Alan & Krysten R. Updates

Some things we have been Up to

2010-11-20T21:01:00.000-08:00

Winter is here and thankfully, everyone got another big part of the roof fixed before all of the rain came each and every day (there was a leak upstairs and in the kitchen). I now need to get going on painting the kitchen ceiling because of water damage...but I keep putting it off. Oh to only find the time.

This fall was Isaiah's 3rd year playing soccer. He loves it more than ever and has dreams about him playing with his team for weeks after the games stop. He says he misses it...

Here is Emery excited that she may get to play next year on the preschool team. That should be interesting. We are looking forward to it.

Isaiah and his team

Another 3rd...Ranger Highschool Football. Alan's 3rd (and final he says) year of being head coach. It sure has been a crazy ride and learning experience. He has gotten the chance to witness pretty intensely with a few of the guys in these 3 years so we are thankful for those seeds that have been planted. We will see what happens next year...we have missed him

The chickens now have a mostly warm, dry, finished home. This was taken a couple days before it was finished, but now they are very happy...any day I am sure they will start popping out those eggs.

Some random school games and projects

Happy kiddos

Happy for this season of thanksgiving and giving praise to God for sending His Son to save us. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

A Random Conversation

2010-08-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

The little girl I babysit who is almost 6 says:

J: "Isaiah, when we grow up and get married..."

ISAIAH: (interrupting her) "What! We ARE NOT getting married!!!"

J: "Well I have to marry someone!"

ISAIAH: "Humph Well it's not going to be me"

Emmy just sits there and laughs

Finally some Summer

2010-07-06T19:39:00.001-07:00

These are a couple pictures from a few months ago when we had to dig and install a new water pump. I am not even going to ask my Dad what it costs, but we did what we could, Alan dug and worked furiously, and i took pictures (but it isn't my fault, they won't let me even touch a tool! hmmm, i wonder why...so maybe I have broken a tool or two, but it is my opinion that tools really should be made much better!)

There is a little boy climbing around in the dirt in every one of my pictures! He loved it and asked if we could keep the giant, long 'Army hole' across the driveway forever.

And poor Grandma, Alan even made HER work and dig!!! Can you believe it?!?!?!?

Just joking, she wanted to help

Easter time, obviously it was a short hunt based on the number of eggs they both have

Later that day...at the community hunt (the kids like this one because these eggs are full of candy - I like it too)

Emmy making some new friends - some friends of ours from Multnomah now have 3 boys!

Our wonderful family from Idaho came for a visit...there are many more pictures, I just couldn't choose

Mothers Day in the park 2010 so thankful for a warmer day so we could get Grandma to the park too!

Isaiah has now played his first year of tball. Kinda cool his field is the same field that I played tball and softball on for 10 years. This picture is on our way to his first game

Champions at the parade - the after school program we began going to. The local church does it for outreach to the local public school. Our kids seem to love it and it is about the only thing there is to do here in Brinnon so we were glad to find it!

More friend time

Emmy being cool like her Mommy (yeah right)

She said to me today "Mom, will you put my stuffed giraffe in the mail box and send it to someone else because I am too grown for animals that I have to hold up!"

Ballet - I am so sad that our camera couldn't catch these girls doing their dance. I was also video taping all this time too so I didn't do either very well. Emmy is the one farthest away from the camera, but facing it.

Now her back is to us...at least the video turned out a little better

Tball for Isaiah

What a group! (there are actually 6 missing) Wouldn't you like to be their coach??? :) I didn't, I said I will just watch from back here this time

Isaiah had such a great tball season...and next year our kids have hopes that they will get to be on the same tball team, probably the only time ever because tball is for 4-6yr olds. They can't wait!

Finally, a river day! Just look at the smiles.

The sand is actually the only warm place

Alan kept hiding from the camera, but Pete placed himself in many shots - I love dogs, but I don't love to share my towel with them and Pete is very snuggly and loving when he gets a chance

We Got...a...van

2010-03-23T10:39:00.000-07:00

After weeks of looking, thinking, stressing, missing deals...we came upon a hopeful great buy. Our car, the first car Alan and I bought together, has done so well for us. But it was time to grow a little, stop stuffing grocery bags on and around our kids for the hour long drive home :) Anyway, we will see in a year or so if it was the best choice, but for now, we are pretty happy (and the kids keep thanking us for the 'big van')

the new year...

2010-03-09T11:00:00.000-08:00

Well, I do not have much time to write- but overall we are doing fine, the kids are growing and learning faster than I can keep up it seems. Here are some pictures of the beginning of the year - I can't believe it is March already!!!

Christmas pictures...never will I wait until the beginning of December to get these taken!!! Oh my what lines - but I do love the pictures!!!

Singing happy birthday to Grandma and Great great Grandma (as the kids call her) 91 years

New special dress from G&G

matching doll dress! Emmy loves it

What to do with a BSU football that the dog chews up

His fathers son

Christmas time

2010-01-08T10:14:00.000-08:00

We are back from Boise and after such a fun, family filled number of days, it has been hard to get back to normal-fun kind.
We did all sorts of things while we were there, visited with many friends and family, ate tons of good food :), played games, watched Christmas movies, got to go through the coffee drive thru (we don't have any in our town so it is always a treat).
Emmy got a new doll from her Grandpa and Grandma - here she finally figured out that it goes to the bathroom after you feed it...the problem is, no reusing the diapers so off to the store parents have to go to stock up on more of those little things (not me I say the diaper changing days and spending are over)

Here are many pictures, way out of order, but I just couldn't get myself together enough to put them in their correct timeline spots...

Trying on cousin's skates. Isaiah is 'helping her' learn

but of course everything is funnier when falling down happens

A Christmas bow...happy or sad???

Emery and Gunner...she loves him a little too much sometimes...he looks like he is headed somewhere else in a hurry ha ha :)

Showing the camera her new backpack

Our cousins got some cool bathtub crayons...the kids wasted no time in using them, and it kept them busy and quiet for a long time. It came out of Emery's clothes, hope it has actually come off everything else in the bathroom too (Lisa?)

Surprise!!! We got to sneak out onto the field and run around on the blue turf

Trying stuff on in the store...I hope this doesn't push either of the kids to have some crazy hair days in real life! Yikes!

Might have been Christmas Eve? All those jammies and smiles. I think they are having fun

The 'first feeding'

Happy 3 Day!!!

2009-12-09T10:20:00.000-08:00

Happy 3rd birthday Emery Grace!!!

When she was so little...
1 week old

2 weeks old

And now...on her birthday at her party

Princess jammies

Cinderella cake (too bad I didn't make this one, I didn't even try)

Loving her gifts :)

Christmas Cookie TIME!

2009-12-01T16:22:00.000-08:00

Life is changing a bit around here. Jenessa (the little girl we have had here 4 days a week for the last 3 1/2 years) has just started kindergarten at the public school. This is a good and bad thing. Good because I am more free to focus on teaching our own kids, as well as getting involved in an extracurricular activity some afternoon if we want. Bad because that was some income for us. Also bad in a small way because Isaiah thinks some amazing, spectacular things are going on in that class down at the school and now wants to go - so I need to help the kids through their loneliness for their missing friend by crafts, activities and just being a fun wonderful Mom!!! (I say that kind of as a joke to myself because I am not always the most fun to be around on those stressful days that are constantly full of children).
So I said, hey kids do you want to make some yummy Christmas cookies for everyone?

Now will my family actually eat them after being handeled by a couple of kids???

This picture made me laugh - oh the thoughts that can be expressed by a look :)

Some more random pictures to try and bring myself some sunshine on this rainy day.

