Finally I am updating my poor neglected blog. With #4 on the way I have been way too sick and unmotivated to do much of anything. Luckily for ALL of us I am feeling better!! I took some cute pictures of the kids on their first days of school. Sam started 2nd grade and loves it and little Hannah started Kindergarten. It was a sad day but luckily she is half day and so Grace and I still get to hang out with her in the mornings. In September Grace started preschool. She was so excited and maybe it was the pregnancy hormones or just the realization of how fast time flies but I was heartbroken. Luckily Hannah and I have been able to spend those mornings together while Grace is gone. I hate seeing them all grow up.

Our Week in Washington

We had such a fun trip to Washington this month. It has taken me forever to post this! I guess we've been busy with other things! :) This vacation was ideal for kids and they had an amazing time. We spent so much time outdoors and did so many fun things. Ladybug catching, fishing, horse rides, boat rides, the beach, making "huts", playing with cousins, getting very dirty, bbqing and sight seeing in Portland are just to name a few. Sam had a fabulous fishing lesson from Gary Loomis and caught lots of fish. We had so much fun playing games and hanging out in the Loomis lodge. They were so nice to put up with us all week and even ended the week with an incredible fireworks show just for us. The kids loved the little goat Zoe that lived by the lodge. One day we went somewhere and when we came home she had missed us and broken into the lodge. It was so funny to open the door and have a goat come galloping up to see us. Anyway it was so beautiful and green and we can't wait until next year!! Derek was very proud of catching these fish!!

This is my favorite picture from the trip. Sam was fishing off the dock and ended up laying down to wait for his fish! Sooo cute.

The day we went horseback riding we celebrated Michaels birthday. He had such a fun party and the lady that ran the farm had hats and bandanas for all the kids.

We had a fun day at the beach. The kids got to build sand castles and fly kites. It was such a nice day and a beautiful beach. It was the beach where the movie Goonies was filmed.

The lodge where we stayed was right on the Lewis River. We had lots of fun boat rides!



Grandma had so much fun with the grandkids all week. She took good care of us cooking and chasing kids all week long!


I thought this picture was so cute!

We had to take a picture with Trevor and Chase our best babysitters!! They were absolutely tireless and the kids loved them!

Baby Stella!!

We are so excited to have a new cousin baby Stella. There is nothing like a new baby and she is such a precious and tiny little girl, we just love her. I was lucky enough to get to go to Utah and spend a few days with her before she was able to come home. We got to spend time with lots of family and friends and enjoy the cool weather although my kids were in a panic to see her. They got to meet her on Fathers Day and at one point while Hannah was holding her I saw Hannah and Grace having some big conversation. The baby was actually awake and was listening to the girls. I think a future shopping trip might have been being planned! I can't wait!!

Every time Hannah has held Stella the baby has fallen to sleep. Hannah is convinced that she has the magic touch!

Sprinkles, Saguraro Lake, and Skiing!

We are having a great summer and couldn't wait to head to Sprinkles in Scottsdale for a cupcake. They are sooo good! I had the red velvet and let me say it was unbelievable! The kids had a great time and Grace even got to wear her hair bows with cupcakes on them.

This week we also had company in town and had a fun trip to the lake. Our friend Katie used to work for Sea World as a trick skiier. We had a great time watching all the tricks and she was even able to teach Sam how to water ski. He was able to get up on the skis thanks to Katie being such a great teacher. Nowwe just need someone to get him wakeboarding!

Hooray for Summer!

So far this summer all the kids want to do is play in the water.

We have had fun at swimming lessons, pool parties, splash parks and the sprinklers!

Sam also has lost his other front tooth leaving him with a HUGE gap in his teeth.

Time Marches On...

This week has been bittersweet for us. We are so excited that school is out for the summer but with that came good-byes to a great year. Both Sam and Hannah had their little graduation ceremonies this week marking the end of 1st grade for Sam and preschool for Hannah. They had excellent teachers and we were all sad to part with them.

Also this week we came home from our trip to Maui to find Sam still in the long process of loosing his first top tooth. I was sure it would be gone by the time we came home since it was so loose when we left but nope FIVE days later and it was still there literally hanging by a thread (or something else gross!) I had my first experience pulling a tooth as I always made my mom pull mine because I was too disgusted!! Our little boy is starting to look like a big boy now with his missing front tooth. Time certainly marches on!

Our Hawaiian Getaway

Carrie, Sarah, Meredith and Jenny in front of our condo.

Shane, Meredith, Sarah and Derek

Celebrating 10 years of marriage!

Waiting our turn for parasailing.

On the sunset dinner cruise....So Fun!

On the dinner cruise too. Sarah forgot her lei.

After dinner at Mamma's just before making the trip back home.