So Cute!

Over the river and through the woods...

Grandma Gayla once asked Bronson what one of his favorite activities was...his answer was "walking in the woods with my dad". Bronson loves to go on walks when he is in Washington and asks everyday to go on one, rain or shine (many times rain in this state). We have over 20 miles of trails in our community that surround our house and it makes for a great activity (and good way to burn energy) for the kids. We don't exactly do it for the cardio - the kids stop every 50 feet to pick flowers, pick up sticks, or "search for animal tracks", but we all have a great time.

Typical picture of them all going at their own pace as they look for sticks and flowers.

It's Summer Somewhere...

Thank Goodness for Utah! At least we have a place to go this summer where it is sunny and hot. As of late July, Washington still only had a few "summer days" but luckily Utah has enough heat to make up for it. We fully enjoyed the nice weather going to the water park on the base (thanks to Gayla), the zoo (early enough in the morning that we weren't dripping with sweat), and filled the pool in the backyard for the kids.

Another Year - More Holes in the Pavement

We had our big annual 4th of July celebration and it turned out great...and with no rain this year. It is amazing what a year and about 25 degrees can do for a different celebration.

We started the day with the kid parade and carnival. It was in the morning, but it was already so nice and sunny out. We met up with our neighbors Julie, Joel and their daughter Addison. The girls had a great time in the parade, playing in the bouncy toys and their favorite - eating cotton candy.

The parade is made up of all of the kids and parents with decorated bikes, wagons, trikes, pets...basically anything you can dress up for 4th of July is included.

Julie, Joel, Addison and soon to be baby Zachary (born beginning of August)

After lunch we got the girls cotton candy, Addison had never had it and wasn't sure she even wanted to try it at first....

Once she realized the cotton candy was pretty much pure sugar she couldn't get enough!

Train ride at the carnival

This was the stash this year of fireworks - basically toys for grown men to enjoy, Wade being the main offender.

This year we had a guy come and BBQ for the neighborhood so we didn't have to bother with the cooking and it was awesome! We all were able to sit, enjoy the weather, visit with great friends and wait for the fun to begin.

Becky, JJ, Cole and Presley came again this year...we always have a great time with them.

10 weeks apart - I am 24 weeks here and she is 34 weeks. Right about now I wish the roles were reversed since Julie is done being pregnant....I guess I only have a few more weeks to go.

The night ended the same as last year with a big bonfire in the middle of the cul de sac. This year we did upgrade to a firepit so it wasn't directly on the pavement....although somehow we still added a couple new holes to it. I don't have any pictures this year of the fire, I was lame and went to bed early since I was wiped and had to be up early the next day for work. Here's to another year with our awesome neighbors and the fun get togethers we have with them.

Here's to Another Year!

Wade was in charge of planning our anniversary this year and organized an amazing weekend in the San Juan Islands. We stayed at the Rosario resort and really lucked out with beautiful weather. Since I was 5 and a half months pregnant we couldn't do some of the activities we normally would have liked to do (kayaking, hiking...at least more than a mile or two, riding bikes), but we managed to find plenty to do and really enjoyed the sites and exploring the islands.

We read about Allium restaurant in a magazine before we left and decided to have our Anniversary dinner here. It was on a rooftop right on the water and the seafood was fabulous. If you ever go to Orcas Island this restaurant is definitely worth going to.

I always have to include photos of Wade being...Wade. Makes me laugh.

Our second night we drove the car (since I couldn't hike that far) to Mount Constitution and packed a picnic dinner. It is the highest point in the San Juan's and the view is spectacular. You can see all of the islands and all the way to Mount Vernon and Bellingham.

Our picnic dinner...

Each morning and night we spent on the balcony of our room. It was the most peaceful setting I have ever been in. There are boats passing and you are surrounded by trees, water and it is absolutely silent. A perfect way to get away and do nothing but relax.

Our last day we walked on the inter-island ferry and took a day trip to Friday Harbor. Once again, we just walked around the shops, ate good food and enjoyed one of the few gorgeous days we have had this summer. Thank you my love for such a wonderful weekend! I love you more than anything and look forward to another fun filled year of adventures.

Stalking the Salmon

As a part of our Valentines Day we visited the Ballard Locks. We thought it was such a cool place to visit with the ships, and park that we decided to take the kids here in June (which was perfect because the Salmon were swimming through the locks at this time). We packed a picnic lunch, ate in the park and spent the afternoon walking around the water, watching the ships and salmon and enjoying the sun.

Fun in the Sun

This summer has been much colder than usual, but we did luck out with a couple of nice days while the kids were here in June (yes I know I am really behind in my blogging). Here are a few fun pictures of us enjoying the nice day outside.

Our neighbors Justin and Stephanie gave us this really cool dirt bike. The kids had a great time and we were able to fit it in the car on the drive back so we can keep it in Utah for the kids to use.

Fathers Day in Washington

We had the kids in Washington this year for Fathers Day and had a really nice low-key kind of day.

The kids all let Wade sleep in and while I made breakfast they made him Fathers Day Cards. They each created their own and wrote whatever they wanted in the card (or told me what they wanted to write).

Wade getting his Fathers Day cards from the kids.

We have started a tradition for Fathers/Mothers Day and Christmas where we take the kids to pick out a gift for the other person. I was able to take Bronson and Emory to go shopping and we picked out a great new hat for Wade. I told them he had been wanting a new hat, and they loved the idea of picking one out. They even found one with a "B" on the front.

(I was explaining to the guy where the button was on the camera, when he took it....great picture I know).

Wade wearing his new hat from the kids.

We finished off the day with a nice BBQ and taking the kids on dirt bike rides in the neighborhood (pictures to follow). I love these type of days where we can spend time together and just have a nice relaxing day with the family. Happy Fathers Day My Love!