Woodland Park

A few weeks ago we had a cloudy, cool day, so we decided to head to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle with the Cammack's. We had a great day and the kids were all pretty happy and well behaved. Connor's favorite was the giraffes and the gorillas. Sadie was entertained by the hippos. Woodland Park really is a fantastic zoo. I'm sure we will return soon!

Olivia and Sadie climbing on the rocks that said "climb at your own risk"

Thomas and Connor looking at the Grizzly Bears

Sadie loving the Carousel


Observing the Penguins (while giving hugs to Zach-or pushes-I can't remember which)

Stopping for lunch

Fourth of July 2009

We had a relaxing fourth of July. We wanted to stay around the house since we had been gone camping and to Leavenworth the previous two weekends. Grandma and Grandpa Johnson came down and we pretty much just hung out in the yard. Ryan and his dad put in a nice brick border in our flower bed out front and also did some much needed pruning. We did some sparklers , had some BBQ, and then drove to Tumwater hill to watch the fireworks from the car. My kids aren't big fans of the noise of the fireworks, but love to look at them!


Sadie looking very Patriotic

Sparklers

Playing catch with Grandpa

In the sandbox with Grandma

Little Green Froggies

We have the cutest little frogs in our backyard all of the time in the summer. The kids have to much fun looking for them and catching them. Sadie loves to get in on the frog catching too. We will all of the sudden hear her screeching at the top of her lungs "FROGGIES" when she spots one. She is hilarious! Here are a few photos of Connor and his buddies Sam and Simon catching frogs one afternoon.

Camping

Sadie just watched us go down.

Giant Slip and Slide

Horseback Riding

Connor playing catcher during the LONG baseball game

The Cammack's invited the Reeds and our family to go camping at a church owned property called Ensign Ranch a couple of hours away. It was a first for all of us to camp together as a family. Connor and Ryan have been on a few father son's trips, but the girls have stayed home. We had a great time with friends and really enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I was proud of Connor for trying horseback riding and the giant slip and slide. He has a hard time trying new things sometimes, but he did a great job and had fun too! The only thing I would change is to stay one day longer. Its a lot of work to set up and take down camp for one night, but then again we all had to be back for church on Sunday.

Roasting marshmallows with buddy Zach

Leavenworth

Ryan and I were lucky enough to be able to go on a little getaway to Leavenworth courtesy of Pfizer. He was asked to work at a conference Saturday and Sunday so we headed up Friday after I dropped the kids off at Grandma and Grandpa's in Portland. We stopped on our way at Chevy's for dinner. Even though we hit a little traffic on the way it was relaxing because we didn't have kids with us. We checked in to a cute little hotel right in town and walked around. We found a Cold Stone and treated ourselves to icecream, before heading back. Saturday, poor Ryan, had to get up very early to work, and I got to sleep in, go for a run, eat some breakfast, take a bath in the jetted tub, and read. I know...tough life. Ryan and I met for a late lunch for at an excellent Italian place. We decided to go on a hike along the river. The scenery is so beautiful there. After resting for a while at the hotel we went to a late dinner at a Mexican place. Its kind of funny that we ate Italian and Mexican in a German village, but I've never been one to love Brats! We stayed over Saturday and left Sunday morning to meet Ryan's parents and the kids at our house. They were so kind to bring them to us. We enjoyed a great steak dinner for Father's Day. The kids had a wonderful time at Grandma and Grandpa's and we had a very relaxing fun time together. Couldn't have asked for a bettter weekend!

Summer Fun

We are enjoying one of the best summers that we have had since living in WA. The weather has been beautiful and we are trying to get out and enjoy the sunshine as much as possible. My kids probably enjoy just hanging out in the backyard the most out of all the fun summer acttivities we do. They also love going to the highschool behind the neighborhood and playing baseball. You can see that Sadie loves playing in the dirt on the field. I am glad that my little prissy girl doesn't mind getting dirty everyonce in a while. Happy Summer!

Canasta with Grandpa

After the funeral Mom, Dad, and I walked around BYU for a little while and of course made a trip for a hot fudge sundae at the Creamery on 9th. Then we met Grandpa and Jean at one of my favorite Utah places to eat -Cafe Rio. Yummy! The most fun part of the day, however, was playing cards with Dad, Grandpa, and Jean. We played boys against girls and lost terribly! Grandpa enforced the long time tradition that Grandma Westover started and I had to hold his elbow while chanting "You are the Champion" 3 times. So fun. Playing cards has always been a favorite thing to to with Grandma and Grandpa Westover and I am glad I had a little time to do it this trip...although next time I want to win!:)