Fun at Forest Park

We love going to Forest Park! The have a water park, a regular playground and a petting zoo. We didn't make it to the petty zoo today but still have fun at the water park. It was a little windy when we got there which may explain why Ryder felt the need to snuggle up to Chase.


Ashtyn (and her baby) had a great time! Before we left this morning she insisted on wearing these shoes. She loves wearing them but they are too small now. I forgot to bring other shoes for the water so I just let her wear them, even though they got wet, (probably for the last time). Just look at that attitude on her face. Brian and I have started calling her "Sassy". When did our little baby get so grown up? She's such a princess!

Happy Graduation Cousin Evan!

Today we had a wonderful time down at Uncle Chuck's house down on the slough. We were there to celebrate Evan's high school graduation. Evan is off to the University of Washington in the fall and we are very proud of him.


Ashtyn again in her movie star glasses, she literally kept them on the entire time we were there. Of course feeding the ducks is a must at Uncle Chuck's house, but Ashtyn would rather eat her bread then give it to the ducks. Later, she was very upset when I took the bread to feed the ducks. We also saw one duck ferociously chasing another and when I pointed it out to Ryder he told everyone that they were just playing tag.

Season's over for the Tigers

End of the season for Ryder. Here he is with his coach receiving his trophy. We really liked Coach Ryan, you sometimes never know what kind of coach you'll get and he is definitely the best we've had so far. (Besides Brian of course, who can be very critical of other coaches.)

Posers

I couldn't resist buying this very cute swim suit for Ashtyn. I thought we'd model it before she hits the beach.


Ryder and Ashtyn fresh from the bath, Ashtyn now knows how to smile for the camera, this one is very sweet but some can be really cheesy.

Tired Out

Ashtyn has had what I thought was a cold in her eyes for about a week. I finally took her to the doctor because it was not clearing up and kind of getting worse. Well it looks like she has pink eye. I'm a little skeptical by the diagnosis simply because the whites of her eyes are not pink. Her eye lids are red and a little swollen and the doctor assured me that sometimes it is just in the lids. Well regardless of what it is she definitely has something going on. We got an antibiotic eye-drop and already it's looking better. Here she is on the way home from her appointment and I had to snap a picture because she looked so cute asleep with her arm up like that.

Happy Father's Day!!

Today, for Father's Day the kids and I got Brian a new Satellite radio for his car, (a replacement for an older one that stopped working). We had a bit of a late night last night over at Scott's house and Brian got up early this morning to head down to the Fire Station, (what dedication). When he got home he installed his new radio in the car with a little help. It's all in and now he and the boys can get back to rockin' out in the car.
Happy Father's Day, Daddy, Papa Kent and Papa Jeff, we love you!!




My first try at video, I'm so excited!! It is really short, but the longer it is the longer it takes to upload!
Ashtyn is becoming such a big girl! She wants to do everything her brothers do. I think that she is also becoming a bit of a Daddy's Girl, which Brian secretly loves.

Horsey Ride

Today we went to Uncle Scott and Aunt Annie's house to celebrate Alli's high school graduation. The kids always have so much fun there. It is hard to decide what activity is their favorite, horseback riding, swimming, the chicken coup, trampoline, badminton, croquet...
So here they are riding Mickey the horse. They all waited on the edge of the deck for their turn, even Ashtyn, (wish I would have gotten a picture of that!)



When I walked away from the side of the horse to take this picture, Ashytn got very nervous. So sweet that her brother was trying to comfort her.

Fun in the Summertime

Now that Ryder can ride his bike it is all he thinks about. He asks several times a day to go outside and ride his bike. Even today in the sort-of-rainy weather he's out there.

S'mores

We rounded out Ryder's big day with his request for S'mores. Yum! We had a fun and relaxing day.

Ryder's Big Day!!!

The big 5 is finally here! After months of anticipation it is finally June 17th! Since Chase and Ashtyn's birthdays in February, Ryder has patiently waited for his turn. He made sure that I knew he wanted his room decorated like I had done Chase's. Brian and I had to wait for him to fall asleep to do the balloons and decorations but with the excitement of his day approaching Ryder didn't fall asleep until almost 10:00 pm last night. But we did it, we blew up the balloons and put up the banners so he would be surprised when he woke up. Lately, they have been opting to wear what daddy wears to bed. So here they are first thing in the morning wearing only shirts and underwear, bedhead and all!

