Happy Moments

Just thought I'd take the opportunity to post some pics of the happy moments we've had these past couple weeks. 

The kids playing in the backyard with the neighbors enjoying a glass of ice water

trying new recipes. These are broccoli, cheese and turkey swirls in puff pastry dough.

Me enjoying some relax time while Emma brushed my hair. This is her new all time favorite past time. Whenever she sees me on the computer she grabs a brush and climbs onto the computer chair and stands behind me with a hair thing between her teeth (I must do this too). I love it!

Taco night out on the back deck.

And I don't know if I've shown you our new van yet. I might have to go back through the blog to make sure but this is our new Toyota Sienna. Our other one that was in the wreck ended up being a total loss. Isn't she pretty?

One of those days....

Why does it take me turning into a mad, crazy woman before my kids take me seriously? And even when I get to that point they still don't take me seriously.

I need a REAL vacation! A week or even just a weekend without kids, fighting, whining, chores, tattles, he did this, or she won't give me my...etc. So tired of Dan's work schedule and tired of feeling stuck without anything to look forward on the weekends because we just don't have those anymore. What is a weekend anyway? Tired of feeling like I can't do what I want because having 3 tag-a-longs would just make it unbearable. There's only so many outings I can take on my own with kids in tow that I can handle before I reach my "DONE" point. This mama needs a break! And not just a 3-4 hour long break. A real honest to goodness multiple day and night kind of break. Oh and a maid to come clean my house and do my laundry while I am gone so I can relax when I get back.

Oh how I wish....

Glenn Family Reunion at Fort Steven's

This year at the beach was a little different in that it was Dan's family reunion but Dan didn't come til the end of the week. So the kids and I camped on our own for the first 3 nights. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be since Grandpa and Grandma and the other Aunts and Uncles helped out a lot. But it sure wasn't the same without daddy there.

I didn't take as many pictures as previous years due to the fact I had to be more hands on without Dan around. But I did get some cute ones for this years Christmas calendar that I do every year. Here they are:

Grandma Shellie running from Luke and Emma who kept trying to get her pants wet.

Adelle

Arya all bundled up. It was COLD at the beach!

Me trying on hats at the hat shop in Sea Side. I liked the moose one.

Emma having fun with the sand toys

Look mom! I got my hands all clean again!

Mmmm nothing like smore's after riding your bike around camp

Florence

Ryan rented a 6 person bike trolly for an hour while we were in Sea Side. Those things are hard work!

Grandma and Grandpa at the beach. Thanks for putting this all together!

Grandpa and Emma watching everyone while we rode the bumper cars in Sea Side

Kaleb (Do you know how hard it is to get this kid to smile normal for a picture?) I got one!

Kiera trying on a silly hat at the hat shop

Mary and Kiera riding the carousel

Mary at the hat shop. I thought this hat was very fitting for her since we celebrated her birthday while we were at the beach this year. She's turning 6!

Ryan and Michelle

Steven and his baby girl Arya

Steven and LaDean with Arya

Each night Grandpa reads a story to all the grandkids and at the end of the trip each family get to take one of the books home. I love this tradition!

Timmy, Kiera, and Ethan decided to be brave and ride the tilt-a-whirl in Sea Side. It was hilarious to watch their faces! But they must have liked it because Kiera and Ethan rode it again with Dan when we went back on Friday before heading home.

Timmy playin' in the sand

Michelle with Luke

We had a lot of fun and look forward to this trip every year. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for putting it all together for us! And thank you to Steve and LaDean for caravanning down there with me and for everyone that helped me with the kids while Dan was gone. You made the trip much easier for me. Now to get the Calendars put together...

Fourth of July Festivities

This fourth of July was nice and simple. We didn't travel anywhere and we got to enjoy a little neighborhood block party instead. We  had a cul-de-sac BBQ and had fun watching each others fireworks in our lawn chairs. Nice and simple but the kids loved it and I liked the minimal effort factor. 
We had our friends Ben and Kara May over to go see our local small town parade and then later for some food and fireworks. My mom was also up here for the holiday so we got to share the day celebrating her birthday as well. Her birthday is on the 4th.
Here are some pictures of our festivities...

smoke bombs and pop-its before dark

Emma's hair was very fitting for the holiday. Her pig tails looked like fireworks

Cupcakes for Grandma "tutu" came with some fun star rings. This is a picture of all three kid's hands on top of hers.

getting ready to watch the parade

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The best part about small town parades is the loot they throw out to the crowd! MMMM watermelon salt water taffy.

By the time the parade was over each kid had collected a balloon, a frisbee (or hat) and a pile of candy. All of it was handed out by the parade participants. Love it!

gotta love those bagpipe bands.