2009-11-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

The kids are so proud of the great sand castle they made with Grandma and Grandpa who seem to be avoiding the camera

The guys watching last nights Boise State game

I had put the kids to bed, then after a few minutes I heard Isaiah sneak into his sister's room and ask if he could read her a story...this is how I found them

Below is a picture of the youth group harvest party from last week...this is right before the pie eating contest...there are no pictures from after sadly, but I had to run into the other room and grab a garbage bag...just in case someone had problems

Below is a quick picture of the teens getting ready to play the hit game of the summer 'smash face' (with a volleyball)

Emmy and Aunt Leanne on a babysitting night i think

Isaiah's serious soccer game face

Us girls

The Weekend is Beautiful

2009-11-02T13:29:00.000-08:00

This is how I looked most of the week...two kids on my lap, reading or trying to help one stop crying. They are actually smiling in this picture, so let's pretend it was how they were the rest of the week too :)

Then they recovered, but not enough to visit anyone's house for candy (which was fine with me). They had a blast on Saturday pretending to be a dinosaur and puppy. It was noisy, but the good kind.

Treasure Hunt

2009-11-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

My family set up a small treasure hunt for the kids on Saturday. They have been sick with the flu for the past week so I know the kids were excited to actually leave the house and do something fun. It sure is hard to have sick kids and encourage them to do something else other than want to watch tv. I am so glad they are better...and I didn't get it...yet.

so here are some pictures of the hunt:

Mommy reading the clues

Running to the apple tree clue

Entering the corn patch to look for the "X"

Unknowingly flinging wet dirt in all directions, including Grandma, Leanne, and eachother

Digging up the hole

Deeper

Deeper (Emmy is helping a lot with the dirt as you can see)

FOUND IT! The kids thought it was amazing...so easy to please :)

Pumpkin Carving Fun

2009-10-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

Yes we all know it has been raining around here...so here are some indoor fort pictures from last week. This week I have box boats that the kids are climbing around in. Anything to keep them busy :)

Took a while, but the kids got into it and had ewwy gooey fun. And made a bit of a mess for Mommy to clean up I might add!

Not sure why the others are so blurry, but here is Isaiah giving an a ok? mad at the pumpkin look? I am not sure

We found out how serious Daddy is about the pumpkin carving stuff too - it is very serious :)

Can you believe I still do these things?

2009-10-12T14:22:00.000-07:00

2 weekends ago, Kara and I drove down to Portland for the day. Multnomah was having their alumni week so i decided to play in the alumni vs the current volleyball team. It was tons of fun to see everyone who came and to play volleyball in an actual gym again, but the fact that I am still sore says to myself that i am getting old and if I ever want to do that again...I better get in better shape so I can actually walk the week after, the children do need someone to look after them you know?

At first Alan said "Wow this is a great picture, I didn't know you could still jump like that!". How nice of him right? :) He was just kidding, and even though someone sent me this picture I put it up on our computer, it is obvious I think that I must have missed the ball :) Anyway, here's to Multnomah Univiersity!(they call it now) at least the gym is still the same

And here are the rest of the bday pictures...plus some Boise too!

2009-10-01T21:03:00.000-07:00

Girl Cousins ;)

Boy Cousins

Emery

Isaiah checking out his cake on his new scooter... a helmet it worn from then on :)

Buzz Light year cake

Isaiah is 5!!!

2009-09-23T08:17:00.000-07:00

Happy 5th Birthday to our little boy!!! (birthday pictures will soon follow if I don't cry too much and forget to take pictures ;))

Ocean + Surfing

2009-09-05T13:49:00.000-07:00

Our family spent a night and day at Westport, the Washington State surfing place to be I guess. Alan has been one other time, and this was my first time holding a surf board. It was actually quite fun. I did not actually surf of course, i will save that for the professionals, but I was out there riding the waves in my super snug wet suit (the only way us Washingtonians can keep from freezing in the water). The only bad part about it was changing in the nasty showers and still not getting all the sand off...and carring that huge long board thing! My arms still hurt!

On our way out to the beach for the first time. can you tell they are excited?

Alan's first trek out to the calling waves

Having fun laughing at the practically drowning mommy (Isaiah was so sweet though because each time I would walk back out there i could hear a little voice calling "come on mom, you can do it!")

My mountain climbing son

After a long afternoon fighting the waves (he even stood up a bunch of times)

Here is how my little girl looks after a long, wet afternoon..quite cold

Creativeness

2009-09-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

Here the kids are during one of their 'reading rests' which is as close to a nap (or rest time for Mommy during the day) as I can get these days.

Some kind of scary face Isaiah is making I guess

Oh and Emmy has decided she is going to be a dress maker she said as she walked around modeling her 'bag dress' made from a walmart bag. She was quite proud of it...and I threw it away as soon as she went to sleep :)

Some Emmy bball shots

I can't figure out how to get these right side up

Emmy's Feet

2009-08-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

This was one of those days...that even though I hope it won't happen again...I had to take a picture of it because she was 'lost' for so long and I was actually worried...little did I know where she was hiding

The last couple weeks...surviving the heat...sort of

2009-08-05T10:00:00.000-07:00

Thankfully, here we are. We have not yet had to evacuate our houses here on the Duckabush...I don't know that it was a HUGE threat, but when I start hearing my Dad think talk about it and make preparations, I start thinking about it a lot. But here we are still. The sun is hiding behind the clouds of smoke and things have cooled off enough to water now.

Here are some recent pictures of the kitties. Of course the kids love them, I am trying to keep them alive through the visits the kids make to them... can't get Alan to hardly look at them (he is a very busy guy and true, I would rather he pay attention to the kids than the kitties).

These pictures are mixed up again, but here is one from last week when the kids and I (and my sister L) tagged along with Alan to his coaching school where we sat around in the 103 degree heat and spend many hours in the pool. Here the kids are paddling around in the 9 foot deep pool laughing and having such a good time.

Some river pictures on one of those hot days

My Aunt took the kids to the game farm. It was a very hot and exhausting day, but we had a good time. Emery has decided she likes the white goats more than the grey ones.

Being silly in the petting farm

This one is ok too she says

Another baby

Dryer had a broken belt for almost 2 weeks. So when the part finally came, look who I found inside:

Later that night...dancing with Daddy. Oh wait I had to delete those pictures. Alan thought he was wearing longer shorts

Cute Questions

2009-07-26T21:30:00.000-07:00

A small part of a conversation I had while taking a walk with Emmy

Little girl: Mom, are we going to heaven sometime?
Me: well, someday we will go to heaven and live forever, together with Jesus

Little girl: and we willl be so small and be able to fly and be princesses! (I do not know who has been telling her these things)

Me: *hmmmm maybe

Me: Do you know where heaven is?

Little girl: (looks up and down and all around) I know, it's at Grandma and Grandpa's house!!!!!

Kitty pictures for Aiden

2009-07-17T17:43:00.000-07:00

Here are the first few pictures of the kittens. I took these a few days ago and even in that short time, they are much more lively and even look at the kids and paw playfully at their fingers. Very cute, but we have our hands full. I love babies, but this may be Mimi's only batch...although I have pointed out to Alan that they are cheaper than a person baby :) "Aiden, tell your parents that we are shipping them all to you...won't they love that?" he he he

And here is full body armor Isaiah...ready to ride his bike!

So what do you do??? (I need some advice)

2009-07-11T16:09:00.000-07:00

Does anyone have an idea about what to do when your young kids, who naturally love to play games and make believe, keep using all of the toys for things other than their intended purposes??? We play together all of the time, so it's not like they are ignored and bored, but what a mom I feel like when my kids constantly use swings for a jungle gym obsticle course, and a dirt pile and new pool for a 'hot chocolate maker' where they have to 'squish' the chocolate with their feet (like the below pool pics). Do I keep letting them have fun and possibly break something that costs US money if they use it for something other than it's intended purpose? My kids do this a lot, not just today, but also with their umbrellas, special dolls (that are not supposed to accompany them into the bath b/c not plastic) and I could go on...I guess I have been wondering for a while, how strict to be? I want them to have fun, but also to listen to me of course and not break things. Sometimes Isaiah says in a matter of factly voice, "but it is mine" or " you did give it to me". 'Tis a true statement and I usually then proceed to give him the 'mini lecture about being careful with our things and why' again. Am I being too lazy or selfish in wanting to keep things nice, or at least not broken and falling apart? and yet I also want the kids to be creative and have fun. Anyway, I am still looking for a good compromise between letting them grow in their creative ways, and being annoyed that nothing lasts around here very long. Maybe distraction or giving them a new idea is mostly the right answer, but not always acived or possible. So what do you think? What do you do?

