Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Re-Cap of our Summer!

We really wanted to get to Utah after schoool was out for summer, and we needed to go before Gramma & Grampa House went on their 2nd mission to Pennsylvania. As it turned out, We sent Jaycee to spend a week with them and the girls, while Tanner had a soccer camp for the week. It was pretty quiet around here...and Tanner kept asking how long Jaycee was going to be gone! Cute..So we got there and were able to spend a couple of days with Mom & Dad before they checked into the MTC on the 4th of July. We all went to Church together, and that was awesome...we all were there when Mom & Dad got set apart for their mission, and it was sweet to hear their testimonies, and feel in their excitement of serving another mission!!.We went down to Provo after going to Brent & Heather's 4th of July picnic with them and Mom & Dad...it was hard to say goodbye to Mom & Dad....but we went to Kaylee and Sean's place for the next few days to spend some time with them. Their house was much cooler than Mom & Dad's, so that was wonderful!! It was a HOT week while we were visiting!!! But we did enjoy the sun alot!!!



We had a bbq the day before we had to head back to WA, and Mom & Dad were able to pop in for some last good-byes from the MTC. We wished them well and hope to be able to go see them on their mission and take in some church sites while we are there.....and HERSHEY'S!!
Ryan and Stephanie got engaged in June, and were married by Darin down on Ruston on August 6, 2011. It was a beautiful day, and we were thrilled to have them and Steph's Family here in WA, and all staying with us!! We didn't want anyone to miss anything...and she has a wonderful Family, and We ADORE Stephanie! How wonderful for us that we GAINED a grandson as well!!! Aiden is a dream, such a happy go lucky little boy, and I just love him!!!
Zach & Aiden....People think they are twins...being 9 months apart, I can see why....cute Brother's!!


We had Family photo's taken on the 5th, which I will be forever grateful for....it's amazing how much your Famiy can change in just a few months!!!
We all met down at the Orting trail, and Stacy Jacobsen took some fabulous pictures which I can't wait to see!
And, of course, I couldn't resist taking some of my own while we waited our turn! Love these two granddaughters of mine!!!
We have been on the go all summer...we SERIOUSLY never stop....but then again~neither do the memories. I'll share more of the summer next post...it's hard to catch up...maybe I learned my lesson this time!?

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Piano Recital

This was Tanner and Jaycee's only recital this year. This is their first year with a new teacher, Jinell Nettelton, and she is amazing. She really pushes her student's, but in a good way, and lets them have a say in what they like to play. The kids have really had to relearn a few things...like counting and they seem to really like the way she teaches verses their old teacher Tammie. So glad they enjoy playing! When she suggested that they play a duet...I was a little nervous, but they actually did very well....despite some words while practicing at home...ha ha.

I can tell Jaycee is learning sooo much, Jinell says Jaycee really has a talent with music, and it shows in how much she practices!
Tanner and Jinell

Jaycee and Jinell

I sure love having a piano in our home and having it played. Jinell says pretty soon Jaycee can be a teacher....so maybe she can teach me!! Jace says I'm not patient enough...but we will see about that....now I have a challenge..HA!

Baseball once again!

And Tan LOVES baseball!! Which I am grateful for...,because we do too!! This year his team is The Dodgers, and Center Collision is sponsoring his team again with warm up jackets and an awesome end of season party in June.
He's gotten some pretty amazing hits already, and he is so proud!! The batting cages are paying off!!
This was a triple...and as you can see, he was soooo happy!!
Waiting for the ok to steal home!
Warmin up!

And home he comes!!!


He's our 1st base man....and what a stretch!!
He told his coach that he doesn't really know how to slide that well....So the next nice day the coach went out and bought a slip and slide and taught him how it's done....so now were awaiting the big slide!! He has 3 awesome coaches, and we absolutely love his coaches and all the families we play with!!

I was just telling a friend that I can't wait to have grandkids close by and attend their sporting events, and grandparent day at school...all the fun things about being a grandparent! Now the task......GET THEM CLOSER!!!!

