Summer:

We had a great summer!

Disneyland ended with Dad flying back a day earlier than planned :( We stayed and played with Auntie Aimie and family. Lauren conquered her fear and went on the screamer with her sister Hollie! Nate we were able to put tissue in his socks to give him that last 1/4 inch and went on the Cars ride. It was a full day and by the end I got heat exhaustion and we called it a day by 6pm. 

Nathan still talks about Disneyland.

We also went with the extended family to Leavenworth Wa. Aunt Melissa and I took all the older children horseback riding- uneventful :) Nathan loved the large helicopters that would dip in the river behind the house Nana rented and lift up slowly to dump the water on the fire. Worst dinner was the mexican restaurant in which there was no fried food and best despite the wait was the italian dinner. Lauren was completely bored and Hollie elected not to go chose to work.

Denny Creek was so much fun and we have missed being a part of this the last two years. It is by far the Girls favorite camp ground. Our family met up with Dale's and Clay's family. Best part was watching Hollie, Lauren and Thom go down the natural water slide in Glacier water! Thank goodness Nate was too young or else I would be expected to participate:) I took video- they were all giggling and so happy. Thom and I took Nate to the base of the 1mile hike water fall. The girls did their own thing with Alexa and Ryan. Robbi and I sat on the river and talked while enjoying the sun and beauty of the surroundings. Thom and Nate built Rock people and then would throw rocks at it to knock it over.

Thom and I took Nate to Auntie Aimie's Summer Camp out with several of her family friends and so many small children. Nate had a great time and slept well on our air mattress. We did smores and ate well. On the drive up our car over heated and we were stuck in bellevue for 2 hours. Nate and I had ice cream and Dad called triple A -4 hour wait and fixed the car- He is such a help.

We got family pictures done with Jessica and they turned out fantastic.

I spent most the summer golfing with Veronica and spending time with kids and friends. My 40th birthday was so much fun. I went golfing with Melissa mom veronica and the girls Hollie, Lauren, and Maddy. We went out to lunch and Thai :) My favorite the that evening I went out with friends Britany Yo Julie  from work we had champagne, appetizers,pedicures and the dinner! Saturday Thom and I met up with Aimie and Jon we went out to lunch in Seattle and played mini golf-laughed a ton. Sunday at my moms house with immediate family.

I am now a Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse

We finally found our puppy and ohhh what an adventure that has been. She is very sweet her name is Lola. She learns quickly and loves to be pet. She will lay on your lap to be pet. She never jumps on furniture but is enjoying the taste of both the rug and the carpet when we are not in the room. I hate puppy classes and often feel like a failure but she does sit and respond to training. We are doing our best to ensure that she is well trained but there are some days I am crying to Aimie "Why didn't I listen when people said they do not recommend puppies with children under 5" My trainer says I "I trained two puppies with my small children" uggh!

Hollie after a rough spring quarter with Chemistry has decided to hold on pursuing Vet Tech degree and we are focusing on AA transfer degree. Hollie is working hard at college and is really doing well in her current Anthropology class. This is the first class that she comes home every day and talks about what she learned. She also has enrolled in Karate. She is so excited to go to each class and is really enjoying the movements. She will be the last one to turn 21 of her friends and we are thinking her party will be at Teatro zanzini? Hollie is not interested in boys at this time. She is my biggest helper around the house and a joy to be around.

Lauren - She went to Cheer camp in July and loved it. She said the dorm rooms at Central Wa university are huge and the girls would have a dance party every night:) They decorated their rooms. She tried to apply for several jobs but unfortunately was not able to get a job due to her tight schedule with Medical explorers(as vice president), soccer, and cheer. She has been cheering at football games - Fife won the Homecoming game and her friend Nate was elected to Homecoming court.
Cabbage patch -lauren went over to Kianna's and stayed up all night decorating senior posters, they had breakfast at 0300 at Dennys and then decorated the school at 0600. Lauren and a few girls went back to a class room and slept for one hour. Kris Treece offered her a job last night as a barista at Starfire - a soccer complex ! Her chance of meeting and spending time with Brad Evans may just happen :)