My two hot chocolate makers...I hope they didn't taste it, but with how their faces looked...I don't know

VBS Week

2009-07-11T15:48:00.000-07:00

These are the only pictures I got of VBS this year because I did not voulenteer to help! For the first time ever! I figure Emmy is not old enough until next year anyway, so I thought I would use that time to try and relax with my youngest and also get in some much needed dr's apts. Anyway, the week went great. I babysat other kids a lot, but my kiddos had a blast even thought I was super tired.
One of their fav parts is the singing with motions. Here is the one picture and video I took of Isaiah during the closing program (it was about 100 degrees in the church and he was very tired on Friday) so he is a little behind on the motion part, but he always sings his heart out

More Summer Happenings

2009-07-07T09:36:00.000-07:00

Isaiah has been challenged to learn to ride his bike w/out training wheels by his little friend who has been training wheel free since he was 3 1/2. So one evening, Isaiah came to me and said "Mom will you put my helmet on I just have to learn to ride my bike!"

p.s. pay no mind to the crying girl in this video, she is just fine :) only one of those 2 1/2 year old tantrums if you know what I mean

And he did!

A relaxed sunny day before the BBQ playing with our cat Mimi, who had kittens on the 4th. These must be special babies :)

Isaiah and Pete

Giving rides in the wagon

Can't seem to pull it anymore with an Aunt inside... :)

By the firepit with family roasting hotdogs and smores...very healthy (now that I look at this picture I see all the chips and pop too, who ordered this meal?!) but all the ingredients of a great cookout

Playing in the sand in her brothers clothes again, wouldn't want to get her own dirty!

I LOVE Summer

2009-07-02T21:31:00.000-07:00

My computer and I are having issues today so these pictures are in backwards timeline order, but it doesn't really matter.
Here is a faraway picture of the Quilcene High School graduated class of 1999 members. There were only about 22 anyway who graduated, so this is actually quite a turnout :) It was good to hear about everyone's life, but let's just say Alan and I did not stay very long because the beer was cracked open as soon as we all arrived. I hear they all had a fun night though. I think we have the oldest kids which seems weird, but I guess I am getting up there in years. ha ha

Earlier that week we had some of our very favorite visitors in the world: ALan's family! We had such a blast...the kids had a wonderful time, and us grownups actually got a couple of nights to play games and laugh a little...or a lot :)

This is Isaiah at the Pacific Science Center playing some sort of frog shooting game.

I guess she likes bugs?!?!?!?

Music Maker

Annual pictures of Seattle. It might have been a little bit cold

On the Ferry Boat

And even earlier that week...we met up with good friends Rachel and Kevin in Portland to relive some fun college years. I do not have all of the great pictures that are on Rachel's blog, but that does not mean there was not tons of fun and memories. ALan and I have been back to Portland and Multnomah at least once in the last 5 years, but it was go great to visit with friends. Also, Alan and I got to spend the night in the city...and the kids stayed with Grandparents and Aunts! I love my kids more than I can say, but this never happens!

Rams Head: we did not go in this time :)

Moonstruck Chocolates and good friends

Sad no pictures for a While...

2009-06-01T11:23:00.000-07:00

Sadly, I think our camera is coming to the end of it's lifetime. Didn't get dropped recently or anything!!! Just has a completely fuzzy screen :( Anyway, here are some of the last ones we had on there.

The kids on our walk down to the river. I wonder how I got them both to stand so still for this picture?

And this is the picture to go with my last post featuring Emery and a permanent marker. This was half of her :) She is back to normal now ha ha

really trying to NOT to be in a bad mood

2009-05-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

Just a moment to say, sometimes it is hard not to let myself get into a bad mood because of 'things that happen'. My two biggies today so far are first my little girl who is usually very good and plays quietly while I am in the shower, decided to color her whole self and some of her clothes in permanent marker! What a mess!
Then, because I have only bought this one plant so far in my life and I am a bit attached to it (my lilac), I have been trying to figure out why it is getting brown and crumpled along all the bottom leaves. Looks burned maybe? I have been thinking it must be the location, but today, I saw who is ruining my plant. The DOG gets off of his chain every morning and pees on it!!!!!! URGG I am SO upset! NOW I have to babysit my plant, or dog, to train him to stay away from the bush. Who has time for that?!?!?!?
Ok enough venting, now I must go out to my family and be happy and sain. Thanks

Hope your weekend is a good one :)

And Isaiah...

2009-05-20T08:19:00.000-07:00

Alan pointed out the other day that there are hardly any pictures of Isaiah lately and this is the reason : Isaiah is usually a blur of a running, jumping, sliding around boy :) Here he is on his friend's bike, and any day he will be brave enough to keep the training wheels off. I myself am in no hurry, because as anyone who has a little boy knows, there are numerous bumps, scratches and bruises every day, even with 4 wheels.

Isaiah is getting excited for Disneyland next year!

Despite what his facial expression is, he loves to have his aunt's read to him- or anyone who wants to really

Friends for a Visit!!! So much fun!

They think it is so fun to throw those balls at mommy

Some Emery Faces

2009-05-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

And here she is...she comes out of her room looking interesting and makes me laugh every day :)

Going on 2 1/2 years old She wanted me to put all of the hair prettys in for her

We borrowed a pet horse for the day. Kept her busy all morning

Running around in what she likes best: her bathing suit and now has added her 'ducky suit'

This mickey mouse dress up moment was over quickly for her. She didn't like being zipped up and trapped in there I guess

Emmy's 'smile for the camera' face

The Last Few Weeks...

2009-05-04T10:04:00.000-07:00

Pictures of the kids, and Leanne, on our way to an egg hunt in the pouring rain...we do live in Washington

Cringing (sp?) at the thought of being out in the cold wetness

But then the full baskets made everything better...plus they were overflowing because most everyone else stayed home :)

Isaiah was super excited to get a chance to play the drum while his class marched in our little town's parade...he sang quite loudly too, and loved his silly hat

Here are a couple of Emmy playing at home while her big brother is at school

I think this was her car
her head isn't really crooked like this picture, but I thought the smile was great

Dressing up in Isaiah's soldier outfit. A tad big for her

Trip for the Boys

2009-04-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

A couple of Saturday's ago, Alan took Isaiah to the flight museum at Boeing. As you can imagine, both of them LOVED it! Emery and I decided to let them have a day together, plus I would have just paid $10 to spend my time running around after a 2 year old :) We had a fine time here at home anyway. Plus I got to hear all the stories Isaiah had when he got back. He was a happy boy.

I think he wanted to take all these planes home

Pictures from the Week

2009-04-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

Emery loves to play dress up, shoes, dresses, hats...all day long...

Trying to get Daddy's attention I think :)

Aunt Leanne came for a visit

I thought it was funny both their faces say the same thing "enough pictures already"

Playdough is a wonderful thing

At the Beach

2009-04-03T13:38:00.000-07:00

It has been raining here again these past few days so the kids have been working hard to come up with new and fun things to keep themselves busy indoors without preschool. 3 hours of them being gone in the morning doesn't really make me notice the difference of spring break, yet. Actually I think Isaiah would love to 'do school' most of the day if I could sit with him and do it all day.
Here are some pictures of the kids keeping busy on these long, rainy, cold days.
3 surfers

2 princesses and 1 masked basketball star (notice Emery asks to wear the same thing as often as I will let her)

Big, Long Weekend

2009-03-22T12:51:00.000-07:00

This post has no fun pictures, just me trying to look for the positive in today instead of how I am really feeling. Daddy Alan has been gone since Wednesday and I feel like I am barely hanging on to my sanity. I know that even if he were here, all these big, busy days would have still come, I would just have someone (an adult) to share it with and not go about these long involved days all by myself. The kids and I have had a good time together overall. And if Mommy didn't have to get anything done like dishes, cooking, cleaning up, taking the car into the mechanic and making all those decisions, I think the week would have been swell. So here we sit (and they lie), all together in the living room because both my children would rather face the punishment for getting out of bed then stay in their rooms for a rest. This is however the quietest it has been all week! Should have thought of it sooner...
Some good things to realize, the car could have cost much more, and it works great now :) Emmy has self potty trained herself in 2 days. So now has been almost completely dry for 4 days and nights. Caught me completely off guard because Isaiah waited until almost 3 1/2 to take on this huge step completely. Emery is not yet 2 1/2 so even though I have always been encouraging, but not yet pushed the issue. I am, of course, pleased, but now I am faced with the reality I will never get a rest or be able to leave home again because she must sit on the toilet every 10 minutes and go potty.
Anyway, despite my mood and my worries about everything today, money, debt, my children's education, relationships, the world, and so many other things, I thank God for all the blessings in my life and the ability I have to be active in the lives of my family. It is amazing the peace He can give and be. May none of us get bogged down in our spirits by the big or even little trials in life - Praise the Lord for His great love and care!

