Why is it so hard??!!

 I've gotten a couple good pictures of my kids in the past...why does adding one more child make it impossible?!?!??

 I couldn't get everyone looking at the camera,

 or smiling all at the same time.

 My mom really wants a good pictures of all of her grandkids.

 Individuals, I can get a couple that work fine...

 Not perfect, but not terrible.

 But group shots...impossible!!!

Seriously...impossible!!!

Strawberries with milk

 I love seeing my kids discover and love things I had growing up...like fresh strawberries, from my grandma's garden, cut up and drowned in cream or milk.

If you haven't tried it, you have to!!!  Come to Washington, stop by Grandma's house for strawberries, and get yourself some half & half....it is the best!!!

Best Buds

 Parker loves hopping in the tractor with Grandpa.

 Although, when it comes to actually working hard, like weeding...forget it.

 Grandpa asked Parker to help pull some weeds around the edge of the field, and Parker lasted about 2 minutes.

He kept finding excuses to come in the house, I would send him back out, and a couple minutes later he was back inside. 

I think he gets that from Mark. :)  Oh yeah, I just said it.  He he he. 

Birthdays, birthdays, and more birthdays...

This time, Addison was very happy that it was her turn to have a birthday.  She has waited patiently watching Parker, Kasidee, Bailey, Mark, Grandma and Grandpa all having birthdays a month before her...

But is was finally her turn!!!

She requested breakfast in bed (pancakes with vanilla icecream and strawberries)...she was a happy girl!  We went swimming and had pizza for lunch and chicken noodle soup for dinner. 

We love having Addison in our family.  She is so sweet and funny.  She makes me giggle daily.  Love you sweet girl!

"Mom, I buy a horse?"

 We were so lucky to be able to go riding again this summer.  Everyone had so much fun, especially this little girl...

 Rielynn watched the movie Dreamer recently.  And ever since, she has been adamant that we buy a horse.  Going riding did not help the situation! :)

Happy 54

Happy 54 Dad!!! 

You can't exactly tell what it is he is holding...but Lori (my sister-in-law) and I attempted to make our first ice cream cake...DQ style.  It was so easy, and it turned out great!  Sorry Dairy Queen, I don't think you will be ripping us off anymore.

I hope you had a good day dad, we enjoyed spending it with you.

18 mile Bike Rides...umm no thanks

My mom has all these grand plans of fun things to do with her grandkids...for example an 18 mile bike ride with head lamps (for the part that is in a cave)...which would be really fun if I had older kids!!!

She had to be riened in, and we went to the state park, rode maybe a 1/2 mile, had a picnic lunch, and played on the playground.  The kids had a blast.  Maybe we can go on the 18-miler in a couple years. :)

Father's Day BBQ

My Aunt Joan and Uncle Rick hosted a fun Father's Day BBQ on Sunday.  I love when my cousins get together.  Not even half of us were there, but there are still lots of people to step around, a long line to wait in for food, and tons of little 2nd cousins playing together...it is the best!!!

Happy Dad's Day

I have the best fathers in my life!!!

I have a dad who taught me how to laugh, that is ok to cry, and whenever I need him, he is there.

I have a father-in-law who taught my husband how to be a gentleman, how to love his wife and treat her with respect.

And my kids have a dad who loves them more than life.  He works so hard to provide them with everything they need, plus the extras they don't.  He will pretend that he doesn't see the chalk all over the driveway so his kids can surprise him with all their hard work. 

I love you all!  Thanks for always being there!

Our days have consisted of...

 Staying in our pj's all day long, unless they decide that dress-up dresses are preferred,

 and watching grandpa on the tractor.

Here he is corrugating the field.  Parker climbed in the tractor with him too, but those pictures aren't downloaded yet....tomorrow.

007

 My dad has a new toy...

 and he wants to play every chance he gets.

 I think one of Mark's favorite parts of coming home (WA home) is that you can shoot guns right out the front door.  I can actually hear my dad shooting outside right now as I am writing this post. :)

Home Sweet Home

 We stopped by Snoqualamie Falls on our way home from Seattle.

 The falls were beautiful!  The water coming off the falls sprayed you like it was raining.  COLD!!!

 My dad felt bad that I wasn't in any pics, so he grabbed the camera and snapped one, thanks dad. 

 My poor parents...when it rains, it pours...literally!!!  They had a 12 minute rain storm that dumped hundreds of gallons of water into their basement. This room got the worst of it, it happens to be the room my kids normally sleep in while we are here.  The fans are gone now, and now we get to help clean things up.

 The mess hasn't stopped the kids from having a fun time...

They wasted no time begging Grandma for a ride on the 4-wheeler to see the horses and feed them carrots.  It is good to be home!!!

Prima

Addison and Bailey kicked off the summer with cute dances at their recital.  I didn't get the greatest pictures, because of course there is no flash photography or video taping allowed...but have no fear, I purchased the $50 video they provided, that we won't receive for 8-10 weeks!!!  Wow, they sure know how to take advantage of proud parents!

However, Addison and Bailey did really well.  They looked so grown up in their dresses with their makeup done. 

Rough Sunday Morning

Can you tell that Kasidee and I didn't see eye to eye this morning.

She definitely knows how to push my buttons when she wants to...she broke both pairs this morning trying to get even.

The big NINE

 These two are NINE!!!  I can hardly believe it!

I was a terrible mother, and I didn't pull out the camera one time during their birthday festivities.  But they opted for an overnighter at a hotel instead of a party.  We went swimming and had a movie night at a hotel close. 

Then on their actual birthday I brought them Chick-Fil-A for lunch at school, they opened presents, and had ice cream cake with the family. 

Happy Birthday Parker and Kas...we love you so much!