then of course...birthday boy fun!

I didn't ask Alan for his permission to post his birthday pictures, but here they are. He had a small, lunch surprise celebration where he opened his gifts and blew out his candles (I forgot to take a pic of the giant cookie cake).





















Kids of all ages love presents

















And this is later on...after a Dairy Queen treat and Isaiah's last swim lesson.

kids fun

Just some more pics of the fun...it sure is great to see your little kids having so much fun and working hard at something like climbing.
...and down...

Then later on in the pool.
I barely escaped the splashing

A wonderful summer weekend...finally!

This past weekend many things happened. The day finally came for the one-day-yard-sale where we took the community's donated items, and with their help, as well as many tourists traveling through, made a little over $2000!!! Amazing it was, and God blessed us with a beautiful day so we could have a car wash and sell drinks (water and soda) as well. People were very generous obviously, and now comes the pressure of figuring out what the youth group will do with the money. Thankfully, now we will will have some money help with all the snacks we provide each week. Did you know teenagers eat a lot?

After the long Saturday, we spent some of our Sunday down at the Shrimp Fest in the big town of Brinnon. Many people from all over actually visit this every year (which was part of the yard sale strategy). Alan's football strength and conditioning friend (and close friend forever) visited and Alan and Mike spent many hours talking football and workout plans for the guys. Which also brings me to the new big news. Alan applied back in December for the head football coach of the local high school. This school is not very big and he has no prior coaching experience, but he really felt let to apply(he does love football in case you don't know). Anyway, after many months of hearing nothing, I think he got over the thought, but then of course, he got a call to come for an interview. Alan was offered the job later on that day by an interview committee of 10 men who unanimously voted he be given a shot. I can see myself now, the football coach wife, pacing the sidelines hoping our guys win and her hubby will be happy instead of crying later on that night :)
This is Mike pushing Emmy around the fair.

Here is my group - having fun in she shade :) but loving the sun. Thanks to my kids, I have no choice but to realize the danger of sunbathing and although I love it, they keep me out in the shade and therefore I have discovered self tanner - not as fun as sipping iced tea while lying out, but much more healthy so they say.

In two weekends we are having a huge yard sale for the youth group. This is a sale made possible by donations from the loving people of this community. All this to say, this is one of the toys that will be donated to the sale. Isaiah got a hold of it yesterday morning and the three of them have been playing together, nicely, for almost an hour. Amazing I say. We will see how long it lasts :) Cute so I thought I would snap some pictures

Well here they are...the unwanted glasses. I guess it could be worse. Alan had the final word on which ones and since he is the one who will have to look at me the most (I mean GET to look at me), he must be happy with them :) This is just a picture to show so I can get over it- I won't complain about them anymore...ok...ok

p.s. don't mind the piles of laundry to be folded in the background heh heh

Moments with Emmy and Auntie

Emmy was walking around the house singing Ring around the Rosies so I thought I would try to capture it on tape. Things don't always turn out as easily as you want them to :)

This is what a late afternoon snack looks like after a toddler has been left alone for too long and starts playing with her food. The floor didn't look great either.

And even later that evening, the kids were excited to spend a few hours with beloved Auntie Leanne who is of course a good influence on them...never does anything weird or strange...


Never mind :) but we are thankful for her

Here Isaiah has recruited the girls to play trucks with him. This is payment for all the 'dolls' and house he had to play with them this winter.

Emery found her old jumper which she hasn't been in for months because she can climb out of it on her own. She asked to sit in it and instantly the other kids came over and wanted to help her jump (something that is greatly discouraged says the directions).

Playing Hide-and -Seek with Emmy

Isaiah's Swimming Lessons

Isaiah was asked by a neighbor if we wanted to share a ride with them while their kids have beginning swimming lessons for the next 5 weeks. Now, you can tell how exciting this is for a little boy by how wide his mouth is :) Sadly, the teachers scare Isaiah so badly that he won't even let them touch him. Interesting the new things you learn about your child. I always thought of him as outgoing, but he is actually quite shy and I am glad that he is wary of strangers touching him. Anyway, after much persuasion, we have spent the last couple times with me sitting along side him in the pool while he bobs up and down in the water. Thankfully the lessons were not too expensive because the high school swim team members are the teachers.

Another big smile with his shark shirt & goggles on.

I didn't take any pictures in the pool because I didn't know if the other parents would have a problem, so here he is in the locker room, very excited!

And this is how Isaiah looks when we arrive home each night. Exhausted and asleep (but happy I think). His tongue is actually hanging out but I think the picture is too dark to tell :)

something-like-school-days

Isaiah loves to go through pre-k books and work on his letters, numbers, matching, size, color all those things. I am guilty of putting him off too long some days instead of letting myself jump at the chance to teach him. How horrible is that? He is just growing up so fast right before my eyes that sometimes, especially when we have had a hard night with Emmy (she has trouble with her sinuses and breathing), I forget that he is not just a toddler happy to play all day anymore. He wants to make-believe, pretend play, dress-up, make forts, paint, finger paint, draw, glue,- the list could go on forever. How great to have a little boy who is so excited to work on things rather than just ask to watch movies (although he has those days too and I work against that as well). So I have made a commitment to work with him each day and we have a wonderful time together.





See how happy he is? :) what a goof ball

Isaiah wrote his name the other day, all by himself (well a little help from Mom in remembering where to start the letters), but he was very proud.