Family Day

2009-03-16T15:34:00.000-07:00

Saturday we took some time out in our schedule to go and play with the kids. Now don't get me wrong, we play together every day, but there is always something to get ready for in the evening and somewhere to go it seems,so it was wonderful to take a day and just relax while our kids have a great time at the children's museum. Of course Alan and I were exhausted after we were all finished, but after a rest and some ice cream, everything was great again. The favorite water pool

Dr Isaiah

How sweet :) giving me flowers (not sure, I might be falling over or something)

Mr Cashier

Shopping

Puppet Show

Ambulance Driver & doctor

Emery's fav, the lentel table...and I didn't even have to clean it up!!!

Firehouse Visit

2009-02-25T13:48:00.000-08:00

I forgot to add something about our trip to the firehouse. A quick, funny sweet story. As you can see by the picture in the post below of Isaiah sitting in the front row watching the chief put on all his gear. The firemen were asking the kids what to do in case of a fire. Things like get low, get out and stay out, call parents and 911 in another house and very importantly, not to hide from the firemen who may come in looking for the kids. One boy asked what the firemen would do with the kids once they got them. Obviously the answer was take the kids to their parents. The boy asked if the firemen could take them to a new home too..."someone will help with that later was the answer". Anyway, Isaiah got up on his knees and thought the class needed to know something,he said " if any of our houses burn down, God will come and help us build another one so don't worry!" Made me laugh

V-day Getaway

2009-02-25T10:44:00.000-08:00

Alan and I walked over to Seattle for a night and day to spend together a couple weekends ago. My sister babysat, such a great blessing! As most who have kids know, it is hard to get away for a night together. We don't go to the city often, and when we do, we have to plan super far ahead so we can be sure everything we want to do will work and is reserved (usually for the best prices). Here are some pictures of our day together.

The hotel

Early Saturday morning, before the Valentines Day Coffee Crawl. I am a little sleepy....the only bad thing about this great date was that I had strep throat and didn't exactly know it. I have never had it before, and I thought I was just getting a bad cold. Anyway, that night sleep didn't come easily, but I still had a great time on our outing :)

On Seattle's Coffee Crawl, 15 ppl are taken on a 2 hour, 1 1/2 mile walk around downtown

Seattle visiting many many independent coffee shops (more than 200 coffee shops in downtown where we walked) and getting samples of their coffee, learning how coffee is grown and roasted. And for a special vday addition, we stopped at chocolate shops and samples amazing, expensive chocolate! Coffee's prefect companion...in my opinion.

Alan volunteered to hold the end of the group flag. How nice of him...and he got a surprise mug as a thank you! Prefect since we try to collect a coffee mug from our trips!

Me after some chocolate probably

He did not want to pose for this shot, but he had to do only nice things for his sick wife that day :)

Pretty waterfall in a secluded spot downtown

Ferry boat picture

and this was how we looked on the way home and all the next day (the kids and I went to the DR that night and all tested positive for strep. everybody is well again now thankfully)

A trip to the Firehouse

2009-02-18T08:47:00.000-08:00

Emery and I were invited to go along with Isaiah's preschool class to visit the firehouse and see the firefighters and trucks. They loved it of course. The kindergarten class went along too and this is a quick picture of the safety rope that kept the long line together

Isaiah was so excited to see the firemen all dressed in their suits. I have been hearing quotes all week such as, 'get out and stay out!', 'stop, drop and roll'. 'don't touch the door Mom, if it is hot go out the window'. and so on.

Isaiah got a chance to sit in the driver's seat. He talked about that for a while too :)

Fun with the Kids

2009-02-13T09:12:00.000-08:00

Here are some pictures on one of those days when the fun just keeps coming...and time allows me to play along for a looooong time :)

Picture by Isaiah

The kids broke into a big bag of diapers and decided to make a game out of it...much like everything else

Here is Emmy's 'cheese' smile

And here is the basket thrower. Is he throwing diapers at his sister or just into the big box that she happens to be sitting in? hmmmmm. Whatever keeps them laughing and playing I say :) Now time to make some dinner

She is definitly 2

2009-02-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

2~Terrible and Tender

Isaiah can be seen in the background and didn't feel like being in a picture...

Emmy loves music and loves to sing. Every Sunday after church she runs up on the stage and climbs up to grab a mic. She can be found hiding behind the podium singing and dancing around :) She also can easily amuse herself in the car on a long trip by singing her heart out to some tunes we recognize, and some that I do not know.

Been a While again

2009-01-28T08:47:00.000-08:00

Here are the Reimanns back with some more pictures. Not much has been happening here out of the ordinary. People keep asking us, the parents, to get involved in things, and our kids are being such good sports and going with the flow. Poor Isaiah has had some very unpredictable weeks with preschool. He is such a social guy and because of all the snow, school has been cancelled a lot, other kids can't get out of their houses to come play, and he has asked me if he can not go outside anymore until the snow melts (He usually loves the outdoors). That is, of course, not an option, so at least once a day or so I have to nicely force the kids outside for 30 minutes at least. Isaiah starts swimming lessons again in a few weeks and he absolutely loves it! I would love to have some video of him, but I get nervous of other parents thinking I am taping their kid too or something :) There are many kids in the pool at the same time. Jenessa, the little girl I watch is at Disneyland this week so the kids keep asking me when our turn to go is (only a year children you understand right?) Although the last day Jenessa was here Isaiah said "isn't it horrible that you have to miss school for a week?" I am sure you know what her response was.

Little Emery has been sick for weeks it seems. She is doing better these last few days and it is nice to have some alone time with her on these mornings (notice as I am on the computer typing ). We have already had a good time though. She is quite the character and talking very well. She is not afraid to tell you what she wants - we are working on asking nicely :) people don't like to be demanded to do something just because a cute little girl says so!
Her precious hair prettys that she asks me to put in every morning - I am afraid she may go bald by her pulling them out every night!

Daddy loves them and says he wants to learn all the ways to fix a girls hair...I said yeah, I wonder how long that is going to last? :)

This is Isaiah's class Christmas song. They never got to have the program because of 2 feet of snow everywhere, so this is the first week of January in a special presentation only for parents

(meaning the Moms who pick them up)

And this is what we do for fun a couple times a week, go watch aunt Leanne play basketball! The teams are doing well this year so the gym gets fairly full which is great. I love to see towns supporting the students! And the games sure are interesting - this is a small public school with some very involved parents and fans, nothing too dangerous, but a couple of the girls get in fights with the other teams every once in a while- quite entertaining for us, boring for the kids because we have to cover their eyes :) just kidding it's not that bad

FYI Leanne is not the fighter :) in case she reads this and thinks I was trying to say that secretly

lost and found

2009-01-19T10:02:00.000-08:00

well, thankfully my ring was found. I was so glad to see it of course and even thought it seems a small thing to thank God for, I know He understands why it is so special to me. I hope I never do that again!

much distress

2009-01-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

I am in much distress. If that is even the best word to describe it...it may sound shallow and I know things could be much worse,but I think you will understand. I have lost (hope temporarily misplaced) my ring!!! It is connected to my watch thankfully, but has been missing for 5 days. i have never lost it before. Anyway, that is why I cannot post something happy on here with some pictures. I'll get back to looking...searching...digging...

something that made me laugh

2009-01-09T09:01:00.001-08:00

I have to share this conversation that I have been listening to this morning:

Little girl: Come on Isaiah will you play dress up with me?

