Sun Lakes 2010

Our family went camping over in Eastern Washington this last weekend with about six other families. This is one of our favorite summer activities and I was sad to have to come back. We went to Sun Lake State campground just outside of Ephrata, Wa. As children both Thom and I's families would spend summers out at this lake. The last time I had been there was when Hollie was one for a family reunion so it was nice to get back.

Friday was a long day, of course we left at 6pm peak traffic time for the Memorial Holiday. A half hour into our trip the truck broke down :( We did finally get to our destination. It was beautiful warm sunny during the day and at nights it had the Eastern Wa winds. Saturday we had a huge breakfast and then played Volley ball, Lauren and Natalie went off to hang at the docks (what all the teens did), Hollie and Alexa went for a walk around the park. We took the kids and rented paddle boats.... The girls loved being out on the water. They we sprayed with water on purpose by the jet ski's and then the boys took out a boat and they chased each other. Yes, there was a little flirting on the 12year old part.... Not ready for the youngest to grow up. We had mexican night for dinner and played Liars dice. Sunday we had a mini golf championship and then went out on Craigs boat. Thom jumped from a 20 ft cliff into freezing water he couldn't catch his breath on the way up, so the rest of us would not get in that water.

Hollie stayed for an extra day while the rest of us headed home. I had to work on Monday for the PACU. The drive home was considerably better. Will post pics as soon as I can.

Lauren's Wa State HX Fair

Lauren had her Washington State History Fair on Tuesday the 25th of May. She was assigned Camas, Wa which apparently was known for paper productions. So the goal of the fair was to give the best presentation and to get the most parents to vote for your booth. They had to go up to random parents introduce themselves and invite them to come learn about their city. Lauren's team offered parents swedish fish but I am not sure how this tied into the city. They also did a quiz for parents to try. It was cute but they could have done better in preparing.

Afterwards the kids Thom and I met up with other parents from the function at Ranchito's a Mexican place we all love. It was great to just enjoy the wonderful community we are raising our kids in. We ended up inviting all the school parents to one table and the kids to a few tables. Scary how the kids out number us!

Good Bye Party

I realize this is not the best picture but I was so busy enjoying the party I did not take pics with the real camera (sign of a good party). Sandie, Beth Leahy, and the girls planned a goodbye party for me as I move on to the next chapter in my life. We went to the Chalet Bowling alley in Proctor district of Tacoma. Loved it! I am a terrible bowler...Really bad my best score in the past was a 77. I did not get any better! So starting left Karin, Sandie, and Delmas are just a few of my work friends who actually OWN their bowling balls. I was going to be laughed at but that was part of the fun!

Sandie organized a poker bowl. I was able to pair up with the player of my choice since every strike or spare you would get a card. Who ever had the best poker hand at the end of the 10 frames won the pot. We played two rounds I never won the pot :(

My co-workers Sandie, Beth, and Karin gave me a beautiful fresh water pearl braclett. I really work in the best department in the hospital.

Weekend Update

This weekend was crazy! Friday we went to a fundraiser for Kenzie's Younglife retreat. We played volleyball against other families in the non competative league. Our team below starting left Brittney (friend from Laurens soccer team), Olivia (soccer team and family friend), Kenzie (same as olivia), Lauren, Hollie, and Kelly (also family friend and soccer team). We only had three adults! Myself, Thom, and Kris. We were the only people with children and we did lose each set.

So Saturday at 0700 we all woke up at 0630 to go work the fundraiser garage sale for Lauren's soccer team. The girls pitched in and were a big help. Lauren and Hollie got a lot of clothes from the sale. Apparently our team has great taste in clothes. Papa Murphy's in Milton gave us 20.00 off our lunch cost so a big thank you to them (I had the girls write a thank you). The garage sale did well and afterwards I had Anna and Amelia over for an overnight! (see below)

Sunday Lauren went to run with Taya, her sister, and the HS track coach at 0800. Hollie spent the night at Lexa's house and we had Anna and Amelia until noon. Lauren had a project that is due tomorrow so she headed over to Brittney's house after running 5 miles. I went over after my neices were picked up. The Brittney and Lauren had us video tape their project and after some tweaking we left at 3pm. Thom picked up Hollie and made lunch.

