Family Pictures 09

We had our family pictures taken in October. The first time we scheduled the pictures to be taken we were all sick. The second time we scheduled them Preston wasn't feeling 100% but we still went to JCPenny's. All Preston wanted was to be held so what you don't see in the picture of the brothers is Brandons legs under them, and his arms around them. We love getting pictures taken! :)

Children's Museum

For Brandon's dad's birthday we went to the children's museum in Olympia. It was a lot of fun. The boys played dress up, climbed tree houses and drove ferry boats, played in water tubs, drew pictures, and made tunnels using magnets. The place was pretty big. I wouldn't attempt it by myself because the boys wanted to go and do different things. It is a place for two parents! I would like to go back again sometime. Don't worry we didn't put the ducky back in the water!

Halloween Adventures

We had a great Halloween this year. Jackson enjoyed picking out his costume and decorating pumpkins. I learned that I will never pick out a costume two months early. Jackson wanted to wear it all the time and then on Halloween he could have cared less. We went to a birthday party in the afternoon of Halloween, then trick-er-treating, and then to our church's harvest party. We were all tired by the end of the night. Brandon and Preston stayed home for most of the activities because they both weren't feeling great. I don't think Brandon was too sad about that.

Fall Happenings

We have had a very memorable fall. We went to two different pumpkin patches. One was at a friend's house and the other one was Hunter Farms outside of Belfair. This is our favorite patch. The first two pictures are at our friend's and the third picture is Jackson stuck in the mud at Hunter Farms. We were laughing so hard and he was not happy!

We spent a lot of time with family this fall. My mom has been over numerous times and we have been planning play dates once a week with Brandon's parents. The kids love spending time with the grandparents. Brandon and I also got to go to a Rascal Flatts concert in Tacoma late October with our neighbors, the McCarty's. It was a lot of fun. The picture of us was taken at the dome. This is the first concert we have gone to since Jackson was in my belly. It was fun to do fun couple things. We even went to dinner at the Spagetti Factory. The only hitch was that both Brandon and James were running fevers, I had a cough, and Ally was all stuffed up! We did it anyways and now we have a story to tell!

Oyster Fest and Ocean Shores

The first weekend of October is always Oyster Fest in Shelton, WA. This year we went with my mom, brother, nephew, brother's girlfriend, and Brandon's parents. We enjoyed wonderful weather and ate lots of yummy seafood. Jackson got to ride his first horse and he took a trip around the fairgrounds in a little train attached to a mower. Preston fished for the first time (in a kiddy pool). He almost fell in once but Grandpa saved him. In the afternoon, we headed down to the ocean. We flew kites and played on the beach. My mom, I think, flew her first kite. Jackson and Brandon splashed in the water. I am thankful I brought another set of clothes for Jackson. We ended the day at Brandon's parents eating pizza. Good Times!

Jackson's 4th Birthday and Fair Adventures

In the past few months we have attended numerous fairs over Washington State and celebrated Jackson's 4th birthday. We attended the Kitsap, Walla Walla, and Puyallup fairs. The pictures are from the Walla Walla fair. I wasn't feeling well so Preston and I stayed back at the house but Corey, Jillian, Brandon, and Jackson had a good time. Jackson had three fun celebrations for his birthday. The first one was at our house with 15 kids. The second was with Grandma and Grandpa at Chucky Cheese, and the last one was with all of my family and Brandon's parents at Oyster Fest and the ocean. He keeps asking if it is his birthday again. Too much of a good thing I guess!

Summer Play 09

We had a great summer with Brandon home from school. He painted houses most of July but we did get to squeeze some day trips in. We went to many parks, ate at lots of BBQs, visited the town of Forks, drove to Oroville and Spokane to see family, and painted our house. We even had a wedding in our backyard. I guess we can check that off our list. When we were visiting Nana and Papa in Oroville, Jackson learned how to trust the lifevest in the pool and swam around without our help. We were very proud parents. We look forward to more adventures this fall.

Thomas the Train

We went to Thomas the Train in Snoqualmie on July 9th. The boys had a great time. Jackson loved riding Thomas and getting Thomas tattoos. Preston liked playing with the Thomas trains set out for kids. Grandma, Grandpa and Nana came with us. Afterwards, we went to Snoqualmie Falls. What a beautiful waterfall. The day was full of fun times and tired boys!

Preston's 1st Birthday

It is hard to believe that a year has come and gone. We just finished celebrating Preston's 1st birthday. We celebrated in Oroville with all the grandparents and then we had small gatherings with friends and family. Preston is a busy boy. He is crawling and crusing everywhere. It will only be a matter of weeks before he is walking. Jackson and Preston love playing together and causing trouble. What a fun time we have with them.

Arizona Firsts

Our family was able to experience a lot of firsts on our trip to Arizona. Preston got his first hair cut, Jackson was in his first official Easter egg hunt, Brandon and Elizabeth played mini-golf without kids, and Brandon danced with his boys...in public. We made a lot of fun memories that we will enjoy revisiting for years to come. Rodger and Shelly spoiled us and we soaked it all in. We had lots of cuddle time with the sick kids. What a fun vacation! The boys did great on the airplane. This was Jackson's second time flying and Preston's first. What great boys we have. We sure enjoy spending time with them.

Swimming in Arizona

Over spring break we headed down to Arizona to visit Brandon's parents. We had a fun time but we all ended up getting sick. It's hard to believe we went swimming twice even though the boys were sick most of the week. Jackson and Preston loved the pool. They enjoyed kicking and splashing around. The adults didn't have such a bad time either. We can't wait for more time in Arizona in the future!

Fun in the Sun

To our sadness we had to return Jackson's John Deere Gator he got for Christmas. Pieces were already falling off of it. Instead of getting another Gator we got him a small four-wheeler like Grandpa's and Papa's (aka The Grasshopper). He loves to ride it and Mommy and Daddy are enjoying it too. There have been more opportunities for us to play outside lately. We can't wait to visit Brandon's parents in Arizona at the end of the month. Brandon will have turned in his National Board's portfolio! It will be a much needed rest time for him.

Tis The Season

We had a wonderful time visiting family and friends over Christmas. We spent a few fun and relaxing days with Brandon's parents before Christmas and then ventured over the pass to my mom's Christmas Eve. It took us 10 hours to get over there when it normally takes 7- 7 1/2 hours. Brandon finally got his Power Wheel after 31 years...well actually Jackson got it but Brandon is living his dream through Jackson. Preston had a great 1st Christmas. He loved all the lights and paper he could get his hands on. We look forward to all the adventures our family will have in the New Year!