My surprise 50th Birthday Party

I can't believe they actually pulled this one off on me!! The way this all worked out was perfect for Kev....for once doing things last minute actually payed off for him. I just thought we were going to dinner...which we were, but as we got close to the place...they made me close my eyes and they led me into this place. I didn't like closing my eyes, and I remember walking in and it smelling musty! And I heard voices....so I thought oh, maybe he got some of our friends together for dinner...cool. But when I opened my eyes and saw how many people were in the room...I about died!! I WAS definately surprised! About 50 people or so...WOW!


Kevin and Jaycee had put a slide show together, which was very cool, and Jaycee added music for Kev....so I sat down and watched the slide show for a while...till I saw a picture of Kathy...which made me tear up a little....wo then I got up and started visiting. Rick and Karen made me a homemade LEI....it smelled so pretty, and I had a crown to wear. I still couldn't believe all the people who came to honor ME...wow!! I am in the process of making a birthday book and I will include all the people...since this blog would be sooo long otherwise!


We had a delicious dinner catered by Three Chicks Catering...we had chicken cordon blue with YUMMY grilled veggies, salad, rolls....I just remember it tasting sooooo yummy! After dinner, Kevin had hired a magician to come...and he was hillarious!! He had Journey come up...she had scooted towards the back as not to be picked......but it didn't work...he was doing this trick about slicing her finger off, and she is sooo gullable.

He was entertaining!
He got me up there too...he was good!

Then afterwards we had cake...Trina made a darling banner for my cake, and one to hang on my wall!

After the desert, Kevin had gotten some letters from some who couldn't make it...Kaylee, Shyn, my friend Shay.....so he started reading those...then people started getting up and saying such sweet things about me...when it started turning into a testimonial...I decided it was getting WAY to serious. So I had everyone gather their chairs into a circle and we played of course....SOME GAMES! Fruit basket....fun, fun group games! I thought this party can't end without games right?! Everyone participated and we had a BALL!!
Just shortly after the magician had started...Darin walked in with these roses for me....what a surprise...this night was full of them! I was sooo happy to see him and have him at the party!!!
He'd come from work, so glad he could make it! Everyone got to see what a fun personality Darin has, and how much fun he can really be. When he was playing games with us, he was cracking us up....nice to see him having a good time!
(Watching the video)



This will certainly not be a birthday I will soon forget, I was so thankful for all the sweet friends who cared enough about me to come and be with us....what a GREAT party!! Thanks hon!

My actual birthday ~

I actually felt spoiled on my birthday...already having my big 50th birthday bash!! I got up and went to my first monday of the month quilt class at The Wild Rose....my favorite shop right now...they are sooo sweet there! This is my quilting friend Joan...I met her at one of my classes, so we always save each other a seat, and I look forward to visiting with her 2 Mondays of the month for classes!!
This is my favorite instructor Andria...I have learned sooo many new quilting skills from her, she's a hoot, and fun to take classes from!
Then I get this text from Trina saying she wanted to kidnap me for lunch to be ready....so up pulls Journey...who had successfully pulled Jaycee out of Jr. High early. (She wasn't on our list of people...and I am still surprised that they let her check Jaycee out...way to beat the system friend!!) She had made me this ADORABLE banner to hang in my studio...which I immediately did...it's soooo cute...it's fun having such talented friends!
We went to Anthony's on the water...MY FAVORITE place ever....their fish and chips is to die for and cole slaw...mmmmm I want some now!!
Of course we had to have dessert...I had creme brulet...my ALL TIME favorite EVER!!!! Especially there...no matter how full I am, I can't leave without this Amazing stuff!!

Needless to say...I felt sooo spoiled all weekend and on Monday...my actual birthday!!

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day




I HAVE THE BEST JOB,....BEING A MOTHER!!


And it was a very nice lazy day!! Church was nice....we go at 9 am which I've gotten used to...I'm not an early bird, but it is nice to come home and relax the rest of the afternoon. Since I'm not usually too hungry in the mornings, Kevin opted to make me brunch after church. It was delicious!! The best time to have breakfast food in my opinion!! I got 2 hanging flower plants from Kevin and the kids, and they are full & beautiful.

