State Fair

The State fair has been going on in our town and Ryan has kept asking me when we were going. I was kind of ho hum about it because I know they can get expensive. Well, I had no idea that Ryan has envisioned himself as a dad taking the kids to the fair. This has been something he has always wanted to do. So we made it happen.



We looked on craigslist and found a lady selling ride tickets for half price. We picked them up and were on our way. We, of course, ate fair food which I could have done all night. There was always something else around the corner that looked and smelled so good. We saw some of the livestock, cows, pigs, sheep, and lambs. That was smelly. Then we got to the rides. The kids had a blast. Watching them smile so big is always the best. The Six Flags amusement park was right next to the fair so they opened up their rides to everyone for the fair too. Ryan tried to get me to go on the huge roller coaster but it was temporarily closed. I don't know if I was relieved or disappointed. Aidan's favorite ride was the bumper cars. One time he was able to drive with Lacey and the other he had to have Ryan drive. Lacey loved the little roller coaster. She went on it twice and was ready for another. While we were there two teenage girls gave us some of their tickets, 14 in total. We were shocked. It was great for the kids though. I was even able to go on a couple of rides with them.

We were all pretty exhausted by nights end. Our feet hurt, we were done walking, and just wanted to sleep, but it was all worth it.

Never quite like this.

Ryan says I love you all the time, but never quite like this.

Nope that isn't sidewalk chalk, Ryan has gone crazy with the pressure washer. He did our whole drive way, sidewalk up to the house and then the sidewalk out by the road. It is amazing how clean it gets and how dirty it was. Well, this is what I found after his first day of pressure washing. Sweet huh?

Back to Preschool

Lacey is back to preschool today. She has counted down the days for a week. I am excited for her. She has a great teacher that loves her a lot and she learns and makes fun things. I love that she has something fun to look forward to and something that is all hers.

Photo editing

I just took another photoshop photo editing class online from Jessica Sprague. The classes are videos which I love because I pick it up faster.

Here are some things I did. I had so much fun. It will be hard not to spend all my time playing around with photos now.

BEFORE: Snoqualmie Falls

AFTER: Snoqualmie Falls

BEFORE: Our Wedding Day

AFTER: Our Wedding Day

And just a fun collage...

First Day of School

Ready for school.

Look how my new backpack and lunch box match my shirt!

Walking to the bus stop at 7:00 a.m.

Waiting to get on the bus.

Bye mom!

I love you!

Away he goes!

Back to school traditions

Last year we started a back to school tradition to go out for pizza the night before school started. I just wanted one last family hurrah before school began again. This year we tried a new pizza place called Wicks Pizza. If you live here, I recommend it. It is hippie and retro but the pizza is good.

Another of our traditions is for Ryan to give us Priesthood blessings. Cassidy and Lacey fell asleep on our car ride home so theirs will be another night. Aidan and I recieved ours. After Aidan received his he stood up and said, "That almost blew my mind." What a riot. We were able to spend a few minutes alone with him last night. It was fun to just enjoy him and talk to him. I was telling him how much I loved him and that I miss him so much when he goes to school. He sat there for a minute and then said, "You could make a doll of me." Well, maybe I will Aidan. He is such a sweet little boy. I love him so much and really do miss him when he is off to school.

While you were sleeping...

Today I took a delicious nap that was much needed. I think I slept an hour and a half. Ryan nicely took care of the kids. I was surprised to see what he did with them. I was awakened by a little Cassidy screaming down the hall, "MOM, MOM, MOM!" The door was then thrown open and this is what I saw.

Aren't they cute in their "crowns"? And, Ryan, so crafty? Who knew? I was thoroughly impressed and the kids were so proud, especially little Cassidy.

The Results are In!

Ryan completed the triathlon! Yeah for him! He didn't drown, didn't fall off the bike, didn't get a flat tire, and didn't fall over dead. He finished in 1 hour and 50 minutes.

The breakdown:
Swim: 25 minutes (800 m)
Bike: 55 minutes (14.75 miles)
Run: 28 minutes (5K)

And I am a die hard for pictures so I was excited to find these.
(I'm discovering you can't click from one link to the next to see all his pics. It will take you to the wrong picture if you do. If you close the browser and start over again the right picture will come up. Weird and I'm sorry)

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=07Q600bn020295&po=295

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=07Q600BN010212&po=212

http://www.photoreflect.com/pr3/orderpage.aspx?pi=07Q600BN000403&po=403

Go! Daddy Go!

Today Ryan is in Seattle doing a triathlon with one of his buddies. We are sad we can't be there to support him but are cheering him on from here. Good luck Ryan!

Baseball is done.

Today was Aidan's last baseball game. He has done great this year with coach pitch. He was great at hitting. He often hit doubles. He loved playing first base but tended to run after any ball any where on the field. We had to work on staying in your area of the field. He had a young teenage guy as his coach which Aidan really liked. After the game they were given trophies and then the coach and the team had a water balloon fight. What a way to end a season, especially on a hot, humid day.

Great hit!

He hit a double!

Hitting the coach with water balloons after the game!

A lesson in boating.

We had been asked by the youth of the church if we could take them out water skiing this Friday. Ryan was going to be gone but I said I would do it anyway. I feel comfortable driving the boat but not hitching, launching or driving the trailer. So tonight was my first extensive lesson. I learn something each time we go out but this time I watched everything and asked lots of questions. I drove the trailer down to the river and backed the boat into the water. That was quite stressful. I did it though. I also pulled the boat home and backed it into our driveway. Such a tricky process that I took for granted. I feel like it will be a big task to do this all alone but I am up to the challenge!

(p.s. The activity got cancelled because the docks were under water after a huge storm and the river was filled with debris. I was kind of sad but mostly relieved.)

quickpages of Cassidy

Skits

Saturday night of our family reunion we had a variety show. I wasn't too thrilled about participating but I enjoyed what everyone else did. I guess I need to start working on one now so we can do a "skit" in 2 years. That's how much time we would need to make it good.

The star of the night was my brother, Clint. He is so funny. I love how he tells stories. He always injects some kind of accent that makes the story even more funny. Well, he did a skit with my dad and brother about a coin operated game that you duel against but you always end up losing somehow. I was driving around the other day and heard the kids in the back reciting the words of the skit. I was surprised that they remembered it. I can't remember what Clint said in his skit but Aidan thinks he said "You wanna dugger?" I wish I knew what he was meaning to say but I think it is hilarious just the same. The great part is that Aidan is injecting the same funny accent. I just had to record it. If anything.............Clint, here's to you!