Cousins!

I'm regretting that I didn't do a better job taking pictures of the awesome week we spent with our family in town. Too busy to snap pictures!

We had so much fun with Andy, Britney, Baylee, Sydney, Robyn, D, Macie, and Hailey! The kids LOVED playing with their cousins. I was actually surprised at how well they all played together--digging around in Nana's sandbox, playing outside, having a giant sleepover, playing at the bounce house, going to the park, watching movies, etc. We wish our cousins lived closer so we could play more often! Thanks for coming to visit, you guys! We had a blast! Lets get together again soon:)

#20 Mt. Rainier

Breathtaking! Living in our town, we get to admire the mountain often, but Mt. Rainier was stunning in person. We couldn't have picked a better day to pack a picnic and head to the mountain for a hike.

Not to be a whiner, but I will say that the first half of our 2.5 mile hike was much more enjoyable than the second half--carrying tired, heavy!, kids uphill in the hot sun. It was a workout!

See? I'm smiling here because we're sauntering downhill--tra-la-la, tra-la-la. I swear, Ben must have gotten at least 30lbs heavier on the way back uphill!

By the end of the hike, we were famished!

Spray Park Fun

I love to see the big 'ol smiles on the boys' faces! Even in the freezing cold water, they loved splashing around with their cousins and playing at the park--another perfect summer day!

#22 Ferry Ride

On Thursday we rode the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge and drove to Sequim to visit the Olympic Game Farm Park. Hank was pretty curious about the ferry and wanted to check everything out, Max was nervous and stuck close to Dad. I spent the day doubled over with a stomache ache, so not great memories for me. Glad the boys had fun.

Birthday Boy!

Happy Birthday, Honey! Have we reached the point where we stop counting, yet? Don't worry, 34 is the new, uh, 34. One year older, and another year more handsome and wise!

Aaron's birthday was filled with birthday festivities, beginning with an early morning fishing trip with Andy and D. Aaron's cold streak finally broke--he caught a salmon!

 After the fishing trip, Aaron and Andy played 9. Then it was off to the Grovers' for Aaron's meal of choice: steak, potato salad, and his mama's scones!

After his birthday feast, the whole gang went bowling. The family bowling tournament turned into a bit of chaos with the crazy kiddos running amuk, but Aaron and I still brought home the prizes: he won the prize for first place, and I won the consolation prize for last place. I had planned to cap-off the birthday fun with a late night movie at the drive-in, but the birthday boy was too pooped (can you say, "old fogey?") and wanted to go home instead.

Happy Birthday to you, Aaron!

Go, Ben, Go!

I am so proud of this little boy I think my heart could just burst! He crawls! Hooray for Ben!

When I watch this video, I just see a little boy who works so hard and who never gives up. It hasn't been easy. Its taken a lot of therapy, a lot of work, a lot of practice, a lot of prayers--but he did it! I have no doubt that if Ben works very hard, and never gives up, that he will do whatever he sets his mind to do. You can do it, Baby!

#12 Spray Park

It finally felt like summer when the kids and I met up with some friends at the spray park for some splashing. It was so warm and sunny I actually had to bust out the sunblock! The water was freezing cold, but the boys had so much fun racing around with each other and getting wet. We packed a picnic lunch and after the boys dried off a little we ran off the rest of our energy at the playground. Good friends, warm sunshine, and playing hard--a perfect summer day!

And that is why I love Max. Can you just feel the energy exuding from that boy??