Summer Vacation 2009

On Friday we headed out on our summer vacation. The plan was to head up to Gig Harbor Wa on Friday and stay with my friend Karen and her 2 girls, Season & Serena. Then on Saturday We were to head into Seattle and take the kids to the zoo and then go to Pike Place Market. Then on Sunday we were going to Kapowsin Lake to stay at Karen's friend's lake house. On Monday we were to go to Leavenworth and shop all day.

On Friday we got up early and headed out of town. Our first official stop was Snoqualamie Falls.


It is beautiful! We packed a picnic lunch and headed up to the falls. They were gorgeous!



We learned that the falls are over 100 feet taller than Niagra Falls.

I couldn't resist a family picture.



We then headed down to the picnic area and had lunch.


After lunch we were off to Gig Harbor. We left the house at 7:00am and didn't get to Gig Harbor until 2:30 in the afternoon. When we did finally get here I was able to see my friend Karen and her girls who I haven't seen in months. The kids decided they were going to have dinner outside.



Then on Saturday we got up early and went to the zoo.



J was so excited to see a giraffe.


Little E was excited to see a tiger.


Big E wanted to see a bald Eagle.


They all wanted to see the lions, but they were sleeping.


So they got the next best thing.


One of the best things was that we were able to see our niece Kalah. We were able to meet and fall in love with her daughter, Natalie.



After our 7 hour visit to the zoo. We headed down to Graham to the lake house on Lake Kapowchie.



We wanted to be there so we could wake up there and not have to leave all day. Sunday was also Ben's birthday. He was in heaven. His ideal day is hanging out by the water with a fire drinking a beer. He had a great day.


The kids could not wait to get in the water. They stayed in the water all day. There was a row boat and a peddle boat for us to use. Big E was so excited. He would take the kids all over the lake in both boats.




We then sat by the water and fire and had roasted marshmallows.




On Monday we were on our way to Leavenworth. It was a very long drive. Thankfully the kids passed out in the car.



We got to Leavenworth just in time for lunch.


There were some really cool buildings and a bus/trolley.



That was our vacation in a nutshell. We had the best time. I am already planning next years vacation.

Kindergarten ending

Little E & J are graduating from Kindergarten this week. I am so sad. Time is flying by and I am having a hard time keeping up with it. Last week they had their end of year performance at school. They were adorable.

J is in the morning class and Little E is in the afternoon class. Pop Pop (my Dad), Amy (my long time friend and their babysitter), her daughter Lexi and our family were their to support and watch them. They were so happy. Here are a few pictures to share.

Memorial Day weekend

I am officially about 1 week behind on my blogging. We have the great weekends where we are having fun and doing lots of family stuff. By the end of the weekend I am so busy and then it is a week of work. By the beginning of the next weekend I am finally blogging about the previous weekend. So in true Niki style I am blogging about last weekend Memorial Day weekend.

As I have said before we love our family and we love our friends like they were family. We were able to spend some wonderful time with them all.

Let me start with the fact that we have been having great weather here and so almost everything we is outside. Ben works a schedule where he has every other Friday off and on the Fridays he works they are a shortened day. This Friday he had to work, but was off by 1:30 in the afternoon. When he came home he set up our pool in the backyard and then set up our tent in the backyard for some backyard camping. when I came home from work they were having a fire in the backyard around the fire pit. It was wonderful.

On Saturday we went to one of my oldest and dearest friends, Amy's sons first birthday party. I forgot my camera so I don't have picture to show you. It was adorable. He had the best time and wasn't quite sure what to do with the cake.

We then went to our friends Shannon's and Justin's for another party. (I know) My niece was having her baptism at the same time so I let Ben and the kids stay at the party while I went to Payton's baptism. she was gorgeous and so well behaved. There were a lot of other children getting baptized at the same time. The church was pretty loud. Fortunatly I remembered my camera, so I can show you a picture of my brother holding my niece. She is such a good baby that she fell asleep while all of the other kids were screaming and crying.



After the baptism I headed back over to Shannon's and we hung out for a good portion of the night.






On Sunday my Aunt Linda and her husband Rex were in town from California. I haven't seen them in years.



My parents had a BBQ at their house. My brother and his family were there.




My sister and her family were there.






My baby sister and her family were there.




We had a great time and we were able to catch up on things going on in all of our lives. I was able to hold and love on my two newest nieces (who I adore). The kids had a great time.




That night we had our friends Kim and Dave over for a fire with their kids. We made smore's and had a great time just hanging out.







On Monday we took the day off and just cleaned up after the weekend. We needed a little down time as well.

Mother's Day late post

I know, I know. I'm late again. I do have some great pictures to share. We had a wonderful time. Ben and the kids made me breakfast in bed and the kids brought in their gifts for me. Little E and J are both in kindergarten and both made me the most wonderful ladybug figures. They have been learning about ladybugs for the last few weeks at school. I love them so much. Big E came upstairs and gave me a big hug and told me "Happy Mother's Day". Ben gave me the most heartfelt card that made me tear up and a beautiful bouquet of lilacs from our backyard.

We then went over to my parents house for a BBQ. My brother and sisters were there with all of their kids. It was a great time.

Here are some pictures of the BBQ. Enjoy.