Seattle

Well, we went to Seattle for a day.... and we're both SO glad that we didn't stay there longer.  It just wasn't enjoyable.  We both realized that we generally aren't the kind of people that like to see sights.  We'd much rather rest easy and relax.  Plus everything just costs so much money!  We both agreed that we'd rather save our money and spend it on something else than on the exorbitant prices of the attractions/sights there.  It was quite ridiculous.  Our favorite parts of the trip to Seattle was riding the light rail, listening to a man play an oriental instrument, and sharing a fresh chocolate covered strawberry.... mmmm..... that was delicious!
Pikes Place Market was kind of fun.  There was a live band, delicious food, beautiful flowers, fish flying in the air, and a man that looked like a statue!  We were going to see a movie in the I-MAX theater, but unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to wait for it.  Oh well.

Pike's Place Market

The light rail of Seattle.

Pictures from inside the light rail...

The Space Needle

The following are picture of sculptures outside of the glass garden.  They're gigantic and beautiful.

And a sneak peak from the outside...

Look at how HUGE these flowers are!

This instrument reminds me of Kung Fu Panda!

Seattle Temple

We drove by the grounds of the Seattle temple on our visit.  I wish we could have gone inside and done some work while we were there, but unfortunately, it was closed.

This is the temple I remember from my childhood.  Isn't it beautiful?  I love all the statues on the grounds too.

This is one of my most favorite statues.

Peek-A-Boo!

First Day of School 2013-2014

Asher started 2nd Grade this year, and Ruthie started 1st!  I can't believe it!  Aren't they so cute?

Katie's Drawing

So this is one of Katie's first intelligible pictures she's drawn.  If I remember correctly, she drew a picture of her walking our dog, Charley in the lower right-hand corner. The person on the bottom is holding a leash.  I believe the loop to the upper-left of this drawing is supposed to be our neighborhood where we walk Charley around the block.  The scribble in the loop on the right is our house.  :)  Pretty cool, I think.

Summer Gymnastics

Asher, RuthAnne, and Katie took a summer gymnastics course through Parks and Rec.  It was a good program.  Unfortunately, each child was in a separate class.  Each class lasted an hour long, and the girls' classes were first.  They were back to back.  Then there was about an hour or two break before Asher's class, Gymnastics for Guys, which I think was such a cute class with a cute name.
If I were to do it again next summer, I think they'll all be old enough to be in the same class.  Whew!  That would save me A LOT of time.  While one child was in their gymnastic's class, the others would take turns doing "school."  They'd work on reading books or doing pages of a math workbook.  Most of the time they would play or watch movies on the !Pad or Kindle.
 I think the batteries on my digital camera ran out.... otherwise I'd have more pics of RuthAnne and Asher.  I was very impressed with this program.  They used real gymnastics' equipment, and spent quality time with each child.

This is Katie's solo floor routine.  Arabesque...

For their last class, they did a presentation for us where each child would do a floor routine.  Then when they were finished, they'd all bow as a class.  Then we were free to see what our children could do on the equipment (bars, beam, and parallel bars).  They also had a fun obstale course the kids could play on in the last 5 minutes of every class.

RuthAnne's 6th Birthday Party

We threw a birthday party for RuthAnne at the end of June 2013 since we were going to be out of town near her birthday.  Summer birthdays are somewhat difficult because it's harder to get invitations out to friends from school... but we had a great time.  This park is AWESOME!!!  It's called Brandi Fenton Memorial Park.  It has sprinklers that shoot out everywhere, and it has bucket (see image below) that pour water down on you.  The water is recycled, so you don't want to drink from it, but it's a good use for recycled water, if you ask me!  For those of us in the Nose Club, it smells a little funky, but it's a good time.  I was relieved when it was over.  Check!

I had fun decorating the cupcakes!  I remember bringing more food than just cupcakes, but I can't recall what I brought.  I do remember having otter pops though.  Those were a hit!

You gotta have the pinata!

I recall the pinata not lasting long.  The top of the cupcake FLEW off and there was no repairing it.  Oh well!  It's the candy everyone wants anyway.

The look of a VERY happy girl who had a fun birthday party.  Ani is sitting in her cherry swimming suit on the ground behind Ruthie.  I love that swimming suit!

A Double Celebration 2013

Since we were going to be in Utah during RuthAnne's birthday, we decided to give her present to her early so she could use it.... a camera!  This little girl has such an eye for detail and beauty.  And we wanted her to stop using OUR camera.  :)  Annabelle now knows that the birthday song being sung = cake and blowing out candles.

Ani loves her toy phone.... and so do her siblings!  :)

She's sooo excited!

Sheer delight!  Love it!  This is the kind of reaction we love to see for the gifts we give.  It was perfect

Sweet Sunshine

Tiling Completed

Mason's final room to tile was the utility room.  Go Mason!!!!  It's so nice to have them completed.  Mason did a great job.  Yay!!!