Isaiah: No I am playing with my cars right now, maybe when I am done.

Little girl: well then, I am going to be a cheerleader!

Isaiah: (*says nothing)

little girl: I have an idea! I will be your cheerleader Isaiah! (*complete with short skirt and pompoms*)

Isaiah: I don't need a cheer leader

Little girl: but every racer needs a cheer leader :(

Isaiah: no they don't! They just need a good crew chief!

Christmas Morning

2009-01-06T14:12:00.000-08:00

Here are our sorry attempts to get an unofficial family photo of the four of us

I love getting up Christmas morning and hearing the quiet outside. There were bad things about this week, like being snowed in, losing power 6 times, snow melting and falling in great heaps off of the roofs and causing trees to fall down. But above all that, Christmas a is wonderful time spent together with our families and celebrating Christ's birth. It is such a blessing now to hear our son's prayers at random times throughout the day and his questions about Jesus and how He made everything work. I am thankful to have spent this time with my little family.

*Emery showing off her new sets of shoes that she got from her Aunts.

Waiting for everyone to get ready...thanks for the warning Leanne

Something was funny

Stocking stuffers are the best!!!

Isaiah finally got the Lightning McQueen pillow to go along with Mater. He was obviously just a bit pleased

Me & sister Leanne

Our pretty sock feet plus a little hand

Getting excited about gifts...or are they sneaking them away?

Alan trying to share his happiness

Christmas Eve

2009-01-06T13:10:00.000-08:00

This was our first Christmas Eve together at home that Isaiah will probably remember. It was so much fun to see our kids open their gifts from Grandpa and Grandma's back in Boise. We missed them all :(

Emmy's princess dress + butterfly wings. Perfect to go with her crown she got for her birthday.

Sitting in her new chair. She loves it!

Watching Christmas movies together

Mickey Mouse and Chip&Dale

Charlie Brown Christmas

Fun in the Snow

2008-12-18T10:56:00.000-08:00

Well most people around here have a bit of snow, beautiful snow. The only bad thing is that I hear it is supposed to melt by Christmas!!! bummer, ya never know though, maybe we will actually have a white Christmas.
Alan has been able to be home most of this week because it is hard to shovel through piling up snow as he tries to do his job I would imagine. So we have spent a bit of time outdoors playing in the snow.

Even the dogs love it!

Emmy didn't make it super long out there...she has lost her gloves and is not happy about it!

Isaiah was all smiles

Quite the big helper these days :)

Emery Grace 2nd Birthday!

2008-12-10T09:23:00.000-08:00

December 5th Emmy turned 2 and on Saturday when we finally got a chance to give her a little party, she was so excited! Of course I forgot to get out the video camera to tape her squeals and fight with the first present because she couldn't find the opening, but at least I got some pictures!

She got a baby with highchair and set of plastic dishes that Isaiah and Emmy served tea to us in as long as they were allowed to stay awake that night.

By the way Lisa, I heard last night while Emmy walked around calling again and again, that the dolls name is Kenna :) cute

Grandma fixing her princess crown
(which she loves and still tries to keep on her head)

Isaiah loves the happy birthday song :) and he sings it well and LOUD

And here she is, princess Emmy sporting her brothers water shoes and socks which she put on herself! I tried to tell her it didn't go with that outfit, but she didn't seem to care :)

Christmas Tree Lighting #2

2008-12-08T14:54:00.001-08:00

Decorating our tree

Playing with and wearing most of the ornaments before putting them on the tree

Daddy helping an eager decorator

counting to make sure they are all there

so proud of the accomplishment :)

Christmas Tree Lighting

2008-12-08T14:45:00.000-08:00

Here is the one Emmy says she wants

Isaiah is not quite sure what to think about this...

We all help each other :)

This tree will somehow fit in our house

Thanksgiving Pictures

2008-12-08T13:28:00.000-08:00

Well we are back from Thanksgiving vacation. We have actually been home for a week or so, but I finally cleaned out the car and found our camera :) We are NOT GOOD about cleaning out the car soon after we get home, it is the dreaded task and we put it off for as long as possible.
Anyway, we all survived the 10+ hour drive one way along HY 84 through our old home Portland on to Boise, Idaho for a wonderful time spent with family. The kids did wonderfully and slept almost half of the way each time (we left at about 3 am). We had a great time with our family there and even saw a couple friends that we try to get together with during the holidays. What a blessing. We ate so well, I got to have Starbucks and Moxie Java, we had lots of laughs, and actually got to watch a couple movies all the way through because all the kids (ages 4,3,2&1) are sleeping better each year so we parents are thankful to have some time together.

Hmmm, I wonder what game Isaiah thinks he is playing?Notice the only picture of me this time. Taken by Isaiah after a very short wrestling match (I hate to wrestle because with hardly any effort at all, I get a bloody nose EVERY TIME!!!

I love this picture of Emery at the park. I don't remember what she was saying, but it is cute.

This is actually taken after a fun filled couple hours at an indoor activity center where we all played arcade games and ran around (but we mothers spent most of our time trying to keep track of the little kids). Very exhausting, but fun. Here the kids are waiting for their lunch.

Emmy loved sitting on this little ride. I never put any money in it, but she seems to have a crush on Spiderman. Maybe because big brother talks about being Spiderman or something

Here are some pictures of our days in the parks. The cold, crisp Boise air was great!

Looking at all the ducks

Out in the yard playing frizbee, Isaiah is quite the thrower

A full house awaiting the Boise State football kickoff the day after Thanksgiving. I am always glad they win because that makes the man of the house smile even more :) But the Broncos haven't disapointed any of us for some time now...

Some fun during the game.

All the kids collapsing after about 100 times around the house

Taking some time to color with Chelsa

Now the birthdays begin...

Emery turned 2 on December 5th, so this is the first birthday party she got at her cousin's house. They love birthdays can you tell?

The kids spending some time outside playing together

cousins

Our Life

2008-11-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

Well I for one thank ALan for being my picture reference to this first story. We have had the hardest time getting into the dentist since we moved here 4 years ago. Our kids can have it taken care of fairly easily, but the real money has to get paid when the parents have to visit the dentist. So last week, Alan and I took our turn getting our teeth cleaned and filled. This is Alan's smile, half normal half numb. Mine wasn't even close to as numb so there are no pictures of me :) I never knew how funny it would be taking turns laughing at each other while we talked weird. We tried to make the best of it...

Then there is me today. Due to some oral surgeon's advise years ago, this is now my 3rd surgery on my wisdom teeth. I went this morning to get my 4th and final wisdom tooth pulled out. Years ago the oral surgeon told me to leave it alone because it had grown in just fine. Now, he may have been right back then because that was before I had kids and my attention to just about everything having to do with taking care of myself was put on hold for these last few years. Not a good idea Krysten. SO here I sit, waiting for the next hour to go by so I can take another pain killer (which by the way is the first time I have been able to take much of anything since being prego and nursing all this time). I didn't have any coffee this morning because I had to be prepared in case they told me I had to be put under, so I am trying to be pleasant with this headache. I won't go through all the details because these thoughts will fade for me quickly I am sure, so if any of you have ever been awake for one of these tooth pullings, you probably know that it only takes about 5-7 minutes of actual pulling so I opted to save the $300 and just have local numbing. (I cannot believe it costs that much! ) Not pleasant, not easy, but a whole lot better than having a baby with no drugs I say! So all in all it is a good thing, I just have to try not to talk very much (which my kids are not happy about because they think something is wrong with me).

These are some pictures right after preschool a week or so ago when the kids won a hand stamp and by the time I got to the class to pick them up, they were different colors - and the ink has only just this week, fully come off.