How is this daughter of mine growning so dang fast and becoming a young lady...not possible!!

She'll get her drivers permit in 4 months...yikes, that's frightening!! To teach another kid to drive....not sure I have it in me...ha ha! I'll never forget almost peeing my pants trying to teach Kaylee stick in the church parking lot.......we laughed our heads off!! Maybe Jaycee won't want to learn stick...I'm sure that'll be the case!!!
Sweet little Tanner Boy....he writes in my Mother's Day card..."Although I get mad at you, you are still the best Mom"...very well stated for a 10 year old!
Just 2 kids left at home...and there is still never a dull moment in this household!! Tanner is playing baseball, and his new soccer coach has decided to get a HEAD start on practices....like THIS saturday....ARE YOU kidding me...we have only had 2 baseball games!!!! One sport at a time coach!!! I think Jaycee would like to have private violin lessons...we'll see about that and just how serious she is. She is very musical...which I love!!
It's fun to look back on all my Mother's Days and see how little each of the kids were...so this picture tradition continues!!!

Friday, March 25, 2011

For Kaylee


Ok, so I know blogging isn't one of my talents these days....I will try and do better....especially when I have a little prompting from Kaylee dear!! Thanks! Tanner was so excited to have Kev come on his field trip to WSU on St. Patricks Day!!His school is a NO excuses school, and they are stressing "Everyone goes to college"....so it was a great day for his 4th grade class to be able to go! He trys to be fair and says 'Mom, you can come on the next one k?" works for me!! And...Miss Jaycee went on her 1st trip, flying all by herself this morning! She was a little nervous, and the lady at the check-in could tell and issued me a free pass to escort her to her gate, which worked out well! She called me every few minutes till she boarded the plane, then called when she landed in San Francisco, and when The Miller's met her at baggage claim. So All went well!! She's a very responsible daughter!! She's going to have a ball!!


So we decided to go on an overnighter in the motorhome up to Stampede Pass to snowmobile last weekend.....Kev checked the weather, and the passes were totally dry. We headed up at 6 pm.....Right before we reached the top of Snoqualmie Pass it started snowing like CRAZY!!! We watched I-90 go from 4 lanes to being totally shut down!!! Cars started sliding and spinning out and stopping in front of us, so we had no choice but to stop! Being on an incline...we also got stuck and our wheels were spinning!! Kevin almost jack knifed our motorhome and enclosed trailer!! (notice the photo above and our trailer totally sticking out!) We came within about a foot of running into a semi, but luckily we stopped sliding in time. Kevin stopped and put chains on...which by the way were NOT required. After we realized we weren't going anywhere...because of all the spinouts in front and beside us, Tan and I decided to go out and play in the snow. We were parked on I-90 for over an hour, Kevin helped cars get unstuck and after 2 snowplows came by, we braved the roads once again! Once he started going he didn't stop, and we arrived 4 1/2 hours later! Prayers being said all along the way!!! We can usually get to Stampede in 90 minutes!! I've NEVER seen such giant snowflakes in my life!! It snowed about 4 inches in the time we were parked on I-90....crazy stuff!! Once Kevin was relaxed...he peeks his head in the motorhome and said "I can't believe you're not taking pictures of this stuff" As I snapped a picture of him...ha ha! When we finally started moving again, Tanner said.."well that was quite an experience that I hope to NEVER have again!!" So that gave us a good teaching moment about ALWAYS being prepared....being a good scout....good times!!

I LOVE spending time with Kev....I remember thinking when he proposed to me thinking....WOW, lucky me.., to spend the rest of my life with this spontaneous wonderful Man!!


Jaycee spent the night with a friend, so it was just the 3 of us this trip! When we finally got to Stampede at midnight...we just had to take a night ride....and SOOO glad we did....riding in over a foot of FRESH POWDER is like heaven on earth!!!
Tanner loves this white stuff as much as we do!! Lots of memories made in the snow!!