We don't know what we'd do if you weren't in our family. You are amazing! You take on so many responsibilities and are a beautiful example to not only your brothers and sisters but also the world of a loving, selfless young lady who wants to please the Lord. You love, love to wear skirts, long skirts, many skirts, colorful skirts. You usually Heeley everywhere you go, which combined with the skirts make it look like your floating everywhere. You still love your American doll, reading, memorizing tons of scripture, winning, playing with babies (You are very excited for Baby Bear to come!), and wake boarding. We love you (and your old fashioned ways) so much! Happy 9th Pea!

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Fourth of July 2014

We decided to host a non stressful evening event for the fourth so folks could come over to see the fireworks and have s'mores. That afternoon we went to the super cute Steilacoom parade and the kids loved picking up all the candy they threw our way.

We had the week of guests as family and friends stayed with us. Poppie and Nonnie had been staying with us. Our friends spent 2 nights with us from Germany. My dad's twin brother and family came and stayed for a night in their trailer the night before this. My cousing in law, Vy, made me the most delicious cupcakes while she was here since I'm having a cupcake baby. All the while we had already arranged to host families for dinners so we had a full house - but then we're pretty much used to that anyway. 

Pella and her little friend from Germany, Pippa had fun playing down at the beach together.

Picking their laps for the fireworks viewing.

The Millers brought tons of fireworks with them when they came over for dinner that night. Jennifer made four desserts! And good thing too, cause there were way more people there to eat them.


 The kids had so much fun lighting off the Roman candles on the end of the dock. Eben especially loved lighting them this year and Mr. Miller even let him light off most of the big ones!

Pella wasn't so sure about the lighting part.

Kivi was so excited to have her far away friend, Reagan, there and they swam until dark.

Berg was Grandpa's special helper making the traditional root beer floats for everyone and helping cousin Emma and Viviana hand them out. (And yes he picked out his amazing all plaid outfit all by himself!)
Rich insisted that we reinstitute the "Sparkler Picture" and so we gathered everyone together and got a picture before anyone caught on fire.

They started the firework show on the barge so early that we didn't even have time to decorate the beach and dock with all of the cool paper sacks that the kids had spent so much time filling with sand and candles! Oh well, we saved them for next year!

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Two Year Old Pella Waterskis!

On July 2nd, as we are all down at the lake, swimming, wakeboarding and wading Dada asks Pella, "Do you want to go training boarding?" Nonnie and I are shocked. She's never even floated in the water by herself! She says yes. So all of a sudden we are getting her on the board and I run up to the house to get my camera, in case she actually goes through with it. I'm sure she's going to change her mind at any minute though. Poppie and Dada are in the boat, Nonnie is on the shore to steady Pella as she takes off and away she goes. She's doing it! Our two year old baby is boarding around the lake! We all scream and yell and cheer her on. Just as she was about to finish her lap around the lake, she fell off the board and we all started screaming, "Get her, get her, hurry, hurry!" Peter turned the boat around and got right next to her and jumped in and Poppie took over driving. She was screaming too, but as soon as Dada got her, she was fine, smiling even! Brave girl!