Hunter had a Birthday....

Hunter turned 10 on Friday.  He had a pretty good fun filled day.  First he went to a free football camp put on by the Seahawks.  Then we went to Menchies for lunch.  After lunch, we went to the lake for a while and played in the water and at the park.  Then we picked up Wynden and headed up to Canada to play laser tag.  Hunter loved it.  It was pretty pricey so they only played one game (Hallie was too scared so she and I sat out).  Then we went for dinner and came home and he opened gifts.  On Sunday afternoon, we had a July/August birthday party with my family and he got a ton of fishing stuff that he is super excited about.  Crazy to think he is 10 now.  He is all boy and loves to drive his sisters crazy, but he is my most thoughtful child when it comes to giving gifts or if he gets to pick out a treat for something he will pick something to give away.  Happy Birthday Hunter!

4th of July Campout

We went camping for two nights for the 4th of July with Wynden's brother and family and some friends of theirs.  We had a good time.  There was a slip and slide at the park that the kids had a great time on.  We fished, played games, played catch, rode bikes, sat around the fire, roasted marshmallows, and just did nothing.  We had a good time.  Cleaning up after you get home is sure a pain though.

Wild Waves

When I was younger, whenever we would drive past wild waves in Federal Way I would always want to go.       It just looked so fun...waterslides and amusement park all together.  Even when I went to college for a year in Seattle we were going to go as a dorm floor, but it just didn't work out.  So when my sister in law said they were going for my nephew's birthday party, I decided last minute to take the kids.  I'm glad I did because it was one of the only nice days so far since school got out and for the month of June it is only $15 per person (and Suzanne had a buy get one free that I used).  We had a blast.  It is a really fun park.  I think we might do this every year....

Father's Day

Can't forget Father's Day...I love how the kids make such cute things at school for Mother's and Father's Day.  I always get Wynden more ties.  One of the cutest things was the kids each answered a survey about Wynden and one of the questions was "what is his favorite food"  Karlee wrote leftovers and Diesel wrote yucky stuff.  I am so grateful for such a good father for my kiddos.

Friday Harbor

Back in May, before life got super crazy and busy we went on a ferry ride to Friday Harbor with some of out friends, who were visiting from Idaho.  We had a really good time.

Really?

The other day Wynden had a chili cook off at work for his Tuesday meeting.  They do it every year.  Wynden didn't think it would be a good turnout, so he made a ton of chili using the pot you see in the picture above.  After I washed it, I had it on the counter to dry.  After a couple of days, of course it was dry I asked him to go put it away (I think it was out in the shop).  He right away took it and headed it outside.  I was like wow that is amazing.  And....this is where I found it the next day.  It's still there.  I think there was an Everyone Loves Raymond episode like this.  I don't want to put it away, but I'm thinking that it will be there until next year's chili cook off if I don't.

The California Finale

Lexi and Hunter got to try out my brother in laws snorkeling equipment oxygen and all.  It was in a pool, so no tropical fish to see or anything.

Hallie spent a ton of time on the counter.  She was deathly afraid of my sisters 3 lb dog.  The last day she finally realized there was nothing to be afraid of, Mercedes was not going to get her.

Lexi got a few highlights in her hair by my niece, who is going to beauty school.

I am so glad that I took the kids to California again this year.  We had a good time.  On the way back I got a  little confused on directions and ended up taking highway 101 to Lincoln City where I met Wynden.  Highway 101 is beautiful.  There are huge redwood trees along the roads.  You get to see the coast, which is amazing.  It was a very windy day, so the waves were crashing up against the rocks and it looked so cool, but it is the windiest road you will ever be on.  Originally I was going to go this way home, but then I saw how curvy it was and was like no way.  My kids get too carsick.  It was torturous.  Hunter, Lexi, and Hallie all got sick.  I was prepared with Ziploc bags though, they are the best for car sickies.  Even though the ride was awful the ten hours to our destination went really fast thank goodness.  We were really excited to see Wynden.  Jonathan and Suzanne came with Wynden too, so we had a nice time with them.  It is always nice to get home after being gone for over a week, but I'm so glad we went.