Then the girls and I went to see the movie Letters from Juliet with Kris and her girls. It was a wonderful movie. I am such a hopless romantic. I love these girly movies and esp. going to see them with friends. We ended up bumping into Arica and her girls.

It was a very busy weekend but thankfully fun too. This week will be long we all work or go to school Mon- Friday and then after that on Monday we have the MB Softball game, Tuesday Lauren has her Wa State History fair, Wed. I have my goodbye party after work, Thursday I am on call, and Friday we leave for Camping.

I really need to take a vacation from my life! I know I over schedule but I still have about four friends that I need to spend time with and my wonderful family. Thankful in two weeks I go back to 12hr shifts so I only work 3 days a week!

Love to all

Night time fun

I love little feet in womens shoes! The girls took out my heels and were trying to walk in them.

Amelia came up to Uncle Thom and told him that he got caught driving with out his drivers license! She and Anna were there to take him to Jail (giggling the entire time). Thom being the great uncle went along with this.

The shoe closet Jail!

They are locking him in with Lauren's funraiser cards that they wrote their names on as badges! We had fall out with Lauren about this but promised her those would be dad and I's cards. If you look closely Amelia can not stop laughing as they are shutting the door.

Uncle Thom's fingers trying to get free! When they opened the door I got a picture.

We watched Shrek the movie and ate popcorn with M&M's . The girls spent most of the movie acting out the dancing, fight scenes, and repeating lines they liked. Favorite line for both of them, " In the morning I am making waffles." I read stories to help ease transition to bed. Yeah that didn't work it is hard to go to sleep when you have someone next to you. We started at 0930 and I went in every 20 mins to remind them it was bedtime. At 1130 I finally decided to give the choice go to bed now or in five minutes one of them was going to be sleeping in Hollie's room. Hollie of course is spending the night at a friends house. 1145 I went up and they were asleep.

Anna and Amelia Sleepover

5-22-10 Anna and Amelia came over to stay the night. They wanted to watch a movie but the sun was out so I insisted that we head to the park. Anna is 5years old and Amelia is 6 years old.

Here are the girls together at the park. Hollie and Lauren were twirling the girls around.

Honey loves the park she is such a good dog. She loves all the children who come and pet her. I would love to get her into pet therapy.

The girls had a wonderful time we chased each other, and we played tennis (not very well), and we skipped the whole way back from the park.

Lauren and Hollie

They never snuggle any more and of course Hollie is loving it! Such a good big sister.

Theo's Second Birthday

Theo turned two years old! We gave him a dump truck because all little boys need to get dirty! Thom and I both really enjoyed filling the truck up with stuff. I gave Theo flowers and crackers to put in his truck. Thom gave him twigs and rocks. Theo collected grass, grass, and more grass.

Hollie helped out with the party by doing the face painting and the bubble blowing. She was so helpful there was about 10-12 little kids. Aimie helped children paint wooden block puzzles. She served three different cakes. Aimie held the event in a public park that has a petting farm right next to it. The kids saw chickens roaming the park where ever they wanted. Cows, sheep, and pigs. Young adults riding horses on the trails. It was a wonderful party.

Not sure why this picture was blurry but I spent the four hours keeping Augustus happy.

San Francisco

I went to San Francisco for a Pediatric Nursing Conference with Elizabeth Kim and Veronica Cooper. I had never been to San Fran before.... It is a lot like Seattle. The fishermans warf was not any where near as nice as Pike Place and our Piers. The Shopping however was wonderful. I went to Hermes and found a 6,ooo dollar dress(oh I wish). I did buy the girls some bracelets from the Kate Spade store. Here is the best part Seattle for the four days was sunny 70+ San Fran all I can say is I bought the white coat you see below. My favorite dinner was at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. the entire experience was based on the movie Forrest Gump. Best customer service you would put a red license plate up that said, "stop forrest stop." Immediately someone (anyone) would stop, I could go on but it would just bore you. The conference was good esp. Friday learned all sorts of Nursing stuff. I met some nice people from all over but no long term connections. I tend to be picky when it comes to friends.

