The FAIR

Last night we went to the fair and we all loved it! We loved the noise, the people, the chaos, and the smell of cotton candy in the air...ymmmmmmmmmm!

We spent a lot of time with the farm animals... apparently too much time, seeing that Tanner is now afraid of pigs! We watched a cowboy do some cool rope tricks, ate an elephant ear, and Tanner went on his first horse ride! I was thinking we would just go look at the ponies but all of a sudden I see Jer unbuckling Tanner and getting in line for the pony ride. I know, shocker! Jer is not one to spoil, but Tanner must have put on the right face ... because he sure got what he wanted. It was so fun to watch. Here's a little clip.

The main reason we went to the fair last night was so we could watch the MOTOSPORTS show. Since Tanner loves motorcycles we thought he might like this... and he did. Every time there was a pause in the show he kept saying... "More, More". There was a lot of air and a lot of cool tricks!

Fun at the ZOO

Our friends (Jenae and Ethan) have a zoo membership and they invited me and the boys to be their guests yesterday! It was a blast! The weather was perfect, the boys were very well behaved (THANK GOODNESS!) and all the animals were ready to put on their best performance.

Today Tanner has been running around the house itching his armpits (his impression of monkeys), growling like tigers and throwing his arm up in the air like elephants do with their trunks. He was so quiet the whole time we were at the zoo, but I think he was just taking it all in. He would see a new animal and point to it to make sure I saw what he saw. He loved the petting zoo and being able to brush the goats, ride the tractor and sit on the wooden horse. He kept saying YEE-HA, YEE-HA, YEE-HA.

Oh yes, Max was there too. Sweet little Max is cutting 2 teeth and went to the zoo without a morning nap (to my dismay) but he just sat in the back seat of the stroller like a little angel. Every once in awhile he got bored, sat up and started playing with Tanner's hair to get his attention. I think he was having too much fun to think about his hurting teeth and sleepless morning.

It was the PERFECT last day of my summer vacation, seeing that I had to return to work today. Thanks Jenae and Ethan for letting us tag along!

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!

It's Officially SUMMER TIME!

Today was my last day of work (until Aug. 8th) YIPEEEEEEE!
Although I love my part-time job at Evergreen Public Schools and I love the people I work with… I ALSO LOVE MY SUMMER VACATIONS! I'm really looking forward to my summer vacation because:

1. I get to be with my boys from sun up to sun down
2. No more expressing milk in the bathroom EVERYDAY (moooooooo)
3. We get to spend a week in Sacramento with Jer's family
4. I will be potty training Tanner... which means I only have to change ONE little boy's diaper! (ANY ADVICE OR TIPS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!)
5. We get to spend a week with some of my family in Seattle (the other's are too busy taking care my new little niece, Tori in Kentucky OR fighting crime in Texas OR working for the Court in Guam.)
6. I get to take my boys to play dates (I’ve already got one planned for Monday!)
7. I will have more time to blog :)