11 years of wedded bliss

We celebrated our 11th anniversary today and had plans to try a new Japanese steak house for dinner, so Grannie took all three kids over night. As the story was relayed to me... Grannie was upstairs with the boys and Addison had wondered downstairs to see what Grandpa Bob was up to. When Grannie came looking for her and inquired of Grandpa where she was, he didn't know. They found her sound asleep in the next room. Don't you wish you could just lay down where ever, when ever and go to sleep?!

Hot day at the Lake

Our heat wave continues! Kevin was nice enough to launch the boat for us at Spanaway Lake, so I took some of my friends from church and our pastor's wife (also a friend! ;o) out on the lake to tube. From left... me and my friends Melanie and Denise, fresh out of the water!; Melanie's daughter Emma (5 years) and Mrs. Minge get ready for a ride; me and Emma and Denise driving the boat (my shoulder is still pretty sore from surgery a few weeks back). We had a great time... no better way to beat the heat than hit the water!

First, Chickens

We've always called this place we live the Funny Farm, in loving memory of my Dad. Recently, we decided to try and make it a real farm...we drove to Orting and each picked a chicken. Addison and Zachary wanted babies, Kevin picked the larger ones. We got them boxed up and were on our way home. It was a really hot day, but we decided it was best to leave the chickens in the box while we prepared the coup. Kevin and Raymond were busy cleaning it out when I, in my infinate wisdom decided I should at least take the box out of the car so as not to overheat the chickens inside. I started to pull the box from the back of my suburban when I realized that the bottom had been folded, not taped. It gave way and all the chickens came tumbling out! Nothing like chasing chickens in 90 degree heat!! At least it only took 30 minutes ;o)

We started with 6 laying hens

and 2 Ginnie hens & a baby Rhode Island Red

So 9 chickens later, we felt like we had a pretty good start to our farm!

We were rewarded with an egg the very next day! Let's hope they all start laying soon.

Another scorcher

We've had I don't know how many days without rain, but the temperature has been getting up into the 100s this week! We've found several ways to stay cool... starting our days in the front yard (where there is some morning shade for awhile) and running through the sprinkler is high on our list! As the hours pass, we move to the back yard and the kids enjoy the pool. I can hardly believe I'm saying it, but some cooler weather will be a relief!

The underwear bandits

Boys of course will be boy... and my boys have long loved to dress up. Years ago, Grandma Rau sent several costumes to Raymond that she had picked up after Halloween. He LOVED it and we've kept a box of costumes every since. Zachary quickly caught on and now Raymond has a playmate when it's time to dress up. He's even able to help Zach in and out of costumes, but who ever thought this would happen when the two where left alone to play in their room? I laughed long and hard when they "surprised" me in these get-ups.



Zachary, of course, had to reassure me that it was just him!

NW Trek... again

Raymond has really taken an interest in photography, so when we went to NW Trek, he was busy copying uncle Freeman, who has become quite the photographer of late. I gave Ray free reign with the camera this outing and of course he started with a self portrait!

Freeman, me (post surgery sling) Addison, Zachary and Elizabeth stop for a photo op.

The kids always love going into the activity center and playing with the puppets

This made us all laugh out loud... Addison dropped her bink in the coyote den, so it was gone for the day. As naptime approached, I was worried we'd have to leave, but we quickly plied her with pretzels and she promptly fell asleep -

With a pretzel in her mouth!

Ice cream for breakfast

At the beginning of the summer, I decided I wanted to make sure my kids had fun - really had a memorable summer and also keep up with the needs at home. So, being a listmaker, I decided to try and stick to a schedule. You know... house work on Monday, Games on Tuesday, Crafts on Wednesday, Fun day Away on Thursday, etc. That way we were sure to get it all in. We were doing great at first and Raymond was really getting into tracking the days of the week and then I found out I had to have surgery on my shoulder. They type that takes 6 weeks of immobility to fix! Yikes... no better time than the present, right? There goes the summer of fun. So, one morning when I really didn't feel up to making breakfast, I suprised them with a special treat...

ICE CREAM FOR BREAKFAST! Now isn't that every kid's dream?

Happy Independence Day!

The day started out by relaxing a bit in the pool to cool off.


Later in the evening, we went to the Hansen's for fellowship, food and fireworks.

Always fun to get together with friends and let the kids run wild!

NW Trek

Our friends Madison and Derek Harris joined us for a trip to NW Trek

We had a wonderful time. Raymond had the camera most of the day and I am not posting the bazillion pictures of animals that he took, but here is a few of my favorite pics of the kids (all of whom could have passed for an animal at some point during the day!)

Lipstick

What do you suppose happens when a little girls gets into her mommy's purse and finds her almost new lipstick? It isn't almost new anymore! 3 cheers for Mary Kay's very generous return policy