Elizabeth Kim and I in front of China town entrance. We ate at the most interesting cafe shocked that I did not get food poisoning. The server was setting the tables holding each item by the fork prongs and tops of the glasses. We did see a Chinese funeral while we were there. They have the slow procession down the middle of the main street with a full band and large picture of the deceased. That was interesting.

Friday after the conference we did a little shopping and then Veronica and I took off to catch a baseball game. The Giants happen to be playing the Padres while we were down there. The fans were dressed head to toe in Giants gear. The Stadium was beautiful.

This is the fans in the water trying to catch home runs hit over the wall. I can not believe how cold it was but they were all out there trying for one home run ball.

Veronica Cooper and I at the game.

I enjoyed seeing the city, spending time with friends and attending the conference but more than anything I missed my family and was thankful to get home.

My new favorite picture with my favorite girls

I love this picture of the girls and I! I hope that the girls cherish every moment of their lives.

The Girls go to League

Hollie went to League for Golf and Lauren went to League this week for track! Wow I have amazing girls... So Hollie played 18 holes she shot a 134 which is amazing! Last year at Riverbend she shot a 184 so she took 50+ strokes off of her score! We went out to celebrate her accomplishment with Nana and Opa.
Lauren went to League today for track in the 100 meter dash. She is only a 7th grader but was moved up to varsity about half way through the season. She was one of a few 7th graders sent to league. She is competing in the 100 m dash and the 4x100. At preconference (today) she took 6th in the 100 m out of all the schools. She will re run that race on Thursday and compete in the 4x100.

Update 5-20-2010 Lauren went to Conference today and ran the 100 meter in 14.02 sec the exact same time she ran on Tuesday coming in sixth again. She gave it her all and she was running against eighth and ninth graders. Her friends Ali and Kylianne both placed in other races and will be moving on. In her 4x100 two of her team mates were unable to run :( Laurens team quickly fell behind but what impressed me is that despite the lead of the other teams. Lauren who was running anchor put it into full speed. She did not give up and did her part to close the gap. She caught up but came in last.

Mothers Day

So this last weekend was very busy Friday night I went to the Nickelback concert with Veronica Cooper. Opening for Nickelback was Shining Down and Breaking benjamin. It was a great concert and  I was thinking about how much Thom and I need to go to a concert. I don't think either of us have been out to a concert ever since H.S.! It was really nice of Cooper to invite me and we had a great time walking barefoot (don't wear cute shoes to a concert) and great conversation. Thom and Jon went to the Mariners game which tanked. They said it was aweful, the score was 0-8 by the fourth inning. Lauren Soccer game saturday morning was awesome... Lauren had 17 attempts on goal from midfield. Several on a break away in a full run. Then the girls and I went with my sister her children, grandma rizzo, and nana for lunch and facials. The girls got thier makeup done and then went and tried on fancy prom dresses.

Then we went to Kenzies 16th birthday party out on the Key pennisula. Karen has this great cabin on the beach and together with two other families we celebrated Kenzies 16th. Kenzie spent her time taking each parent out for test drives. I did not volunteer but Thom did. It was an honor to be invited. The girls and I took some time to build a fort on the beach. (pic above starts with Lauren, Hollie, Kelly, and olivia)

Sunday (Mothers Day) we went to the Country club for brunch with the entire family. (Picture to follow) The brunch was fantastic... crab legs, shrimp, omletes, and more.... Then Thom the girls and I went to Green lake to play.

We had dinner with Aimie, Jon, and the kids, they are packing! Soon to move to a beautiful house with plenty of space!

I am so thankful to be a mom, I love my girls, my nieces, and nephews.  I would have two more if I could!