a trip to the zoo with mommy!

I decided to take the kids to the zoo today! It was a gorgeous day and I just wanted to spend time alone with my two kiddos before our school routine begins! We had a fabulous time! We toured the entire Woodland Park Zoo and had a picnic! The kids were at the most perfect age and did so well!

Brindley's favorite animal at the zoo: "Monkeys!!"

Colden's favorite animal at the zoo: "The sleeping lion!"

Mommy's favorite animal at the zoo: "The Giraffe!"

A picture with the hippo statue!I'm always in awe of these creatures! Climbing some rocks!Lunch break!Picture taken by Colden! Not too bad!

Brian's 1st Race!

Brian did his first race a couple weekends ago! He completed a 10K in Snoqualmie! He did totally great and finished in 54:17! He definitely has the running bug or I should say race bug...he will do his 2nd 10K on September 11th!

I have to say, it felt great to be on the other side, cheering and watching! It was very exciting and I'm so proud of him!
Sprinting to the finish line (he's in the black).All done!!

Swim Lessons

Colden and Brindley took swim lessons for 2 weeks this summer. The lessons were at an outdoor facility and they did it everyday! I was very impressed with this program and we will be doing it again next summer!

We knew Colden would do great because he has taken lessons before and always adapted well! It was Brindley we were worried about! She surprised us though and did great...always wanted to go everyday and got braver with each lesson!

3rd Annual Lincoln City, OR Vacation

We are back from our completely awesome 3rd annual vacation to Lincoln City, OR with the Fontaine Family!

This was again, a wonderful vacation in a beautiful home on Olivia Beach. This was the first year we didn't have a view. We decided on this community because it had great amenities for the kids...like a park in front of the house and a great road to ride bikes and scooters plus the kids had their very own 3rd floor playroom! The beach wasn't too far away and this beach was quite nice. The house was beautiful! The owners had it decorated perfectly and it was so organized too!"Da Beach House"



We built a fire on the beach the first evening we were there! Of course we had smores!


We did lots of bike riding in front of the house. We didn't know it, but the house had kid's and adult bikes! We had a blast almost every night riding around the community! (click on strip to see it larger)


There was a lot of hot tubbin'! The kids went in almost everyday after a beach trip. Andrew and Brian went in every night with their beverages!! Angela and I usually enjoyed our dessert all alone in the house!

We had lunch at Kyllos (our favorite restaurant) and got our favorite dessert to take home (marionberry cobbler)! There is the world's smallest river flowing under Kyllos, so we took advantage of that and explored it!


We were blessed enough to have a college friend and her kids come visit us for the night! Brian and I hadn't seen Tami in 10 years! Crazy and completely wrong. It was such a joy to visit with her and meet her darling children! Thanks Tami for coming to visit...and let's not make it another 10!


The kids enjoyed playing with Tucker and Addie on the beach & flying a kite. We also had fun going to the Newport Aquarium and eating lunch at Mo's with them!


Of course there was down time too...all the kids slept in the same room (YIKES) in bunk beds! It was a darling room decorated in a pirate theme! Even Brindley wanted to sleep with all the boys! They did really great. We had no problems with them going to sleep or waking each other up!

One morning however, we couldn't find Brindley...Brian thought she was in bed with me... and then we found her under the bunk beds! She must have fallen and ended up sleeping under the bunk bed! She acted like she did it on purpose because she came out so proudly telling us about how she slept under the bed! So funny!The kids before bed, watching a video on Andrew's Iphone! Brindley sound asleep under the bed!



Lots of sunny beach time on our last day!



Our last evening on the beach...the tide was low and there were tide pools and awesome starfish everywhere! It was a beautiful way to end our vacation! And there is the picture of the insane stairs we had to climb each day, usually with a child in our arms! I guess I got a little exercise!



This trip every year makes for awesome memories and the best part is that we get to do it with our wonderful friends who feel like family. We love you Fontaine Family!

vbs...

Last week was VBS for us at our church! It really was a fantastic week! Colden and Brindley were in the same group this year and Brindley was so excited to be old enough to participate! She cried on the first day when it was over!

I was a station leader for elementary crafts...very fun, very busy! I would definitely do it again though. We are always completely exhausted and worn out each day after VBS, but I have to tell you...it really is the most amazing week for the kids. They learn and take home so much that it makes it all well worth it. I have a feeling we will be singing the songs for months to come!

Here are a few pictures of the kids performing their VBS songs at church on Sunday! Way too cute!

lake chelan

We enjoyed an extended weekend at Lake Chelan! Vicki invited us to her family's Lake Chelan cabin for a few days! We had a great time! The weather couldn't have been better, not to mention the accomodations! It was breath-takingly beautiful. We explored Chelan, floated in the lake, played in the kiddy pool, ate lots of food, and had quality family time! Brian and I got to get out and explore some wineries! We had a fabulous lunch with a great view too!

I completely suck at taking pictures! I only took a handful...but I know Grandma took plenty...so perhaps I'll load hers later on! = )

Thank you so much for having us!

Swimming in the pool that Grandma surprised us with!

Trying out the floats on the lake! That was heavenly for the adults!

So obsessed with Grandma's dogs, Rosie and Max...that they decided to actually be Rosie and Max!

Getting ready to play putt-putt!

Remlinger Farms!

My Mom and I took the kids to Remlinger Farms on Monday! I forget what a neat place this is and we had to take advantage of the start of summer (since the sun decided to make an appearance)!

The kids had a blast! They rode on ponies, roller coasters, a mini ferris wheel, tea cups, and of course the train!

We will be back this summer for sure!