Being silly while watching fireworks

"uncle" Ben and Kiera at the firework table. Ben and Dan had fun spooking each other with the power snaps while the other one was lighting the fireworks. It was entertaining to watch the two of them.

some of the neighbors. Left to right: Julia, McKelle, Samantha, and Tyler

Some of the fireworks were a little scary

"Aunt" Kara and Kiera

Oh my that was LOUD!

 

Kiera having fun with sparklers.

Emma's first sparkler. She thought it was pretty cool

Grandma and Emma went in early and when I came in to check on them this is what I found. 

Happy Fourth of July! And Happy Birthday Grandma "TuTu"

Dear Me,

I saw this posted on Facebook today and loved it! I don't know who wrote it but whomever did sure nailed it on the head. Touched this mama's heart.

Dear Me,

For the days we are running on empty. For the days we just don't think we have it in us to read one more story, play one more game of Uno, wash one more round of sheets. For the days when we think everyone else has it together. For the days we're sure anyone else would do this job better.

For those days. You know the ones.

Repeat after me:

1. I shall not judge my house, my kid's summer activities or my crafting skills by Pinterest's standards.

2. I shall not measure what I've accomplished today by the loads of unfolded laundry but by the assurance of deep love I've tickled into my kids.

3. I shall say yes to blanket forts and see past the chaos to the memories we're building.

4. I shall surprise my kids with trips to get ice cream when they're already in their pajamas.

5. I shall not compare myself to other mothers but find my identity in the God who trusted me with these kids in the first place.

6. I shall remember that a messy house at peace is better than an immaculate house tied up in knots.

7. I shall play music loudly and teach my kids the joy of wildly uncoordinated dance.

8. I shall remind myself that perfect is simply a street sign at the intersection of impossible and frustration in Never Never land.

9. I shall embrace the fact that in becoming a mom I traded perfect for a house full of real.

10. I shall promise to love this body that bore these three children out loud, especially in front of my daughter.

11. I shall give my other mother friends the gift of guilt-free friendship.

12. I shall do my best to admit to my people my unfine moments.

13. I shall say sorry when sorry is necessary.

14. I pray God I shall never be too proud, angry or stubborn to ask for my children's forgiveness.

15. I shall make space in my grown-up world for goofball moments with my kids.

16. I shall love their father and make sure they know I love him.

17. I shall model kind words to kids and grown-ups alike.

18. I shall not be intimidated by the inside of my minivan this season of chip bags, goldfish crackers and discarded socks too shall pass.

19. I shall always make time to encourage new moms.

20. I shall not resent that last call for kisses and cups of water but remember instead that when I blink they'll all be in college.

... with love from one tired mother to another.

Port Townsend Camping Trip

A couple weekends ago (when it was still June) I took the kids on an overnight camping trip in Port Townsend. It is across the water from us so we had to take the ferry. We missed two ferries in a row which wasn't fun we were at the dock almost 4 hours before we actually got on one (I now know that reservations can be made in advance...good to know!). The kids enjoy riding the ferry but this mama thought she was going to be sick once or twice. Remind me never to go on a cruise :)

Since we missed two ferries we decided to kill some time by going to the cafe that was there just next to the ferry docks for some ice cream.

 

We went camping with my cousin Tim Stone. He and I didn't really grow up together but in the past couple years have gotten together once or twice and have become closer friends. We had a good time and the kids really liked hanging out with his dog "Minkus." I really like hanging out with his dog too! Don't be surprised if you see a post from me in a couple weeks about me getting a dog.

We went to the beach, saw the old WWII forts, and went and got some AMAZING pizza at a local pizza place over there. It was a lot of work for me to pack everything up for just myself and all three kids but it was fun and we made some memories while we were at it.



I didn't get a picture of our campsite since we didn't get in until after dark but the campground was gorgeous! Each campsite was extremely secluded too. Nicely done Tim!

My cousin Tim playing with Emma. (his daughter is about the same age)

Going for a walk around the campground with cousin Tim after breakfast

the view from the campground beach

view from the campground beach looking the other direction

"Minkus" the coolest dog ever

This girl loves spending her time finding treasures and would take every single one home if I let her

Look mommy! Look what I found!

Visiting the bunkers

Ethan Exploring the nooks and crannies

can you tell someone was getting cranky?

Emma looking for a rock to toss into the waves

Back on the Ferry we went up to the sun deck and had someone take our picture.

It sure was windy up there!

Decided to go one level down. Ahhh much better! Not so windy now.

I was good to get home and take a shower. This month has been a busy busy one! We had the 4th of July festivities, a visit from my mom, a trip to Whidbey Island to play at Double Bluff Beach, and this coming Monday the kids and I head to the Oregon Coast to go camping for a week with Dan's family. I Sure wish Dan was coming! I can't wait til his work load lightens up so he can come on our adventures with us again! I am getting burnt out doing them alone. Just a few more weeks til they deliver to Boeing! Just a few more weeks....gotta keep telling myself that.