{Independance Day}

The day started out with the local parade. We are usually out of town with family, so this was a first in our town, and the kids loved it! The police department had some cool moves.The fun and entertaining rodeo. Overall, our 4th was a blast!

{kiddos}

Will this kids ever give me a nice smile, rather than a cheesy grin?

This is better!

A girl who never passes up a photo op!

{Smith Farms}

We went to pick Raspberries, but came home with Logan berries (which weren't fully ripened, and strawberries, oop)!

Nonetheless, the frozen yogurt shakes were to die for!!! I even had one...

{Omsi}

It was a BEAUTIFUL today and oddly we spent it inside due to prior plans.

We visited Omsi since our membership is due to expire in 2 months.

We have been members for years but we may take a little time before re-joining. With Maisey in school all day and the other countless places to visit, as well as our other memberships (Zoo, Children's Museum, Pump it Up Passes), we didn't visit as much as we thought this time around.

Cute Maisey and her adorable friend Lexie holding hands. The girls like so many of the same things and were ecstatic when we picked Lexie up because they both has the same tank tops on from Justice and jean skirts (we even tried to buy the same jean skirt but they didn't have Maisey's size). Ryley in the rocket.Ryley loving the construction equipment.

The girls loved the Narnia exhibit, although Maisey has seen it all before. They even asked to go back after spending a ton of time in there. I love the movies too and seeing everything up close is even more enchanting!

{9}

Today is our 9th wedding anniversary!

Time has gone very quickly. Like with all relationships or seasons in life, that can be seen as both good and bad!

In 9 years of marriage and nearly 11 years in our relationship we have:

gained weight and lost weight

moved 6 times

were sealed in the temple (6 1/2 years ago)

spent 7 years in college at full time status

changed majors from nursing to social work

completed the first year of a masters program in marriage and family therapy

changed jobs several times

made Chad a stay at home dad

had 2 children (1 which was born 2 weeks before our first anniversary

LOVED being parents

never spent the night away together without children

never forgotten our love for each other.

{Cousin Time}

Cousins Peyton and Colby came to stay the night.

The girls wanted to sew pillows and blanket for their American Girls. Peyton

They did a great job too!
The kids didn't sleep much. They changed locations a couple of times. Poor Colby didn't get much room in the end.
It was fun to listen to them giggle late into the night. One moment (11:54 PM) I hear chuckling and the next (11:59 PM) there is dead silence- and snoring!

The next day they all wanted to swim- there favorite pass time!

This little guy is a riot to watch. He spends most his time under water!We love their company. They are the sweetest, most polite kids!

{Skate World}

Maisey LOVES to skate! She also loves her friend Lexie!All I can say is these girls are adorable...

And, there's nothing like writing a talk on baptism while AC/DC is being blasted in your ear and the disco lights are going!

{Jump}

The other day Chad and I took Maisey on a date to Sky High. A SUPER fun indoor trampoline gym. They have like 6 indoor tramp arenas like the one below. One is for private rental, one for kids 8 and younger, one with a foam pit, one for dodge ball, etc... We will go back as a family, and we want all our friends to do a group date there. The walls are even trampolines.
I think Chad had the most fun and it was such a work out he didn't go to the gym that day!
If you try it, let us know so we can meet you there!

{Lots}

We have been doing lots of bike riding. So much that Maisey replaced the bike below (only 1 yr old), with a new magenta colored mountain bike. She spent her own money on her new bike so she could experience the ease of having gears which are a must on the hills! The only downside to all the riding is that Ryley falls asleep when he isn't supposed to be napping at all.

But, it's worth it even if he stays up a little later on those nights.

{Recital 2011}

Maisey performed another great number for us this recital. She had tapped for 5 years now and is always fun to watch.

She wants to do "company" but has yet to decide on giving up other activities which occupy every day of the week with the exception of Sunday's (church). Maybe after this next year but she is already enrolled in fall club soccer (3x week), Girl Scouts, and she will have activity days, and 2 dance classes. We shall see what talents she hones in on in the future, but for now she is enjoying being great at everything. That may sound conceded, but honestly, she is going on 6 years in dance and sports and she was a natural from the start. I am just a bit jealous!!!

The finale.

{8}

Maisey turned 8 on Monday!

We had a super fun "American Girl 1/2 Sleepover" party on Saturday night with makeovers,bracelet making,cake (which turned out horribly in color and taste, no thank you Fred Meyer),and an "American Girl" movie.
The girls were so cute in their pj's, with their dolls. I think everybody had a great time! The birthday girl
Of course her favorite gift was a look-like me American Girl. Only, we ordered it before she cut all her hair off!

I painted this wood bed and sewed this pillow and blanket for her.

She named her doll "Maise."

{Little Helpers}

In Eugene this past weekend the kids enjoyed visiting Grandma's school and helping her in the library. The funny thing about the below picture, is that Ryley wouldn't pose until he was done putting all the books away. Now he's ready. A job well done!

{Graduation}

My sister graduated from high school this past weekend. We weren't able to be at the ceremony, but we enjoyed celebrating with her at her graduation party. A silly cake in school colors...

It sabotaged my eating plan, for sure.