Isaiah is embarrassed

Family Trip Ocean Shores '08

2008-11-11T10:10:00.000-08:00

This is the second time our family has been blessed by getting the chance to stay in a condo right by the ocean for practically nothing because of the people who own it letting us stay during their time share weekend. The weather was as great as it could have been on a weekend in November, no rain or much wind, but cold enough.

Our mini golf game by the ocean. Isaiah's first time playing and he was amazing or very lucky :) He just about beat us with a couple hole in ones. You can see Dad and I in the shadows.

We all had so much fun playing on the beach

And then they all want me to carry them home for a warm bath awwww

Some karate football kick Alan has been working on :)

Mom the picture taker (she thought if she was the one taking all the pictures, she wouldn't have to be in any of them) ha ha got her

Do they look cold?

Our great seashell castle

Oh Beautiful Fall!

2008-11-04T13:42:00.000-08:00

On our last dry day this past week, I finally got out the rake and made a huge (well not huge to Alan's standards) pile of leaves for the kids to jump and play in. They loved it and it was great to spend so much time out on the sunny day. I still feel like there are leaf parts and dirt in my hair, but it was worth it :)

Is Isaiah actually in there?

Emery relaxing in the crinkly leaves

After a big jump

These probably should have been last, but it is hard to change the order of photos on here so I will explain quickly. The week before halloween the local school had a harvest festival. These beautiful teeth were one of the many small weird things that came back attached to Isaiah's fishing pole after he had thrown it over the wall.

Emmy's mouth is a little smaller...haha still makes me laugh

The cake walk where Isaiah got to pick out his plate of brightly colored frosted cupcakes. I cannot imagine how much food coloring must have been used to get them that color. Gross

Here is Superman and his Princess

Heh for some reason whenever I turn the camera to get a vertical picture, the kids think they have to duck to make sure they fit in, I can't get them to believe me that it isn't necessary :)

Some 'Daddy' Time

2008-10-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

I saw the three of them keeping warm under the blanket together so I just had to take a few pictures.

Kisses from Daddy are usually

'pokey' as Emmy calls it.

But she loves to give him some!

Youth Group

2008-10-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

Emery is helping get ready for Youth Group

Pete thinks he own the house on Thursday nights because he is able to sneak in and hide during all the craziness in and out of the house. Here are some pictures of him as well as some pictures of the group playing on the Foosball table that was donated as a gift to the group.

There is Leanne...growin' up

A Free Moment

2008-10-21T09:43:00.000-07:00

At the end of the week, I find myself having 2 roudy kids asking "where are we going today Mom?" and "what fun things are we doing today?" Well, the problem is that on most Fridays, we just stay at home and I try to catch up on some things around the house that I never got to during the week. My kids have been working through their grumpy issues all day and just when bedtime is in sight (I know they are both very tired and need some sleep and I could really use some mental rest), they are playing together so well that I just cannot get myself to interrupt them just yet. So tonight, I decided to post some pictures on our blog while they play together.

Pictures #1 & #2 : A future Risk game player. He is already planning out his strategy. Sadly the pieces did not quite make it back together in all the right places and colors. I am hoping Alan does not discover this mess for a while

Pictures #3-#5: The first couple minutes of painting side by side. I didn't take a pictures of what the painting looked like after they were done and in the bath, but you can imagine what 2 kids using their fingers and getting paint everywhere look like. I am still washing the walls and floor spots.

Here Comes the Rain

2008-10-13T16:08:00.000-07:00

I looked over at Emery the other day and burst out laughing. And here you see why. She went her whole first year and a half not taking a passy or bottle and here she is, almost 2 and she loves her passy during the day! Maybe because she has recently become very interested in taking care of her dolls and feeding them, she doesn't want to grow up just yet :)

Isaiah is obviously not amused

2 smiling faces - this must have been before the splashing war that promptly ended the bath

The other day I was on the phone, Lisa you may remember me saying I better go because the kids were out in the rain, well this is what awaited me outside as we were about to pile into the car and go somewhere... we were a little late that day

Isaiah proudly told me he did this to his sister who was standing too close to him in the puddle.

A little slap in the face

2008-10-08T08:32:00.000-07:00

I love each stage that my kids go through. There are new kinds of fun at each of them. There are some bad things too...I encourage Isaiah to be observant, yet sometimes that means he will be too honest and letting people know just what he thinks (as in bad smells, bigger or older people). So we also have to teach kindness. Anyway, this one is about me. Yesterday I was in a rush to get out of the door because we were late to my sister's volleyball game. I was quickly walking around the house getting dressed and looking or everyone's shoes when Isaiah stopped, looked at me and said "Mom you look so beautiful!" and as I started to smile and say thanks, he went on to twist his face into something looking not quite so pleased and said " but not your tummy it doesn't". Ouch, he only confirmed something I fight with my self about every day...time to get more serious on the workout schedule I think. Yikes

Some random things

2008-10-05T21:52:00.000-07:00

Emmy's first attempt at putting her head under water. She is lying there singing (pictures don't give the cuteness justice)

Out on a walk

This is as close as I want them to get to playing football :) They laughed so hard because it was super heavy.

Can you tell who is who?
A short funny story. After Alan's game the other night, I was trying to help Isaiah pull some binoculars out of their case. Unfortunately I was holding the box too close to him and as it came flying out, I bashed him in the eye and nose with the hard end. Let's just say he cried and screamed for a few minutes, not the funny part. The funny part is that when we got home, he ran into the house and said " Daddy, Mom gave me a bloody nose when she hit me in the face!"

Isaiah's Birthday #4

2008-09-23T10:37:00.000-07:00

Isaiah was excited when I said he could help make his cake

He is very proud of his race car cake

Family picture and although it is hard to tell, this is right before our town's parade and it is raining outside. We waited as long as possible to find our spot outside along the road. And as you can see from Emery's rudeness, we had ice cream while we waited.

Dancing to the music, kind of :)

Bike Riding

2008-09-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Pete and the kids

Sneaking some pictures through the screen door...

On our way to get the mail

"Cheese"

proof...and soccer fun

2008-09-19T18:15:00.000-07:00

A Whole Lotta Firsts

2008-09-16T08:47:00.000-07:00

So here was our first first this weekend. Didn't mean to studder. QHS football has begun. Now the score was nothing to speak of...let's just say they lost, but they only had 4 injured and 1 spend the night in the hospital (everyone is ok and still playing even by today). I myself do not think I have even been in a more stressful situation. Alan only had 15 eligible to play that day and the other team had 40. I was afraid for the lives and backs and necks of the guys, but apparently they had a wonderful time. They seemed to love it! 9 of them had never played any sport before so they learned a lot.

This picture was taken earlier this morning. Let the record show Isaiah's very first day of preschool. I think of Erica and Christy especially and our times at Montavilla when we used to teach kiddos this age. It is crazy to think about my son being that old. Now this is not the best picture of him, he would not be happy to see it, but even though he was excited, he had trouble waking up and smiling for the camera.

It got progressively better :)

The next first happened earlier this weekend. Isaiah had his first soccer practice and game. Now I realize after going through this that 4 year olds do not quite have the concept of 'team' or score of the game. All they care about is running running running and kicking (or throwing) the ball in the goal. He loved it!

Also, a first for Daddy...caught on film playing soccer, this was a step for him, but kids help even their parents grow :)
The future player...

Happy 5 for US!!!