Nathan: Loved hiking this last summer and has really grown. We have our I love you game - where I say an item I love about him and he repeats it back to me. He likes to rub the side of my face. We read like a hundred books at a time. Thom and Nate spend hours changing hot wheel tracks. Thom is super inventive having the hot wheels go off and inbetween furniture creates jumps. Nate and I play City where we get his fire station gas station etc and set up a city usually a fire breaks out and the ambulance has to take the injured person (car) to the hospital where mommy performs surgery and saves them. Nate started preschool at All Saints. First three weeks were tears by the third week I was crying -then he adapted finally. As of October the teacher says she is now seeing his little personality. When I go to pick him up they are single file Nate usually in the back smiling and waving with his finger shh  to remind me to be quiet. They high five the teacher and then Nate always runs into my arms - I am hoping this lasts a bit. I miss him terribly when he is at school. Nate had croup for 3 days in August and got to sleep in bed with Mom - Dad was kicked to the couch- he was a good sport about this.

Day 4 Disneyland

Dad had to be back to work so last day at Disneyland was with Mom. We met up with Auntie Aimie and Uncle Jon with all the kids. Nate really wanted to do the cars ride so we got fast passes for this. We did another round of the Toy story 4d ride and ate lunch. The girls went on the Screamer- Lauren's first time. Hollie was very excited to share this with her. Lauren did a great job reports that once she got on there was second thoughts but it was too late. Nate and I video taped this :) I took Nate to Bugs life section and then on the cars tractor ride again. We incidentally found Lightining McQueen which of course is Nates favorite car. He was 1/8inch too short for Cars ride so we put a folded napkin in his shoes and told him to walk straight and not mention the napkin so he can ride. He got onto the ride no problem and loved it until we started racing, he held on to us and was a little clingy right after. We did the parade with Aimie and the kids. Then autotopia this time he drove with mom, bumpiest ride of my life but his smile was worth it. Afterwards I was burnt and dehydrated which quickly followed by nausea. I thought if we just lay down and nap I would feel better but it just got worse. I took the kids back around 0830 pm and was unable to get on a ride. Nathan kept saying I want the "coffee ride" so the girls took him on that and the buzzlight year ride. Then we called it a Disneyland day. Not quite how I wanted the last day to go :(  

Next day headed to the airport, we did not have a ride and realized we had no key. Cab was very expensive to go from airport to meet Thom and then back home. Note to self ask for a ride next time.  

Day 3

Started off our second day at Disneyland with character breakfast at the plaza. This breakfast is the one we always go to since I was a child and characters have not changed. Nate saw Tigger right when we got there and said "I want to pet the kitty kitty and see his tail" Thom corrected him said it was a Tiger named Tigger and throughout the breakfast he asked when the Tiger was coming? Food was traditional breakfast buffet - omelets were ok. We mapped out our second day and started with the jungle cruise, Tom Sawyer Island, and Star Wars Jedi training show. The girls were good sports thought the driver in the jungle cruise was funny. Nate liked the animals on the cruise. Tom Sawyer island was a bust normally my favorite place but Nate refused to go into the caves. Thom tried holding him but hit both their heads and that set off tears, then tge pirate ship came around and fired two loud pop guns startled us and Nate cried again. The Star Wars training was great as always Disney puts on quite the show. They had darth maul in full costume which is pretty scarey but Nate loved the sword fighting and we lived the quick Witt of the main actor. Then we did the buzz light year lazer ride- followed by Indiana jones. Went to eat lunch did the pooh ride and then the parade. Frozen royalty was the first float, this is Lauren's favorite she was so happy she cried. Nate lived the parade, he was waving at all the characters. There were many bright colors. We followed this up with playing in the tree climbing area at Ca Adventure then back to hotel girls fed Nate and themselves while Thom and I went out to dinner with Aimie and Jon at the Napa Rose. We had meals with wine pairing. Laughed a lot and berated the boys about who looked older. Tried to talk the girls into going back to the park but they were tired and so was Thom. So having no one to go with I stayed home and everyone is asleep. Third night co sleeping Nates feet are constantly in my back or stomach. I haven't slept more than six hrs in a row . Precious moment around 3a this morning he woke smiled I kissed him and he laid his tiny hand on my chest - I'm so blessed to have all my kids and husband be happy and healthy with the girls sleeping in the bed next to Nate and I - we put dad in the separate bedroom because he snores but even through the door you can hear him, 

