Happy Birthday Lucas!

For Lucas' 5th birthday party, we celebrated at Pump It Up in Kirkland. There were about 25 kids (plus their parents) running around all the jumpy toys. It was so much fun, not to mention a good workout. The venue included 1 hour of jumping around, plus an hour for cake and presents in the party room. What a great idea/ place for a birthday party.

Daryl and Natalie coming down the giant slide

A group photo with all the kiddies!

Lucas on the Birthday Throne!

Boat Ride on Lake Washington

On Tuesday afternoon, we took a boat ride on my parents' neighbors' boat. We have been good friends with the Fath's since my family moved into the neighborhood back in 1974. It was a great day for boating. Mom, dad, my sister Lisa and Lucas, and Henry, Natalie and I all joined Fred and Katie on the boat. Then, their daughter Shannon, who is still great friends with Lisa, also joined us with her 2 girls, Julia (almost 4) and Lea (17 mos). The Fath's boat is a cabin cruiser with 2 sleeping berths and a flying bridge above. It was a gorgeous day for an outing. We started on Lake Union around 4 pm and went along the ship canal past the University of Washington and into Lake Washington. We buzzed across the lake to Mercer Island where we docked at Luther Burbank Park. We then enjoyed a bbq dinner and all the kids played on the park playground. After dinner we jumped back on the boat and headed for home. It was really great time. Thanks Fred and Katie for a wonder outing!

View of the Space Needle from the back of the boat

Picnic at Luther Burbank Park

Henry and Lea looking out behind the boat

Seahurst Beach

From my parents' house we walked to the beach a few times. It's great exercise as the hills will do a number on your legs, but that's okay. Sometimes the kids and I would walk with Nana and Papa, once just with Nana, and once with the whole neighborhood gang. I think there were 13 of us at that walk. It was fun to catch up with everyone. At the beach, Henry and Natalie, and cousin Lucas would play in the sand, throw rocks into Puget Sound, or just play on the playground equipment. They did enjoy it. It was a work out for me pushing the stroller and/or carrying Natalie in the backpack up those hills. Luckily I don't have any pictures of my pain and agony. What a good work out though.

Nana swinging the 3 grandkids on the tire swing

Trip to Seattle

On June 21st, we packed up the minivan and headed toward Seattle to visit my parents and sister. We drove over on Saturday, then Daryl flew back to Spokane Sunday evening, worked all week in Spokane. The kids and I then stayed all week in Seattle to hang out. Daryl then flew back to Seattle Friday evening after work, we stayed all weekend, then drove back to Spokane on Monday. It's a little cumbersome, having to drive and buy a round trip plane ticket, but it works for us. Daryl doesn't have to take a lot of vacation time, and I still am able to spend a lot of time with my family. It was fun.



We had a busy week filled with many activities. The week started out rather cool (I didn't pack a lot of warm clothes) but by the next weekend, the temperatures soared into the 90's (not typical for Seattle). Again, I didn't pack a lot of summer clothes either. It still worked out.

Carnival

The kids and I went to a home-school carnival. My friend, Elizabeth, home schools her 2 daughters, Bayley (5th grade) and Alexa (3rd grade). They live in Deer Park which is about 15 miles north of Spokane. Deer Park has a wonderful home schooling program and to celebrate the end of the year, the students were able to participate in the carnival. There were blow up jumpy toys and a gigantic slide. They had hamburgers, cotton candy, popcorn and sno cones. Elizabeth invited Henry, Natalie and I to come join the festivities. It was a lot of fun. Thanks Elizabeth!

Wordless Wednesday: Sunrise over the dam

Daryl's Birthday

And yet another birthday blog. Daryl is 46 today. Wow! He had pretty good birthday he said. At work he received a birthday card, signed by the whole office. They had donut holes and brownie bites. Then, a friend surprised him with a mocha. He was all sugared up before 8 am. Crazy, I know. That was probably the highlight of his day. He came home to home-cooked meal, then he opened presents and we all had birthday cake. I thought it would be fun to put candles on his cake. Do you know how long it takes to light 46 candles? And all the heat is throws? Wow! The cake's frosting had a layer of wax. Oh well. It was still good. Daryl and I are going out to dinner on Friday to celebrate. It's Copper River salmon time, his favorite. We will be swapping date night with the neighbors (it's their anniversary this weekend) so it will all work out just fine.

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Tweeked back

I don't know what I was thinking, but for some reason, I thought I should carry both kids (at the same time) up 2 flights of stairs. Well it's no wonder that I tweeked my back. I'm feeling better today, but yesterday I couldn't move at all. It was pretty pathetic actually. Luckily both kids were really good. Henry took care of me and his sister, and Natalie actually was very independent. I laid on the futon in their play room most of the day, with a heating pad on my back, watching movies. Henry and Natalie both played quietly. It was amazing. Why can't they do that when I'm not laid up?

Happy Birthday Lance!

We just want to wish Lance Crafton a very Happy Birthday today. I can't believe that you are 11 years old already. My, how time flies. (Although with my kids, it seems like an eternity. I'm blaming the whole thing on my sleep deprived state.....thanks Natalie). Well Lance, believe it or not, I actually mailed your birthday card BEFORE your birthday this year. I know, I know, it must be some kind of miracle. Why I am always so late getting your card in the mail is beyond me. Think of it as an extension of your birthday. You can celebrate all month long.

We all hope you have a wonderful day today, Lance, and we are so looking forward to your visit later this month. Have a great fun-filled birthday!

Lots of love,
Pea, Daryl, Henry and Natalie