Birthdays, birthdays, and more birthdays

We had a little party for Addison with her friends in TX, but her actual birthday was here in WA. We went to McDonald's and played for lunch, then came home and played with grandpa and she opened her present from us. She had a fun day.

4-wheeler rides

They are NEVER going to want to leave! Even Bailey thought the 4-wheeler was AWESOME!!!

There's more...

Dustin came home for 2 days with a couple roommates. They were at a wedding in Portland. It was fun to see him, and the kids had lots of fun playing air-hockey and jumping on Sam and John. Kas and Addison love playing in the rocks and dirt, swimming is always a hit, and Kasidee will read a story to anyone who will listen (great grandma had a very willing ear).

The big 5-1.

My dad also had a birthday...the big 51. The kids claimed all of his balloons-of course.

Chores...

Just because we are on vacation, doesn't mean that we don't have to do chores still. Dishwashers still need to be emptied, weeds need to be pulled.

Mom is 50!

My mom turned 50!!! We had a surprise party for her. Lots of good friends, good food, and funny gifts. Thanks to everyone who came and supported my mom.
Mom, I love you! You are an amazing example to me. I try to be the type of mom that you were/are to me. Thanks for everything! Happy Half a Century!

Who does that?!?

My mom's car broke down, so what did my dad do?...He printed off the instructions on how to fix it off the internet, and he proceeded to take apart the whole a/c unit in the car. Who does that?!?!? I love my dad!

Great Grandma's House

We went over to my grandma's house to pick strawberries. Bailey sat in the middle of the strawberries and ate her fill (stem and all) the whole time we picked. Aunt Debbie, Aunt Joan, and Aunt Pam, Holly, Carson, Logan and Sydney were there too. It is so much fun being around all my family again. I have missed them so much!!!

So much to do...so llittle time

Playing in the yard...grandpa and grandma are spoiling the kids ROTTEN!!! Grandpa put in a zip line, and it is so much fun! The big pic in the middle is the kids having yummy fruit smoothies that grandpa makes almost every morning. The top right is the hay being bailed in the field right next to their house. The kids loved waving to the farmer driving the tractor. (:

FirePit

We made it to WA in one piece. It was crazy taking 4 1/2 kids on a plane by myself, but 13 hours and a few crazy looks later, we made it home. This is my parents fire pit. They took the kids in the back of the truck down to the willow trees and got some roasting sticks. Then we came back and roasted marshmallows. We had quite a few BLACK marshmallows, but lots of fun.

Only when you are 17 or married...

We were doing our nightly family routine (which includes hugs and kisses) and Parker said, "You can only kiss when you are 17 or married." We laughed for a second and then Mark asked Parker if he was excited to be 17..."oh yeah!"

Where do they get these things?!?!?!

"But I have to get a booger out..."

Last night I painted Kasidee and Addison's fingernails and toenails. Both girls were sitting on the couch with their hands and toes in the air waiting for them to dry, and I overheard this conversation between Mark and Kas...

K: "Dad, what if I have to itch my nose?"

M: "Just use the back of your finger, and rub your nose."

K: "But what if I have to get a booger out?"

M: "Well, I guess you are just going to have to wait until your nails are dry."

Classic Kasidee!!!