Seattle Trip

We were lucky enough to go up to Seattle and spend some time at my parents house with some family members (7 adults, 6 kids). Since we were all staying at my parents house it was crazy every minute. This trip was filled with lots of activities, fun games, laughing, baking, eating and partying! It would have been even more fun if Jenn, Chris, Ethan, Tori, Jon and Matt could have been there too!

(WARNING: Jeremy read this post and said, "Isn't this a little boring for others to READ?" I was a little shocked because when I re-read it I laughed and smiled through the whole thing... so either way, consider yourself warned!)

Here's an outline of the activities:

• Friday, July 18: We packed up the car and drove up in the evening. We arrived just in time for pizza and chillin outside. Got caught up with the Texas and Utah folks! Jul and I introduced Shannon to the World of Blogging!
• Saturday, July 19: Went to a nearby beach and made an awesome sandcastle with "The 3 Amigos". Went to a movie (The Dark Night... SCARY!). Max got his 2nd tooth... that explains why he was up until 1:00am! Sorry Mom and Dad (they were the designated babysitters while we were at the movie)!
• Sunday, July 20: Church (Singles Branch), Pirate Birthday Party (2nd Annual Summer Birthday Party for EVERYONE)
• Monday, July 21: Went on a quick shopping trip to Target and the Old Navy Sale (I have never seen Jer get this excited about shopping!), Chipotle for Lunch, and off to Qwest field for the Mariners vs. Redsocks game where we ate Trophy Cupcakes (I felt like royalty in awesome seats and delicious food!)
• Tuesday, July 22: Jer and I got to babysit 5 kiddos while everyone went to Dim Sum... (I think we got the better end of the deal). I tried a new recipe... Raspberry Ice-Cream Cake. Jul, Mike and Lucy leave (Jer leaves, but will come back on the 25th) That evening Papa Bob gave the 4 older boys Geodes in bags. They worked at cracking them open to see what they could find inside.
• Wednesday, July 23: Mom, Shannon and I took 5 little boys to a totally awesome Children's Museum. Later that evening we went to a fun park and on a hike with Papa Bob.
• Thursday, July 24: I made mini quiches for breakfast then Shannon and I went on a fun shopping spree with the Toddlers. Later that day we had Pizza and jumped on the Giant Bouncer (I think Max enjoyed it the most).
• Friday, July 25: Went to Costco (some were very excited about this), Tanner had his first experience chewing gum... thanks to Auntie Shannon. Went to Bothell Landing to feed the ducks and play at the park. After nap we got out the slip-n-slide and kiddy pool. Jer arrived just in time for Taco Salad outside. Papa Bob set up the Tent (which smelled up the whole backyard) and he and "The 3 Amigos" slept thru the night in it. We were all surprised they lasted!
• Saturday, July 26: Fishing (Tanner, Max and JEREMY's 1st Fishing Trip!!), Claim Jumper for dinner (YUMMM!)
• Sunday, July 27: Church (Singles Branch). We had a delicious Roast dinner and then left to come home. It's always hard to say goodbye!
  
  Please note that whenever there was a free second we were playing outside on the scooters, big wheel, skateboard, bikes, playing baseball, exploring behind the trees, digging for buried treasures in Papa Bob's planter boxes. The kids were in heaven.
  
  Below are just SOME of the pictures taken throughout the week. You can see more pictures at my sisters blogs... FABOOLOUS and THE 3 AMIGOS. Please understand that we see each other once sometimes twice a year, so whenever we get together the camera's barely get a break.

I had to post a couple pics separately because Jul took some awesome shots that I LOVE!

I also had to post this short video clip. Who would have known that our man of few words LOVES Pirates! He was in heaven at the Pirate Birthday Party. As you can see in the clip, "The 3 Amigos" taught Tanner what Pirates say.

Sacramento Trip

We spent about a week down in Sac Town with Jer's whole family... 28 people (12 adults and 16 kids). Needless to say it was crazy and fun. Every minute was filled with fun times, good food and great company!

Here's an outline of all the fun activities:

• Wednesday, July 2nd: Arrived in Sacramento by plane (thank goodness for portable DVD players!). Went to a yummy italian restaurant (Strings).


• Thursday, July 3rd: Met Tiffany (best friend from 2nd grade) at the park. Ate at Claim Jumper's (YUMMMY). Swam at Jeannie and Cesar's and had ice-cream. Filled up over 200 water balloons into the wee hours of the night.


• Friday, July 4th: Met at an awesome, huge park in the morning. Did a water balloon toss and volleyball. Headed to the Church for a fun Treasure Hunt, Games, Movie, and Pizza. Went to the Park and then to Great Grandma's for Fireworks.


• Saturday, July 5th: Family Picture at the Park. Went to Cesar & Jeannie's home for swimming and bar-b-que. Adults headed over to Leatherby's and had a Cruise Talk (Cruise is less than 6 months away!). Max got his 1st Tooth!


• Sunday, July 6th: Church. Had a delicious Breakfast for Dinner. Had brownie sundaes and played games in the evening.


• Monday, July 7th: Met at Bounce-U for a jumping good time. Had yummy Taco salad with the whole family and then FHE: Scripture Pictionary.


• Tuesday, July 8th: Packed and played games. Depart :(
  

I had to share this picture with you separately. It makes me laugh every time I see it. My sis-in-law, Peggy was taking some pics unaware what Max was up to. Poor little Lineah. I have a feeling I will see a lot of this from Max!

Memorial Weekend

Here are some fun pics we took over Memorial Weekend:

Does this bring back memories for anyone else!?

Okay I know, I'm a little old for this... I just had to have one last ride! (my poor dad) A day at a beautiful northwest beach... there's nothing prettier!

(even if the beaches are rocky and covered in seaweed)

There's always time for a quick stop at the Park!

This is Max's MACHO MAN face!

We spent the weekend up in Seattle with my parents. We love being in driving distance from them... we feel very lucky!
We had a lot of good times and lots of laughs this weekend. We were also very fortunate to have perfect weather which has been RARE in the northwest lately.

A Day in Asotria

Jer's parents recently embarked on a cruise to Alaska. Their first port of call was Astoria, OR... so, we decided to meet them there for the day. It was very fun to see them under such random circumstances. We drove right up to the enormous ship and Tanner spotted them right away and ran straight to them. Luckily the weather was beautiful. We did some window shopping, sight seeing and some delicious eating, of course. At the end of the day we walked them back to the ship where there was live music playing. Tanner stole the show. Thank goodness he was able to get his wiggles out before our long drive home! The day was fast, but very fun!