Michelle and Kids' Visit

It was a short but very fun visit...we went in to Seattle and up Mt Rainier and also took the kids swimming at their hotel pool. Lots of pictures, so here are a few...

Alder Dam (I think that is the name of it.)

Owen and Kallise at one of the stopping points.
All 7 of 'em, from left to right (on the ground): Leah, Kallise, Owen, and Ethan;(on the rock): Hailee, Jaron, and MatthewJeff with Owen, Matthew and Leah at the visitors center on Mt Rainer.

All 8 of 'em at the bottom of the Space Needle in Seattle:
Owen, David, Kallise, Leah, Hailee, Matthew, Ethan, and Jaron.

These Are The Pictures of Our Lives

I know I have been horrible about updating this for those that look at it for updates...but by the time I do all my other computer stuff (news, email, couponing, etc.) I feel as though I have spent enough time on the computer and it is time to go do the dishes, get the kids lunch, kiss a "scrouchie" (as Owen calls them) and the list goes on. First we will start with a few random pictures (with info, of course).

This one is at the end of of Leah's Kindergarten year (I know, it goes back a ways). They had an awards ceremony and she received 3 awards; the first was a Kiwanis Terrific Kids award (this one was given to 2 kids in each class and Leah was 1 of the 2 chosen for her class), the second was a certificate for Academic Excellence and the third was a Certificate of Participation for 100% Homework Completion.
This one is from Father's Day...Jeff and the kids with his present. The kids love Daddy's homemade burgers. (Don't mind Matthew, he was having a disagreement with the sun and the sun won.)
Grammy came up for a visit over 4th of July and we drove up Mt Rainer. The first is, of course, Matthew and Grammy, at one of the scenic viewpoints.
This is Leah and Grammy at the top of one of the waterfalls on Mt Rainer. I can't remember the name of it off hand...but it sure is pretty.
This is Leah and Matthews' reaction when we gave them their birthday presents early so they could get some use out of them before it got too cold and wet. Razors are awfully hard to use in October (well you might get a little use still) and December.
This is a picture that I am assuming Matthew took one time when he and Owen got a hold of the camera without our knowledge.
Leah wanted to learn how to ice skate and we have an indoor skating rink just down the street from our house so I signed her up for an 8 week course this summer. After a few "tummy aches" and lots of tears we finally found her a group where she felt comfortable and she finished out her lessons. She has decided though that she wants to go to ballet school and be a dancer when she grows up.
Here is Leah again, this one on her first day of school.

More to come...Michelle and kids' visit in August, Leah's 7th Birthday Party and Halloween. I know I am a bit behind...but I vow to get caught in time to go to Illinois for Thanksgiving.

I Promise.

I promise to update tomorrow or maybe tonight, but probably tomorrow. I will put Leah's first day of school pictures and pictures from our trip to Seattle when Jeff's sister Michelle came up for a visit. Of course I'll put an update on how we all are doing too...

Such A Big Boy

I am so excited to say that Owen is finally potty-trained (after months of battling and debating about where he should go potty)...it took me about 2 days this time and letting him run around naked from the bottom down, but he finally got it. Yay!!! No more diapers or pull-ups (except at night of course)!

Now an actual update

Leah finished up her first year of school on June 16th. She did very well on her final report card and ended the year reading at 2.0 level (I think this is considered almost 2nd grade level) is going to be in a 1st/2nd grade split class next year. I knew she was going to good in school but I had no idea she would take to it as well as she did. I wouldn't be surprised if she skipped a grade eventually. She is starting ice skating lessons on Monday and can't hardly wait for her first lesson. She is truly a girly girl right down to wanting her own make-up, but she thinks worms and snails are awesome.

Matthew is very excited to start school so in addition to planning our summer outings I am also going to be searching for preschools for him. He recognizes most of the numbers between 1 and 10 and is anxious to learn to write the alphabet. He has so many interests it is hard to know where to start with him; he enjoys playing video games, riding his bike and dressing up with Leah and wants to be a super hero when he grows up. Hopefully I can find a preschool that I am satisfied with and that is in our budget.

Owen lives in Owen's World and occasionally lets us in to enjoy it with him. If he wants something he better get it or else and by or else I mean full on screaming and kicking temper tantrums. Although when he is not screaming and kicking he really is adorable and is able to carry on fairly understandable conversations. He is very independent, I mean what kid isn't at his age, but he is almost scary independent between trying to cross the road without Mom or Dad's help and climbing up the dresser to get his own clothes and stuff.

Jeff has been enjoying his new earlier shift; it has been nice having him home for dinner every night...even though he has to work on Saturday's now. He has taken up the game of folf or disc golf (a mix of throwing frisbees and golf) and would like to go every Sunday but sometime life gets in the way.

I have taken up a new hobby of couponing and deal hopping. Whenever I try to "talk coupons" I am met with blank or confused stares but I don't get any less excited when I score free laundry soap and shampoo or conditioner for $0.33 a bottle; not to mention free salad dressing and BBQ sauce. It does take a little more of my time to put it all together but I consider it my part time job and Jeff is super supportive of my late night runs to the store and tries to understand all my coupon lingo.

I suppose that is enough for now...I hope you enjoy all the pictures I put up.

Multnomah Falls in May

From the bottom...

On the way up...
At the top...

Zoo Play

The Zoo in April:

Then we had to figure out where to go.

Of course, we said hi the animals.

Most of them were just hanging out.

Then Leah's school did a field trip to the zoo in May.

Some animals were shy.

Some weren't.

Leah with some her classmates.

Matthew (hiding under the Disneyland hat) is petting the starfish.

Because it's been a while...

Leah's first bike ride without training wheels.
We were so proud because she figured out how to do it with the help of her friend from school.The look on Mom's face when she saw her Mother's Day/Birthday present.
(We got her a Kitchen Aid Stand-up Mixer that she has been wanting for years.)

Me with Leah and Owen on Mother's Day.

Water Play!!!

Balloon fight; it was all the kids against Chellie.

Happy Mama's Day!!!

Here are a few of my favorite "Mom" moments.

Getting them all to cooperate for this picture.

Matthew chasing the ball at soccer instead of running away from it.
(I know it's blurry but he is the one in the white shirt in the middle.)

Leah roller skating for the first time.

Owen "reading".

My most recent "Mom" moment was watching Leah ride her bike for the first time with no training wheels. I haven't gotten the pictures from the camera yet which is why they are not posted yet.

Thank you Mom...
without you I would not be the Mom I am today!!!

Frustrating Times

There comes a time every so often when I get frustrated beyond belief with my kids...now is one of those times. No matter what I say or how I say I just cannot seem to get them to listen and cooperate.
My moment today was going trying to go to the store...now I know it's not fun for kids (especially when they don't get toys and treats), but I am all kinds of prepared and can make it quick and fairly painless if they cooperate. I couldn't even get them to cooperate enough to get ready to go, which makes very worried about the behavior I will actually get at the store. Now I am stuck waiting for Jeff to get home from work so I can go by myself. Part of me feels like making them go to the store just to prove a point (you know, the one where they can't get what they want by throwing a fit) but the sane part thinks it is better to just let them have their way and have one less "battle" today...any thoughts???