Fun in the sun @ Nana's

Here are some pictures from our time visiting Damian's mom & step-dad before Raylee left for North Carolina. Yes, I'm still catching up on this summer's events...

Here we are with his mom --I like this picture, even though Dame's missing a shirt. Ha. :)

She set up the slip and slide for the kids. Here's Noel scooting (not sliding) down it. He did more of an Army crawl.

Maddie slid! With the help of Damian launching her down it.

Raylee wanted a picture of the three of us. I like this one too. :)

And here's Samson... still crazy.

We love you Ray, and miss you tons.

And let's not forget Emma! She loves exploring the yard and eating what she finds.

Saying goodbye to Ray

It always happens too fast. Raylee comes to stay with us for the summer, and the next thing we know it's time for her to go back. Here are some pictures from her "End of the Summer BBQ." We had a wonderful time with her, we miss her already, and we're looking forward to the day where there are no more tearful goodbyes.

Wait, where am I????

One of my absolute least favorite things about living in North Carolina are the large spiders everywhere. But I'm not living in North Carolina anymore --so what's with this spider?!

Dame is getting a good lock at his catch.

The thing was huge. I've NEVER seen a spider this big around here. And it was in MY BEDROOM! Ha. Noel and Damian were taking a nap together when Noel spotted this guy on the wall next to them. So Damian (of course) caught it and released it in the field across the street. And I'm sure it's finding its way back to my bedroom even as I type this... *shudder*

visiting my folks

Here are some pictures from a BBQ at my parent's house. It was our last get together with Raylee before she left. Here are the cousins...

And here are the men...

My mom...

My sister, Joanna, with Emma-bean... her necklace must be tasty.

Auntie Joanna, Maddie & cousin Skyler giving peace signs...

And that's it! :)

Oak's Park

Here are some pictures from our day at Oak's Park. The kids had a blast. :)

Here's Noel & Maddie on Noel's favorite ride there. He LOVES motorcycles, if you can't already tell by the look on his face.

It has been pointed out *cough*Christy*cough* that I haven't been in any of the pictures lately. So here's one with me in it... and now I am embarrassed. Ha.

Noel's hairdo, compliments of sunscreen.

I don't really understand what's going on with this picture, but here's Noel as a... dollar bill? with an octopus and a... yeah, I just don't get it.

Maddie doesn't seem to be entertained by it either. :)

Fun day!

Papa-Motorcycle's motorcycle

I really can't describe Noel's love for motorcycles. He would sit on this all day if he could. And how could he be a super cool motorcycle dude without a lady riding on the back? ;)

at least this mess smells good

Whenever the house smells really good, really baby-powder fresh, I know that the kids have done it again. This time the culprit was Noel. I suppose Madeline has learned her lesson by now.

Yup, caught him red handed... or, uh, white handed. See it all over the floor back there?

So hopefully this picture surprises you. Yes, the girls are older and both of them know better. But when they came in and looked at me to see my response, I simply said, "Well, at least this mess smells good." For some reason they thought I meant, "Rub it all over your faces."

They only smiled long enough for this picture before both regretted getting involved. Apparently, it stings the eyes and makes you sneeze. Who would have thought?

Emma @ 7 months

Emma is now eating baby food and she loves it...

...thiiiiiiis much!

So there's an Emma picture update. Ha. :)

She's 7 months now, eating baby food, starting to crawl, sitting up, and smiling all the time. Well, most of the time. Our happy, beautiful Emma-bean.

Northwest Trek

Last Saturday we went up to visit Northwest Trek, a "zoological facility dedicated exclusively to Northwest wildlife." It was really fun! We got to see all kinds of animals: deer, bears, raccoons, wolves, coyotes, beavers, bald eagles... even buffalo and a moose! Here's a picture of the girls posing in front of a fake moose -but there was a real one we saw... it's just not as easy to pose in front of as this one. ;)

Dame took a turn toting Emma around.

Raylee looks like a pretty serious threat!

This bear was looking right at me, so of course when I went to take a picture he turned away and I got a photo of his "other side" instead.

This raccoon was more cooperative with my photography skills (or lack thereof).

Maddie couldn't believe how cute he was. We usually see them on the side of the road --if you know what I mean --which isn't so cute.

I had Dame pull over so I could get a picture of Mt. Rainier on our way back.

It was a fun day!

independence day, 2010

Here are some pictures from the 4th of July. Noel was super excited to watch things blow up.

Miss Raylee, watching from the curb.

Dame is jealous of how awesome John's bandanna is.

So he joined in with his own God-bless-the-USA-stars-and-stripes bandanna. (Now my mom is jealous --see her in the back? I'm sure she wanted to wear one too, but how many stars & stripes bandannas can a family have? Instead, her shirt showed her patriotism.)

Raylee was old enough to learn the proper technique of lighting explosives on fire.

Yes, Maddie is flashing peace signs.

She was copying my brother.

And now Raylee is a roman candle pro. :)