{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.

{Park Stop}

Maisey's birthday was a beautiful sunny day. After bowling we had to make a made a stop at my favorite childhood park, Emerald Park in Eugene.

One tired boyA boy who doesn't nap, but couldn't help himself (the middle of the kitchen floor). A happy boy after his nap (who doesn't love the Papa's Pizza and their toys?)

{Incredible John's Pizza}

A new pizza place opened up in town and we went to check it out. The kids loved it!

Here are some pics to help you decide if you want to visit.

Note: the pizza is like any buffet if that means anything. And yes, I went off my diet and ate it. While working out all week I moaned, "It's not worth it!" Unless they start selling ride bracelets, we won't be visiting much!

{BirthDAY Bowling)

Maisey wanted to go bowling on her birthday while in Eugene. Our kids love to bowl, and they get it from their dad (Chad use to be on a league and is still a good bowler). The bowling alley didn't have ramps. Needless to say, Ryley didn't last as long. He had just as much fun pretending to shoot guns at an arcade game. Us

{Saturday}

Saturday, as you may know if you live in the Portland Metro area was BEAUTIFUL!

We spent 3 wonderful hours at beautiful Rood Bridge Park for Maisey's annual end of the year Girl Scout picnic.

(I'm sorry about the pics, I cannot get them to rotate once I go beyond a certain point)

I guess I was so distracted by the sun that I forgot to take pictures of the troop. But then again, they were to busy playing on the toys anyway. Maisey was given some end of the year patches she recently earned and now I need to sew them on (oh, the joy)!
Maisey HAD to have a sash when she saw it instead of the traditional vest. We soon found out it is more of a supplement to the vest when the vest is full. SO, we will be getting a vest by fall when things start back up. She is quite the little earner.

***

Afterwards Maisey and I took a jaunt up the Gorge to see Ruby in her recital.

She was a beautiful ballerina and watching her got us really excited or Maisey's next week! Maisey loved going out for frozen yogurt afterwards... And Elliot loved it too! The boys stayed home.

***
Today was another warm day and we had a great family bike ride after church.
Oh summer, I can't wait!