2008-09-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

Saturday we celebrated our 5th anniversary. How nice for it to fall on a Saturday :) We have been looking forward to a day we could spend together alone and finally it came! We actually did not do anything amazing or new, but we had a great time and were blessed with sunshine! Also, a little gift to me, a store in the mall was having a .99 sale on all their summer clothes so I got $80 worth of clothes for $7.50! Something else to smile about.
Anyway, we had a good time just being together and I enjoyed having to only worry about feeding myself and enjoying every bite!
Too bad in the pictures Alan looks like he is about to fall over though. I must have eaten a lot

Olympia, Wa along the waterfront on the boardwalk
(just for the record Alan hates this picture of himself but I got him to let me put it on here anyway)

The flowers he bought me from the Farmers market...if you go at the end of the day I guess you can get them for 1/2 price

We Have A New Baby

2008-08-31T07:49:00.000-07:00

Not to worry, we got a dog This is Pete. He is our new 10week old puppy and man did I debate about getting a dog. What am I thinking? At the moment, he sleeps worse than both my kids do! And cries more when left alone, and has to go potty in the middle of the night Every night! He is adjusting well though and I hope it gets easier after we build a dog run for him. The kids love him of course and I was finally able to give in because of the great situation from which he came. So, here is Pete

Nearing the end of Summer

2008-08-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

Emmy has a feeling winter is coming so she wants to be ready with her Eskimo coat (she wouldn't take it off until bed time)

The Elk herd visit our yard often in the morning and although they are long gone by being scared away from these little hands banging on the window, the kids are still hoping they will return before they have to get down.

Isaiah loves to dress himself these days. He obviously loves the bright colors. Not connected to that at all, he ran onto my lap for a hug yesterday and said "Mom, you are the best wife!"

Here is a very short video of the kids singing along to last weeks VBS songs. Isaiah is attempting to remember some of the motions. I am constantly impressed by the memory of kids, on most things, and how much they pick up. I am so thankful that we don't have tv because the days of watching something in the middle of the day without Isaiah's attention and eyes being glued to it are over. He will also recite something he has heard previously and he rememberes exactly where and on what show he heard it. My little boy is growing up and is no longer a baby.

Cruzin with Grandpa

2008-08-17T13:23:00.000-07:00

As you can tell by their faces, the kids love riding on all of Grandpa's 'rides'. I love seeing him with them.

A few pictures of the 'Big Hike' up Jupiter mountain and to it's lakes, that 8 ppl went on (myself not included but Alan, my Dad and sisters were among those who hiked the 5000 feet up and 8 miles and stayed 3 days). Jupiter is the mountain west of our town and home. I hope that makes sense. We had Vacation Bible School at our church this past week and I am still recovering so I do not want to think that though anymore to try and make it make sense :) Why do I do this to myself while I have small kids? I always say yes!!! It went well though so I shouldn't complain- it is just me being tired

Our group Picture

2008-08-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to post a new pic someone shared with me. This is our group from Day Camp a couple weeks ago...don't we look normal? :)

our weekend

2008-08-05T16:46:00.000-07:00

This weekend Emery and I got to have a rare few days all to ourselves. The guys went on a plane to Boise for Grandpa Reimann's bday party and then drove the old truck home for a 10 hour drive, just the boys. You could say I was worried and wondering how the truck would hold up, but they arrived last night safe and sound. Back to our weekend... Emmy and I had a blast. She is so funny and it is a treat to spend such a long amount of time together. I watched lots of movies (had to get the chick flicks in while Alan was gone b/c he is not a big fan), I ate lots of Ben and Jerry's ice cream and tried to sleep in and with only one small set of legs kicking me in the morning, it was good.

Emmy is attempting to sit in her little bear's chair, she doesn't quite fit but she thinks it's pretty funny.

More Pictures and Fun

2008-07-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

Two explorers in the bush

After Camp on Friday, we were blessed by a dinner BBQ by our friends and a time to finally relax from the busy week. Isaiah and Emery have made some good friends too!

Family Time

Then later that weekend, there were many games played when we joined the CIT's after their overnight campout- some round robin ping pong

Volleyball and Field Hockey in the rain

Our week at Day Camp 2008

2008-07-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

These are the excited faces of some of the youngest kids at Day Camp on the Olympic Peninsula this year. They actually thought they were going to camp, and in a way I guess they were...to their own private toddler camp along with about 6 others. This year, we had about 65 kids ages 6-14 sign up for camp. This was a wonderfully perfect number compared to the nearly 90 last year. We had over 15 CIT teens helping out the 30 or so volunteer staff. God blessed us with a beautiful week of weather and everything went smoothly. Alan and I are the team leaders of the oldest class. We had 14 campers ages 11-14. I shouldn't be, but I am amazed at how God has worked on my heart and confidence these last two years working with teenagers. They are in my thoughts and prayers often now and I am so thankful that has taken over rather than my fear of even a year ago. God can do anything can't He?

Here are all the campers on the last day during the camp wide relay games.That made a lot of balloons to pick up!

The infamous Tug-Of-War - no one got hurt this time!!! And the kids always love to get their parents involved so the lines are quite long.

What DO we do all day? (revised and edited version)

2008-07-16T09:32:00.000-07:00

The weather is staying warm, and I am super happy about this. The kids play outside most of the day and sleep well at night :) So here are some pictures showing what some of our days consist of...

My 3 Turtles

Then I decided to cage my turtles up so I could keep track of them...didn't last long. (JK they actually climbed in there themselves, no I am not a horrible mother and babysitter!!!)

A little while later, the sun was even hotter and the pool was full and Isaiah and Emery decided to make mud pies, and then put themselves in the pies.

Tons of Fun

2008-07-11T09:28:00.000-07:00

Here are they are- Isaiah 3 1/2, Aiden almost 3, Emery 1 1/2, Kenna 10months. They had so much fun together...Cousins, special memories.

A little vacation

2008-07-11T09:08:00.000-07:00

Some of Alan's family came for a visit last week and we had lots of fun. True, there were 4 kids under 4 in the house at night, but I think they did quite well. We took a day trip to Seattle and visited the Children's museum and Science Center. What fun! These two boys especially loved it
Ferry boat ride, I messed up this picture somehow moving it around too much though.

A few days later, we loaded up the kids again and took them North to the Olympic Game Farm where you drive around this path through Yaks, Elk, Deer, Horses, Peacocks and bears! Big ones that do tricks! Isaiah loved those of course. There were some retired Lions, Tigers, Cougars and Wolves (from movies I guess). Sadly all those pics are on our video camera and I don't yet know how to get them on the computer.

Mimi

2008-07-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

Here is our kitty Mimi. She is our third in two years so I put off naming her and taking pictures. Our last one was named just the night before she ran out under a car, so I have been putting this off :) Mimi is so sweet and puts up with the kids very well. She was on her way to the pound with 5 others and we needed help with the mice outside, so it's a match. She is even begging for a popsicle from Isaiah.

Our
back yard after the 4th. Still a mess...been busy.

Sprinkler Days

2008-07-05T17:05:00.000-07:00

Two jobs in one..fun for the kids, water on the grass.

"All Wet "she says.

Look what I found?!?!?!?!

2008-07-05T16:48:00.000-07:00

Yeah look what I found? Our camera, of course it was in the last place I put it (which I also had already checked). I call it, busy mommy brain. Well first off, going back a couple weeks, here is Emery begging for some camera shots. The kids are not supposed to climb on the doll house, only use it for the dolls. Today Emmy decided she was going to be sneaky and pretend to be one. I had to catch her at it :)

Also I am not sure what has happened to her hair in this picture.

And then...a few days later, Emery came running up to me squealing about something unintelligible and I finally figured out she was asking for wipes to do with the diaper in her hands so she could walk across he room and proceed with changing her doll's diaper. I got a kick out of watching her try. The things they pick up...oh yes, and have I ever said how different boys and girls are? I am not sure that Isaiah has ever pretended to be interested in changing one of the dolls diapers. In fact, he looks a little embarrassed in the picture.

Still here

2008-07-05T10:10:00.000-07:00

The Reimanns are still around, even though no one has heard from us in a while. I have temporarily lost our camera, as well as all our recent pictures. Opps...
We are enjoying some sunshine finally, getting ready for Day camp, helping with VBS (Isaiah's first year), having cousins and family visit, July 4th (Alan and the guys did not set anything on fire this year either) and I am at a point in life I have never been at before... when Isaiah was almost a year and a half he quit nursing and I got pregnant with Emery. Well now I am past that point, not going to have a baby and needing to work out, eat better, stop eating sweets, stress out less, be more available to my hubby, things like that. God has a plan for everything and in His time. I am needing to spend more and more time with the kids because Alan has been so busy with work, football and youth group. That keeps me feeling younger, but tired :) I will post some pictures of what we have been up to as soon as I locate the camera.

