Ensign Ranch Camping 2011

We got to go to Ensign Ranch again this year with the Cammack's (minus poor Zach and Nadia-who were sick), Romero's, and Reed's. Many thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for coming to our house to watch Eliza. I just did not think that Eliza would be ANY fun camping. Crawling in the dirt, fire, tent sleeping with an almost one year old sounded like a recipe for a terrible camping trip for us all. Needless to say, Grandma and Grandpa had a blast with little Eliza all to themselves for the weekend-and we loved spending time with just the "big kids." We had fun having smores playing flashlight tag, sitting around the fire, sleeping in the tent, eating junk, horseback riding, sliding on the slip and slide, and canoeing. The only bad part was little Sadie (not the most graceful) tripped over a tent tie down in the dark and landed on her face. Thank goodness Dr. Spenser (our dentist) was there to take care of her. There was so much blood that I would have packed up camp and headed to the emergency room if he hadn't been there to clean her mouth out and calm ME down. Sadie was very tough and was happy to head to the tent and watch a movie on her own DVD player.

Ryan and Sadie went down the slip'n slide countless times!!!

Enjoying a nice cool ice cream treat

Sadie on a grumpy horse-I led the horse and had no idea what I was doing!

Connor's horse was much more compliant.

A Few More Pool Days

Although it seemed that summer really didn't come until August this summer-we did manage to spend a few final days at the pool. Being mostly from Texas and California, Summer=Pool time. I do have to admit that the cooler weather here affords for many, many all day park days-which are few and far between for kids in the summers for kids who live in hotter climates...for that I am grateful, but I still LOVE the pool and the sun. Eliza can take or leave the pool, Sadie has become a little fish, and Connor is an excellent swimmer, but prefers short swims and more playing in the fields behind the pool. So sad when our pool days are over...until next year I suppose!

The girls and I

Sadie and Olivia

Eliza snacking in the stroller

Connor and Thomas

Sleeping Beauty Eliza

Eliza is such a great sleeper these days. I wanted to document what a sweetie she is while she sleeps. She always sleeps with her little sleep sack, her blankie (clutching her tags) , a binky, and her white noise machine. She has a little aquarium music box on her crib that she loves. Connor and Sadie both had the same one, but didn't care for it. She turns it on to go to sleep, put herself back to sleep, and while she is waking up. Why can't they stay little forever??

Ragnar Relay

Thanks to to injured people, and one amazing friend that took ALL 3 of my kids (THANK YOU NADIA!!!) Ryan and I were both able to participate in the Ragnar Northwest Passage Relay. Between 12 people we ran almost 200 miles in 29 hours on virtually no sleep at all. It was an adventure, that I'm still not sure I want to repeat, but I am thankful I got to do.

So these photos are in total reverse order of events, but here is a glimpse...

On the ferry ride home-so beautiful, but so tired!!!

Ryan and I with our medals. It was really fun to do this together.

The whole team at the finish-"Black Hills Bandits"

Fast Danika

Getting ready for my last leg-literally running on fumes...

I was pretending to be happy-but was a little grumpy-it wasn't until after my run Saturday morning that I was able to "snap out of it" and wake up. (Sorry van mates for being a grump:) Christine and Gina were their usual cheery selves-love those girls!

Gina and I exchanging...

Getting ready for my night run...my team lost me because I was so speedy... :) waited at the finish line for about 20 minutes for them to get there.

How could I not be speedy with a view like this the whole run...this guy was hilarious!

Christine and Gina at the 2nd exchange

Christine and Spenser at the first exchange

Van 1 all smiles-before the start-we didn't know yet what we were getting into!

A Pleasant Saturday

It feels like we always have things going for all of our weekends-whether its birthday parties, sports games, get togethers with friends, church activities, yard work, house chores, etc-so it is always pleasant when we have a day with nothing planned and we can just enjoy family time. Its always helpful when we have good weather as well. A couple of weeks ago, we went downtown and went to a new pizza by the slice place for lunch, a new cupcake store for dessert, and then over to priest point park to play and hike. I sure do treasure those days...

Fourth of July 2011

The Fourth of July was beautiful this year (it usually rains!). We spent the weekend before in Portland with Grandma and Grandpa having a great time. We went to a great outdoor pool (something we are missing in Olympia) and had some good family time together. Ryan and I even got to sneak out for a couple of dates. On the 4th, we had the Beardsley's over for dinner, and then headed out to the Tumwater celebration to meet some more friends and see some fireworks. It was a very happy Independence Day.

Cotton Candy and Fireworks!!!

Eliza LOVED the fireworks.

I love this little girl.

My cute kiddos.

Eliza's future husband-Charlie

Sisters

The 4th is Cooper's least favorite day of the year-Eliza was trying to comfort a really nervous dog. He HATES fireworks.

Ryan hooking Eliza up with some ice cream.

Boy's Night Out- Mariner's vs Braves

For Father's day, we got Ryan some great seats to the Mariner's vs Braves game. Connor cheered for the M's while Ryan has always been a die hard Braves fan. He and Connor loved every minute of it. They had a lot of junk food, came back with a T-shirt, and lots of good stories to tell. I am so glad that they got to go together-although Ryan said that he is now very spoiled and not sure that he can go back to the "cheap seats."