Ryder requested a Nintendo DS, just like Chase's for his birthday. Brian and I wonder if he will even play it. Chase is much more of a "gamer" and Ryder being more a "doer".

Daddy made waffles for our little guy and we sang to him as he blew out his candle.

Ryder's 5th Birthday Party!!

Today we celebrated Ryder's 5th Birthday (a few days early) at the Little Gym! I love this picture, all the anxiety of planning the party is worth it when I see how happy he looks at his party. He has been waiting for his super hero party for a long time!!


Ryder with his Superman cake that his mother lovingly baked and decorated for him...


Here is Ryder with his party guests waiting for instructions for the air-track, a Little Gym favorite!



Here comes the cake!!


Happy Birthday to Ryder, Happy Birthday to you!!


Looks like everyone liked the cake!


Present time...


Everyone is watching so patiently.


I love the excitement!


One more activity in the gym, all the kids loved this!




The littlest party guests had a lot of fun too! Thanks to everyone for coming!!

Field Day

Today I helped out at Chase's school with Field Day. It was a little different from what I remember way back when I was in Elementary school but still fun for Chase and his classmates. So here we are awaiting the instructions for the day's events...

The kids did many different games, the fifth graders were in charge of organizing the games and all in all did a pretty good job. I was in charge of a group of 4 kids, including Chase and here they are at the tug-o-war station. They didn't win but the other team had one more person!


Face painting, of course!


Chase with our neighbor, Kyla, a fifth grader.

Here is my group at the last event of the day, waiting for a turn in the bouncy house.

Potty chair

I thought why not, they say that girls are easier to potty train. So today I brought out the potty chair and let Ashtyn check it out. Ryder even did a demonstration for her, although she couldn't have cared less, she just wanted to do it herself. She didn't potty, mostly all she did was sit for a few seconds then get up and close the lid then pick up the lid and sit back down, over and over. We'll keep up the "potty education" and who knows maybe I can say goodbye to diapers soon! No pressure!!! Chase and Ryder were both 3 when they completed their training so I have pretty low expectations for her at this point. I love this picure, her smile is priceless.

School's out for summer... almost

Chase has only 4 days of school left!!! Today, Ryder, Ashytn and I were invited to a BBQ at Chase's school. We all waited our turn, standing in line for our school provided lunch. (Actually, not too bad!) Then we headed out to the school field and had a little picnic. Ryder was so excited to eat lunch with his big brother at school!




Ashtyn LOVES watermelon! She ate up Chase's, Ryder's and mine!


Chase and his teacher Mrs. Kelly. Chase had a great year, Mrs.Kelly is a wonderful teacher, I wish he could have her again next year!


Chase also had a student teacher for the last couple of months, Mrs. Fisher.



The "web" at Chase's school. No surprise to me that Ryder climbed to the top of this with no trouble, he was up there before I knew it. And you can see Ashtyn at the bottom wishing she could get up there too!

Baseball

Today marked the end of the season for Chase. After the game we enjoyed some hot dogs with the team and Coach Brian gave out the trophies. Chase had a pretty good season, we can't wait for next year!!

At the beginning of the season we had 12 kids, at the last day we're down to 8??? The last couple of games we didn't have enough kids to man the outfield, so Coach Brian had to get out there and help out the team.

The Accident

Day three of Ryder's bike riding adventures and already an accident. He headed out the door before me to happily ride his bike, (which he thinks is so cool) and before I was ouside the neighbor kid comes to the door to tell me Ryder fell of his bike and hurt himself. I go out there and first of all he does not have his helmet on, (he forgot) and it looks as though he fell right on his face! After a trip to the urgent care, all is well and he is ready to start riding his bike again.



Our day continued as we survived the almost-unbearably-hot afternoon at Chase's second to last baseball game. He did great, got some hits and made an amazing play at first...


...the adorable fan, or as we like to call her in these glasses, "Hollywood".

Daddy is a Fireman!!

After months of classes and training, Brian has graduated! I certainly don't look forward to the 24 hour shifts, but I am so proud of him!

He seemed to be the "Valedictorian", as he was chosen by the Chief to give a speech to the class and he received the inaugural Fu-bar award.