Summer 2011

What a better way to start my monstrous update than with a nice warm day at the beach!!! It is freezing in Montana~~~

We celebrated the 4th of July with my baby sister and her family. It was so much fun and we did sooooo much that we were all beat by the end of the week!

We began the festivities at Cannon Beach---One of the few things that I miss about Oregon. You may recognize this first picture from Goonies. This is the beach scene from the beginning of the movie. It is an amazing beach!! Unfortunately, even though the sun is shining and the skies are clear, it was a very cold, very windy day at the beach...try "sand"wiches for lunch!

Alyssa enjoyed using Jack's beach toys...

We took a loooooooong walk on the beach to try to warm ourselves up a bit...

Garrett didn't care about the wind or cold...

Boomer had a blast with Aunt Keri...

Garrett and Jack had fun racing the waves...

I love how Jack is looking up to Garrett! We have awesome cousins!



Where are those waves??



The smaller rocks were covered with Sea Lions...

Haystack Rock...

Garrett fell in love with this driftwood...

Pics with Aunt Keri and Jack...

Garrett and Mom...



Everyone had kites...It was quite a sight!

After the beach we came home and made pretzel firecrackers with melted chocolate and sprinkles.

It was a hit!

Alyssa's Creation..

Wyatt let me take some pictures...

After dinner and dessert, Pete and Wyatt put on a pretty fantastic firework display, even if it wasn't choreographed to "The Star Spangled Banner."

Later in the week we met Keri downtown and played in this fountain. It was a little chilly in the shade, but I think every block needs on of these awesome fountains.

Garrett getting soaked...

If this isn't one of the cutest kids I don't know who is...

Maybe this little man...

After drying up from the water fountain we wondered the streets of Portland looking for the food trucks. If you are ever in Portland...the food trucks are a MUST!!!

Yummy!!!

Thanks Keri and Pete for celebrating the 4th with us!

We miss you like crazy!!!

...where to begin?

I have so many updates to add, but I just don't know where to start. 2011 was an eventful year full of adventure, hard work, and growing through trials.

A Collection of Pictures...

Here are some fun pictures of the kids...

Garrett's face painting from the school carnival...A cute little turtle.

Don't let this picture fool you...They look innocent, but...

...Looks can be deceiving!

I loved Wyatt's face painting!!

This is our "LOST" cake...Travis and Wyatt started to watch "LOST" and we become...

what's the word? Let's just say that some nights we would literally get lost in "LOST." (Addicted!) In fact, during our day of shooting Travis handed me the GLOC and said, "Here Kate (one of the main characters)." My reply, "Thanks, Jack (another character)." Wyatt happened to hear and said, "Are you guys playing 'LOST' again."

Just a random Batman with chocolate pudding...

We often wonder how the child gets anything in his mouth.

Silly boy!

We call this "The Garrett!"

Alyssa shaving just like Garrett.

Garrett is the ham of the family for sure!

Cute little Lis showing off Boomer's new "Gummy."

(This little toy reminded us of gummy bears.)

"Take my picture, Mom."

Hamming it up for the camera!

Here are a couple of pictures that Lissy has taken of her shoes.

The girl is obsessed!

Alyssa wanted a braid just like Rapunzel...

All Gone!

No more diapers for Lissy...Her Reward!

Is she proud or what??

Nice work, Lis. Way to be a big girl!

p.s. Notice: No more binkie, either!

Shooting...

 Travis found a great spot to go shooting this summer so we decided to try it out for a day trip. It was a blast. I have not been shooting for a very long time. I have fond memories of going with my dad. Thanks to all of that good practice as a kid I am now a better shot than Travis. :) Thanks, Dad!

We started off on our trip and got stuck in traffic.

We took advantage of the time to eat lunch and explore a little...

We made the kids sit in the back of the truck...If you have ever driven in Portland you will understand why. They are crazy drivers and after waiting in their hot cars for over an hour...

Not a good thing...

When we finally made it to the spot Alyssa and Boomer discovered the mud hole...Which later we discovered had tadpoles living in it. We tried to bring some home...but, they didn't make it.

Alyssa had her own bow and arrow set...

...Just like big brother.

Wyatt took an archery class this summer...I think it helped!

Taken by Garrett...

This is Poppy's "Cowboy Gun" a .22 Revolver. Wyatt had a great time shooting this one.

Poppy bought it in 1969.