Father's Day Fun

2008-06-17T14:28:00.000-07:00

After the BBQ steak and shrimp shishkabobs (sp?)

We finally caught both the kids and had them pose with Daddy.

Isaiah took this pic of
Emery and Daddy having
a moment

and he caught me too...doing what I do all day, finding shoes and helping put them back on little feet :)

I am so thankful for you Alan and the father you are to our precious children. I know it isn't always easy, the screaming or crying children moments, not sleeping through the night, eating burnt meals (mostly bread), dealing with emotional outbreaks the moment you walk in the door even you are so tired, but I will always be glad you and I are in this for good, no matter how hard. -forever yours

A geoducky yucky day

2008-06-17T14:00:00.000-07:00

So do any of you know what a geoduck is? If that is even how you spell it. Well in case you don't know, there are only a few times a year that the tide is low enough to see and dig for these huge clam like creatures. Some of them were around 7 lbs and had necks the were over 12" long. The kids did not go, and though I was close to letting Isaiah follow along in his family's muddy footsteps that day, after they came back 5 hours later covered in mud, I was glad he had stayed home (Emmy had a cold and cough).
These gross things take multiple ppl to dig them out. I think there were 8 in this group that went. One person to hold the neck (can't let it pull apart...gross), one to bucket water out if needed, and at least one or two to dig.

I think Isaiah squeezed this one too hard and it wet him. Had to wash those clothes right away.:)

Leanne loved it as you can imagine...teenage girl, cold, wet, early in the morning. (we love her though)

Pants problem

2008-06-11T09:51:00.000-07:00

Who does this remind you of?

ummm hmmmm

Oh the silly things that get a laugh. Easy entertainment around here I say.

Finally getting some sunshine (notice still need light jackets though), the kids had fun watching our bunny explore and enjoy the yummy, green grass. We named her whisper, Alan and Isaiah call her Beulla.

Scary Suggestions

2008-06-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

I realize it has been a while since I have posted anything. This morning, I have a short story. The kids and I usually spend the first 15 minutes or so of the morning snuggling in 'Daddy and Mommy's' bed with me. Emmy has a cold again so she is extra snuggly (not a word I don't think, but you know what I mean). Isaiah, the good, kind big brother he is (usually) tickled her, made her laugh, then looked up at me and said " Mommy I may no never baby". I asked him to repeat himself and after I still didn't quite understand his meaning...he changed his words to become.." Mommy, when am I ever going to have a baby brother or sister? I really want one!" I guess one sister is not enough for him...he may not always feel that way :)

2008-06-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

The kids love to pretend. Well, one pretends, and one follows anything her brother does. Today Isaiah ran or rather crawled up to me and said "here Mommy, throw the stick for me so I can go get it!" Then he ran off barking. Before I know it,

I have two little doggies who want me to throw them bones to fetch :)

then of course...birthday boy fun!

2008-05-29T10:51:00.001-07:00

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

2008-05-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

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!

2008-05-29T09:12:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-05-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-14T07:58:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-13T09:35:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-08T18:07:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T16:39:00.000-07:00

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.

A little walk

2008-04-29T14:45:00.000-07:00

The two of us got up early and walked across on the ferry over to Seattle and Pike's Place Market. We loved strolling around shops and looking at things that each of us likes but would never buy. Not having a stroller made this possible, and because my family so nicely said yes to our plea for a little time together, I got to walk along and see all the beautiful flowers in the market too.

As you can see flowers and coffee make me smile. Oh and Alan too of course (but I am afraid he is the one who did most of the laughing...at me because of all the times I tripped)

Alan takes in a little downtown Seattle music

a long good weekend

2008-04-29T11:13:00.000-07:00

This weekend was busy, but very good. Friday started out with a parade that Isaiah walked in supporting our local after school program called Champions. One of the local churches sponsors it so we thought we would walk with some of his friends to have as many kids there as possible (even though we do not go every week).

Then the weekend continued Saturday afternoon when Alan and I finally got to enjoy some time together without the kids. Yes, I said it, we got to sleep in a bed without being woken up at all during the night AND we got to eat out and I only had to worry about feeding myself :)

As you can see here are some beautiful pictures of the nearest big city...Seattle. Windy of course, but thankfully no rain.

It's hard not to look goofy when you take pictures of yourselves.

Isaiah's photography

2008-04-24T08:51:00.000-07:00

Isaiah has been avoiding the camera for a while now...what he wants is to be the one taking the pictures. As you can tell in this picture, he takes after his Daddy in never being able to be serious in front of a camera, has to be tickling or making a funny face. He told me the other day that he wants to be "funny and make people laugh". He is quite the character, and he has been very proud of himself this week because he can follow along with me while I write his letters. Now he can write his name! He was very excited. He keeps asking if he can go to school and since he will be here at home for a while, I have been setting up a little school time on a few days during the week. I love watching the kids learn. Now I need to learn how to put the cleaning, cooking housewife things on pause and sit down with full focus with the kids. I have had many chances to teach little children, but I am far from being a master of it in my own home where life, the phone and meals-to-be-made don't hide from me :)

Isaiah took this picture (along with about 50 others of us and his room) of Emery and Mommy snuggling after her nap. My hand only looks huge (Isaiah pointed that out too). I am a fan of digital cameras. Love them

The guys taking a break after some wrestling

I thought this was a cute picture of the three of them sitting out on the porch one night. The kids probably should have been in bed, but they wanted to visit with Daddy.

2008-04-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

I got tagged by Rachel...
What was I doing ten years ago?
This time of year ten years ago I was finishing my junior year of high school and playing softball. That summer I played on a NSA team and we won our division. There were some amazing players on the team. I loved it! I was also probably taking riding lessons on my horse 2 or 3 times a week, even through the rain and cold. I didn't like the spring at those moments though :)

Five Things on Tomorrow’s To-Do List:
1. wake up and feed the kids their breakfast before they try to help themselves. 2. go for a long walk with the kids. 3. make lunch and dinner 4. go to Bible study 5. call the dentist (not necessarily in that order)

Five Snacks I Enjoy:
1. chocolate 2. fruit 3. cookies 4. yogurt 5. coffee or tea

Five Things I Would Do If I Became a Billionaire:
1. Pay off all of our debt and invest a good chunk . 2. give some to our parents 3. Travel around the world – or at least go on a vacation somewhere warm (and pay the babysitters well) 4. buy a new car and computer screen. 5.Give some to our sponsored child, church and the camp

Five Bad Habits- the ones I can share at least
1. I twirl my hair, my left hand is having problems because of volleyball or something and twirling hurts it, but I can't stop. 2. I look back at the kids at stop lights and I get honked at to get moving. 3. My dentist is the only one that sees this … I have a nervous habit to bite my cheek! Gross, I know, but I can’t kick it and Alan hates it (copied from Rach but it applies word for word) .4. Putting off phone calls I need to make like the dentist, doctor (for me not the kids) or much needed computer maintenance. 5. I 'pick up' after my hubby and the kids and not only do I complain, but Alan always has to ask me where I put his things. I have a place for it, and he has another place- where he put it down at. (see still complaining)
]

Five Places I’ve Lived:
1. Duckabush Rd, Brinnon Washington 2. Portland, Oregon 3. Clackamas, Oregon 4.Gresham, Oregon 5. Duckabush Rd, Brinnon Washington - hmmmmmmmright back where I started for the moment...

Five Jobs I’ve Had:
1. Waitress at small restaurant 2. Village store attendant and cleaner 3. Cleaner of the journalism house in college 4. Preschool Teacher’s Assistant 5. Bank teller for Wells Fargo oh and may I add #6. Mommy and homemaker (that includes most all of what I have ever done prior to this - cook, cleaner, customer service with a smile not a yell, trying to deal with young, energetic children patiently)

TAG, YOU'RE IT! Lisa and Alan