Humor

Love my daughters quick Witt. I spent a good amount if time on a new calendar system . I sent out a text and spoke to the girls about not setting or preparing food in this area. A few days later I went shopping and left a pineapple in this area- hence the note. 

Day 2

Everyone awake at 0800 in room. Real fast with dad arriving at 0930 and out the doer we went:) 

Started at Ca Adventure cars ride doing the tractor ride first which is like a scrambler. Nate did great on his first ride no anxiety. We took him on the rocket swing which was way off the ground and swings outward, he did great. Nates favorite ride was the 4-D toy story video game where you shoot targets. He insisted we go in it twice back to back. Lauren's favorite part of today was her and I on autotopia, she was making creeper faces whole I was getting a pic . Hollie drove her own car and Nate drive Thom- enjoying every minute. 

We at are cars land for lunch so Nate could watch the race cars. Dinner was at goofys kitchen buffet style way over priced. We did more rides and then at 5 I took Nate to a quiet place where a river runs by big thunder rock and told him to take a nap - he rolled on his side and fell asleep for 2 hrs. During this time Thom and girls would go on a ride and then I would get the parent swap pass and go on the ride with the girls. Thom spoiled  Nate and they built a custom car it is blue dodge viper . We went back to Disney for  Fantasmic. Nate loved this. Hollie said she can't think of one thing she liked the most it was just all fun. Thom and I got about a 20 min time for just us while kids watched Nate. Hollie and Lauren ended up pink on their shoulders- no other sunburn injuries . Spent at least another 300.00 today! Dear lord 

Day 1 in Ca

Why on earth would you ever co sleep ! This child nearly pushed me off the bed all night ! It was like he was a heat seeking missile? Then at 5am he was awake patting my face smiling with his very happy smile that made my heart melt but if course I responded with go back to sleep kissed him and shoved him back over to his side and tucked him in. Now we are awake and I feel like I never slept but really enjoy waking up to his happy smile.    

We got to the hotel at 0930 checked our luggage made our plea for early check in and headed over to downtown Disney for shopping and lunch. 

Hollie loves soup - it is her favorite meal dispite it being hot outside. 

Lauren so glad to be watching World Cup and in AC. She complained about being hot in her tank top and shorts while Hollie and I we're wearing long pants and short sleeves .., 

Nate found his new buddy for Disney after telling him no to every toy gun out there. We went back to hotel kids slept for 3 hrs woke at six went out got groceries and dinner. Watched fireworks from the roof- then bed.

Nates first airplane ride. :) he did ok with the fast take off but did not like the elevation changes that made him fee like he was falling. After that he settled in. Favorite thing was to read the safty card that had pics of what to do should bad things happen. Then we colored and talked about the clouds. Had snack and bathroom twice. I would have thought getting up at 0400 all the kids would have slept? Nate finally fell a sleep as we were descending but was quickly awake once the tires hit the ground and brakes applied. We all patiently waited for the people to get off so we could unload the car seat. Come to find out the seat belt release didn't have enough room to open we had to wait for the mechanic who disassembled the seat belt to get the car seat out:( walked off the airplane and all those waiting cheered. 

Lauren's culinary summer

Lauren will be in charge of dinners on the days I work and Mondays. This was her first dinner - pasta with sausage basil garlic ricotta Romano and peas :)